Stock Les Paul pups.....

[rnbfan]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

It wasn't until 2002/3 upgrade models that the first Burstbucker pups were fitted.......
I personally like Gibson own pickups especially the Burstbucker Pro (PAF) as now fitter to the new Standard, my brother is lucky enough to have one of these and they are a truly great pup.......

 

[247jamz]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

Hi All,

I have a '93 Les Paul Custom, and I'd like to swap out the pickups, and this thread has some interesting comments...

First, what pickups are likely in my guitar?

Second, what role does the resistance of the pots play in the tone? I was going to buy an RS Guitarworks set of "True Tone" pots and capacitor set, and it comes with 500k pots. Their "Treble Tame" set is designed to work for guitars whose bridge pickup seems a bit bright (like mine), and this set has different pots (they don't give the value).

I feel my bridge pickup is too bright, I was going to swap out both pups, but maybe this Treble Tamer kit is what I need.

Anyone have any recomendations for a good set of replacement pups for a Les Paul? I want a warmer sound out of the bridge pickup. The neck pickup seems a little too warm, it tends to mush out a bit. When I set up my amp to sound good on the neck, I don't like the bridge, and vice vera. I don't think I need the high output of the bridge pickup, I think it measured 13.5k

BTW, my amp is a 30 watt Aiken Invader Mk I, 4 EL-84's, like an old Marshall. Power Tube distortion baby!

- Dave

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

Dave and Alouu, welcome to the forum!!! You'll find a lot of useful info here. I'm going to give you a pickup breakdown that I typed up for a guy yesterday. Hopefully this will assist you in making your pup decision.

Antiquity---A pup that is hand made by Seymour or MJ that has been artificially aged. The magnet has been degaussed and the cover has been distresses along with the screws so as to appear vintage. Everything is done to make these pups as close to an original that you would buy from a collector that was out of a guitar that was played everyday and gigged with. They have complex mids and are smooth. They are available in A2 or A5 magnet varieties. Vintage Single Conductor Wire

The 59---The 59 is the quintessential A5 PAF (patent applied for) pup. Imagine getting in a time machine and going back to 1959 and swiping a brand new A5 pup from the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo and bringing it forward to today. They have found most homes in many neck slots. It has symetrical coils and lots of quack. It has thumping bass, a scooped mid, and cutting highs. Vintage Single Conductor Wire

The Seth Lover---This pup is as true to the original as can be. This pup is unpotted and comes standard with a gold, or nickel pup cover. It has an A2 magnet and has good quack and fair mids. For this pup imagine going back in time to 1955 and grabbing one of the very first PAF's before they debuted in the LP's. This pup is warm and creamy, but can also get bright with the tone knob on 10. Vintage Single Conductor Wire

The Alnico 2 Pro---The warmest of the Duncan PAF line. It has symetrical coils and is a modern take on the A2 PAFs. It has round bass and smooth treble, it also has lots of mids to make the guitar really sing. It will warm up the coldest or shrillest of guitars. The most well known Alnico 2 Pro user is Slash of Velvet Revolver and GNR. Standard 4 Conductor Wire

Pearly Gates---The PG is the hottest of the Duncan PAF line. It has asymetrical (mismatched) coils and an A2 magnet. The mismatched coils give this particular pup its rude personality. It has a frequency push in the Presence/Cut knob frequency band. This is the "Sizzle" PG owner talk about. It has the most mids of the Ducan PAF line and is also the hottest. Its patron is Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Standard 4 conductor Wire

The Jazz---The jazz is the pup that bridges the gap between Vintage and Modern pups. Its output is at or around the vintage level. Don't let the name fool you this pup is very versatile and smooth. It has an A5 magnet and is very widely used in the neck slot. It is articulate regardless of the tuning as well. This pup negociates cleans or overdrive very well. Standard 4 Conductor Wire

The Custom Series---The Custom Series is all on pup configuration but with different magnets. The coils are symmetrical and the pups come with Standard 4 Conductor wire

Custom---The Custom is a PAF kicked up a few notches. This pup gets its aggressive edge from its Ceramic magnet. This pup has lots of grind with good treble and midrange. It also has ample bass for palm mute playing.

Custom Custom---The Custom Custom is a midrange heavy pup that lends itself to leads and warming bright guitars. This pup gets its huge midrange from the Alnico 2 magnet. I has smooth bass and treble. Essentially it is an overwound A2 PAF.

