The crossroads!! What pickup!?!

Andy.tech

Andy.tech

New member
Hi! I'm new here and needed some sound advice, I've recently acquired a new (used) Les Paul and well frankly though it plays it could use some help. I've been going around and asking in my local stores for advice but instead of sound advice these local stores have just discriminated against my guitar because it's a Les Paul Special II. The first thing they say is to forget about this guitar and buy a new one (at their store no less) and so on and so forth. I know this is the bottom of the barrel in the Les Paul pool but unfortunately I wasn't picked to have great things or have money (basically I'm poor) but I have a passion for music and can play. I've managed to save enough to upgrade this guitar and frankly I kinda like it. Sure I can buy another new guitar for the amount of $$ I will spend on this one but it won't be fitted with the equipment that makes music sing. Some time ago I heard this guy playing at a bar with a very budget guitar and it sounded amazing when I asked him about it he said it was a salvage/gift and all he did was upgrade his components and 2 years later he was still super happy with his guitar he said it's gotten better with time. I know I should of written this stuff down but I do remember he said he was using Seymour Duncan pickups. I've been doing research and I've narrowed it down to Seymour and Duncan Hotrodded set or the Alnico Pro Slash set. My concern (please correct me if I'm wrong) is I don't know if the Hotrodded set would be to bright for this guitar or the Alnico Pro Slash set is too warm. I'm looking for something that will sound clean slightly warm but have nice distortion when needed. I don't know if I have a specific genre that I like to play but I play some Guns & Roses (obviously) audioslave, 30 Seconds to Mars, Van Halen (like the Michael Jackson Beat it song) Weezer, Foo Fighters, Jack White.....etc. I so plan on changing the electronics, nut and bridge so any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and sorry for the mini novel I've written ��

Special2.jpg
 
Last edited:
Re: The crossroads!! What pickup!?!

Andy.tech said:
Hi! I'm new here and needed some sound advice, I've recently acquired a new (used) Les Paul and well frankly though it plays it could use some help. I've been going around and asking in my local stores for advice but instead of sound advice these local stores have just discriminated against my guitar because it's a Les Paul Special II. The first thing they say is to forget about this guitar and buy a new one (at their store no less) and so on and so forth. I know this is the bottom of the barrel in the Les Paul pool but unfortunately I wasn't picked to have great things or have money (basically I'm poor) but I have a passion for music and can play. I've managed to save enough to upgrade this guitar and frankly I kinda like it. Sure I can buy another new guitar for the amount of $$ I will spend on this one but it won't be fitted with the equipment that makes music sing. Some time ago I heard this guy playing at a bar with a very budget guitar and it sounded amazing when I asked him about it he said it was a salvage/gift and all he did was upgrade his components and 2 years later he was still super happy with his guitar he said it's gotten better with time. I know I should of written this stuff down but I do remember he said he was using Seymour Duncan pickups. I've been doing research and I've narrowed it down to Seymour and Duncan Hotrodded set or the Alnico Pro Slash set. My concern (please correct me if I'm wrong) is I don't know if the Hotrodded set would be to bright for this guitar or the Alnico Pro Slash set is too warm. I'm looking for something that will sound clean slightly warm but have nice distortion when needed. I don't know if I have a specific genre that I like to play but I play some Guns & Roses (obviously) audioslave, 30 Seconds to Mars, Van Halen (like the Michael Jackson Beat it song) Weezer, Foo Fighters, Jack White.....etc. I so plan on changing the electronics, nut and bridge so any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and sorry for the mini novel I've written ��

View attachment 65375
Click to expand...

I think the Whole Lotta Humbucker set would get you where you need to go, over wound with rough cast A5 magnets give them a bit more mids than say a 59 set.
 
Re: The crossroads!! What pickup!?!

jimlp said:
I think the Whole Lotta Humbucker set would get you where you need to go, over wound with rough cast A5 magnets give them a bit more mids than say a 59 set.
Click to expand...

Cool! how clean are they when you switch to the clean channel on the amp. (not that I have the best amp but I still have dreams of owning a nice amp :34:)
 
Re: The crossroads!! What pickup!?!

