Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

[JGD]

I've just acquired a Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro 2 and I'm looking for feedback (no pun intended) on replacing the pickups.

First of all, I like the stock pickups quite a bit. They are zebras, a '57 Classic in the neck and a Super '57 in the bridge. For those not familiar with the Super '57, it is Gibson's take on a slightly overwound PAF. Sounds a bit more full than the '57 Classic +.

This guitar has coil splits on both pickups and also an onboard boost circuit. These pickups split very well, and I do use the splits quite a bit. The replacement pickups will need to sound great in both humbucker AND single coil mode.

The reason I'm even considering swapping these pickups out is that I prefer covered pickups. Unless replacements will be a significant improvement in tone, I'll most likely just add covers to the existing pickups.

I'm playing primarily through a Splawn Super Sport combo. My style is mainly English-style blues/blues-rock, 70's hard rock (think Zep, BadCo), and a fair amount of Southern rock (ZZ, Allmans, Skynyrd, and some new stuff like Kentucky Headhunters and Blackberry Smoke).

Looking at the following SD sets: Pearly Gates, Whole Lotta Humbucker, 59s, and Slash.

I'd also like suggestions on non-Duncan options. I'm not adverse to laying out some cash for this guitar, if the results warrant it.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

 

[9unslin9er]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

I hate the 57 classics. And not just because of the s#itty 300K pots Gibson uses on them, but also because of it. They are just loose muddy pickups.

Make sure you're running 500K vintage wiring. Get rid of those stupid coil splits.

Duncan SH-55 Seth Lover set
Gibson Burstbucker 1 + 2
Duncan 'Vintage Blues set ('59)
Gibson Burstbucker Pro
DiMarzio PAF Master set

 

[JGD]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

I hate the 57 classics. And not just because of the s#itty 300K pots Gibson uses on them, but also because of it. They are just loose muddy pickups.

Make sure you're running 500K vintage wiring. Get rid of those stupid coil splits.

Duncan SH-55 Seth Lover set
Gibson Burstbucker 1 + 2
Duncan 'Vintage Blues set ('59)
Gibson Burstbucker Pro
DiMarzio PAF Master set

Well, like I said -- I like the split tones of the current pickups. I find the coil splits very useful, so I'm definitely keeping them.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

I would recommend the Pearly Gates neck, with the 59/Custom Hybrid bridge. Both split really well, and will sound more full than stock pickups. You can get classic sounds, yet rock out too.

 

[9unslin9er]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

Well, like I said -- I like the split tones of the current pickups. I find the coil splits very useful, so I'm definitely keeping them.

Not really trying to sway you one way or the other, but do you have experience with Teles and Strats? If so I can't imagine you thinking a split '57 actually sounds like a single coil. The frequencies are completely off. For that matter, I haven't played a single Duncan or DiMarzio, when split sounds like a real single coil.

If absolute versatility is what you're going for, you might want to give Lace Sensor Dually pickups a listen since they are essentially (2)actual single coils.

 

[cvansickle]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

I ordered a Suhr Doug Aldrich 53mm for the bridge in my LP Trad II Floyd. I had a good consultation with a local tech, and we agreed that the stock Gibson PC board circuit had to go. I opted for a set of Emerson pots (500k) and caps, and chose one push/pull pot to split both pickups together. I opted to keep the Gibson 57 Classic in the neck, at least for now. Modern wiring.

The DA pickup has lots of muscle and tone, no fuzziness. It's very tight across all of the tonal spectrum. It cleans up but stays fat as the volume knob rolls down, and reacts very well with the tone control too.The middle setting with the 57 Classic makes for a nice rhythm sound that doesn't get mushy, and sounds good split both clean and dirty.

I may go with the neck Aldrich eventually, but for now I'm very happy.

 

[JGD]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

Not really trying to sway you one way or the other, but do you have experience with Teles and Strats? If so I can't imagine you thinking a split '57 actually sounds like a single coil. The frequencies are completely off. For that matter, I haven't played a single Duncan or DiMarzio, when split sounds like a real single coil.

If absolute versatility is what you're going for, you might want to give Lace Sensor Dually pickups a listen since they are essentially (2)actual single coils.

I've been playing for nearly 30 years, and for many years my main guitar was a Strat.

I absolutely agree with you that a split humbucker doesn't sound like a Strat or Tele single coil. But on this particular Les Paul the middle position with both pickups split is very useful for clean rhythm and fingerpicking. I have other guitars for when I need a Strat or Tele tone, but sometimes it's nice to not have to swap out a guitar in the middle of a set.

So to be clear -- my primary objective is a great vintage-type humbucker tone both clean and dirty. If the pickups in question sound good (not necessarily like a Strat or Tele) when split for clean tones, that would be a bonus.

I used Lace Sensors for years in a coupla Strats (EC Sig and also added to a G&L Legacy). They are a good tone, but not what I'm going for with this particular axe.

