Les Paul Pickup Recommendations

[357mag]

I've got a new Les Paul Standard which I love. It came with those Gibson Burstbucker Pro Pickups. I tried it out one night at practice, and the pickups do sound pretty good, but my objection is that they sound too much like a vertical single coil. I have a Strat which has Dimarzio Area 61's in it, and all of us thought there was hardly any difference in sound between my Les Paul and my Strat.

First I'm gonna try putting in a Gibson 490r in the neck, and a 498t in the bridge. I think that will do it, but in case I'm wrong, what recommendations do you guys have?

Sonically, I'm looking for a classic Les Paul sound. Some nice chunk, but not too bassy. If possible, a pickup that can stand up and hold up well to heavy distortion without turning to mud.

[hanumanlangur]

Swap the magnets in the pickups with alnico 2. That should turn the pickups into BurstBucker 1/2's, which go into Gibson's more "vintage" LP models.

You will get a warmer, fuller sound that is more characteristic of a classic Les Paul.

[Big Mike Blues]

Pair of 59's is a great all around LP tone. I personally hate the burst buckers in all incarnations.

[Push to Shuv]

Custom 5 and PGn

[hamerfan]

I have the same situation as you:
The classic 60ties sound of a Les Paul is on low wound A5 pickups, the bridge sound a little like a telecaster with a cutting sound. This is the '59 or Jazz area.
While the 50 with higher wound pickups, often with A2 or A4 magnets is warmer and fuller. These are the Ants or Seth Lover and even Pearly Gates.
These both are true and vintage Les Paul sounds.

But if hear you i would say you are looking for the modern sound like a Jazz Neck and a Custom 5. If you try the Gibson 490r 498T combo, i would talk you into a magnet swap: Try the A5 in the 490r and the A2 in the 498t, that means swap the magnet!!

[metlking]

Duncan Distortion in the bridge............59/Jazz/PG/A-II in the neck.