Custom 5---The Custom 5 is a pup with an EQ very identical to The 59. It has thumping bass, scooped mids, and cutting treble. Like the 59 it is a bright pup that will liven up dark guitar, but the bass can be overwhelming in a bassy guitar, or the the treble overwhelming in a trebly guitar.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

JB---The JB is in a class of its own. There is really no other pup like it. It has fair bass and lots of treble. This particular pup has a large upper mids spike that allow it to cut through the mix like no other. It can be heard on countless recording especially throughout the 80's. Lots of people like to pair it with a Jazz or 59 in the neck. In bright guitars it is usually soldered to a 250k pot just like the original Seymour made 30 years ago.

This is a very generic breakdown that matched up to what a guy was looking for yesterday.

As far as components go I'd recommend getting in the CTS 500K pots and orange drop caps. The roll off on good pots and caps is fantastic! I personally do not like anything but 500K pots in mahogany bodied guitars. It makes the pups sound muffled and overly dark.

Dave, for a guitar that has a muddy neck and a bright bridge you might want to consider doing what I did and put an A5 mag in the neck and an A2 mag in the bridge. I put a Jazz in the neck of my Heritage 150 and a JB in the Bridge. I was like Jolly and it just wasn't right for me. It seemed shrill clean and piercing dirty. The neck in the meantime sounded fine. So I sent back my JB and ordered a Alnico 2 Pro for the bridge. I got it a little over a month later (ordered it in dbl. creme so I had to wait) and slapped it in. It sounds great!!! The neck is articulate and the bridge has great balance and . Everything I wanted. So I guess what I'm saying is don't be afraid to be unorthodox.

By the way I'm using a Dr. Z with 4 ECC83's, 1 ECC81, a GZ34, and a set of EL84's.

Luke

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

I can't tell what the volume pots are in my LP Studio, but the tone pots are 500K. I assume they use the same pots in the ES-137, and the Seth Lovers I just had installed in my ES-137 Classic are plenty full and bright as is -- a huge improvement in clarity, brightness, warmth and balance over the stock 490R/498T set. This upgrade on my ES-137 will most surely lead to an upgrade of the pickups in my LP Studio.

 

[alouuu]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

First off I just wanted to tell you I appreciate all the replies.....

It's actually a 2000 LP Standard, not 2001.....what kind of pots are in the 2000? Do you recommend getting the pickups first, seeing how it sounds, then deciding to upgrade on the pots, or would it not hurt to do it right away?

Also, heres a stupid question, but what is it about the sound that I will be able to tell that i need to upgrade the pots....

thank you very much

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

First off I just wanted to tell you I appreciate all the replies.....

It's actually a 2000 LP Standard, not 2001.....what kind of pots are in the 2000? Do you recommend getting the pickups first, seeing how it sounds, then deciding to upgrade on the pots, or would it not hurt to do it right away?

Also, heres a stupid question, but what is it about the sound that I will be able to tell that i need to upgrade the pots....

thank you very much

With a higher value pot you will have a slightly brighter sound. It will also slightly increase the mV that are getting to your amp because the ground resistance is greater than the output resistance.

The roll off will be different as well. Here's the way it will work. With a 500k pot at 5 on your tone knob you will have approx. 250k ohms of additional resistance resistance instead of 125k ohms which is what a 250k pot's maximum resistance is. Great flexibility some people say.

I would upgrade everything at once. It makes for less of a headache IMHO.

Luke

 

[247jamz]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

Hi all,

Thanks very muich for the replies (espcially Luke Duke!).

I forgot to mention that I have another Les Paul with a JB in the bridge and Alnico II Pro in the neck, and I like this combo a lot, but I wanted my other Les Paul to have a different setup.

I think I'll try the Alnico II Pro in the bridge, and either a Jazz or '59 in the neck.

Does anyone know if these pickups are available with Gold covers? If not, I can grab the gold covers off my old pickups, but is the hole spacing the same?

Thanks!

Dave

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

Hi all,

Thanks very muich for the replies (espcially Luke Duke!).

I forgot to mention that I have another Les Paul with a JB in the bridge and Alnico II Pro in the neck, and I like this combo a lot, but I wanted my other Les Paul to have a different setup.

