Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

[BurntGerbil]

Hello! After however many years of lurking this forum, I figured I would finally make an account.

I have two Les Pauls. The first, an '01 Gary Moore sig, has the original Burstbuckers in both positions (to my understanding, they're what are now labeled BB1s). No one else in the world seems to like those pickups, but I do. That's my go-to for classic rock and modern blues-rock sort of sounds.

The second is a LP Standard with a DMT Baker Act in the Bridge (often compared to a JB) and a Nostalgia in the neck. This is my pissed off, hard rock, not-quite-metal-gain-levels-but-kinda-close guitar.

I've been keeping an eye out for a good deal on a LP Studio, and I want a bridge pickup that falls somewhere in between so as to work as a passable backup for both of them. Right now they're just a little too different from one another. Something that can function as a sort of rock tone Swiss army knife for live string breakage protection and studio double-tracking.

Thanks to all.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

Custom?

 

[Leon Of Late]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

The Brobucker from the custom shop falls right in the middle at 10k. It was designed to be exactly what you're asking for. At least with Duncan, there aren't many options between vintage output of 8k or so and the 14k custom humbuckers and the even higher output pickups. I'll have to look again, in case I forgot something.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

Custom 5, Screamin Demon, P-Rails+ bridge

 

[blueman335]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

'59/Custom hybrid.

 

[AZ Picker]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

Perpetual Burn or 59/Custom hybrid would both be a good fit.

 

[Blackbury]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

Dimarzio Norton or Duncan Custom 5.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

'59/Custom hybrid.

This would be my choice for some middle ground there. But it is an awesome pickup. I think a regular Custom would be too big and bold, and Custom 5 would be too scooped.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

This would be my choice for some middle ground there. But it is an awesome pickup. I think a regular Custom would be too big and bold, and Custom 5 would be too scooped.

Custom 5 would be too scooped for midground between a PAF and JB??!

Most PAF's are pretty mid-scooped. The JB is lower-mid scooped (it's got lots of high mids). The C5 has a lot more mids than a typical PAF. Seems to me to be technically right IN the middle. But more than that, it SOUNDS to me to be right in the middle.

 

[JB6464]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

'59/Custom hybrid.

This , or a Custom 5 with a UOA5 mag in it .

 

[Mincer]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

Custom 5 would be too scooped for midground between a PAF and JB??!

Most PAF's are pretty mid-scooped. The JB is lower-mid scooped (it's got lots of high mids). The C5 has a lot more mids than a typical PAF. Seems to me to be technically right IN the middle. But more than that, it SOUNDS to me to be right in the middle.

Oh yeah! I think there is a huge difference between these 3. The Custom 5 really has only worked for me in an overtly middy guitar, and I tried plenty. A regular PAF (like a Seth) has a lot more mids to my ears.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

A JB2 is a good starting point for me. It brings a more vocal PAF quality to a JB. Moreso if you have a roughcast A2 handy.

 

[marcello252]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

Custom?

+1

the custom would add a bit of body and highs, still being not an overly middy pickup

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

Oh yeah! I think there is a huge difference between these 3. The Custom 5 really has only worked for me in an overtly middy guitar, and I tried plenty. A regular PAF (like a Seth) has a lot more mids to my ears.

I certainly respect your opinion. I also can agree that we may hear things differently. And I also admit that the C5 is not a favorite of mine because it is too scooped. But to my ears the 59, which I can relate to as a PAF (with A5 or A2) is way more scooped than the C5. The C8 is one of my faves, however.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

Brobucker for premium Les Paul noises. '59/Custom Hybrid for greater versatility. Perpetual Burn would compensate for the LP Studio's lack of mass compared to a regular Standard or Custom.

Somebody already suggested a JB2. My left field suggestion is the SHAH-1 Allan Holdsworth model.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Versatile bridge pickup between PAF and JB type.

Yeah! I was thinking the Perpetual Burn is a good choice too. I think the Holdsworth (which isn't something he actually used for very long) is still too hot- It is eqed a bit differently than a regular JB but is still hot and compressed.