PUP suggestions for classic rock

[baba o'riley]

I just got a new LP Classic in Honey Burst(my first LP) and I was wondering what would be the best combo of pickups to put in. I play mostly classic rock and blues, ranging from Bad Company to Led Zeppelin. My local dealer said a 59 set would work great. Anybody have any suggestions?

 

[tone4days]

Re: PUP suggestions for classic rock

welcome to the forum

congrats on the super sweet new axe

my humble opinion ... for classic rock / blues:

if money is no object, a set of antiquities would simply be perfect ...

if money is a little issue, but not much, a set of seth's would probably be killer ...

least expensive (but still monsterously toneful) option - yup, a set of 59s

but i also recommend that you wait a little while and get use to the guitar some ... learn its nuances ... tweak with pickup height, amp settings, tone knob settings, etc ... then you can determine what exactly you think is lacking from the stock pups .. when you can pinpoint why you think you need new ones (e.g. neck to muddy, high notes too shrill on bridge pup, etc) you'll know exactly what to go after for replacements

good luck
t4d

 

[rspst14]

Re: PUP suggestions for classic rock

Welcome to the board. It sounds like we have very similar styles, I play mostly classic rock and blues as well. A set of '59s would work very well, but I prefer to use different pickups in the neck and bridge to get different sounds in each position. I agree that a '59 in the bridge would be a great choice, but I would consider the Pearly Gates or Alnico 2 Pro for the neck spot. Both are great classic rock/blues pickups...if you want a slightly brighter sound, go with the Pearly Gates. If you want a slightly warmer sound, go with the Alnico 2 Pro. Slash uses an Alnico 2 Pro in his Les Paul's, listen the solos in "November Rain" if you want an idea of how that pickup sounds in the neck. It's definitely my favorite neck pickup of all-time, not to mention the ultimate blues pickup.

Ryan

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: PUP suggestions for classic rock

I agree with the posts above, but it's a very subjective thing. Personally, I prefer a JB/Alnico II Pro combo in a solidbody HH for great warmth and smoothness in the neck and little more bite and output in the bridge. Proper use of the volume and tone controls will give you a ton of versatility.

 

[mongrollo]

Re: PUP suggestions for classic rock

I just got a new LP Classic in Honey Burst(my first LP) and I was wondering what would be the best combo of pickups to put in. I play mostly classic rock and blues, ranging from Bad Company to Led Zeppelin. My local dealer said a 59 set would work great. Anybody have any suggestions?

I agree with tone4day with all its recomendations. I think those are great pickups and you will get very sactisfactory results with all of them.

But I want to ask you, why do you want to change the pickups?

 

[baba o'riley]

Re: PUP suggestions for classic rock

The pickups aren't horrible by no means, but I think the ceramic magnets are a lil too hot. They don't have the vintage tone that I'm looking for. I am trying to get closer to the sound Paul Kossof had with Free and Mick Ralphs had with Bad Company.

 

[Brow]

Re: PUP suggestions for classic rock

I play almost exactly the same style of music myself and I find that a set of Seth Lovers in my Les Paul gets me to that 70's Rock tone very easilly

Craig

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: PUP suggestions for classic rock

Don't forget about the Pearly Gates set. It excells at classic rock, blues, , funk, jazz, and with the right amp, even metal. :burnout:

 

[captain cavman]

Re: PUP suggestions for classic rock

I play almost exactly the same style of music myself and I find that a set of Seth Lovers in my Les Paul gets me to that 70's Rock tone very easilly

Craig

I second that , Seth Lovers are huge in a LP . Those are the best PUs ever to my ears.
'59s are a good choice too , they will sound slightly nastier and hot rodded compared to S.L with more grind on crunch tone.

My favorite set right now is a Seth Lover in the bridge and an Antiquity in the neck : HUGE !

 

[Martian]

Re: PUP suggestions for classic rock

Here's another old geezer checking in:

My bag is all the "heavy" British Invasion and late 60s/early 70s US stuff; apparently, same as yourself.

After I can't tell you how much experimenting with all the various 'classic' ilk Duncan (and SO many other brands) HBs, I've found that a Duncan Custom in the bridge position and a Duncan Pearly Gates (bridge model) in the neck position covers it all.

Oh yea, I use .009 Ernie Balls too.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: PUP suggestions for classic rock

When I hear Bad Company I hear an alnico 2 humbucker in a late 50's Les Paul. I agree with the others who suggested the Seth Lover or Antiquity and I'll add the Pearly Gates to the list. Lew

 

[baba o'riley]

Re: PUP suggestions for classic rock

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'm going to try a set of Seth Lovers.