Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

[Mez Cal]

I am building a Les Paul, Mahogany body with more than 1/4" spalted maple cap, Maple neck with rosewood fretboard, set neck design NOT using hide glue, quality locking tuners, TUSQ xl nut, tone pros locking tune o matic bridge and stopbar, switchcraft long stem potentiometers (4) audio taper IF i go "passive' buckers...

I play METAL
mid tempo to normal FAST...pentatonic style, gallops, chugging, powerchords single note lines all with dynamic picking into a very loud 6L6 head with 4x12 cabs (2) loaded with eminence wizards and cv75's/Celestion g12t 75 and creamback g12m 65

Finally, a question!
Of these models which do you recomend?why?
Mayhem set, Invader set, Black Winter set, EMTY set, Blackouts set, Jeff Loomis set, Duality set, Dave Mustaine Livewires

Active and passives both have thier great qualities, i want to find "my tone" and these are the tools available.
I play both rythm and lead, i set up the amp, say 5150 block letter, for a very tight "chuggging" tone with a saturated modern tone with plenty of mids, mids are the key to an amazing blooming chord and definition to chugging rythms, i use a TS style pedal to boost the lead channel and to tighten up the amazing thick low end on the 5150, i will from time to time engage a RAT2 or civil war style muff to achieve over the top "doom" tones, which brings to mind I tune a wholestep down to "D" standard and will very rarely drop the low string to drop "c" or even drop A tunings...i use Ernie Ball beefy slinky strings 11-54 or the 10-52 version, whichever is on sale.
Heavy gauge picks 1mm and up.
I welcome all input based on personal expierience...oh, by the way, my main guitar, which i am in love with is a 2014 Gibson SG, 61 RI, SD JB in the bridge, classic 57' in the neck both set up to split via push pull...i occasionally split the neck pickup----for use with a big muff usually. I use all four pots and the 3 way switch often. I use two channels, semi clean and lead/rythm high gain...i employ a noise gate i do not use the fx loop, i use amp distortion and a channel switcher for dynamics. I use two delay pedals, short and long, boss tremelo and am currently waiting on a Siver Lake Reverb to get delivered, so typical combo amp type fx.

Whew! That was a mouthful, you've got the ball, lets Rock!

 

[VinceT]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

Hi, Mez Cal - sorry to say, I don’t know those pickup sets, but I just wanted to thank you for giving the forum the kind of detail that helps us respond - we get so many “which pickups should I buy...” with no further info!

Best of luck, sounds like a great build.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[audiocheck]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

I am building a Les Paul, Mahogany body with more than 1/4" spalted maple cap, Maple neck with rosewood fretboard, set neck design NOT using hide glue, quality locking tuners, TUSQ xl nut, tone pros locking tune o matic bridge and stopbar, switchcraft long stem potentiometers (4) audio taper IF i go "passive' buckers...

I play METAL
mid tempo to normal FAST...pentatonic style, gallops, chugging, powerchords single note lines all with dynamic picking into a very loud 6L6 head with 4x12 cabs (2) loaded with eminence wizards and cv75's/Celestion g12t 75 and creamback g12m 65

Finally, a question!
Of these models which do you recomend?why?
Mayhem set, Invader set, Black Winter set, EMTY set, Blackouts set, Jeff Loomis set, Duality set, Dave Mustaine Livewires

Active and passives both have thier great qualities, i want to find "my tone" and these are the tools available.
I play both rythm and lead, i set up the amp, say 5150 block letter, for a very tight "chuggging" tone with a saturated modern tone with plenty of mids, mids are the key to an amazing blooming chord and definition to chugging rythms, i use a TS style pedal to boost the lead channel and to tighten up the amazing thick low end on the 5150, i will from time to time engage a RAT2 or civil war style muff to achieve over the top "doom" tones, which brings to mind I tune a wholestep down to "D" standard and will very rarely drop the low string to drop "c" or even drop A tunings...i use Ernie Ball beefy slinky strings 11-54 or the 10-52 version, whichever is on sale.
Heavy gauge picks 1mm and up.
I welcome all input based on personal expierience...oh, by the way, my main guitar, which i am in love with is a 2014 Gibson SG, 61 RI, SD JB in the bridge, classic 57' in the neck both set up to split via push pull...i occasionally split the neck pickup----for use with a big muff usually. I use all four pots and the 3 way switch often. I use two channels, semi clean and lead/rythm high gain...i employ a noise gate i do not use the fx loop, i use amp distortion and a channel switcher for dynamics. I use two delay pedals, short and long, boss tremelo and am currently waiting on a Siver Lake Reverb to get delivered, so typical combo amp type fx.

Whew! That was a mouthful, you've got the ball, lets Rock!

you wanna find your tone?

first off, 95% of your tone is in your hands. you should be able to achieve your tone without ever plugging in. the gear is only there to enhance your tone. I for one, with using high gain amps, like vintage output pickups. high gain = compression. high output pickups = compression. are you a dynamic player? if not, then any of those sets will work fine. I like to have more picking dynamics, so i go with vintage output pickups. imagine your tone in your head and work at making your hands achieve it, then focus on the final 5%.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

you wanna find your tone?

first off, 95% of your tone is in your hands. you should be able to achieve your tone without ever plugging in. the gear is only there to enhance your tone.

