Pups for my LP Trad

[BloodRose]

ok, yeah, Ive toiled this over for a long time.. Ive agonized, lost sleep and annoyed all you guys a time or 3.

Ive tried and tried to be happy with the stock pups in my Trad pro but just cant gel.. The 57 in the neck isnt bad and the BB3 in the bridge improved with an A8 mag, but the only time it doesnt sound just kind of bland is when I dial up the mids on my amp. Now, I know thats what the amp eq is for, but I can normally get a tone I like with a flat eq on most axes and then add some flavor.. Not make the sound with the EQ.

Ive kicked around a slash set, and a bunch of others. Id like to try a nailbomb set, but I cant afford that.
Im pretty set on a PG in the neck as I keep hearing that is great in an lp and I normally run 59b models and would like something a little less smokey sounding and alil more edgy for singing blues rock leads..
Now the bridge... This is where Ive suffered longest.. I figure the best thing I can do is go with the Custom.. Ive heard its good in LPs and Ive also heard guys whom I respect state the C5 is great in a paul.. So if the Custom doesnt hit the nerve, I can go C5. Or even my beloved C8.
Im really looking for a do it all axe that nails all the classic lp tones. I love all the raw rock tones of Mick Jones, Sykes (LOVE Sykes), tom Kieffer, and others..

Think the Custom/PGn would do the trick?

Thanks !

 

[JeffB]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

Well..

Sykes classic tone is a Dirty Fingers- I had a set in an old Explorer and hated them- he made them sound like Gold.

Mick Jones- stockers- IOW, T tops.

Tom Keifer, also stockers, most likely T tops or Shaws.

PGn is a win for any les paul neck tone need, also sounds great mixed in the middle.

C5 can pretty bright/seemingly mid free in a LP *IF* you are running 500K volume pots. I normally did not like the C5, until I put into a V with 300K volume and it it really fattened up like that in the mids- the EQ became much more even and full.

I had the SH5 in a ton of Gibsons over the years. And it was my fave bridge for many years, but I just don't dig the ceramics these days. It's a great pup, but IMO does not do "classic" Les Paul tone.

I'd recommend trying some other manufacturers A5 PAF style pickups for the bridge if you need it to remain pretty tight. The C5/59 are just not as full/even sounding as many others out there.

If you are not opposed to A2, the PGb is the best Duncan production PAF type wind/output bar none, AFAIC, and for an A2 it's still pretty tight.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

I was just coming back to add that Im going to change pots to 500k. (Always had iffy luck with Gibby 300s) May pop a load and do the RS guit works wiring kit..
yeah, I know the ones l listed are all over the place for what they used. just giving what Im digging.

You suggesting a PGB/neck combo? I worry the PGb wont have the output I like. Not opposed to A2, just never found one I was satisfied with..

Any others you recommend? Im not opposed to other brands as long as it not gonna be big $$..

Also, running splawn QR and or JCM 800

 

[JeffB]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

You suggesting a PGB/neck combo? I worry the PGb wont have the output I like. Not opposed to A2, just never found one I was satisfied with..

Yep, totally suggesting that.

What the PGB lacks in output numbers, it makes up for in attitude and nastiness. It is an aggressive sounding PAF with big lows, thick snarling mids, and nasty bite while still retaining muscle on the high strings. Nothing like a 59 or AP2, or 57 classic.

 

[84camarofreak]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

Hey bloodrose have you consider a screamin demon? To be honest not really a lp guy. I never played a bridge pup I liked till I put the demon in my squier. And I know there's a few worlds difference between a squier and an lp!!!! But my squier is the double fat with a solid mahogany body. Every other guitar I've played I avoid the bridge pup like the plague not into that sound. My demon is paired with a jazz and I find myself using the demon about 80 percent if the time. Well that's my 2 cents good luck

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

Antiquities dude.