The Whole Lotta Humbucker Set will cost a pretty penny but I've only heard good things about it. Let me just throw this out there, the Gibson 496R and 500T (Ceramic Set) are super great pickups. They are pretty hot but clean up very well. Nice warm sounding cleans and can take all the grit and dirt you throw at it. I've had the set in LPs and currently have them in a Mahogany Strat–great blusey rock tones.

I would suggest looking here in the Trading Post or eBay/Craigslist for your pickups regardless of which ones you go with–cheaper used that brand new. Best of luck!
 
Re: The crossroads!! What pickup!?!

please dont take this the wrong way, but dont waste you money on new pups. is that your rig? the money that you will spend on the pups, electronics, nut and bridge could be better spent on a new amp or new guitar. we all like new stuff and instant gratification but sometimes its good to be practical. if you like the guitar, put the money toward a better amp.
 
Re: The crossroads!! What pickup!?!

jeremy said:
please dont take this the wrong way, but dont waste you money on new pups. is that your rig? the money that you will spend on the pups, electronics, nut and bridge could be better spent on a new amp or new guitar. we all like new stuff and instant gratification but sometimes its good to be practical. if you like the guitar, put the money toward a better amp.
Click to expand...


Put the money into a better guitar, what you have is an entry level one for kids. You need at least a set neck LP. Look for a deal on a used one. They go for a lot less than new.
 
Re: The crossroads!! What pickup!?!

treyhaislip said:
The Whole Lotta Humbucker Set will cost a pretty penny but I've only heard good things about it. Let me just throw this out there, the Gibson 496R and 500T (Ceramic Set) are super great pickups. They are pretty hot but clean up very well. Nice warm sounding cleans and can take all the grit and dirt you throw at it. I've had the set in LPs and currently have them in a Mahogany Strat–great blusey rock tones.

I would suggest looking here in the Trading Post or eBay/Craigslist for your pickups regardless of which ones you go with–cheaper used that brand new. Best of luck!
Click to expand...

Cool Beans, I'll look into that. Been looking at Demos of them online and they sound good. Thank you!!
 
Re: The crossroads!! What pickup!?!

I probably wouldn't bother messing with the nut on that unless there's actually something wrong with it.

But, unlike what others have said, I don't really see anything wrong with upgrading the pickups in it. Sure, that's just a "lowly" LP Special II, so they're right when they say the immediate benefit (especially through that amp) will be minimal at best, but there are still some things to gain from doing it anyway.

1. You'll gain valuable experience working on guitar wiring without the risk of damaging a pricier instrument.

2. When you eventually outgrow that guitar & upgrade to a better one, you can take the pickups out of the old guitar and put them right in the new one. In other words, an investment in pickups is never wasted because they don't wear out & you can keep moving them from guitar to guitar.


I'll say this in defense of the LP Special II as well - sure, they're cheap. Yes, the fret ends will cut you. Yes, the body is made out of plywood (for real). It's really a Les Paul in silhouette only, as nothing else about it resembles a real LP at all. HOWEVER, than can sound good. Huge, massive, even. I have experienced this first-hand, and was shocked by it. So there's that.
 
Re: The crossroads!! What pickup!?!

sosomething said:
I probably wouldn't bother messing with the nut on that unless there's actually something wrong with it.

But, unlike what others have said, I don't really see anything wrong with upgrading the pickups in it. Sure, that's just a "lowly" LP Special II, so they're right when they say the immediate benefit (especially through that amp) will be minimal at best, but there are still some things to gain from doing it anyway.

1. You'll gain valuable experience working on guitar wiring without the risk of damaging a pricier instrument.

2. When you eventually outgrow that guitar & upgrade to a better one, you can take the pickups out of the old guitar and put them right in the new one. In other words, an investment in pickups is never wasted because they don't wear out & you can keep moving them from guitar to guitar.


I'll say this in defense of the LP Special II as well - sure, they're cheap. Yes, the fret ends will cut you. Yes, the body is made out of plywood (for real). It's really a Les Paul in silhouette only, as nothing else about it resembles a real LP at all. HOWEVER, than can sound good. Huge, massive, even. I have experienced this first-hand, and was shocked by it. So there's that.
Click to expand...