I disagree with this. 45% of your tone comes from good gear, 45% comes from being able to properly adjust the settings of that gear to fit your playing style. What's left for your hands to do is adjust pick location and attack. When most people say "tone is in the hands" what they mean to say is "learn to play the gushed darned instrument".

Sure, a fella like Jimmy Page can make a Tele strung with 8s plugged directly into the soundboard sound like a Les Paul pushing a full stack of Marshall's to the edge of reason, but that can be attributed to him knowing how work his equipment that he had (which most of us don't) in his favor.

...

That being said, if you like the JB you currently have in your Les Paul, the Livewire set is basically an active Hot Rodded Humbucker set. I would not recommend the Dualities, because they are geared more towards the vintage crowd.

I'm not much in the know about tones specifically geared towards heavier genres, but many of the metal heads around here have had good experiences with the Black Winter set in their drop tuned instruments, I have also had good experience with them in E and E flat.

Here is a good shootout video of a large variety of Duncan bridge pickups. It has most of what you listed in it.

But since tone is 95% in the fingers, just buys whatever's cheap, maybe some nice vintage lipstick tubes or a piezo electric pickup.

 

[Nagisa]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

I think the BW is the way to go for metal

 

[Mez Cal]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

Hi, Mez Cal - sorry to say, I don’t know those pickup sets, but I just wanted to thank you for giving the forum the kind of detail that helps us respond - we get so many “which pickups should I buy...” with no further info!

Best of luck, sounds like a great build.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I think the BW is the way to go for metal

you wanna find your tone?

first off, 95% of your tone is in your hands. you should be able to achieve your tone without ever plugging in. the gear is only there to enhance your tone. I for one, with using high gain amps, like vintage output pickups. high gain = compression. high output pickups = compression. are you a dynamic player? if not, then any of those sets will work fine. I like to have more picking dynamics, so i go with vintage output pickups. imagine your tone in your head and work at making your hands achieve it, then focus on the final 5%.

Yeah, for high gain amps, i like vintage output pickups too...in the neck position...in the bridge i want a hot pickup because i dont turn the gain on the amp higher than 4, some of these pick ups are definitely "easier" to dial in, or play, have a better feel, ...thats what im asking...thru your personal expierience. What have you discovered. I have found my tone in a manner of speaking...i can make any amp, guitar, pickup, sound tight and heavy AF. But id rather use less pedals, eq's, some equipment will get you there faster

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

Yeah, for high gain amps, i like vintage output pickups too...in the neck position...in the bridge i want a hot pickup because i dont turn the gain on the amp higher than 4, some of these pick ups are definitely "easier" to dial in, or play, have a better feel, ...thats what im asking...thru your personal expierience. What have you discovered. I have found my tone in a manner of speaking...i can make any amp, guitar, pickup, sound tight and heavy AF. But id rather use less pedals, eq's, some equipment will get you there faster

For that I'd say get a Distortion (or Black Winter if you want it to be tighter and brighter) bridge and a Sentient neck. That fits your description the best. You get a nice clear neck pickup and a bridge that packs a pretty good punch. It's also not a bad set for lower gain applications either.

 

[AJK1]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

I am building a Les Paul, Mahogany body with more than 1/4" spalted maple cap, Maple neck with rosewood fretboard, set neck design NOT using hide glue, quality locking tuners, TUSQ xl nut, tone pros locking tune o matic bridge and stopbar, switchcraft long stem potentiometers (4) audio taper IF i go "passive' buckers...

I play METAL
mid tempo to normal FAST...pentatonic style, gallops, chugging, powerchords single note lines all with dynamic picking into a very loud 6L6 head with 4x12 cabs (2) loaded with eminence wizards and cv75's/Celestion g12t 75 and creamback g12m 65

Finally, a question!
Of these models which do you recomend?why?
Mayhem set, Invader set, Black Winter set, EMTY set, Blackouts set, Jeff Loomis set, Duality set, Dave Mustaine Livewires

Active and passives both have thier great qualities, i want to find "my tone" and these are the tools available.
I play both rythm and lead, i set up the amp, say 5150 block letter, for a very tight "chuggging" tone with a saturated modern tone with plenty of mids, mids are the key to an amazing blooming chord and definition to chugging rythms, i use a TS style pedal to boost the lead channel and to tighten up the amazing thick low end on the 5150, i will from time to time engage a RAT2 or civil war style muff to achieve over the top "doom" tones, which brings to mind I tune a wholestep down to "D" standard and will very rarely drop the low string to drop "c" or even drop A tunings...i use Ernie Ball beefy slinky strings 11-54 or the 10-52 version, whichever is on sale.
Heavy gauge picks 1mm and up.
I welcome all input based on personal expierience...oh, by the way, my main guitar, which i am in love with is a 2014 Gibson SG, 61 RI, SD JB in the bridge, classic 57' in the neck both set up to split via push pull...i occasionally split the neck pickup----for use with a big muff usually. I use all four pots and the 3 way switch often. I use two channels, semi clean and lead/rythm high gain...i employ a noise gate i do not use the fx loop, i use amp distortion and a channel switcher for dynamics. I use two delay pedals, short and long, boss tremelo and am currently waiting on a Siver Lake Reverb to get delivered, so typical combo amp type fx.

