Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

M

musicman67

New member
Hello Everyone-

I just bought a new LP Deluxe II. It has the 490/Burstbucker Pro combo. The only thing I would change about this model is that I would have preferred the 498T….from what I've heard/read.

So I am deciding on new bridge pup. I haven't replaced a pickup before. I have always taken it in somewhere although I do my own set-ups.
Not sure about the wiring or what I need to look for there.

In term of replacements I was thinking of the tried and true SH-4 JB. I have it in a 72' Ibanez LP and it's great. I also have the JB Jr. in a Strat. Then again something new would be cool. I was looking at the Alternative 8 as well.

I love hard rock. Huge Cantrell fan (who uses/used JB's), Metallica, Zakk Wylde, Dean Deleo's crunchy tones, Slash.

Any advice would be appreciated. Especially in terms of wiring. I don't want to have issues on the install after I take so much time to decide which way to go.

Thanks,

T
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

Congrats on the new guitar!

As far as pickups go, Gibson's don't do much for me. If you want something with a bit more kick in the butt, try the Duncan Distortion. This pickup works well in LPs. For classic LP tones I like the 59s and PGs. Somewhere in the middle of these options is the Screamin' Demon, but that doesn't necessarily sound like a LP, but cuts real well and sounds better in a band setting then played by itself.
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

Thanks for the reply….yeah the Duncan Distortion is another on I've heard good things about. I think I'll check it out a little more.
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

I use Alt 8 in a LTD (agathis body) copy of a Les Paul. My idea was to do some soloing with it but it didn't work out well.. BUT, recently I discovered that in drop D it sound like a fu** chainsaw. It's insane. Don't do it bro, it will kill you.
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

A number of people have pulled the 498T's out of their Gibsons and replaced them. Paired up with a 490R it's the 'Odd Couple.' Warm neck and a bright thin bridge; getting one amp EQ that works for both PU's isn't easy, and frustrates a lot of players. I think it was a big mistake on Gibson's part to put two PU's together whose EQ's are so radically different.

You'd be much better off with a Duncan SH-5 for the kind of music you play.
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

@Mathias Gabriel Rock - So is that and endorsement for the Alt-8?

@blueman355 - I am going to check those out - thanks for the info.
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

So the Duncan Custom SH-5 is the one you're referring to I guess. Sounds and looks good. Have you found them to be too bright ever? It's got a 9 on the tone chart for treble. Although the JB is an 8 and I don't think it's that bright. Your the second person to recommend a Custom.
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

I agree that you probably want either a Distortion or a Custom. The question is which?

Custom: Big Thumping lows, but tight. Mids - but not too much, and screaming ceramic highs. You may like it with standard 300k Gibson pots which will take the edge off. Ignore the numbers on the tone chart. Can mag swap to end up with a C5 (the Duncan 498 essentially, or a Custom Custom, or a Custom 8)

Distortion: Super Tight Bass, but not too much. Big crunching miss. Screaming ceramic highs also. The bottom Chunks vs Thumps. Both are Hot. Also nice with the3 standard 300k pots. MAg swap to an A5 to get a JB-esque style pickup.

All that said…

#1 Live with the BB Pro a while. Work the adjustments on the height and poles. Cghange the knobs on the amp.

#2 Tell us what you want more/less of out of the pup; Bass +/1 and looser/tighter, kids +/- and lower middle or upper, quality and amount of highs. Also - what amp and FX. Also, describe the tone of the guitar. Less reading stats, more ears to the wood.

#3 Learn to change your own pups. The cost of the swap is the cost of the gear to do it. Then it is free forever. Which is good, since you are starting down that path…..
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

Great Advice Aceman! So most of the time I play it's through a Marshall JTM30- 2x10-30w. Great for jamming at home. Nice little tube amp. I have just integrated my Line 6 Pod X3 (bean) into my Logic Pro home studio. At the home studio I am working on music for film and gaming.
Not sure why it took me so long to plug in the X3 but it sounds great. I love the stuff Johnny Marr did on Inception.

So mostly jamming for fun on the Marshall. For tone I would like something with some tight lows and some growl. I really love the JB for what I feel is a pretty good balance of L/M/H. The Burstbucker is really bright. Too Bright at times. Not a problem I'm used to having. Seems like I am usually try to add more highs. I don't really use much in the way of pedals. I have a Boss Metal Zone I use sometimes. A Crybaby and a Bad Horsie 2. I don't really use the X3 with the amp. I like keeping the digital world out of my plugin and jam sessions…usually. I'll probably pick up an Ibanez Tube Screamer at some point.

Is there anything I need to look for in terms of connectivity? 4-con, 1-con braided, etc. I want to install this pup myself but I will definitely need a little guidance.

Thanks
T
 
Last edited:
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

custom...then swap magnets until you find the perfect sound.
make sure you also swap all the pots for 500k too.
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

Yeah the Duncan Custom is starting to sound good. Out of curiosity has anyone tried/heard the Invader?
 
Last edited:
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

Invader is probably going to be darker and have more output than what you'd want.

You want the TB-5 Duncan Custom.
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

So I feel a little better after jamming. Also I have to take back some of the things I said I didn't like about the Burstbucker Pro. Turns out my tubes were going out. I thought there is no way this should sound this poorly. So I plugged into a 100w solid state Marshall that I haven't turned on in about 6 years and voila-my guitar came to life. I can't wait to hear it on my little Marshall once I replace the tubes.

I am still going to get a replacement pup for the bridge because I think the JB in my other LP still sounds better.

Replacing tubes is a drag - Seems like it ends up being over $80. Its the labor that gets you. I guess I should have bought a self biasing amp…lol. Not to highjack my own thread but does anyone have any good recommendation on tubes. I bought it used and it came with these Mesa 6L6 and 12AX7. Sounds pretty good maybe I will just buy the same ones.
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

@Dominus-Thanks man. That's looking like the definite front runner…I'm going to try and make up my mind by tomorrow.
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

So you recommend the trembucker over the hum bucker for the Duncan Custom? My spacing is 49mm which is just about on the line but leaning toward humbucker…I thought.
 
Last edited:
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

musicman67 said:
So you recommend the trembucker over the hum bucker for the Duncan Custom? My spacing is 49mm which is just about on the line but leaning toward humbucker…I thought.
Click to expand...

Go with the measurements for the bridge on your guitar. Some LP bridges will will work with trem spacing and some work with standard spacing.
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

I think the DD is the first thing to try.

The JB is a common pickup but it isn't exactly Metallica, and your LP might not be the right guitar for it. Plus as you say, variety.

Is that a new Gibson with the PCB? That would be a wiring headache.
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

Well, if it's the JB you dig, try the JB

But, the Distortion is the next step away from the JB. You may very well dig that. Try an A2 magnet in there if you don't like it.

Next - as many said, the Custom. If you don't like the highs and want more kids, try an A8 magnet in there.

But - As I said….live with it. Tubes needed work, pup was fine. See?
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

I actually like the BB3 that came in my traditional pros and I have no trouble getting tones similar to the ones you mention. it isn't going to be as tight on the bottom end as something like a custom, though. A Custom is a good option, the flexibility with magnet swaps should make it easy to tweak to your preferences.
 
Re: Replacement Bridge Pup on new LP-Confused by choices

Just pulled the back...no PCB board although the wiring looks a little intense.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top