Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

[d-shep]

I have a 2013 non-weight relieved LP Traditional, and the stock '57 Classic Plus was not doing it for me. This guitar has SERIOUS mass, and a baseball bat thick '59 rounded profile, giving it a naturally warm, bass-heavy tone. The stock '57 was spongy, and too "polite", if that makes sense. I'm after a more aggressive tone, needless to say, and more clarity. The JB has the punch, has the aggression, but also a fizzy character, and lacks the clarity I was after. I've used the Distortions in a V, and a LP Studio faded. I also initially wanted to try the Custom, but the JB was readily available in the chrome cover. Well, again, I'm just not digging it.... My lead tones are SICK, but rhythm tones lack clarity, and that's first & foremost. Think Jon Schaffer, Iced Earth rhythm tone! I do play a variety, but TIGHT, CRUSHING, CLEAR rhythm tone is a MUST, since I mostly play metal, from 80's thrash to Drop-D tuning, as well as Gary Moore-type lead tones.

So, what next? How much does keeping the stock neck pickup effect my tone, since I'm primarily on the bridge pickup?

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

try lowering the pickup a bit

 

[theycallmegio]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

edit - double post

 

[theycallmegio]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

I'm going to have a custom available this week. It's zebra though. Holler @ your boy

I'm like 2 hours south of you lol

 

[cokekolev]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

John Schaffer uses mostly low output PAF style pickups. The 57 classic plus is a bright vintage style pickup, so you won't get more clarity from another pickup. I have the exact same guitar so I know what I'm talking about. The JB in my strat sounds way fatter (with 250k tone pot), so I understand you want more clarity. I suggest you play with your amp settings a bit before changing pickups.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

I had that problem in a 73 LP Standard. The lead tones were sick, but the rhythms were a little on the thinner side. I've heard the Custom and Custom 5 in some of the clips guys post in the sound room, and they are brutal sounding. Tight and crushing like you say. If you don't mind playing with magnets, I'd get a Custom and try the A2, A5, roughcast A5, A8 (sweet), ceramic etc. There should be something pleasing to your ear in that group of mags with that pickup in a Les Paul like yours.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

or just put an A2 in your jb

 

[d-shep]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

try lowering the pickup a bit

Did, and it helped a bit, but still fizzy.

 

[d-shep]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

John Schaffer uses mostly low output PAF style pickups. The 57 classic plus is a bright vintage style pickup, so you won't get more clarity from another pickup. I have the exact same guitar so I know what I'm talking about. The JB in my strat sounds way fatter (with 250k tone pot), so I understand you want more clarity. I suggest you play with your amp settings a bit before changing pickups.

Yes, I plan to change strings tomorrow, (not that they are shot, but fresh gives me my best core tone to work from), and do some experimenting with some preamp tubes. I hear an increased bass response, for sure, so maybe some of the warmer tubes need switched around so everybody can get along.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

swap to an A2 mag first, then, if that doesn't help.........look into another pickup. JB's have a reputation for not getting along with Les Pauls

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

Your thinking was correct. You should have gotten the Custom. It's a match made in heaven with a Les Paul.

 

[theycallmegio]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

I can even bring it to you. I have a girl that I sleep with in tampa from time to time

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

I can even bring it to you. I have a girl that I sleep with in tampa from time to time

smh :clap: LOL

 

[blueman335]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

I don't care for '57's in LP's, they tend to have a dull top end. There's many better PAF's. JB's bomb out in mahogany on a regular basis, they're just hit or miss in that wood, and have problems most often in LP's. The Custom family of PU's does much better overall in Gibsons. For the clarity you want, a Custom or Custom 5 should be ideal.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

Try an A8 in the JB, fuller low end and and it will growl a little more...

 

[alboz28]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

59 Hybrid - I have one in a 95 LP Custom

 

[J.LaGrassa]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

I just put a set of JB/Jazz (35th Anniversary set) in my Les Paul Classic although I don't find it fizzy it had a lot of power, I lowered the JB to 1/8" and it seems to respond very well to touch sensitivity and volume changes. My LP also has super pots (550k) for volume and the JB is still not overly bright but plenty clear... what do you use for an amp?

 

[DeathALT.]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

I think a Custom would be a good option, or if you want to go the dimarzio road: a Super Distortion (I love mine).

 

[Aceman]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

The 57's are a cool set, but they are a particulalr older/softer sound.

Also, that Mahogany slab can be a bear, if it is dark sounding. Apparently yours is!

I had a JB in a Dean Caddy that was one piece MAhog and just hated it every which way (got complimnets on tone playing out though...). I did the A8 swap and I love it. You may/may not. For a couple bucks I say try it. Don't think it will clear up the fizz though....

That said - the MAhogany I have in my 79 could anchor a large boat. Distortion is in there - clarity? Oh hell yes!!! Is the bottom tight? I'd pat that guitar's @$$ if it had one.

 

[Niloy63]

Re: Put a JB in my LP Traditional, and not happy... Need suggestions!

My humble opinion and exprience, I LOVE the stock Custom and PGn on Les Pauls. I have a bit of experience with a few pairs of p'ups in the LP (like the JB/Jazz, 498/490, 500/496, Custom Custom/'59), but I find the Custom/PGn really suit the guitar for a broad spectrum of sounds. Truly a great pair, especially split.

I'm also a big fan of the Custom 8, as I've recently come to find. But it's worth noting that I'm very new to the magnet swapping world, so my knowledge/experience is rather thin compared to a lot of folks on this forum. But from what I've gathered with my little experience, I feel that the C8 feels exceptional, especially with lighter bodied Mahoganies and Super Strats. I tried the swap in those, and it sounds monstrous. I just really love the Custom/PGn combo in my LP though, so I haven't felt the need to try the C8 in there. Maybe I should sooner than later to alleviate my ignorance. Other forum members on here (like LtKojak and Blueman, just to name a couple) can run circles around me while playing the bagpipes with their knowledge, so they'd probably give you much better advise than I can.

Good luck in your search.