Whew! That was a mouthful, you've got the ball, lets Rock!

Just use the manufacturer descriptions, you should be able to figure it out yourself

 

[Gtrjunior]

Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

Just use the manufacturer descriptions, you should be able to figure it out yourself

You are aware that this is an aftermarket pickup forum.
Topics like this is EXACTLY what we discuss.
If you’ve got nothing relevant to add, stfu.

 

[Mez Cal]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

But since tone is 95% in the fingers, just buys whatever's cheap, maybe some nice vintage lipstick tubes or a piezo electric pickup

Ha! Thanks for the good advices

 

[Mez Cal]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

You are aware that this is an aftermarket pickup forum.
Topics like this is EXACTLY what we discuss.
If you’ve got nothing relevant to add, stfu.

For that I'd say get a Distortion (or Black Winter if you want it to be tighter and brighter) bridge and a Sentient neck. That fits your description the best. You get a nice clear neck pickup and a bridge that packs a pretty good punch. It's also not a bad set for lower gain applications either.

Thanks, for your good advices

 

[AJK1]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

I am building a Les Paul, Mahogany body with more than 1/4" spalted maple cap, Maple neck with rosewood fretboard, set neck design NOT using hide glue, quality locking tuners, TUSQ xl nut, tone pros locking tune o matic bridge and stopbar, switchcraft long stem potentiometers (4) audio taper IF i go "passive' buckers...

I play METAL
mid tempo to normal FAST...pentatonic style, gallops, chugging, powerchords single note lines all with dynamic picking into a very loud 6L6 head with 4x12 cabs (2) loaded with eminence wizards and cv75's/Celestion g12t 75 and creamback g12m 65

Finally, a question!
Of these models which do you recomend?why?
Mayhem set, Invader set, Black Winter set, EMTY set, Blackouts set, Jeff Loomis set, Duality set, Dave Mustaine Livewires

Active and passives both have thier great qualities, i want to find "my tone" and these are the tools available.
I play both rythm and lead, i set up the amp, say 5150 block letter, for a very tight "chuggging" tone with a saturated modern tone with plenty of mids, mids are the key to an amazing blooming chord and definition to chugging rythms, i use a TS style pedal to boost the lead channel and to tighten up the amazing thick low end on the 5150, i will from time to time engage a RAT2 or civil war style muff to achieve over the top "doom" tones, which brings to mind I tune a wholestep down to "D" standard and will very rarely drop the low string to drop "c" or even drop A tunings...i use Ernie Ball beefy slinky strings 11-54 or the 10-52 version, whichever is on sale.
Heavy gauge picks 1mm and up.
I welcome all input based on personal expierience...oh, by the way, my main guitar, which i am in love with is a 2014 Gibson SG, 61 RI, SD JB in the bridge, classic 57' in the neck both set up to split via push pull...i occasionally split the neck pickup----for use with a big muff usually. I use all four pots and the 3 way switch often. I use two channels, semi clean and lead/rythm high gain...i employ a noise gate i do not use the fx loop, i use amp distortion and a channel switcher for dynamics. I use two delay pedals, short and long, boss tremelo and am currently waiting on a Siver Lake Reverb to get delivered, so typical combo amp type fx.

Whew! That was a mouthful, you've got the ball, lets Rock!

Make sure you let us know what you buy

 

[AJK1]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

You are aware that this is an aftermarket pickup forum.
Topics like this is EXACTLY what we discuss.
If you’ve got nothing relevant to add, stfu.

It's very relevant
If you have nothing intelligent to say stfu

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

It's very relevant
If you have nothing intelligent to say stfu

Troll

 

[Mincer]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

Simma down now. Let's get back on topic, ok?

I vote for the Black Winters. They do a lot well, but metal is their thing. They just happen to do a lot more, too.

 

[AJK1]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

So after all this great advice what has he bought ?
Will be interesting to see

 

[Mez Cal]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

Please VOTE...there is poll attached to this thread

 

[Mez Cal]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

Hi, Mez Cal - sorry to say, I don’t know those pickup sets, but I just wanted to thank you for giving the forum the kind of detail that helps us respond - we get so many “which pickups should I buy...” with no further info!

Best of luck, sounds like a great build.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thank YOU, for the kind words

 

[Mez Cal]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

For sure, its is still about a month till completion.....gun oil finish takes some time

 

[Mez Cal]

Re: Which Humbuckers for a Les Paul build?

Simma down now. Let's get back on topic, ok?

I vote for the Black Winters. They do a lot well, but metal is their thing. They just happen to do a lot more, too.

Right on, on a sidenote, if one were to install a blackouts pre-amp kit would it change the tonal qualities of the Black Winter set?