Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

[PROPANEACESSORIES]

I primarily play a Les Paul Studio through an Orange OR100 with a Orange PPC412 Cab (4 V30s). The LP is currently fitted with the stock 490R/498T pickups.

I play primarily post-rock/post-metal (I'd say If These Trees Could Talk is the best band-reference point for our sound if that help, I'll toss in link).

We play in Drop C. Despite the low tuning, there's no metal chugging or anything. It's sort of a weird situation as the other guitarist plays a Tele through a Mesa Mk4 but does most the rhythm work and I do most the leads through a LP and an Orange - I'm not sure how relevant that is, just felt like I should include it. There's typically a lot of reverb and delay and we're usually medium to medium-high gain (My OR100 is typically set to 1'o clock on gain.) There's a mix of a lot of clean/heavy driven parts as well.

Anywho, I've been looking at...

The JB and 59 combo
And also the Black Winter Set (I know both sets are way different but they both caught my interest despite the BWs mostly being marketed to metal).

Any advice/suggestions on sets for the type of stuff I'm doing?

Thanks guys

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

Not to steer you away from SD, but the Gibson Ceramic Set (496R&500T) is what I would suggest. The JB would be a great chioce as well; however, quite a few forum bros don't dig the whole JB+Mahogany/LP thing.

I don't have any experience with the Black Winter Set so I will leave that suggestion to others.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

Consider the Custom too, I really like it in my LP in Drop C for similar style music.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

Distortion Bridge and JazzN is what you want.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

Alternative 8 bridge with a Full Shred in the neck is also an option. The Alternative 8 is great for drop tunings.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[PROPANEACESSORIES]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

I'll have to check all these out. After reading about JBs and mahogany some more I'm a little antsy on it. The Distortion and JazzN sounds interesting, but I've seen a lot of people on the SD boards say the BWs are way more versatile than the Distortion, hmmm

 

[leevc5]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

I primarily play a Les Paul Studio through an Orange OR100 with a Orange PPC412 Cab (4 V30s). The LP is currently fitted with the stock 490R/498T pickups.

I play primarily post-rock/post-metal (I'd say If These Trees Could Talk is the best band-reference point for our sound if that help, I'll toss in link).


We play in Drop C. Despite the low tuning, there's no metal chugging or anything. It's sort of a weird situation as the other guitarist plays a Tele through a Mesa Mk4 but does most the rhythm work and I do most the leads through a LP and an Orange - I'm not sure how relevant that is, just felt like I should include it. There's typically a lot of reverb and delay and we're usually medium to medium-high gain (My OR100 is typically set to 1'o clock on gain.) There's a mix of a lot of clean/heavy driven parts as well.

Anywho, I've been looking at...

The JB and 59 combo
And also the Black Winter Set (I know both sets are way different but they both caught my interest despite the BWs mostly being marketed to metal).

Any advice/suggestions on sets for the type of stuff I'm doing?



Thanks guys

I have a Les Paul Studio it came with 500T and 496R which I replaced with Seth Lovers which I would highly recommend.
I currently have a set of Fishman Fluence Classics that I have found to be excellent as well and offer two voices per pickup. You might want to take a look at them if you are willing to try something new.
Here is a link, you can find more by googling around: http://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/1012/review-fishman-fluence-classic-humbucker-set/53193

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

We play in Drop C. Despite the low tuning, there's no metal chugging or anything. It's sort of a weird situation as the other guitarist plays a Tele through a Mesa Mk4 but does most the rhythm work and I do most the leads through a LP and an Orange - I'm not sure how relevant that is, just felt like I should include it. There's typically a lot of reverb and delay and we're usually medium to medium-high gain (My OR100 is typically set to 1'o clock on gain.) There's a mix of a lot of clean/heavy driven parts as well.

Anywho, I've been looking at...

The JB and 59 combo
And also the Black Winter Set (I know both sets are way different but they both caught my interest despite the BWs mostly being marketed to metal).

SD Facebook just posted a current review of the Black Winter. https://www.facebook.com/seymourduncanpickups/posts/10153853393574261


Based on your own suggestion and how you drop tune, it might be worth checking out.

 

[LazNovak]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

Alternative 8 bridge with a Full Shred in the neck is also an option. The Alternative 8 is great for drop tunings.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

That's exactly what I have in my Les Paul and it is excellent. The Alt 8 is very clear, tight and huge and the Full Shred is great clean and with gain and is AWESOME split.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

Black Winters, Distortion, or Gibson 500t are all in the same wheelhouse. Hairs of difference between them. Haven't played Black Winter's but I can read.