Everybody who plays my Les Paul Custom with Antiquities in it looks at me like they want to kill me.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

I'm assuming the body is swiss cheesed here. I would have thought that the natural tone of the guitar would have been thick enough naturally that any of the PAF's would work - I'd second the use of the PG neck in there.

The bridge posi is another story. If you go a PGb then you can always put a rough A2 in there to smooth the top end.
Other possibiities are the '78 or Brobucker if you want slightly hotter than PAF.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

I had about a dozen bridge pups in my 1982 Gibson Heritage Elite (including TTop,JB, Alt 8,StagMag,Classic 57,Burstbucker,Lollar, Custom8, C5).
First i changed the vol to 500k and found that not bearable with a stock Custom. This F....cker is incredibly stiff and nasty, too much bass and piercing highs. With a A5 it was a little be to scooped, it lacked fullness except you play a full blown Marshall Stack with 4x12 (no kidding!)
The PGB was to low volume and too compressed for me. The stock Ants a little too vintage. I settled with AntB with a RCUO A5 and the Shaw Neck with a A4. Smooth growl in Bridge, still a tad vintage.
My other LP has a PhatCatN with A3/A5 and a Custom8 (P90 flav and full throttle in one guitar).

In your case, since all you fav player are on A5, would recommend you blueman's fav the RCUOA5 Custom (good cut, only a bit scooped - and works well for the Brit flav).

Hope that helps!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

Yep, totally suggesting that.

What the PGB lacks in output numbers, it makes up for in attitude and nastiness. It is an aggressive sounding PAF with big lows, thick snarling mids, and nasty bite while still retaining muscle on the high strings. Nothing like a 59 or AP2, or 57 classic.

Got me intrigued...

Hey bloodrose have you consider a screamin demon? To be honest not really a lp guy. I never played a bridge pup I liked till I put the demon in my squier. And I know there's a few worlds difference between a squier and an lp!!!! But my squier is the double fat with a solid mahogany body. Every other guitar I've played I avoid the bridge pup like the plague not into that sound. My demon is paired with a jazz and I find myself using the demon about 80 percent if the time. Well that's my 2 cents good luck

Thanks for the input. I actually have never tried a Demon. Ill pick one up one of these days and give it a whirl. Ive heard great things about them and sounds like its rocking for you! Id be more apt to try one in a strat type tho.

Antiquities dude.

Everybody who plays my Les Paul Custom with Antiquities in it looks at me like they want to kill me.

I really wish I could try one before committing.. I hear they are great, but I worry the output wont pls me.. Ive never gelled with a PAF (59, paf, A2p etc) in the bridge. Got any clips??

I'm assuming the body is swiss cheesed here. I would have thought that the natural tone of the guitar would have been thick enough naturally that any of the PAF's would work - I'd second the use of the PG neck in there.

The bridge posi is another story. If you go a PGb then you can always put a rough A2 in there to smooth the top end.
Other possibiities are the '78 or Brobucker if you want slightly hotter than PAF.

The trad pro is not swiss cheesed! Good thought on modding the PG if it isnt right..

I had about a dozen bridge pups in my 1982 Gibson Heritage Elite (including TTop,JB, Alt 8,StagMag,Classic 57,Burstbucker,Lollar, Custom8, C5).
First i changed the vol to 500k and found that not bearable with a stock Custom. This F....cker is incredibly stiff and nasty, too much bass and piercing highs. With a A5 it was a little be to scooped, it lacked fullness except you play a full blown Marshall Stack with 4x12 (no kidding!)
The PGB was to low volume and too compressed for me. The stock Ants a little too vintage. I settled with AntB with a RCUO A5 and the Shaw Neck with a A4. Smooth growl in Bridge, still a tad vintage.
My other LP has a PhatCatN with A3/A5 and a Custom8 (P90 flav and full throttle in one guitar).

In your case, since all you fav player are on A5, would recommend you blueman's fav the RCUOA5 Custom (good cut, only a bit scooped - and works well for the Brit flav).

Hope that helps!

