Need New Pick Ups For A Les Paul, School me!
Skewlbuzz
Dec 12 2007, 09:27 AM
Learning Tone Seeker
Posts: 295
Joined: 14-July 07
From: Copenhagen, Denmark
Sooner or later I'm gonna purchase a Gibson Les Paul rolleyes.gif (a Standard or a classic GOW, I have yet to decide).
Even though these are expensive guitars, the stock pick ups (lets say the BurstBucker Pro's) tend to sound too muddy and dull in my taste.

So once I have the guitar I want to replace them with something that gives the guitar a better "note definition" (if that makes any sense to you wink.gif ) and makes it sound a bit more energic when distorted. And if possible I will want a warm and rich clean sound.

I'm not looking for massive out-put as I'm not into metal (though I find Randy Rhoads and Zack Wylde's more "classical" and melodic solos really great and inspiring). But then again, when doing solos I want a bridge pick up that can stand out from the rest of the band and scream!

My influences are mainly Tom Morello (RAtM), Slash, Mike Einziger (Incubus) and Jimmy Page. I'm still more of a "beginner", but trying to mix some of each guitarist into my playing and sound, and hopefully it will turn out great. If not, I won't care, it will still be my sound tongue.gif

At the moment I have these two in my mind:

Neck: DiMarzio PAF Pro
Bridge: DiMarzio Super Distortion

Oh and by the way, a must is that they're available in "zebra"-style happy.gif (Creme/Black or White/Black).

But before I make my final choice I would like that hear what you guys think, are there any other pick ups that I might want to check out etc.?
Any help appreciated smile.gif

Cheers!

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------

Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Standard 2008
Fender Squier '51

---------------------
Amp(like):
Blackstar Series One 45
Line6 POD Studio UX1
Marshall MG15CDR

---------------------
Effects:
Dunlop Crybaby 535Q
DigiTech Whammy
Z.Vex Fuzz Factory
Dunlop MXR Carbon Copy

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
MickeM
Dec 12 2007, 09:53 AM
Born of NWOBHM, Moderation Team Leader
Posts: 8.562
Joined: 9-January 07
From: Stockholm, Sweden
I think your Super dist/PAF sounds like an excellent combination.
A classic LP comb is Seymour Duncan JB and 59'

I think these pickups seem appealing, not so cheap though, about same as DiMarzio and SD. Hand wound in the UK

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Goliath
Dec 12 2007, 12:11 PM
GMC:er
Posts: 667
Joined: 6-July 07
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
the PAF pro is a knock off of the BurstBucker Pro, I thought. I've not heard them side by side, but I thought they were both replicas of the original Les Paul "Patent Applied For" pickup... Could be wrong though. The Seymour Duncan route would be fine as well plus i know that those are available in zebra, as they come that way on an Eclipse II.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
"King V" enthusiast

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Skewlbuzz
Dec 12 2007, 06:26 PM
Learning Tone Seeker
Posts: 295
Joined: 14-July 07
From: Copenhagen, Denmark
Thanks for your answers.. smile.gif

Got another question by now though. When trying to order the pick ups they ask if you want them F-spaced.. Read somewhere that F-spaced pick ups are for bridge position on guitars with a nut over 43mm in width.
Should I just get a regular one or do the Les Paul really need it to be F-spaced?

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------

Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Standard 2008
Fender Squier '51

---------------------
Amp(like):
Blackstar Series One 45
Line6 POD Studio UX1
Marshall MG15CDR

---------------------
Effects:
Dunlop Crybaby 535Q
DigiTech Whammy
Z.Vex Fuzz Factory
Dunlop MXR Carbon Copy

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
MickeM
Dec 12 2007, 06:46 PM
Born of NWOBHM, Moderation Team Leader
Posts: 8.562
Joined: 9-January 07
From: Stockholm, Sweden
QUOTE (Skewlbuzz @ Dec 12 2007, 06:26 PM) *
Thanks for your answers.. smile.gif

Got another question by now though. When trying to order the pick ups they ask if you want them F-spaced.. Read somewhere that F-spaced pick ups are for bridge position on guitars with a nut over 43mm in width.
Should I just get a regular one or do the Les Paul really need it to be F-spaced?

