Something similar to a Little '59???

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Prismlead

New member
Hello Everyone!

Long time watcher.... First time Poster!

I'm looking for some advice on a pup replacement for my Gibson Les Paul Classic. It came stock with the 498R Neck and the 500T Bridge. Those were great when I played hard rock with my 5150 but I needed something more musical when I quit that gig. I picked up a set of Zebra Burstbucker Pro's off Craigslist and decided to try them out ($120 for the pair seemed like a major score!). I absolutely hate the BB Pro's! I don't know if it's my guitar or that they're open coiled but they are the worst sounding pups I've ever heard.... the bridge is so bright that it sounds like bacon frying! Being the determined person I am I added a Treble Tamer to the bridge to try to tame the overwhelming treble.... that just made the pickup woofy. I got frustrated with it and put it away for a while.

Flash forward 6 months ahead.... I picked up an American Standard Telecaster in a business deal. This had the stock neck pup but it has a Little '59 in the bridge. This is by far my best sounding guitar! The Little '59 smokes any other 'bucker I've heard that fits my needs and my tone. No matter what amp I play, this guy sounds amazing.

I tell you guys all of that to ask a question.... I want a similar sounding pup for my Les Paul. Something with the same output and tone structure. After all of the research I've done it seems like the SH-4 JB would be the closest Gibson-style humbucker to match the Little '59. If you guys have any other opinions please comment. You're the experts so your opinion is greatly appreciated!

I'm not even going to ask about the neck pup replacement.... that seems to have been covered about 1000 times! LOL!

Again, any comments/opinions are greatly appreciated and thanks in advance!
Josh
 
Re: Something similar to a Little '59???

I thought about the Normal '59 but the output isn't there... The Little '59 is rated a 17k while the Normal '59 is at 8.3k. The outputs need to be a little closer to fit my tonal needs.

Thanks for the input though! :cheers:
 
Re: Something similar to a Little '59???

I don't think the lil59 is as louder than it's bigger brother as DC resistance suggests. Higher resistance doesn't mean anything. They probably use thinner wire so they can fit more windings on smaller bobbins for mini buckers, that's why it reads more Kohms.
 
Re: Something similar to a Little '59???

The Little 59 is a hot little 'bucker, to be sure. I put one in my '93 American Standard Tele last week.

Don't get too hung up on those ratings. The conventional '59 will sound and "feel" more robust. It won't sound the same, but it will read or "see" more of the string, for starters. The tone will be different, and even though it's rated as "vintage" or "moderate" output pickup, by no means is it a weak-kneed humbucker.

The "little" version has a ceramic magnet, so it may come across as brighter or more articulate. It doesn't really turn your Tele into a Les Paul. And there is no pickup out there that can turn your Paul into a Tele.

I don't know if that helps. But the regular 59 is a popular mainstay for a reason.

You have a lot of options. Have fun.
 
Re: Something similar to a Little '59???

you cant compare the lil 59's resistance to the 59. different wire, different coil shape etc...
the lil does use a ceramic but its much smaller than the alnico V that the 59 uses
 
Re: Something similar to a Little '59???

Keep it simple. Just get a calibrated set of 59s for your Lester. It will sound great and have a heap more bass than the BBs.
You can tweak the tone later with mag swaps if you feel the need.
 
Re: Something similar to a Little '59???

It doesn't really turn your Tele into a Les Paul. And there is no pickup out there that can turn your Paul into a Tele.
Click to expand...

Not the intent. The purpose is get a similar output/tone stack between the 2 guitars. I do want the core sound of the different guitars to be present but let that be the only difference.

I will say that the Tele with the Lil 59' sounds nothing like a typical Tele... it's got some major balls but still has complex harmonics even for a ceramic pup.

I went to a local music store and talked to a guy there that's actually a working guitar player.... not your typical idiot at Guitar Center. He let me play a LP with the JB/'59 Neck combo and it sounded awesome! Mind you, it wasn't through my AC30 with my Fulltone pedals but it sounds more like what I'm after. Any pros/cons with this combo in a Lester?
 
Re: Something similar to a Little '59???

Prismlead said:
I do want the core sound of the different guitars to be present but let that be the only difference.
Click to expand...

Well, good luck. The physical differences between the guitars -- scale length, bridges, woods, neck-body joinment and much, much more -- are immense. And those are just the body differences. There are differences between the pickups as well: They pick up different lengths of string, etc.

I'm not saying your goal is impossible, but it should be an interesting journey. You might start with the 59. Put the Pearly Gates on your list of possibilites, as well.

As I said, earlier: Have fun.
 
Re: Something similar to a Little '59???

Prismlead said:
I will say that the Tele with the Lil 59' sounds nothing like a typical Tele... it's got some major balls but still has complex harmonics even for a ceramic pup.
?
Click to expand...

I agree that it doesn't sound like a 'typical' Tele bridge pickup, but the character isn't destroyed wholesale. If I were a country player, no, the L59 would not be my first choice. If you want to "rock" with your Tele, it's an option.

I've been playing Zeppelin, AC/DC and more often since I put the L59 in. I was working through Van Halen's 'Mean Street' last night -- this baby hangs in there.
 
Re: Something similar to a Little '59???

If you want vintage tones, then '59's, Pearly Gates or Seth Lover set will get you there. More drive = Custom series for a LP, but stick with a PAF type neck pickup. The JB is rumoured to be unreliable in a LP due to both having a mid hump in the same frequencies.

Just try and make your LP have good tones for what it is.
 
Re: Something similar to a Little '59???

FWIW I have a tele with a lil 59 (that I love) and a les Paul with a Duncan custom and they work well together. I don't have to switch my amps eq to make it sound right between the two and they are my two main stage guitars.

Hope that helps
 
Re: Something similar to a Little '59???

Hey guys,

Just wanted to update on this post....

I dropped the JB and the Jazz in my Lester and it sounds great! I was surprised at how musical the JB was compared to all of the reviews I've read. When I first played it there was a strong low-mid frequency but after a Pole Piece Adjustment I've got it dialed in. The sound is scary close to the Little '59 in the Tele but in the same note it's heavier. I couldn't help but tune to Drop D and play some Ty Tabor riffs.... absolutely nails his tone!

Just wanted to share my success story but I do appreciate the advice! :cheers:

Now to the next project.... finding P90's for my SG!

Thanks again,
Josh
 
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