Pickups For Les Paul

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

I voted the Custom 5/59 because my best sounding Pauls have that combo, but the truth is that most Duncans sound good in a LP.....pretty general info, but it's true.

For example you could use any of these combos and have a smile on your face.
C-5/59
CC/APII
Seth Lover set.
JB/Jazz
59 set.
Custom/59
EVH/PG

 

[papersoul]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

If the Duncans don't float your boat, try the Rio Grande BBQ/Texas set.

 

[skynyrdlover1]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

I have a epi les paul classic and the stock pups were like 13.5 bridge and 8.5 neck thats high output to me.i would go with seth lovers they are awsome,I had a 59b it was a little bright in my guitar.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

Hi -

Hopefully you'll take a little advice from a guy who has been exactly where you are. I started with an Epi LP and went C5/59'. With the alder body and maple cap, both of those pickups were just too bright in the guitar. I was playing through a Hot Rod Deluxe.

If you want higher output in the bridge...cool. Go with the CC. You will not be dissapointed, and you won't have the spikey highs and scooped mids of the CC (in that guitar).

The 59 also always had too much bass and highs in the neck of my Epi. In a guitar that is Mahogany the A5 pups will work much better to balance the tonality of the wood. Go with an A2 neck....APH, PG, Seth.

A CC/PG, CC/ APH or CC/Seth will do all of the things you are asking of a pickup with your setup, and you won't have any harsh overtones to deal with. Take it from a guy who has been there.

 

[James Rock]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

Thanks For Everyones Help

 

[James Rock]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

Thanks For Your Help
I am pretty sure my Les Paul is Mahogany with a Maple Cap.
I am most likely going to go for a set of 59's (in zebra how COOL) with 4-conductor wiring so i can get single coil sounds (It won't be as good as a strat but it will be able to give glassier tones as well).
I wanted 59's because of the slightly scooped mids (a les paul and a VOX gives a very midey tone which is a bit harsh and muddy)

 

[flank]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

by themselves, i dont think humbuckers sound very good in single coil mode....but put both in single coil mode, and then move to the middle position, and it gives a nice thick quacky tone, fairly close the the "in between" strat quacky tones

 

[James Rock]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

What about the two coils wired in parallel.
What about the single coil sounds isn't very good

 

[flipside]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

that's a tough one man. All those pickups are awesome. I"m in the same boat, and i think i've decided to put a JB/Jazz set in my Epi Elitist LP Standard+. I don't think you could go wrong with any of the pups. And if i by chance you don't like them, SD has a great exchange policy.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

It depends on the individual Les Paul.

1) If it's extra beefy and I want to thin it out a little -- 59 neck (possibly with a lower Alnico), Burstbucker #2 or #3 for bridge.

2) If it's a little thin-sounding for an LP -- Seth Lover neck with an Alnico 5, Custom Custom bridge, Custom 3 or Custom 4 if it still doesn't quite have that wide tone.

3) If it's just about right, the stock Burstbucker V's ought to do the trick -- or a Seth Lover neck and either a Fralin Unbucker wound to about 9.5k or an overwound Seth Lover bridge.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

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.

James it depends on the type of sound you are looking for. IF you are a High gain type of player those pups may work, but from what you described of your gear it sounds like you are looking to achieve a traditional type of tone. IF that is what you are after I would recommend the Alnico pro2 set. I just put a set in a LP custom (1974) and it now sounds considerably better. Thru a clean Amp the neck pup is warm and buttery, the Bridge has a nice balance and a little bite to it. With the Drive on it really takes on a very different character. The neck has a lot of bottom, but not mushy, the bridge is just beautiful.... nice singing harmonics and a well balanced high end. Another good choice would be Seths, Pearly Gates or Antiquities. Out of all of these I tend to lean towards the Alnico Pro. These PUPS are very versatile, you can play anything from soft blues and Jazz to hard Rock with them.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

Wow over 1200 views!!

I am more of an A2 guy. I think A5 pups in the bridge sound harsh, my taste are similiar to Jeff's so I'll be quiet now.


Luke

 

[James Rock]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

James it depends on the type of sound you are looking for. IF you are a High gain type of player those pups may work, but from what you described of your gear it sounds like you are looking to achieve a traditional type of tone

I really want to have a classic warm but chimey and alive sound but to be versatile enough that if i wanted a higher gain sound (from black sabbath up to metallica) I can achieve with the help of a pedal (boutique) i sorta wanted '59 for the brighness and slightly scooped mids

 

[James Rock]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

I am sorta still tossing up between a '59 bridge and a C-5 bridge because the C-5 has more bass then the '59 but the output still concerns me.
Does the '59 have enough bass for most classic rock/pop through something like a Vox AC-30 (which lacks a bit of tight bass) but i am more concered about having nice treble and mids then bass response

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

Jazz neck / '59 bridge would be a good all around set and would sound good together.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

Even though you might consider a C-5 to be high output, it really retains more of a vintage A5 sound, with just a bit more balls than a 59B. That's why the C-5/59 combo is becoming more popular.....because its like a 59 set with a bridge pickup that has a more percussive low end. On British amps, the C-5 sounds good because it lets the midrange character of the amp and wood to dictate it. The pickup just supplies the low end thump and open sounding highs.

Still, the truth is that most of the pickups in this thread are perfectly worthy LP replacements. Don't forget that the dealer's and Duncan offer an exchange, so if the first round isn't perfect, you can move in a better direction a week later.

 

[skynyrdlover1]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

my epiphone les paul stock bridge pickup was 13.4.I installed a set of seth's and have'nt looked back,they are excellent for thin lizzy,skynyrd and and classic rock

 

[papersoul]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

I agree with Gear.....you have to consider the wind and the wire used in the wind. The C-5 does not seem much hotter than my 8.4k Burstbucker Pro bridge model because they are wound differently and with different wire.

The other apect to consider is the guitar. An LP for example has a thick tone with ample midrange and that is why I say a low to medium output pickup is more than enough for an LP. High output or high mids become overbearing in an LP to my ears and doesn't allow the guitar to breathe. The C-5 does not feel or sound hot to me.

However, I can get some good heavy rock tones with the Burstbucker pros and many other low output pickups I've tried. One of the best replacements I've tested is the C-5 but it has been a while. I tried JB type pickups in the LP and it always seemed tubby. My PRS Mccarty is thicker like a Les Paul but the thinner body loses some thick mids so I bet a JB or Custom would work in a the PRS.

 

[gripweed]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

Jazz neck / '59 bridge would be a good all around set and would sound good together.

I have that in my Paul and it is a very nice combo. It is the combo I voted for. The Jazz is staying, but I might try the C-5 in the bridge.

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Pickups For Les Paul

This has already been said, but I think dual 59's are a better choice for the bands you mentioned. The JB and C5 are are pretty hot for your application.