Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

[tinman1]

Hi chaps

You guys really helped me out with a previous query about a bridge upgrade for my Flying V- the new Custom (SH-5) sounds like it was born for that guitar and the output/ volume balances perfectly with a 59n in the neck. So metal tones are covered!

The 490r/498t set in my LP studio is ok. Quite hot and compressed though, not a musical PAF type tone by any stretch. I play Led Zeppelin, G n' R, AC/DC and Cream most often. Currently use a Line 6 DT25 (Bogner designed tube) amp which is pretty versatile.

Which of the Slash/ Whole Lotta sets would be most versatile for the above bands and general blues-rock type noodling? I'd consider the Bonamassa set but think they'd probably be wasted on a Studio...mabye in the future in an R9 or something!

Thanks

 

[esandes]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

i have the a2p and brobucker. the a2p has a2 magnets and the bro has a5. of course the bro has about 2k more resistance but i find the a5 magnet to be better. it has more punch. for that reason i'd pick the WLH.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

The WLH set is my current fav pick. I have a set in my Korina SE, where they work very well.

 

[dkal24]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

The Custom 5 is what I use in my Les Paul. It's got a smoother tone than the Custom but it's a bit hot. It does do the tones you are looking for though.

If you are looking for a more traditional PAF tone, you can't go wrong with Seth Lovers.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

Slash neck, whole lotta bridge?

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

I love the WLHs in my LP Classic and, as you might expect, they are perfect for blues-inspired rock. Great pickups.

Having said that, I'm sure the Slash set is great too. I just haven't tried 'em.

For the bands you mention I suspect you won't go wrong with either.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

I've never heard a better pickup set for a Les Paul than my Whole Lotta Humbuckers.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

i honestly cant imagine a set of humbuckers i would like better than the WLH set.

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

Slash neck, whole lotta bridge?

+1

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

Heard/read nothing but GREAT things about the WLHs

 

[tinman1]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

Thanks guys, it sounds like the WLH set may be the winners....I'm sure they're both equally good in their own way. I guess owning multiple Les Pauls may be the only sensible answer! :naughty:

Having said that I've got an odd gut feeling that I should maybe stick with and continue to experiment with the 490r/498t set...there's something appealing about their grittiness that I haven't heard from Duncan pups.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

WOW . . . not a lot of love for the hot rodded A2P's then ?

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

WOW . . . not a lot of love for the hot rodded A2P's then ?

I'm not sure it's that so much, as fewer of us seem to have tried them, I know I haven't.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

I've got an odd gut feeling that I should maybe stick with and continue to experiment with the 490r/498t set...there's something appealing about their grittiness that I haven't heard from Duncan pups.

If you like those p'ups, no Duncan p'up will ever appeal to you.

My own experience and my customer's is 'bout the same: we just can't take'em out fast enough, preventing your ear for tone get scarred for life.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

WOW . . . not a lot of love for the hot rodded A2P's then ?

AFAIC, they are the best production pup seymour makes. But I am sure that the Whole lottas will have more appeal among the masses, as most people are looking for hot PAF types with more midrange. The Slash set is very different from a PAF type.

 

[KBliss]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

The Antiquity would be my first suggestion.

For bite, versatility, overall beauty,the WholeLottaHB is, for Zep, Cream, AcDc, etc., THE OBVIOUS CHOICE of the two you mentioned, for the applications you described. It is perfect for your LPaul.

The A2P=great, but has the misfortune of having every youtube user demo Slash tones/songs & nuthin' but. My fave A2P(or Slash sign., same thing) user is Akira Takasaki, whose tone is like JBmeetsYngwie- that is, Duncan JB growl with crisp single coil like sensitivity in the pick attack. Almost like a low carb Screamin Demon.

 

[tinman1]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

If you like those p'ups, no Duncan p'up will ever appeal to you.

My own experience and my customer's is 'bout the same: we just can't take'em out fast enough, preventing your ear for tone get scarred for life.

Think thats somewhat over the top!

Not least as I've already said I enjoy the Custom/'59 set in my Flying V.

This is a Duncan forum I guess...

 

[JeffB]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

Think thats somewhat over the top!

Not least as I've already said I enjoy the Custom/'59 set in my Flying V.

This is a Duncan forum I guess...

I prefer Gibson brand pickups in general myself, not much love around here for them though. Facts is that most of the classic tones of yesteryear were made with Gibson & Fender pups of the 50s, 60s,and 70s. But yeah....toeing the Duncan Party Line is the norm around here (and should not be a surprise)
.

 

[KBliss]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

I think for every Gibson pickup lover, there's 2 swapping them out. I had T-tops in my 78 LesPaul: it stunk. I recently was given a pair of Gibsons, one was a Burstbucker: great mids for hard rock'n'roll, but for blues & vintage tones, it has that familiar "lack of" -just like my old garbage Gibson.
From that perspective, I would guess that a disproportionate amount of Duncan users focus on the wood & strings vs. the pure output tone- because that's the Duncan niche: bringing out the subtleties of the guitar for a rich, 3-D tone.

Clearly, Anvil has a rockin' tone-Lips uses a 498t (possibly newer) thru a pedal & a Fender.

But strictly in my personal opinion, Duncan does old school Gibson better than today's Gibson- often cheaper, & consistently. And if I had to substantiate that claim, I would go no further than: people make pickups- which co. has better employee morale?

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Whole Lotta Humbucker or Slash set for Les Paul Studio??

My suggestion is to play the guitar unplugged and determine if the natural acoustic timbre is warm or bright. And then determine if you either want to balance the natural timbre or accentuate it. As far as your pickup choice is concerned, if you want to push the guitar towards bright tones, go with the WLH set. If you want to push it towards warm tones, go with the Slash set.