What is a good set up pickups for modern hard rock [Les Paul]?

[kingneptune117]

Hey all,

I just got a 2017 Gibson Les Paul Tribute T. It came with the 490T/490R. These are Alnico II pickups. While I like these pickups, I'm not sure they really suit the music I want to play. If I had to pick one genre that defines what I play, I would say modern hard rock. I like that deep, snarling, growling gain out of a les paul. That break up in the higher gain tone, so to speak. I also play some pop punk on occasion. Some bands that I listen to: Breaking Benjamin, Seether, Pierce The Veil, Anerblin, and Sick Puppies.

I have found in the past that Alnico 5's seem to perform well for this genre? That is what I am thinking, but I am open to any suggestions. I have looked at the JB a little bit, but I hear so many mixed responses. The main complain is that it doesn't suit a Les Paul, and that it is harsh and brittle. I'm not really sure what to believe about this pickup at this point.

Just to further clarify, while the music I play does involve higher levels of gain, I do not like the dry, super percussive bass response of heavy metal/djent. While I do not want a spongy bass, I do not want a purely metal pickup, if that makes sense. I think I best described the tone I am after above: I like that deep, snarling, growling gain out of a les paul. That break up in the higher gain tone, so to speak. I like some warmth in my tone, I do not like a harsh/brittle high end. At the same time, I do not want the high end to be overly rounded.

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Clint 55]

Re: What is a good set up pickups for modern hard rock [Les Paul]?

You'd probably like the Custom 5. It's well rounded. Sounds bad ass for heavy styles but it's not overly harsh or gritty like the jb and not djenty like the invader or something.

I'd recommend the 59 for the neck. Sounds totally modern rock to me.

 

[357mag]

Re: What is a good set up pickups for modern hard rock [Les Paul]?

I wouldn't recommend the '59. It's gonna be fat in the bass and boomy. As I and many others have found out.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: What is a good set up pickups for modern hard rock [Les Paul]?

Hmm. There are a number of ways you can adjust the amount of bass. I think it has good tone for modern heavy rock. Other pups seem tuned to blues like the pg or metal like the full shred or sentient etc.

 

[dave74]

Re: What is a good set up pickups for modern hard rock [Les Paul]?

Custom 5

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: What is a good set up pickups for modern hard rock [Les Paul]?

I say go straight to the Custom. Custom/59 is modern hard rock, IMO. Maybe swap for Jazz in the neck depending on which neck tone you want.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: What is a good set up pickups for modern hard rock [Les Paul]?

Custom bridge, Full shred neck. Dimarzio Breeds, or Air Zone bridge and 36th neck would also work.

 

[Aceman]

Re: What is a good set up pickups for modern hard rock [Les Paul]?

Again - a ton of suggestions without knowing the amp....

Jazz / 59 could TEAR IT UP, depending on the amp. Im calling PG neck, 59/Custom hybrid - based on nothing but the guitar.

what about Pegasus/Sentient? Not that I have played a set, but may really be what you'd dig based on reviews and readings.

And you don't know that a 59 will be boomy in the neck. depends on the specific guitar.

 

[EmiAba]

Re: What is a good set up pickups for modern hard rock [Les Paul]?

Again - a ton of suggestions without knowing the amp....

Jazz / 59 could TEAR IT UP, depending on the amp. Im calling PG neck, 59/Custom hybrid - based on nothing but the guitar.

what about Pegasus/Sentient? Not that I have played a set, but may really be what you'd dig based on reviews and readings.

And you don't know that a 59 will be boomy in the neck. depends on the specific guitar.

I am with Aceman, almost for all he said. Sentient/Pegasus is a great choise. 59n + 59/custom hybrid too. My les paul is loaded with 59A4 and C8 and it is a perfet rock machine. I have doubt only with PG. I did not have a good feeling with it in...

 

[Aceman]

Re: What is a good set up pickups for modern hard rock [Les Paul]?

I play a PG set in a Dean Cadillac in an 80's Hair band....

I'm using a Marshall 100watt Valvestate. PG neck works just fine. Not that I use it for anything besides some of the Nothing But A Good Time solo and most of Sweet Child of Mine....

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: What is a good set up pickups for modern hard rock [Les Paul]?

These are Alnico II pickups. While I like these pickups, I'm not sure they really suit the music I want to play. If I had to pick one genre that defines what I play, I would say modern hard rock. I like that deep, snarling, growling gain out of a les paul. That break up in the higher gain tone, so to speak.

Whether A2 or A5 doesn't change how much growl you can get out of a Les Paul. Magnet type only has a partial influence. For example, 59B is A5 which is good rock pickup but seems to have limited top and bottom end, Pearly Gates is actually A2 but sounds like a 59 with apparent extended range and mine is hotter - it actually sounds brighter on the top end and chunkier/heavier on the bottom, IME. Some report that as being scoped, but to my ears it sounds wider range because I never had to change the mids on any of my amps for the same character there, only the presence and bass. The output of my Pearly Gates bridge is closer to my newer production JB than my 59s - I draw that comparison based on how much I needed to adjust my volume knobs and amp input gain to get the same growl.

I have looked at the JB a little bit, but I hear so many mixed responses. The main complain is that it doesn't suit a Les Paul, and that it is harsh and brittle. I'm not really sure what to believe about this pickup at this point.

Not all JBs are alike, nor are Les Pauls. Old production JBs had rough mags and different bobbins. Les Pauls meanwhile could have 50s or modern tone wiring (which affects the top end), and some have weight relief or not in the body (which also affects top and bottom end). That's why you get mixed reviews. You need to read only the reviews that match your guitar.

I like that deep, snarling, growling gain out of a les paul. That break up in the higher gain tone, so to speak. I like some warmth in my tone, I do not like a harsh/brittle high end. At the same time, I do not want the high end to be overly rounded.

Tone control range between 7-10 on my Les Pauls, and SGs for that matter, manages that problem no matter what pickups I have in.

 

[Demanic]

Re: What is a good set up pickups for modern hard rock [Les Paul]?

WLH'S

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