Please recommend a new bridge pup for Les Paul Standard

[Reverberocket2]

Hi All, I'm new here and looking for some recommendations

I've got an '84 Les Paul Standard loaded with JB(b)/'59. I'm tired of the JB in the bridge -- the tone doesn't ballance with the '59, it doesn't clean up well with the volume control and it's clean tone is just lackluster in general.

I'm looking for a more classic PAF tone that sounds great clean or with some crunch and that cleans up well using non master volume amps

I like stuff like: CCR, Jayhawks, Mick Taylor era Stones, Allman Brothers, Black Crowes, Free, Bad Company, Thin Lizzy


Thanks

 

[ErikH]

Re: Please recommend a new bridge pup for Les Paul Standard

Hi. Welcome to the forum.

Great explanation of what you're looking for and providing examples. I wish more posts were like this.

My first thought is the 59 bridge. That'll cover everything you mentioned.

If you want a little more snarl, go with the the Pearly Gates bridge.

There's also the Antiquity series and the Seth Lover too.

 

[Martian]

Re: Please recommend a new bridge pup for Les Paul Standard

Welcome!

My immediate thought was the 59 bridge as well.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Please recommend a new bridge pup for Les Paul Standard

I like the Custom 5/59 nickelcovered. The benefit is that it sounds like a 59 with nice tight bass, a little more output, and the mids and highs are about the same. Compared to the JB, the bass will be bigger/tighter, the midspike will be gone and sound more neutral, and the highs will be a little more open and airy.

Since you're leaving the 59N alone, the CC/59 combo is also great, and the CC is similar to a JB, except that the mids are shifted down to low mids. The top and bottom are still a little creamy like a JB.

Comparing the C-5 to the CC is like the difference in tone between Van Halen, Rush, AC/DC, and comparing it to Allman Bros., Bad Co, Free. Not exactly, but that gives you a rough idea of what to expect.