I think I'll try the Alnico II Pro in the bridge, and either a Jazz or '59 in the neck.

Does anyone know if these pickups are available with Gold covers? If not, I can grab the gold covers off my old pickups, but is the hole spacing the same?

Thanks!

Dave

Dave I have the Jazz A2P set in my Heritage and love it. Another forum member was telling me the other day what great tone it had.

I had a LP Custom once upon a time and they are slightly brighter due to the Ebony Board so I think the A2P would be a great pup for the bridge...heck even as a set. I found the 57 classic I bought for the neck to be too muddy so I switched magnets with the 498T in the bridge slot. It gave me the Gibson equivalent of a Jazz or 59 and a Custom Custom bridge. The guy who I traded the guitar to (for my Z actually) loved the A2 bridge tone. I have to admit it was really smooth but more aggressive than the CC in the upper mids.

So to cut off my own rambling I think it's a great combo and you can order them with covers www.blackrosecustom.emerchant.com or www.lewguitar.com. Both of these fine businesses have guys who come on the forum and help folks. Lew from Lew's guitars and Kevin from blackrose.

On a tangent my LP was black and I had a white C5 in the bridge slot....the look really grew on me.

Luke

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

I agree with the Good Doctor!

after only a couple days with my new Goldtop, I honestly don't care for the linear taper pots. Who's idea was that? It seems a bit contrary to the idea of "historically accurate"

Goldtops, I love goldtops.

Congrats Bro. for the score. BTW those 500K linears make great no-load pots!

B

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

I can't tell what the volume pots are in my LP Studio, but the tone pots are 500K. I assume they use the same pots in the ES-137, and the Seth Lovers I just had installed in my ES-137 Classic are plenty full and bright as is -- a huge improvement in clarity, brightness, warmth and balance over the stock 490R/498T set. This upgrade on my ES-137 will most surely lead to an upgrade of the pickups in my LP Studio.

Exactly!

When I came home today the first thing I did was to find the tone pots from my 95 LP standards and measure them. Right on! 480K and 495K!

Both linear!

B

 

[dr.barlo]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

Hi All,

I have a '93 Les Paul Custom, and I'd like to swap out the pickups, and this thread has some interesting comments...

First, what pickups are likely in my guitar?

Second, what role does the resistance of the pots play in the tone? I was going to buy an RS Guitarworks set of "True Tone" pots and capacitor set, and it comes with 500k pots. Their "Treble Tame" set is designed to work for guitars whose bridge pickup seems a bit bright (like mine), and this set has different pots (they don't give the value).

I feel my bridge pickup is too bright, I was going to swap out both pups, but maybe this Treble Tamer kit is what I need.

Anyone have any recomendations for a good set of replacement pups for a Les Paul? I want a warmer sound out of the bridge pickup. The neck pickup seems a little too warm, it tends to mush out a bit. When I set up my amp to sound good on the neck, I don't like the bridge, and vice vera. I don't think I need the high output of the bridge pickup, I think it measured 13.5k

BTW, my amp is a 30 watt Aiken Invader Mk I, 4 EL-84's, like an old Marshall. Power Tube distortion baby!

- Dave

Luke gave great info!

What I'd do is:

0. Get a set of antiquities.

1. Get 4 CTS500K audio pots, and get some orange drop caps (3 or 4 from each uuf value - they are cheap) measuring 0.015; 0.022; 0.033 and 0.047. I expect that you'd like 0.047 in the bridge (the higher the uuf value the more highs cut off by your tone pot).

2. Get an ally tail from Pigtail. They are great! And wrap your strings on the ally tail. This softens the highs on the bridge.

B

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

Luke gave great info!

What I'd do is:

0. Get a set of antiquities.

1. Get 4 CTS500K audio pots, and get some orange drop caps (3 or 4 from each uuf value - they are cheap) measuring 0.015; 0.022; 0.033 and 0.047. I expect that you'd like 0.047 in the bridge (the higher the uuf value the more highs cut off by your tone pot).

2. Get an ally tail from Pigtail. They are great! And wrap your strings on the ally tail. This softens the highs on the bridge.

B

Wow it's a heady experience getting props from the Doctor....that man knows how to review! :burnout:

I'm using an tonepros bridge, and Aluminum TP. That TP livened up my accoustic sound a bit too. More vintage sounding some say I don't care what it is I jut like it!