 

[marytakesadrag]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

Classic 57 pickups are great! And split-coil is a handy feature from humbuckers and do bright cleans very well. Maybe not single-coil well but lets not make this a contest gentlemen. So back on topic...

JGD, there's one thing that I've learned about pickups: if I know what i like, that's all I can like haha. So maybe its best to put covers on those 57s. Definitely a cheap upgrade.

However, if you're just curious of different tones, there's 2 directions you could go in. Stay within the Alnico 2 realm or... go into the realm that I often advocate. WHOLE LOTTA HUMBUCKER. My fave bridge position PAF. Punchy, crunchy, and lots of harmonic content. I noticed you mentioned it and I think all you need is a little...push!

But if you want to stay closer to home (A2 realm), you would like the Slash set. Adequate difference without being too much of a different creature. A2P has nice cleans as is, and many people like their split tones too.

Or... WLH bridge / Slash neck? \m/

 

[JGD]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

Classic 57 pickups are great! And split-coil is a handy feature from humbuckers and do bright cleans very well. Maybe not single-coil well but lets not make this a contest gentlemen. So back on topic...

JGD, there's one thing that I've learned about pickups: if I know what i like, that's all I can like haha. So maybe its best to put covers on those 57s. Definitely a cheap upgrade and you're still going to be rocking some badass PAFs.

However, if you're just curious of potential different tones, there's 2 directions you could go in. Stay within the Alnico 2 realm or... go into the realm that I often advocate. WHOLE LOTTA HUMBUCKER. At least in the bridge position. Punchy, crunchy, and lots of harmonic content. I noticed you mentioned it and I think all you need is a little...push. Haha try it out!

But if you want to stay in the A2 realm and closer to home (57 Classic), you would like the Slash set. I think that's an adaquete difference without being too much of a different creature.

I would suggest a Seth Lover neck but its single braided so not split-coil (if I recall correctly). Great cleans on its own though...

Huge Jimmy Page fan, and I love his Les Paul's tone both clean and dirty. Safe to assume that the WLH is designed to get an authentic Pagey tone?

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

I've just acquired a Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro 2 and I'm looking for feedback (no pun intended) on replacing the pickups.

First of all, I like the stock pickups quite a bit. They are zebras, a '57 Classic in the neck and a Super '57 in the bridge. For those not familiar with the Super '57, it is Gibson's take on a slightly overwound PAF. Sounds a bit more full than the '57 Classic +.

This guitar has coil splits on both pickups and also an onboard boost circuit. These pickups split very well, and I do use the splits quite a bit. The replacement pickups will need to sound great in both humbucker AND single coil mode.

The reason I'm even considering swapping these pickups out is that I prefer covered pickups. Unless replacements will be a significant improvement in tone, I'll most likely just add covers to the existing pickups.

I'm playing primarily through a Splawn Super Sport combo. My style is mainly English-style blues/blues-rock, 70's hard rock (think Zep, BadCo), and a fair amount of Southern rock (ZZ, Allmans, Skynyrd, and some new stuff like Kentucky Headhunters and Blackberry Smoke).

Looking at the following SD sets: Pearly Gates, Whole Lotta Humbucker, 59s, and Slash.

I'd also like suggestions on non-Duncan options. I'm not adverse to laying out some cash for this guitar, if the results warrant it.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

I have this same setup in one of my Les Pauls. I am going to change them soon and it will probably be for the Whole Lotta Humbucker set and 50s wiring with orange drops like in my other Les Paul.
I'm on a low output PAF kick at the moment though. I think the Whole Lotta Humbuckers will do your coil split thing nicely.
That is my choice, I think they are currently the best set Seymour makes.. They rival some handwound high dollar stuff and I'll probably be putting a set in shortly.

 

[marytakesadrag]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

Huge Jimmy Page fan, and I love his Les Paul's tone both clean and dirty. Safe to assume that the WLH is designed to get an authentic Pagey tone?

It can definitely do Pagey tones but I honestly think A2 pickups sounds more like Page. IDK how he sounds live but in the studio, there isn't much low end punch or aggressive highs. Definitely highs but warm and kinda ribbony, if ya catch my drift. I think playing slinky strings, 8 or 9 gauge, contribute to his tone as anything else.

I know the WLH is signature to Page and apparently used by the man himself so I have no clue why I think the above statement. Perhaps it's just the (retrospectively) low-fidelity recording of the times that I'm hearing. Nevertheless, WLH will do Led Zeppelin, maybe in a better, more HD way. Bigger sound, more punch, more attitude.

Furthermore, the WLH IMHO is more versatile than any A2 pickup (PG, Slash, etc) because of its A5 magnet. That punchy low end will accomplish old school metal tones far better (though Iommi did like dark pickups similar to A2 so I'm guessing Slash set may work, in particular, for Black Sabbath). The A5 magnet is also roughcast which makes it better IMO.

