Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

Nagisa

Nagisa

New member
There is an idea of a perfect Les Paul bridge pickup for me but so far it is simply not there.

I went from the stock 498 to a PGb, thinking I wanted to try a real paf. It didn't rock hard enough for me. Then a Distortion. It's a cool pickup but after putting an a5 in my Titan neck (so much better! SO. MUCH. BETTER!) I realized I just can't deal with the compression and lack of organic-ness that the distortion also has.

I put an a8 in my 498 and it was clangy weird awfulness. No idea why it was bad but it had no harmonics and sounded like crap for anything but chugga chugga. Right now I have it stock again.

I like the 498's base tone better than the distortion's as it sounds more like what a stereotypical LP sounds like in my head, but I miss the punch of the distortion and also the ease of getting pinch harmonics. The 498 is a bit brittle in feel, and the grittiness irritates me.

I'm tired of buying pickups but I don't want to settle. I no longer want ceramic pickups as I really am sick of the 1D-ness of the tone, and the a8 in the 498 was the biggest disappointment since Rogue One (sorry. sorry.).

I want a great LP-sounding pickup for hard leads. I'm playing stuff like Paul Gilbert, Satriani and so on but I want that specifically LP sound for my own flavor. The Titan 5 neck rocks for this. I'm not a djenter though so I don't think the bridge is for me, especially as it comes with a ceramic .

Strongly considering a Custom 5, but open to anything. I think the 498's output is about where I want it. The screamin demon seems too vintage. I would consider trying a custom 8 if you can promise it won't be like the 498 8.

Thank you!
 
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Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

Thought about that too. With like 11k output will it be too weak compared to a custom 5?

Thanks!
 
Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

a 59b is a good place to start. The PGb, could be a bit bright for some, more in line with blues playing. Vivian Campbell has been using a set go 59's in his old LP Standard with his new band Last In Line. Not sure you can deny his ability to rock. Pinched Harmonics, he's got, plus articulate fast runs. Vivian also makes good use of the neck pickup on the CD too, very woody.

If you need something with more push, maybe the Whole Lotta or Saturday Night? I haven't tried those, but they should push harder while still maintaining a tradition LP tone.

Now straying away from your typical LP tone is the Screaming' Demon. This pickup, I feel, bridges the gap between ceramic and Alnico. Way more dynamic than a Distortion, but with the push and Harmonic content you might be looking for.

all I play is Les Pauls, I do not own any other electric at this time. I am a Hard Rock/ Blue Rock player. I admire everyone from Billy Gibbons to John Sykes. My bridge pickups are:

PGb
59b (in 3 different LPs)
Screamin Demon
Distortion b


The Demon really helps out in extremely dark LP's. It takes on more of an organic traditional LP tone. In brighter or more alive LP's, you tread the path of George Lynch tone / Duncan Distortion.


If someone could explain the custom series better to me, I may try one again? Back in the late 80's I tried the Custom and it was too compressed and muddy for me. I could never understand putting an Alnico 2 in it and I would think an Alnico 5 would just get you back in the same playing field as the 498T, which I hate.
 
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Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

I'd recommend an UOA5 in these bridge PU's: Custom, 498T, & '59/Custom hybrid. You combine a hot wind with a vintage sounding magnet. Richer tones.
 
Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

blueman335 said:
I'd recommend an UOA5 in these bridge PU's: Custom, 498T, & '59/Custom hybrid. You combine a hot wind with a vintage sounding magnet. Richer tones.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply. I have a uoa5 so I'll try it in the 498 first. Would you say the other 2 pickups, regardless of magnet, sound like a better fit considering my post? Thank you
 
Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

Straight up Duncan Custom. It's one of my favorite pickups, especially in a Les Paul. It straddles the traditional/modern fence nicely. It can pull off traditional tones, and still melt your face if you want it to. The top end is articulate, the midrange has a wonderful grind that'll get you hooked, and the bottom end is present but tight. Duncan got it right with that pickup.
 
Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

Gone_Shootin said:
Straight up Duncan Custom. It's one of my favorite pickups, especially in a Les Paul. It straddles the traditional/modern fence nicely. It can pull off traditional tones, and still melt your face if you want it to. The top end is articulate, the midrange has a wonderful grind that'll get you hooked, and the bottom end is present but tight. Duncan got it right with that pickup.
Click to expand...

I'm just super wary of getting another ceramic. My Titan was so much better after going a5, and the 498 is clearer than the distortion. I think the custom family at least sounds like the right choice, though. Almost everyone seems to say it's great in an lo
 
Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

I have had the PG-b in, and currently have a Custom-b in now. The Custom to me is too sterile, not super LP sounding. Gained up and drop tuning it was good though. The PG didn't have enough b@lls.
 
Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

Listen to the BK, Riff Raff's if you get a chance. They're A5's and the clips sound like what you're talking about. They can do vintage and sound hot with gain while keeping all the little harmonic complexity intact.
 
Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

I would try a few more magnets in the 498 if the output is about what you need. I've heard it sounds good with an A2, but I have no experience with that setup. The 498t I had was awful! I'd try the UOA5 (as mentioned) and a rough cast A2, maybe even an A3 before ditching it. Magnets are cheap!
 
Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

I apologize if I missed it, but what amp and pedals are you using?
 
Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

Thanks so far everyone. I have a Kemper, usually running Marshall 900 profiles (high and low gain) and some 5150 and mesa IIc ones. For all intents and purposes the kemper seems to treat my pickup choices the same as real amps do.

I suppose I should work to get the 498 going for me - but that a8 trial has me discouraged. I was pretty shocked how bad it was for me considering all the positive c8 reviews. When I have time I'll do the uoa5 but I am wondering if that's really the direction I need to take considering I want a bit more punch than the a5.
 
Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

I’d say either the Custom 5 or the Custom. Don’t be scared off my the ceramic magnet in the Standard Custom. It is a great pickup for Les Pauls.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

Nagisa said:
I'm just super wary of getting another ceramic. My Titan was so much better after going a5, and the 498 is clearer than the distortion. I think the custom family at least sounds like the right choice, though. Almost everyone seems to say it's great in an lo
Click to expand...

Then get a Custom 5 (A5 magnet) or a Custom Custom (A2 magnet). Both are the same wind as the regular Custom.
 
Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

I am going to challenge you to give a SERIOUSLY articulate description of the ideal bridge pickup. Not just "Rocks for hard beards / Paul Gilbert"

Tell us the EWQ profile - b/m/t with 1-10 scale
Tell us the Res Peak if you can
Tell us how hot
Describe the QUALITIES of the bass
Tell us if/where the mids are focussed
Describe the qualities of the highs
 
Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

It was a matter of time before that SH-6 got slated for the chopping block

First things first: I really wouldn't dump on the SH-5 without trying one.

My recommendation is to get a 59 Bridge and a Custom bridge. Try each, then try other magnets if neither satisfy in stock form. If that doesn't work, make the hybrid.

From what I gather about your tastes based on previous discussions, I'd a avoid A2, A4, UOA5 and A8. I would instead consider rough A5, polished A5, double-thick A5 and single-thick ceramic.

Nice to hear you turned the situation around on the Titan. Was it a standard-thickness A5 that went in there?
 
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Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

I would also consider the Gravity Storm or The Breed bridge models. The Dark Matter 2 holds a lot of promise, but not at the ridiculous price being asked.
 
Re: Retiring my Distortion in LP for a more organic lead pup

2nd vote for Pegasus. Great PUP, no shrill sounds. Not too hot. Same say lacks slam? Great versatile pickup. String to string separation is excellent as well. A5, no ceramic. The Sentient is great as well for the neck
 
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