Pickups for a Les Paul style / sound

S

slide

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Hi all.
I got this simple LP style guitar, weight relief chambered mahogany body, arched top with set-in mahogany neck, overall nice one but I'm looking for a set of humbuckers that will give it the ummmff and sustainthat its missing, simply more power.
Application is classic rock, fusion, classic heavy rock etc.
Important, would like to keep the LP style sound as much as possible.
Suggestions for a set?
Thanks
 
Stock LP sound? Or 70s hard rock LP sound?

Something like some kind of DiMarzio PAFs or maybe Duncan 59's for the first, something like Super Distortion + PAF for the second
 
+1 for the WLH set. It's a good classic LP flavor but with a little more output than what is typical. I haven't used the SNS set yet, but that seems like a good recommendation as well.

Keep in mind thought that your guitar will have it's own innate sound, which will be different from the guitars of the people that make recommendations. I have a 2006 LP that's heavily chambered, and I had a hard time finding the right pickups b/c it's naturally brighter than most. Ultimately I had to get into magnet swapping to get the sound I was looking for.
 
I went through this with my LP Trad Pro. Came with a BB3 in the bridge. Not a bad pickup but I needed more from the bridge. Swapped in a Perpetual Burn and while it sounded nice, wasn't right for it. So, I went to the good old tried and true Super Distortion. That's what it needed. Can't underestimate the flexibility of the SuperD. My LP has coil splits for neck and bridge which makes it very versatile (though I would still do what I do with it even without the coil splits). The '57 Classic in the neck is staying put.
 
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I'd say a stock 59 set is a great start You can always boost it later, but the higher output bridge pickups aren't great at some of the more dynamic styles. The right amp has as much to do as the pickups here as well.
 
BluesIsBlood12 said:
+1 for the WLH set. It's a good classic LP flavor but with a little more output than what is typical. I haven't used the SNS set yet, but that seems like a good recommendation as well.

Keep in mind thought that your guitar will have it's own innate sound, which will be different from the guitars of the people that make recommendations. I have a 2006 LP that's heavily chambered, and I had a hard time finding the right pickups b/c it's naturally brighter than most. Ultimately I had to get into magnet swapping to get the sound I was looking for.
Click to expand...

You will not be disappointed with the Whole Lotta humbuckers, they sound great!
 
Spirit of 76 said:
You will not be disappointed with the Whole Lotta humbuckers, they sound great!
Click to expand...

A lot of excellent option thrown here, Hmmm I don’t know…I'm even more confused now….ha ha
I listened to few demos of WLH, it sounds a little "old" to me….
SNL demo by Doug Rapaport sound a blast but everything he plays sound good.

What do you guys think about:
JB / Jazz
Or
SH-4 JB Bridge / SH-1N 59 Neck combo?

I need the pickups to be clear, not to muddy, to response well to dynamics and volume changes on the guitar.
Moreover, it has to have that umuummfff and mega teeth / beef into it while leads should scream.
 
You just described how the Custom and Super Distortion behave. Not kidding. Yes, both are ceramics but don't let that sway you. It's all how it's utilized.

Let me ask this, what's your amp/pedalboard setup?
 
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slide said:
A lot of excellent option thrown here, Hmmm I don’t know…I'm even more confused now….ha ha
I listened to few demos of WLH, it sounds a little "old" to me….
SNL demo by Doug Rapaport sound a blast but everything he plays sound good.

What do you guys think about:
JB / Jazz
Or
SH-4 JB Bridge / SH-1N 59 Neck combo?

I need the pickups to be clear, not to muddy, to response well to dynamics and volume changes on the guitar.
Moreover, it has to have that umuummfff and mega teeth / beef into it while leads should scream.
Click to expand...

I've owned all of these pickups. The JB is thick, loud and, in my experience, not the easiest pickup to clean up. It's got great sustain and plenty of mids. The low end is loud but a little loose and it's a really good lead pickup. Not one I'd use again but it's got it's strengths. Itll cover plenty of ground. I like the Jazz in the neck but the '59N is a close 2nd.
 
ErikH said:
You just described how the Custom and Super Distortion behave. Not kidding. Yes, both are ceramics but don't let that sway you. It's all how it's utilized.

Let me ask this, what's your amp/pedalboard setup?
Click to expand...

Well, the guitar will most used for an AC/DC tribute project I got now, the amp is Friedman runt 20 into any cab I get, sometimes a mesa 4x12, sometimes a Marshall 4x12, it varies.
Pedals, not too much, TS9 and Sigma Super Drive, that’s it, I keep this setup simple as possible and use the amp dirty channel alot.
 
slide said:
Well, the guitar will most used for an AC/DC tribute project I got now, the amp is Friedman runt 20 into any cab I get, sometimes a mesa 4x12, sometimes a Marshall 4x12, it varies.
Pedals, not too much, TS9 and Sigma Super Drive, that’s it, I keep this setup simple as possible and use the amp dirty channel alot.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. The Custom or SuperD might be a bit hot then. Maybe a Pearly Gates set? If I remember right, Angus used that set in the past. That could give you what you want with that setup.

I'm in a Journey Tribute now and use the Super Distortion in my Les Paul. I know Neal uses a Custom Custom in his guitars and I thought of swapping it out but the SuperD works just as well for me.

Edit: after our first gig last Friday, I order a CC. LOL. Couldn't get the hard edges dialed out. Still, the SuperD is a great pickup and I'll be keeping it for something else.
 
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gsammo79 said:
I've owned all of these pickups. The JB is thick, loud and, in my experience, not the easiest pickup to clean up. It's got great sustain and plenty of mids. The low end is loud but a little loose and it's a really good lead pickup. Not one I'd use again but it's got it's strengths. Itll cover plenty of ground. I like the Jazz in the neck but the '59N is a close 2nd.
Click to expand...

An A8 magnet swap solves all of the JB’s shortcomings imo. Of course it’s still difficult to clean up but if high output is your thing....
 
I love the JB and 59. Decide how hot you want the bridge pickup. There are pros and cons to either vintage output or high output. Vintage output is nice and clear and dynamic but can be thin or weak. High output is hot, beefy, and full but loses clarity, openness, and sensitivity.

Something you can do to get the benefits of a vintage pickup but boost it is to put a double thick magnet in it.
 
Well, the guitar will most used for an AC/DC tribute project
So, the question is .... how many times have we seem a LP on the stage of an ACDC concert?

How about getting a SG or a Gretch?

Jazz / SH5?

Jazz / 59 - Custom hybrid for the bridge?
 
slide said:
Hi all.
I got this simple LP style guitar, weight relief chambered mahogany body, arched top with set-in mahogany neck, overall nice one but I'm looking for a set of humbuckers that will give it the ummmff and sustainthat its missing, simply more power.
Application is classic rock, fusion, classic heavy rock etc.
Important, would like to keep the LP style sound as much as possible.
Suggestions for a set?
Thanks
Click to expand...

Alnico 2 pro set or pearly gates set.:fing2:
 
Condemned soul said:
Well, the guitar will most used for an AC/DC tribute project
So, the question is .... how many times have we seem a LP on the stage of an ACDC concert?

How about getting a SG or a Gretch?

Jazz / SH5?

Jazz / 59 - Custom hybrid for the bridge?
Click to expand...

+1 on the 59/C bridge.
Earlier I suggested a Custom but hadn’t even thought of the hybrid. I think that’s a perfect suggestion. It will bridge the gap between classic and modern sounds.
 
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