Time for a new set...

[oilpit]

I am gonna yank the Dimarzios out of my Les Paul, they had a good run, but I want something different. I want more dynamics in the way the pickup reacts to pick attack and the volume controls, the Dimarzios are so compressed they are going full bore no matter what.

I am debating between the APH and the Pearly Gates for the neck.
For the bridge I am looking at the JB, Duncan Custom and '78

People say the JB doesn't sound good in a LP style guitar, but on paper it looks like somehat of my dream pickup, does anyone have any expirience with something like this?

The DC has never failed me, I love that thing in a Les Paul, but I don't really want so much compression, and I like a little less bass and more midrange grind. However, it's still high on my list.

And finally the '78, people rave about it and I would love to try one out. My only reservation is that they are mostly used in Strats, could it be muddy is a LP?

What do you guys think?

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Time for a new set...

The JB doesnt sound good in a LP because LP's are normally dark sounding guitars. In most cases, a JB in a LP will have too loose of a bottom end, and highs that are too rounded.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Time for a new set...

as for the A2P vs. the PG, are you looking for smoother tone/sound or a tone that will have a nice "bite" to it?

 

[oilpit]

Re: Time for a new set...

Definitely smoother, I don't like to get any sort of "grind" from the neck pickup...I like it to sound like a violin. I realize that that kind of points to the A2P, but the EQ of that pickup kinda puts me off, seems too scooped to be warm and smooth.

Could be wrong though, never tried it

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Time for a new set...

Oh its smooth and has plenty of mids. I have one in the neck of my LP. Pure 'Slash' sexy solo tone.

 

[oilpit]

Re: Time for a new set...

Oh its smooth and has plenty of mids. I have one in the neck of my LP. Pure 'Slash' sexy solo tone.

Sounds perfect....

Now for the bridge pickup, I'm leaning towards a '78, but if I don't like it, that's a very expensive mistake.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Time for a new set...

Ive never played one in a LP, but I do know that it works magic in a strat. What kind of sound are you looking to get from the bridge?

 

[oilpit]

Re: Time for a new set...

I want a really "screaming" sound, lots of top end and mids that still retain fatness and vocal qualities.

I know that's not a very good description, but it's the best I got...

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Time for a new set...

do you like hot pickups? ceramic magnets? alnico mags? if you are trying to stay more on the vintage side, I say PG. If you want modern stuff.......maybe the DD

 

[oilpit]

Re: Time for a new set...

I am all over the spectrum, while overall I tend to like lower output stuff, I like a lot of hot pickups too.

I love the custom, JB, various high output Dimarzios. I don't like the DD however, it has a weird high end, too choppy.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Time for a new set...

People say the JB doesn't sound good in a LP style guitar, but on paper it looks like somehat of my dream pickup, does anyone have any expirience with something like this?

Paper doesn't tell you what a PU does in certain woods. Mahogany & maple bring out different qualities, along with shortcomings. I don't hear much 'fatness' in a JB, just an abundance of high end. I like JB's with an A2; that gives the mids you want. For the screamin' high end you're looking for, I'd also consider a C5 and 498T. With 250K's you'll hear more mids with both of them, and still have plenty of treble to slice thru.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Time for a new set...

If you wanted the '78 for a LP, I think the PG would be the closest thing that would rock in a LP. Its got plenty of mids and lots of top end bite. I think the A2P/PG is a great set for a LP

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Time for a new set...

Paper doesn't tell you what a PU does in certain woods. Mahogany & maple bring out different qualities, along with shortcomings. I don't hear much 'fatness' in a JB, just an abundance of high end. I like JB's with an A2; that gives the mids you want. For the screamin' high end you're looking for, I'd also consider a C5 and 498T. With 250K's you'll hear more mids with both of them, and still have plenty of treble to slice thru.

The C5 might be too scooped in the mids for him. He said he wants fat mids in the bridge

 

[oilpit]

Re: Time for a new set...

I had a C5 a while back...not a fan, at all

and I don't see how 250k pots would help, while it may open up the mids a bit, the shaved treble would let the MASSIVE low end take over.

I'm partial to the Duncan Custom, but the other 2 are no friends of mine...

C8 might be interesting though

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Time for a new set...

A LOT of people here LOVE the C8

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Time for a new set...

Another 'smooth' neck pickup to look into is the "Doug Aldrich" neck model by John Suhr. It hotter than the A2P, @ about 9k and has an A5 magnet. The BEST liquid lead sound you will ever get from a neck pickup

 

[blueman335]

Re: Time for a new set...

I had a C5 a while back...not a fan, at all

and I don't see how 250k pots would help, while it may open up the mids a bit, the shaved treble would let the MASSIVE low end take over.

I'm partial to the Duncan Custom, but the other 2 are no friends of mine...

C8 might be interesting though

The 'shaved treble' lets the mids kick in, not the low end. It's not bottom heavy, it's balanced.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Time for a new set...

The JB doesnt sound good in a LP because LP's are normally dark sounding guitars. In most cases, a JB in a LP will have too loose of a bottom end, and highs that are too rounded.

Erm, isn't the JB model supposed to be based on something originally built by Seymour for a very famous guitarist's modified Gibson Les Paul - as heard on the albums, "Blow By Blow", "Wired" and "There And Back".

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Time for a new set...

Try out a Custom 8 and Jazz Bridge Model in the neck. It's right at the border of being toneful yet pushed.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: Time for a new set...

alternative 8.... it has fat mids and retains a lot of openess reacts well to pick attack.
about the same hotness as a jb.

if the treble is not enough wire it with a 1 meg pot