Which Pick-ups For A Blues Sound

[wcusick]

Hi, I currently have a Les Paul Studio with Gibson 490R / 499T pick-ups. I like the sound, but want to change out to try something new. I play about 95% blues sounding music (Robert Cray ect.). I was thinking Gibson pus BurstBucker 1 and 2 (IM57A-NH Bridge and IM57B-NH Neck). I was looking for SD options Thanks for your help.

[Simon_F]

Welcome! There are a few ideas about pickups for blues with a Les Paul in this thread.

Personally I favour the Pearly Gates set. The other most likely suspects would be '59s, Seth Lovers, Antiquities and Alnico II Pros. They are all vintage-output humbuckers - different variations on the PAF theme.

[JOLLY]

To me personally, the Alnico II Pros are all about that warm bluesy tone.

[Robert Delahunt]

Hi, I currently have a Les Paul Studio with Gibson 490R / 499T pick-ups. I like the sound, but want to change out to try something new. I play about 95% blues sounding music (Robert Cray ect.). I was thinking Gibson pus BurstBucker 1 and 2 (IM57A-NH Bridge and IM57B-NH Neck). I was looking for SD options Thanks for your help.

My opinion: '59 set (vintage blues), or at least '59 neck pickup. There's also the A2P pickups, but those are more of the Slash sound, and more of a vintage "old timer" sound in my opinion (although my experience is with the A2P Staggered single coils, not the humbuckers).

[lemonman]

Describe what you like or dislike about the 490r/498T and what you'd like to change about each; that will make it easier to home in on which way is the best option, since there are so many

[gripweed]

You really couldn't go wrong with any of the vintage style Duncan humbuckers. I would like to put in a suggestion for the Pearly Gates. *Great* sounding blues pickup!

[John Wymore]

If you can afford the extra cost I suggest the Antiquity Humbuckers for blues. Vintage PAF tone with warmth but also a bit of a bite to them. They sound awesome in an LP!!