+1 to this!

Andy.tech said:
Cool Beans, I'll look into that. Been looking at Demos of them online and they sound good. Thank you!!
Click to expand...

Most welcome! I was just thinking something cheaper than the Whole Lotta Set (I paid $80ish shipped for mine on eBay) and they are fantastic for rock and blues. The Whole Lotta Set would be amazing AND would hold its value more...just something to think about.
 
Re: The crossroads!! What pickup!?!

sosomething said:
I probably wouldn't bother messing with the nut on that unless there's actually something wrong with it.

But, unlike what others have said, I don't really see anything wrong with upgrading the pickups in it. Sure, that's just a "lowly" LP Special II, so they're right when they say the immediate benefit (especially through that amp) will be minimal at best, but there are still some things to gain from doing it anyway.

1. You'll gain valuable experience working on guitar wiring without the risk of damaging a pricier instrument.

2. When you eventually outgrow that guitar & upgrade to a better one, you can take the pickups out of the old guitar and put them right in the new one. In other words, an investment in pickups is never wasted because they don't wear out & you can keep moving them from guitar to guitar.


I'll say this in defense of the LP Special II as well - sure, they're cheap. Yes, the fret ends will cut you. Yes, the body is made out of plywood (for real). It's really a Les Paul in silhouette only, as nothing else about it resembles a real LP at all. HOWEVER, than can sound good. Huge, massive, even. I have experienced this first-hand, and was shocked by it. So there's that.
Click to expand...

HAHA!! this post made me laugh!! But yes your absolutely correct!! I mean I wish I could afford something better but I can't and like you mentioned if my situation changes I'll be able to swap out my pickups to the other Guitar. I also agree with what you said in being blown away by a cheaper guitar, the dude in that bar had a really cheap guitar (I forgot what) i mean he even said it but with his upgrades it didn't sound like a cheap guitar. I'm not looking for a name or a brand right now in my economic situation I'm looking for a sound. Sure I'd like a wall of expensive names guitars, who wouldn't? But that's not really realistic for me right now. I think I can take what I've got to the limit and enjoy it. Like that dude had that same "cheapo" guitar for 2 years playing it everyday and taking it to gigs and he still loved it, he enjoyed the sound he was getting from it and thats all I'm looking for..... I'm looking for the best sound I can get from what I have. So please keep the suggestions coming!!!
 
Last edited:
Re: The crossroads!! What pickup!?!

is that epiphone your amp? id get a new amp before i did anything else
 
Re: The crossroads!! What pickup!?!

jeremy said:
is that epiphone your amp? id get a new amp before i did anything else
Click to expand...

Yes sir, but honestly I dont use it much cause I have to plug into earphones when I practice cause I don't want my neighbors to get upset and when I do gigs I'll borrow my friends Marshall or use what they have at the place so I figure buying an amp right now is not a priority. Hey but thanks for looking out dude!!
 
Re: The crossroads!! What pickup!?!

in that case maybe its worth getting the pups. i wouldnt spend money on any of the other stuff though. do you plan on doing the installation yourself?
 
Re: The crossroads!! What pickup!?!

jeremy said:
in that case maybe its worth getting the pups. i wouldnt spend money on any of the other stuff though. do you plan on doing the installation yourself?
Click to expand...

I do! I'm pretty handy, I pretty much fix everything I see hahah!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

GilmourD
What do I have here? (PAF-type identification)
Replies
9
Views
195
hamerfan
hamerfan
J
New Seymour Duncans
Replies
15
Views
420
jeremy
jeremy
Supernautilus
p90 sized humbuckers?
Replies
18
Views
269
Laughing Kookaburra
Laughing Kookaburra
S
Just how bright is the Pearly Gates Bridge?
Replies
7
Views
168
slyfox
S
Mincer
Seymour Duncan Announces The Joe Bonamassa "Bolin Burst" Humbucker Set!
2 3
Replies
40
Views
512
Masta' C
Masta' C
Back
Top