I wrap my strings over my TP and like the tone and feel maybe it softens the highs? Dr B.?

Luke

 

[papersoul]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

I tried the aluminum tail and to me it made the tone more vintage, open and brighter. You may like that. My tone is thicker and darker with the stock tailpiece.

I also have used .047 caps and it will also slightly darken the tone with everything on ten. Keep that in mind.

 

[HarrisonDavid]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

Hmmm. I know I recentley read somewhere that Gibson uses 300k pots on all LP Studios for volume and tone. But, maybe you're right. I'll have to check.

The value of the CGE pots are 300k volume and 500k tone.

That was my reply from the customer service dept.

I have a 2003 Les Paul Studio

 

[HarrisonDavid]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

Well I've had the guitar for about 4-5 years now. I like the clean sounds coming from it, but not the distortion.

Our drummer has an SG with EMG's in it, and I love the way it sounds coming out of my dual rectifier/1960A cab...it makes me want to make that my main guitar...but I just cant let my love for the les paul go without a fight, this is why im thinkin about changin them out

I just put some EMG PUPS in my Les Paul the 81/85 set. I don't have them in their Custom positions 81 Bridge and 85 Neck, but rather 85 Bridge and 81 Neck. For Rock and Metal you can't go wrong. The 85 sounds GREAT in the bridge seems like a more mid range driven PUP. Also I would like to add that the 81 is great for the neck you can get really good cleans out of it as well. Lots of great guitar players use the 81 in the neck. The way I have it set up just seems more versatile to me! Also I never try to play any Rhythms in the neck position but I will with the 81 from time to time. For a little bit different depth.

If you were going to go with Duncans....I would choose either a DD, Custom, or CC in the bridge. If you want that 81 sound the DD will work.

Now that I have tried them both and sometimes drool over different combinations....

If I was to do it different from EMG I'll go with.

For a Les Paul CC in the Bridge and A2P, Jazz, or Pearly gate neck. Note I narrowed down the Custom Custom. I think that sounds like a versatile PUP. Anyone agree with this?

 

[JeffB]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

I personally don't care for the JB in a Les Paul. Don't get me wrong, it's a great pickup, but it just doesn't suit me personally. I think it's excellent for leads and cuts through the mix brilliantly. However, there's just something about it to me that it lacks on rhythms. I can't really put my finger on it, but it just seems kinda lifeless. Now a Duncan Custom is kind of the best of both worlds. It cuts through the mix on leads and is tight and full and everything in a Les Paul. Just my opinion.

My exact opinion as well. Don't care for the JB in Les Pauls and other set mahogany neck, mahogany body guitars. Custom on the other hand does what the JB can, and cannot.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

I just put some EMG PUPS in my Les Paul the 81/85 set. I don't have them in their Custom positions 81 Bridge and 85 Neck, but rather 85 Bridge and 81 Neck. For Rock and Metal you can't go wrong. The 85 sounds GREAT in the bridge seems like a more mid range driven PUP. Also I would like to add that the 81 is great for the neck you can get really good cleans out of it as well. Lots of great guitar players use the 81 in the neck. The way I have it set up just seems more versatile to me! Also I never try to play any Rhythms in the neck position but I will with the 81 from time to time. For a little bit different depth.

If you were going to go with Duncans....I would choose either a DD, Custom, or CC in the bridge. If you want that 81 sound the DD will work.

Now that I have tried them both and sometimes drool over different combinations....

If I was to do it different from EMG I'll go with.

For a Les Paul CC in the Bridge and A2P, Jazz, or Pearly gate neck. Note I narrowed down the Custom Custom. I think that sounds like a versatile PUP. Anyone agree with this?

Do you find the 85 sounds warm in the bridge and good clean? As thick and warm as say a Custom or JB? I am really curious your thoughts.

Thanks!

 

[WICKED LESTER]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

al i know is that after trying duncans in my one les paul the stock gibson pups are not too good :burnout:

 

[HarrisonDavid]

Re: Stock Les Paul pups.....

Yeah definately more warm and middy sounding. Right now I think it's perfect for what I like. Also the 81 sounds good in the neck too. I don't play too much clean though. Though when I do I don't dime the volume and I mess with the tone knobs. People forget about those :wink: