Studio LP pups

[pie]

Hey guys how's it going? Been doing a lot of reading here, great forum.

Within the next week or so, I will be getting new pups put into my studio. I went to a local music shop, talked with the owner for probably about an hour and this is what we came up with.

JB in the bridge, and a bridge 59 in the neck. They will be split with tone pull pots.

I have heard the jb, but I haven't heard a 59 bridge in the neck position.

So I was wondering what you guys think of this setup.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Studio LP pups

Welcome to the forum.

Just so we can point you in the right direction, we'll need some more info.

How does your guitar sound unplugged? Is it bright, or is it dark?

Which of your guitar's tonal qualities would you like to enhance?

What don't you like about the stock pickups?

What kind of amp/effects are you playing through?

And lastly: What style of music are you playing?

As far as the pickups the owner suggested, I personally would NEVER use a 59b unit in the neck slot of a Paul. I have a feeling it would get muddy very easily. Also, I'm not a fan of the JB in Gibson style guitars. There's better choices out there when looking for a high output bridge pickup for a Lester.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Studio LP pups

All great point Benjy! That said it is a classic combo....I've often thought of getting an EC-1000 just because it comes with that!

Welcome pie!

 

[pie]

Re: Studio LP pups

I'll try to answer as best I can.

How does your guitar sound unplugged? Is it bright, or is it dark?
Well for comparision, it doesn't sound as twangy as a strat unplugged. so I guess I would say dark?

Which of your guitar's tonal qualities would you like to enhance?

I like the warmth of the neck pup clean, the bridge is somewhat ok distorted.

What don't you like about the stock pickups?

Neither are hot enough distorted.

What kind of amp/effects are you playing through?

Amp is a 15 watt crate, I am not sure of the model off of the top of my head. I also play through a digitech gnx1 ver1.1 pedal.

And lastly: What style of music are you playing?

I am just learning so I haven't pinned down a style. I play anything from Candelbox to Metallica.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Studio LP pups

The crate/Digitech pedal should be able to put so much gain on that a refrigerator magnet wrapped in dental floss would sound hot....

Sounds like you are changing pups because you can. There are a lot iof EQ/distortion options there. That might be the issue....

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Studio LP pups

a good basic coMbo in a LP for rock and metal would be a Pearly Gates in the neck and a Custom in the bridge.

 

[pie]

Re: Studio LP pups

Well you guys were right about the 59b in the neck turning to mud in a hurry. I have been trying my best to like it, it's just not happening.

The JB sounds ok, it's pretty bright but somewhat thin. Hard for me to describe.

I am thinking about putting the 59b in the bridge position and changing out the neck pick up once again, I'm leaning toward the PG?

As far as the digitech and crate, that will all be going away come tax return time, going to go with a low watt all tube amp.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Studio LP pups

I think your next step would be a Custom Custom in the bridge and the Jazz in the neck.

 

[alex1fly]

Re: Studio LP pups

Just keep in mind that different amps and especially a post-amp EQ unit (in your amp's effects loop) will help you tweak your tone and get you more possibilities than trying a bunch of pickups. Once you find pickups that make your guitar sound like your guitar then you're in good shape, and its up to EQs and amps after that for tone tweaking.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Studio LP pups

I really like the stock pups in mine, but if you are going to change, I really dig the cc/pg combo or the C/jazz.

 

[hanumanlangur]

Re: Studio LP pups

I am thinking about putting the 59b in the bridge position and changing out the neck pick up once again, I'm leaning toward the PG?

Yes, this would be a very good idea, IMO.

 

[jimlp]

Re: Studio LP pups

I think your next step would be a Custom Custom in the bridge and the Jazz in the neck.

What do you guys/gals get out of the CC in the bridge of a LP style guitar? I have tried it a few times and I couldn't get it out fast enough, a pickup that is mostly mids is a guitar that usually has plenty of mids doesn't sound like a great combo to my ears. I can see how in a band context it would most likely cut through but playing at home by myself it was fairly atrocious. I liked the CC in an 80's style superstrat with a floyd as the guitar has no natural mids, to my ears in mahogany it is a trainwreck.

 

[chuckbat]

Re: Studio LP pups

My combo in my Les Paul Special is a '59 in the neck and a Duncan Distortion neck pickup in the bridge. I have a lot more tone possibilties. The logo on the distortion is upside down, but who cares if it sounds good.

 

[alashredder]

Re: Studio LP pups

Try the 59B in the bridge and maybe an alnico II pro N in the neck position.

 

[donahue]

Re: Studio LP pups

It sounds like you made the same mistake I did and bought your pickups b/f you consulted the Oracles. You could salvage your JB and make it into a distortion, which might bring you closer to the hard rock tones you're looking for, and check and see if your screw coil is facing the neck on your neck '59 PU, that should tone it down a little. (that sounds like a duh answer, but I have a bridge PU in my neck and I was going to put it in so the script on it was facing the right way, they I realized it shouldn't be b/c its going into the neck so its backwards)

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Studio LP pups

I really liked the BBpros in mine too! First guitar I haven't changed the pickups in!