The easiest way to find out would be to measure the string distance (center-center measure) right above whete the pickups are.
Then knowing that the cc measure for an F-spaced pu is 53 mm and for a regular it's 48 - You could take one that will cover the strings the closest.

To my experience it's ok if the strings are inside of the poles of the pu. But id the strings run outside you can kill the sound.

I have an F-spaced pu in my LP bridge position, that works great. And I moved the old bridge pu to the neck but I don't know the measure of it was 48 or 53, it works anyway.

....if any of that clears things up at all? Just measure the c-c on the string for neck and bridge and we'll take it from there ok? smile.gif

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Skewlbuzz
Dec 12 2007, 06:56 PM
Learning Tone Seeker
Posts: 295
Joined: 14-July 07
From: Copenhagen, Denmark
Nice explanation, now I know how to find out biggrin.gif

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------

Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Standard 2008
Fender Squier '51

---------------------
Amp(like):
Blackstar Series One 45
Line6 POD Studio UX1
Marshall MG15CDR

---------------------
Effects:
Dunlop Crybaby 535Q
DigiTech Whammy
Z.Vex Fuzz Factory
Dunlop MXR Carbon Copy

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
ZakkWylde
Dec 12 2007, 07:05 PM
Learning Tone Master
Posts: 3.185
Joined: 22-June 07
From: Germany
I would say emg 81 for the bridge and an 85 or 60 for the neck. They are good for rock aswell and scream better than any other pu's (my opinion).
My advice would be testing diffrent les pauls and les paul copies with diffrent pickups at a music store so you can get a picture of what sounds like you want it.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------


Gear:
- Jackson USA Select KV2 King V with EMG 81/85
- Gibson Les Paul Custom Arctic White with EMG 81/85
- Ibanez Rg 8527 J Custom 7-String with DiMarzio Evolution and Air Norton

- Peavey 6505+ head with Marshall 1960AV 4x12 cab
- Peavey Vypyr 30 Practice Amp
- Dunlop Crybaby From Hell, Maxon OD808, Boss TU-2, MXR CarbonCopy, ISP Decimator, MXR Custom Audio Electronics Booster

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Alex Lewis
Dec 12 2007, 07:20 PM
Learning Guitar Hero
Posts: 234
Joined: 30-July 07
From: London
I would try a company called bareknuckle pickups they do loads and I mean loads of different pickups. All hand made and hand wound in England, I tried a guitar fitted with them in Soho soundhouse in london and they sound awesome!!.

Plus they do specialist L.P pickups like the "Blackdog" for that Led Zep tone!!.

Look em up on google.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Toni Suominen
Dec 12 2007, 08:45 PM
Instructor
Posts: 3.038
Joined: 2-December 07
From: Rauma, Finland
Seyomour Duncan also makes great pickups, go check their website for more info! smile.gif and they have pickups with Zebra-colors biggrin.gif

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
Gear:
-PRS Custom 22
-Edwards Les Paul
-PodXT
-Ibanez Acoustic


Check out my lessons and my instructor profile!

My Youtube channel

My Last.FM
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Goliath
Dec 12 2007, 09:00 PM
GMC:er
Posts: 667
Joined: 6-July 07
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
I didn't really know the deal with "f spaced" pickups when I got them in my evo, but the poles were slightly further apart than than the standard models, so I just assumed that pickups that were mounted at a slant to the strings rather than perpendicular to the strings. It made sense, but the CM explanation makes more sense.

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
"King V" enthusiast

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Gerald
Dec 12 2007, 09:47 PM
GMC:er
Posts: 186
Joined: 7-November 07
From: US / OHIO
What about going old school and put in some P90s? smile.gif I have them in my SG and I love'm!

