Time for a change Any suggestions for my les Paul’s ?

[Smokeythebear]

So I got a les paul classic gold top I wanna keep in e standard and play rock and classic rock on and I got a les Paul custom zakk wylde (refinished) that has no pickups ... it gonna tune it to Eb to play 90s rock and some metal ... I thought maybe a 59 set for the classic .... JB for the bridge of the custom not sure on a neck pickup yet ... I also toyed with the idea of an emg 57 for the bridge .... I’m kind of new to pickups and I’m not 100% what to get

 

[jeremy]

i think the 59 set is a great place to start for the gold top. a jazz/jb set for the custom would be a fine choice for rock and metal. a custom is another kick ass bridge pup in a les paul

 

[alex1fly]

Gorgeous guitar, dang. My suggestion is to send it to me for extensive testing

One of them should get at least a P90 sized humbucker in the neck. AT LEAST. If you've got two LPs, this is a great way to expand your tonal palette and allow different playing styles to shine. One guitar with P90s and one with overwound PAFs would rock. Or PAF bridge + P90 neck for one and slamming high output pickups for the other.

 

[beaubrummels]

A few options come to mind
Pearly Gates set (bright top end, thick everything else)
Slash set (thick, some chime)
Whole Lotta Humbucker set (like an improved 59 set, softened top end, sounds like a 'produced' rock guitar)
Custom / Jazz (has some heat, some top end to work with, work the volume and tone, can do anything rock/classic rock)

 

[Smokeythebear]

Does anybody know anything about pickup covers I have a 59 neck pickup coming in but I kinda like the look of the chrome it’s not a make or break though

 

[Smokeythebear]

These are great replies thanks everybody ! I might refinish the les Paul custom in white and have a black bridge pickup and a gold covered neck pickup and then chrome on the les Paul gold top I’m not too particular but I just thought it could look really cool

 

[Smokeythebear]

I checked the website and I couldnt get a slash set but I definitely looked at the pearly gates longingly and it kind of on the fence between jb and the custom both sound like great options

 

[jeremy]

covers can be put on an uncovered pup if you so choose

 

[Smokeythebear]

Does it affect the sound ??

 

[Smokeythebear]

I’ve narrowed it down a little bit but looking to fill In these blanks hahah
Wylde

Bridge Seymour Duncan custom or JB *undecided *

Neck ?????




Gibson les Paul classic

Bridge ????

59 in the neck

 

[Condemned soul]

59 in the neck ........ for the bridge,
the SH5 Custom will work nicely.

You might consider the 59 /Custom hybrid. This pickup has the best of the 59
and the Custom ..... both are awesome pickups and combined !!!!! there is synergy in the combination ........

 

[Clint 55]

Gorgeous guitar, dang. My suggestion is to send it to me for extensive testing

One of them should get at least a P90 sized humbucker in the neck. AT LEAST. If you've got two LPs, this is a great way to expand your tonal palette and allow different playing styles to shine. One guitar with P90s and one with overwound PAFs would rock. Or PAF bridge + P90 neck for one and slamming high output pickups for the other.

That's what I was going to say about the P90 but thought people would get mad at me. I second this.

 

[hamerfan]

Clint, there nothing wrong about pairing a P90 with a humbucker. I have several LPs with humbuckers, minihums and P90s. And this combo is about the best of both worlds with the exception of the both on, which suffers a bit compared to middle position on P90s.

 

[beaubrummels]

IME the best P90s sound much like the best of the vintage PAF types. In fact, of the readily-available models now, I consider a Phat Cat one of the best "PAF" neck pickup sounds I've tried.

 

[ErikH]

I'd love a LP with a soapbar P90 in the neck and a humbucker in the bridge. For that I'd go vintage P90 and Custom Custom. In fact, for the LP Classic, I'd go Custom Custom. That's me though.

 

[beaubrummels]

I loved those BFG Les Pauls when they were around. I couldn't afford one at the time, but always keep my eye out. That and the Tom Scholz model looked awesome.

 

[Aceman]

Late to the party but....

For the LP GOltop: DiMarzio Super Distortion Bridge, and a PAF neck (in double cream....)

The 90's guitar - Invader bridge and an A2P in the neck.

 

[Bogner]

So I got a les paul classic gold top I wanna keep in e standard and play rock and classic rock on and I got a les Paul custom zakk wylde (refinished) that has no pickups ... it gonna tune it to Eb to play 90s rock and some metal ... I thought maybe a 59 set for the classic .... JB for the bridge of the custom not sure on a neck pickup yet ... I also toyed with the idea of an emg 57 for the bridge .... I’m kind of new to pickups and I’m not 100% what to get

There are some great suggestions so far in the thread. I have had great success with the suggestions I will make. I will also list some other brands that could work well for you if you can't lock down what you desire with SD's.

Pearly Gates would be wonderful for your Classic Rock sounds. Absolutely wonderful pickups for that (and more).

For your Les Paul Custom, I have done well with Distortion, Custom in the Bridge. For the neck I have done well with the Distortion and Jazz. I just recently put a Sentient in the neck and really like it a lot. If I was on a clean slate like you are, I would go Custom Bridge, Sentient neck.

Regarding other brands and models, I have always been very happy with Suhr Aldrich sets in Les Pauls. Bare Knuckle Rebel Yells and Black Dogs have always done me well in Les Paul's or similar single cut guitars. Mules are great as well but in that case in comparison I would go Pearly Gates.

You asked about covers. Nickel is the best material for the least altering in sound. Pickup covers are very minimal at best in changing tone and maybe not even noticeable at all to some. If you like the look one way or the other, I wouldn't hesitate. I will say gold will be the most altering but again, it is very minimal so chase the look you want. Covers can be added so that is not an issue.

 

[David Garner]

I love the JB/59 for hard rock and metal.

 

[donaldr]

Late to the party but....

For the LP GOltop: DiMarzio Super Distortion Bridge, and a PAF neck (in double cream....)

The 90's guitar - Invader bridge and an A2P in the neck.

What model is the Dimarzio PAF? Do you mean a PAF Pro?