How about a set of Distortions?

 

[uOpt]

Re: Studio LP pups

What do you guys/gals get out of the CC in the bridge of a LP style guitar? I have tried it a few times and I couldn't get it out fast enough, a pickup that is mostly mids is a guitar that usually has plenty of mids doesn't sound like a great combo to my ears. I can see how in a band context it would most likely cut through but playing at home by myself it was fairly atrocious. I liked the CC in an 80's style superstrat with a floyd as the guitar has no natural mids, to my ears in mahogany it is a trainwreck.

I am sure I would hate it as much as you. But the original poster's preferences lead me to believe it might work out.

The customs are magnet swap friendly so the money isn't wasted.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Studio LP pups

I have a few LP's and have different PU's in each of them. I don't know why they talk people into JB's, as so many players don't like them. I don't like A2 magnets in a neck HB on a mahogany body guitar (too dull & dark). I think on a LP, you need an A5 in the neck to give some sparkle & cut, like a '59N or JazzN. A Phat CatN would also work well.

In the bridge, do you want a PAF sound or some muscle?

Here's what I use in my LP's (all have the Jimmy Page system):

Classic Rock/Chicago Blues:
- Two SD's: a JazzN in the neck & a high-output C5 in the bridge. The JazzN is a bright neck PU, to prevent muddiness, and the C5 will give some power for solos; distorts easily.

- Two DiMarzio's: a Bluesbucker in the neck, and a medium-output Fred in the bridge.

Vintage PAF sound:
- Two SD's: a stock '59N in the neck, and a low-output PGB in the bridge, with an A4 magnet

- Two DiMarzio's: a Humbucker from Hell in the neck (bright), and a low-output Virtual Vintage PAF in the bridge.

If I were to do any more LP's, I'd try:
- A pair of Phat Cats
- A Gibson 490R (with an A5 magnet), and a Gibson 490T (with an A4 magnet).

Since its rare (and expensive) for any of us to find a PU that works perfectly for our needs, you should read old threads & get up to speed on magents, pots, and caps, as they can dial in your tone, and it's much cheaper than buying & selling PU's.

 

[pie]

Re: Studio LP pups

It sounds like you made the same mistake I did and bought your pickups b/f you consulted the Oracles. You could salvage your JB and make it into a distortion, which might bring you closer to the hard rock tones you're looking for, and check and see if your screw coil is facing the neck on your neck '59 PU, that should tone it down a little. (that sounds like a duh answer, but I have a bridge PU in my neck and I was going to put it in so the script on it was facing the right way, they I realized it shouldn't be b/c its going into the neck so its backwards)

I'll do some research to see what all is involved turning the jb into a dist. Sounds like a good idea.

It's not that the 59b in the neck is too hot... it lacks single note clarity and harmonic response when distorted, and at times when clean. I could try adjusting it, I'm just not sure if this is a common characteristic for this pup in this position. When this pup was installed I was told it would provide me with a smoldering lead tone... well not so much.

Also as my playing ability increases I am finding that my musical tastes vary.

I will try to do what I can with what I have without dropping a lot of coin, I would prefer to wait until after I get my new amp if I decide that a pup change is required.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[pie]

Re: Studio LP pups

I have a few LP's and have different PU's in each of them. I don't know why they talk people into JB's, as so many players don't like them. I don't like A2 magnets in a neck HB on a mahogany body guitar (too dull & dark). I think on a LP, you need an A5 in the neck to give some sparkle & cut, like a '59N or JazzN. A Phat CatN would also work well.

In the bridge, do you want a PAF sound or some muscle?

Here's what I use in my LP's (all have the Jimmy Page system):

Classic Rock/Chicago Blues:
- Two SD's: a JazzN in the neck & a high-output C5 in the bridge. The JazzN is a bright neck PU, to prevent muddiness, and the C5 will give some power for solos; distorts easily.

- Two DiMarzio's: a Bluesbucker in the neck, and a medium-output Fred in the bridge.

Vintage PAF sound:
- Two SD's: a stock '59N in the neck, and a low-output PGB in the bridge, with an A4 magnet

- Two DiMarzio's: a Humbucker from Hell in the neck (bright), and a low-output Virtual Vintage PAF in the bridge.

If I were to do any more LP's, I'd try:
- A pair of Phat Cats
- A Gibson 490R (with an A5 magnet), and a Gibson 490T (with an A4 magnet).

Since its rare (and expensive) for any of us to find a PU that works perfectly for our needs, you should read old threads & get up to speed on magents, pots, and caps, as they can dial in your tone, and it's much cheaper than buying & selling PU's.

Thank you for your post.

In the bridge I am thinking that I want some muscle for good palm mute chunk, and also a stronger fatter lead tone.

I could be thinking about this too much and not really have an idea of how to express myself properly.