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Toni Suominen
Dec 12 2007, 09:51 PM
Instructor
Posts: 3.038
Joined: 2-December 07
From: Rauma, Finland
P90's are great, but I don't think they would be versatile enough for him, though that's just my opinion smile.gif

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
Gear:
-PRS Custom 22
-Edwards Les Paul
-PodXT
-Ibanez Acoustic


Check out my lessons and my instructor profile!

My Youtube channel

My Last.FM
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Ivan Milenkovic
Dec 12 2007, 09:54 PM
Instructor
Posts: 25.396
Joined: 20-November 07
From: Belgrade, Serbia
Try with Seymor Duncan JeffBeck on the bridge. THat my friend is one great humbucker. On the neck - 59, or even jazz can do the trick. Afterall that is a LP wink.gif

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
- Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE
- Check out my GMC Profile and Lessons
- (Please subscribe to my) YouTube Official Channel
- Let's be connected through ! Facebook! :)
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Gerald
Dec 12 2007, 10:01 PM
GMC:er
Posts: 186
Joined: 7-November 07
From: US / OHIO
QUOTE (Toni Suominen @ Dec 12 2007, 03:51 PM) *
P90's are great, but I don't think they would be versatile enough for him, though that's just my opinion smile.gif


That's probably very true. Honestly I don't know much but pick-ups, but I dig the ones in my SG. Maybe the pickups Buckethead uses in his 69 Gibson would be good?

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Toni Suominen
Dec 12 2007, 10:01 PM
Instructor
Posts: 3.038
Joined: 2-December 07
From: Rauma, Finland
QUOTE (Milenkovic Ivan @ Dec 12 2007, 10:54 PM) *
Try with Seymor Duncan JeffBeck on the bridge. THat my friend is one great humbucker. On the neck - 59, or even jazz can do the trick. Afterall that is a LP wink.gif


I have that pickup setup (JB in the bridge and '59 in the neck) in my LTD EC-1000 and they sound great! smile.gif

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
Gear:
-PRS Custom 22
-Edwards Les Paul
-PodXT
-Ibanez Acoustic


Check out my lessons and my instructor profile!

My Youtube channel

My Last.FM
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Kevin98497
Dec 12 2007, 10:50 PM
GMC:er
Posts: 670
Joined: 17-August 06
From: UK
DiMarzio Super Distortion,
i rest my case
(oh you might need to keep the little box that keeps it in that hole in the guitar, get me? so it fits and stuf)
QUOTE

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Ivan Milenkovic
Dec 13 2007, 12:05 AM
Instructor
Posts: 25.396
Joined: 20-November 07
From: Belgrade, Serbia
QUOTE (Toni Suominen @ Dec 12 2007, 10:01 PM) *
I have that pickup setup (JB in the bridge and '59 in the neck) in my LTD EC-1000 and they sound great! smile.gif


Yes it is a classic pickup configuration Toni, and a excelletn one too for high gain. Its more for the high gain music, but it can be rolled off t suit some clean as well. For me personnaly they are too agressive. I like mellow sound, 59 is ok, but JB is too egdy and trebly for me.

But for your LP mate it cant be better smile.gif

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------
- Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE
- Check out my GMC Profile and Lessons
- (Please subscribe to my) YouTube Official Channel
- Let's be connected through ! Facebook! :)
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Skewlbuzz
Dec 13 2007, 01:45 PM
Learning Tone Seeker
Posts: 295
Joined: 14-July 07
From: Copenhagen, Denmark
Interesting points of view everyone :]

I will try some of the pick up combinations out at the guitar store before I make my choice.

Keep in mind I don't have the LP yet, but ordering it next month when my economy is more stable happy.gif

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net


Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!


--------------------

Guitars:
Gibson Les Paul Standard 2008
Fender Squier '51

---------------------
Amp(like):
Blackstar Series One 45
Line6 POD Studio UX1
Marshall MG15CDR

---------------------
Effects:
Dunlop Crybaby 535Q
DigiTech Whammy
Z.Vex Fuzz Factory
Dunlop MXR Carbon Copy

Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 




RSS Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 28th March 2024 - 05:57 PM