With that said, I will say this. WLH is my favorite bridge pickup by anyone for classic rock. And a very close contender for old school metal vs the JB or Super Distortion.

 

[9unslin9er]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

I think it's common knowledge by now Page used a '59 Telecaster, later painted "The Dragon" on all of LZI and much of II.



Contrary to popular belief, it was because the Les Paul was still underwound enough that he was able to get good treble response for a good live sound. Not because it boosted his output.

The black Danelectro he used on Kashmir is more proof of his preference for brighter single coils.

Point is, overwound pickups are the wrong way to go especially in todays market of out-of-the box high gain.
Unless you're a boutique junkie who just insists on building gain stages from the bottom up, there's no need to push the front of your amp hard at all.

I'd say 7k is about as high as you need to go. So my vote is still for the cheapest of the bunch: '59

For genuine Jimmy Page tones all you need is the following:
Fender Vintage Reissue Telecaster -> Wah -> Orange Micro Terror
done

 

[JGD]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

I think it's common knowledge by now Page used a '59 Telecaster, later painted "The Dragon" on all of LZI and much of II.



Contrary to popular belief, it was because the Les Paul was still underwound enough that he was able to get good treble response for a good live sound. Not because it boosted his output.

The black Danelectro he used on Kashmir is more proof of his preference for brighter single coils.

Point is, overwound pickups are the wrong way to go especially in todays market of out-of-the box high gain.
Unless you're a boutique junkie who just insists on building gain stages from the bottom up, there's no need to push the front of your amp hard at all.

I'd say 7k is about as high as you need to go. So my vote is still for the cheapest of the bunch: '59

For genuine Jimmy Page tones all you need is the following:
Fender Vintage Reissue Telecaster -> Wah -> Orange Micro Terror
done

My understanding is that the Tele was used on Zep I, and the solo in Stairway and maybe one or two other things, but that the bulk of the Zep catalog is his No. 1 burst. Yah he used the Dano on White Summer and Kashmir, and a Strat on some stuff on Presence and of course In the Evening -- but mainly, he used his LP.

It would make sense that JP would go for the PAFs in the LP because of their clarity. Not too terribly dissimilar to the singles he'd been using.

 

[marytakesadrag]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

I think it's common knowledge by now Page used a '59 Telecaster, later painted "The Dragon" on all of LZI and much of II.

For genuine Jimmy Page tones all you need is the following:
Fender Vintage Reissue Telecaster -> Wah -> Orange Micro Terror
done

Yep, that's correct, LZ album was done w/ Dragon. But I thought all (or at least most) of LZII was the 59 Les Paul. I thought Dragon was destroyed by then or did Jimmy grab another Tele?

Having a Telecaster too is essential in nailing Jimmy tones. I'm sure owning a lot of different amps and a few other guitars will too, but definitely that Telecaster.

Nevertheless, since JGD has a Les Paul, I think the WLH will nail Jimmy's 59 Les Paul tone. Or perhaps 57 Classic already in there or the Slash set.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

I hate the 57 classics... They are just loose muddy pickups.

Make sure you're running 500K vintage wiring. Get rid of those stupid coil splits.

Duncan SH-55 Seth Lover set
Gibson Burstbucker 1 + 2
Duncan 'Vintage Blues set ('59)
Gibson Burstbucker Pro
DiMarzio PAF Master set

Agreed, '57's are easily the worst sounding PAF's I've ever had, and I've had a lot of PAF's. Any other PAF will be an improvement.

I highly recommend Seth's, A2P's, Gibson BB's, & Fralins.[/I] I think the '59 Vintage Blues set is misnamed: they should have put warmer magnets in them, as with A5's the neck can be boomy (common observation in LP's), and the bridge is bright & thin. I haven't owned BBP's, but I haven't seen a lot positive said about them here. If you like a big difference in EQ between bridge & neck, PG's will work, but some think the bridge is pretty bright, and the neck is too warm for my tastes.

 

[9unslin9er]

Re: Suggestions needed: replacement humbuckers

Yep, that's correct, LZ album was done w/ Dragon. But I thought all (or at least most) of LZII was the 59 Les Paul. I thought Dragon was destroyed by then or did Jimmy grab another Tele?

Yes, the Walsh '59 came into his possession during promotion for LZI, and was undoubtedly the focus on the heavier tracks, like Heartbreaker and WLL. However, so much of the album was done in bits and pieces, in and out of studio, I highly doubt he completely disregarded the practicality of the Tele.

The Dragon wasn't destroyed until he went on tour in the US, early 70's. Damn shame.

To my ears, Page's ultimate tone was on Good Times Bad Times. Percussive, twangy, rock n' roll.
Just like he would later bring back to the solo to Stairway.
He wouldn't get another Tele, a b-bender model until after Bonham's death. RIP.

I've personally never been able to get that (mystical) Supro fuzz tone from a Marshall and any set of humbuckers. Methinks a Tele is the only cure for that.