Pickups For Les Paul

Pickups For Les Paul

  • Total voters
    80
James Rock

James Rock

Active member
I ahve an epiphone Les Paul Studio and was looking for new pickups
I wondered about a SH-14 Custom 5 in the bridge and a SH-1 '59 in the neck my setup is Les Paul>Jim Dunlop GCB-95 Crybaby Wah>Boss Super Overdrive>Fender Pro Junior
I thought those pickups cos I wnt something good for clean sounds aswell as some dirty sounds for ROCK good for 60s/70s music including stuff influenced by The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, Status Quo and Pink Floyd.
My amp is loud (its the Valves in it) but is only 15 watts so it overdrive easily so thats why I don't want really high output pickups cos I like cleanish sounds especially ones just before breakup and the pickups on my les paul at the moment have a too high output.
 
Re: Pickups For Les Paul

I don't know anything about stock Epiphone pickups (are they high output?), but both the JB and Custom 5 are what I would consider high output - i.e. higher output than original "vintage" humbuckers. For the bands you mention vintage spec pickups will give you enough output - none of them would have used high output pickups, with the exception of John Sykes when he was in Lizzy. Robbo, Scott, Snowy and GM were all playing LPs with vintage buckers or mini hummers. Plus you have the overdrive pedal if you want things to get really filthy.

I can recommend either Seth Lovers or Alnico II Pros for a smooth vintage rock tone. '59s are good if you want something a little brighter and more aggressive. Pearly Gates also have a great reputation in a Les Paul, but I've never tried those.

Do you know what the DC resistance of your current bridge pickup is? That would give you an indication of where to look in the Duncan range if you want to lower your output.
 
Re: Pickups For Les Paul

I'm with Simon. The C5 and JB are both high output pups. You could go with a set of 59's if you like the C5 specs. The C5 is essentially an overwound 59 both have a very scoop mid range due to the A5 magnet. The JB is another A5 magnet with fair lows and lots of highs and a large high mid spike that cuts through the mix.

For the best non-customshop Page-esque tone go for the 59 set, or Jazz set. These pups will also cover the Thin Lizzy territory ("Tonite There's Gonna be a Jailbreak" I'm thinking)

I have a Jazz neck and an Alnico 2 Bridge in my Heritage 150 (LP style and build, built in the old Gibson Factory by the old employees). The jazz is clear and articulate sounding good clean or dirty, picked or strummed. The A2P is thicker with a very even sound a great string to string response. I can get some great classic rock tones from my guitar with it. I started out with the JB but it sounded to shrill to me. A2 magnet pups will give you a smoother tone than A5 magnet pups.

The pro junior is a great amp! It can get greasy and nasty as the best of them! If you want to go the C5 or JB route it will be fine, just learn to use your volume knobs and toggle switch.

Shoot with any more questions you might have and WELCOME to the forum!

Luke
 
Re: Pickups For Les Paul

I voted for the C-5 and Jazz but, I think a set of 59's or alnico II pro's will be your best bet.
 
Re: Pickups For Les Paul

I only have experience with the '59 neck, so I will say that it rocks under high gain. You won't find a glassier, tighter neck pickup on the market.
 
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Re: Pickups For Les Paul

I changed the pup from my epiphone lp a few weeks ago. At first I tried the JB in bridge, but I didn't like the clean sound. The distorted sounds were really cool, but the clean voice was not the one I was looking for. I also tried it for fun as neck pup, but no help here either.

So I can't recommend you the JB for mainly clean/slightly distorted stuff...
I ended up on using my old DMZ AirNorton, but I guess I won't stay with it - I have to make up my mind first.

For neck pup I'd say the 59'er. It's a really warm sounding pup with not too much output. It also has nice split sounds...

greets
grams
 
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Re: Pickups For Les Paul

Im going with a pearly gates and an alnico II pro in my epi les paul standard.
 
Re: Pickups For Les Paul

I voted Jazz neck and JB bridge because that set has sounded killer in every Les Paul I've tried it in.

Lew
 
Re: Pickups For Les Paul

i think the JB/jazz set really would be your best bet. the JB is great at getting classic rock tones, with the simple use of a volume knob. the jazz, i guess, is really good too, i've never played a jazz though, but i have 59 in my les paul and it sounds killer!!
 
Re: Pickups For Les Paul

Thanks for your help I have decided to use a 59' in the neck for sure now i am just tossing up between the JB and the Custom 5
Even though bands like Thin Lizzy use vintage p/ups they used Marshalls at high volumes I am looking at using cleaner amps (like Vox AC-30's) at lower levels for my sounds so i need higher output pickups to get nice and dirty with my Super Overdrive
My p/ups aren't too High output as long as i keep the volume lowish (on the guitar) and they drive my amp a bit so with the BOSS Super Overdrive it get into a medium distortion which is nice
I just mainly wanted somethin slightly more vintage and the bridge pickup to have a bit higher output than the neck so I can use (in conjuction with volume controls) the neck p/up for rhythmn and the Bridge p/up for lead
I am saving up for a laney VC-30 (Vox Copy) which will have more headroom for clean
 
Re: Pickups For Les Paul

hmm.. i voted Custom 5, i find the JB to be a bit too bright. But i think you might be better off with a Custom Custom. It has more mids than the C5 and tends to be warmer and more vintage because of the Alnico 2 magnet
 
Re: Pickups For Les Paul

APH1-n,
it sounds fantastic in my gibson LP classic.
Very rounding sound and great sustain.
59 is too agreesive to me. (Too much high frequency sparkle)

I never try aph1-b, but JB is in my les paul now.
It's quite impressive for pop rock.
But I must knob down the tone pot to 6 when I play solo.

btw, does anyone try those PUs with 500K OHM pot in Les Paul?
I have been looking for push-pull pot. But they only have 500K ohm available. :crying:
 
Re: Pickups For Les Paul

I was holding off on this, but since someone else mentioned it first - How about the Pearly Gates neck and Custom Custom bridge. I have this in my Epi LP and I have to say, it's the best overall sound I have. Bridge can go vintage in a 59' sort of way and the PG cleans up nicely with a little volume tweek. Classic 59 neck sound, but it can hot up a bit if I want - and FAT. The Custom Custom has some serious cut with the mid peak, yet isn't too hot to also clean up with volume, although not as easily as the PG. It's hand down my prefered "Zep" tunes guitar (awesome through my Pro Junior!). It cutting, yet fat and smooth all over the place and can crunch if you want!

Now for the really cool part - those two pups mix in all kinds of cool ways!!! The scoop on the PG plus the mid peaked CC give an awesome full sound. Work a little volume and tone and all sorts of shades are available: PG with more mid peak, CC with fatter bottom - just all sorts of neat stuff.

The PG isn't that much different than the 59, and the CC is an A2 mag also.
 
Re: Pickups For Les Paul

Did I meantion i love sparkly treble (for clean) and thats why i was sorta leaning towards something with an alnico 5 magnet in it but was smooth enough for nice creamy lead
 
Re: Pickups For Les Paul

The JB should be thicker and richer than the Custom or C-5. I found the C-5 bright and to have a huge bass! The JB feels more versatile and smoother over all.
 
Re: Pickups For Les Paul

Seth's man! I just put some in my LP std. and also play mostly classic
rock stuff..I love those PUs! they sound very very clear!
good luck
 
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