You are splitting hairs between those. I think you'd dig any. As I listen to that lead and treble….I could do that with my Distortion.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

Black Winters, Distortion, or Gibson 500t are all in the same wheelhouse.

I've played all those.

The 500T is more complex and has more character than a lot of the Gibson haters will give credit for. It also cleans up nicely for what it is. DD can seem a little more aggressive around the edges and has more edge when backed off. And you have the link for a review of the BW that SD just put on their FB yesterday.

When it comes to the Fluence Classic set, I'm sure publications like Guitar Player and Premier Guitar and others are fine, but they are seen by many gearheads as advertising space for all the gear companies, commonly even using gear company employees for reviews and other content. You can go here for an independent review of the Fishman Classic set.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

Black winters are flat and sterile eq wise - they depend on the amp and rest of the signal path for character, in my experience. Distortions have some character, girth, and can clean up and sound nice with a roll of the volume knob. But they are not for everyone. I have to say, the best sounding Gibson I ever played was an Explorer with 500t/496t but it was noisy for some reason. Only reason I didn't buy.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

I was not a fan of the 500T in my Les Paul 1960 Classics. I did like the overall tones. But thru my Mesa amps, it just had way too much gain...for MY styles. I do like it for non-master volume amps, like old Marshalls and BF Fenders. YMMV.

I liked the 490R/498T set even less, because these pickups don't work well together. Every time I switched pickups, I'd feel the need to run back to my amp to change settings. Seth Lover's fixed that, but I doubt a vintage-like PAF would suit your style. Some people have great success with swapping magnets in these pickups.

And you can often improve the tone of your Gibson guitar by upgrading the pots and caps. It's usually cheaper than a new pickup.

You don't really say what you don't like about your current pickups. If you can identify their faults, it's easier to make a recommendation.

Bill

 

[Mincer]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

^ this

What can't you get now? Are you just hoping for 'better'? Not enough power? not EQ'd right? I hear a Pegasus/Sentient set getting sounds in that clip, but it helps to know what you are lacking now.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

A Les Paul and an Orange...? Go with the Whole Lotta Humbucker set.

 

[PROPANEACESSORIES]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

I was not a fan of the 500T in my Les Paul 1960 Classics. I did like the overall tones. But thru my Mesa amps, it just had way too much gain...for MY styles. I do like it for non-master volume amps, like old Marshalls and BF Fenders. YMMV.

I liked the 490R/498T set even less, because these pickups don't work well together. Every time I switched pickups, I'd feel the need to run back to my amp to change settings. Seth Lover's fixed that, but I doubt a vintage-like PAF would suit your style. Some people have great success with swapping magnets in these pickups.

And you can often improve the tone of your Gibson guitar by upgrading the pots and caps. It's usually cheaper than a new pickup.

You don't really say what you don't like about your current pickups. If you can identify their faults, it's easier to make a recommendation.

Bill

^ this

What can't you get now? Are you just hoping for 'better'? Not enough power? not EQ'd right? I hear a Pegasus/Sentient set getting sounds in that clip, but it helps to know what you are lacking now.

Good point, I definitely should've included that.

The bridge pickup on my LP, I like. However, it'd like a little more low end tightness. It's girthy and strong in chords/rhythm parts, but a little lacking in leads as I feel whenever I go on the E/B/G strings, I feel there could be a good bit more presence and power behind it. Notes in the higher register can sound a little frail to me if that makes sense.

The Neck pickup - essentially unusable. Way way too bassy and muddy for me to ever use. Both PUs in parallel make for decent cleans but I NEVER am able to use the neck by itself. In all distorted parts, I use the bridge. In all clean parts, I'm on the middle selector switch. My neck pickup is essentially unused. I'd like a lot more clarity and crispness in the neck than I'm getting. One of the reasons I'm considering the BW is how much praise I've seen from the neck. I'd like to have a neck PU that I can actually use on it's own for once.

A Les Paul and an Orange...? Go with the Whole Lotta Humbucker set.

Something weird about a LP and an Orange? I'll check em out though.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

Fluence Classic set

+1

Use the all of the possible options - Voice, coil split and "Tilt".

 

[Aceman]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

OK - let's make a final call:

I'm going Distortion bridge and Full Shred neck.

 

[PROPANEACESSORIES]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

OK - let's make a final call:

I'm going Distortion bridge and Full Shred neck.

After listening to a ton of clips, I'm still leaning towards BWs. However, I found the Pegasus/Sentient Combo really cool as well. I did like what I heard of the Distortion, but prefer what I've heard from BWs a hair more.

 

[elelpe]

Re: Thinking about putting some SD's in my LP, advice?

I'd throw another suggestion: C5 bridge and P-Rails neck.