Kind of keeps me thinking back to the Custom.. can mod it out if not happy.. Thanks

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

How do Pearl gates sound with a Quickrod or Jcm 800? I think my biggest fear with PGs being too bright or too ZZtop sounding.. (I know, I play NOTHING like the Rev)

I want something that with sing, give me the classic woody LP tone, but kick some a$$ For metal too.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

hey, I youtubed some antiquities in LPs and dang, those sound amazing....

Any prob with squeal under gain??

How does a PG bridge sound in the neck??

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

I've got a PG set in my Dean EVO, which is very similar to an LP in build, right down to a really thick maple cap. I have absolutely no complaints about either pickup. When I rewired it, I went 500k pots and a mallory cap. They've got just enough bite and snarl when you add on the gain, but don't fart out and lose clarity, which really irritates me about most high output pickups. They're not compressed or mushy sounding and they're very responsive to picking and volume adjustments. After having several Duncans over the years, dam near everyone of them, I've found that they(PG's) have a dynamic to them that's all of their own.

Also, I don't sound like Billy Gibbons, neither does my guitar. The Rev sounds like the Rev with whatever he's playing or what he's playing through. As for gain, ya you're going to laugh, some of the best metal pickups I've played. If you're playing a high gain amp, you don't need a whip crack'n bridge pickup to push the front end even harder. I can plug the Dean into my triple recto or DSL and it sounds great. If switch over to my Dimarzio loaded Ibanez or EMG loaded Schecter, it's buzz city on the gain.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

I've got a PG set in my Dean EVO, which is very similar to an LP in build, right down to a really thick maple cap. I have absolutely no complaints about either pickup. When I rewired it, I went 500k pots and a mallory cap. They've got just enough bite and snarl when you add on the gain, but don't fart out and lose clarity, which really irritates me about most high output pickups. They're not compressed or mushy sounding and they're very responsive to picking and volume adjustments. After having several Duncans over the years, dam near everyone of them, I've found that they(PG's) have a dynamic to them that's all of their own.

Also, I don't sound like Billy Gibbons, neither does my guitar. The Rev sounds like the Rev with whatever he's playing or what he's playing through. As for gain, ya you're going to laugh, some of the best metal pickups I've played. If you're playing a high gain amp, you don't need a whip crack'n bridge pickup to push the front end even harder. I can plug the Dean into my triple recto or DSL and it sounds great. If switch over to my Dimarzio loaded Ibanez or EMG loaded Schecter, it's buzz city on the gain.

Great info! Thanks! esp about playing with gain..

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

One other question.. Zebra black and white or creme/white? The gibson plastic has that stupid pink tint to it...

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

One other question.. Zebra black and white or creme/white? The gibson plastic has that stupid pink tint to it...

What color is the guitar? I understand the mismatch on the Gibson's driving you crazy. It irritated me so much, I took the pickguard off my gold top. Of course, I've seen so many w/ cream and chrome, I'm switching all of my hardware and plastic to black! Naysayers be damned!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

What color is the guitar? I understand the mismatch on the Gibson's driving you crazy. It irritated me so much, I took the pickguard off my gold top. Of course, I've seen so many w/ cream and chrome, I'm switching all of my hardware and plastic to black! Naysayers be damned!

Im guessing prob creme/black..

here's when I still had the guard on, to get more an idea of the color match issue..

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

I'd stick with the cream/black zebras. They seem to work pretty well in there. As for the plastic, it's pretty cheap and shouldn't be too had to match if it's bugging you that. I'm just not a fan of LP's with guards on them, so I always take them off.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

I took the guard off and the pups shown are stock. I just hope duncan creme/black wont mismatch too much with the binding and stuff. Its so stupid Gibby uses that pink color...

Thanks for the help!

 

[DonP]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

The trad pro is not swiss cheesed!

What?

Ok, weight relieved with 7 non-swiss holes.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Pups for my LP Trad

Pg neck w/ 500k

Custom Bridge w/ 300k

Play any danged thing you want with that. Try A5 in custom if that doesn't work for you.