Replacement pickups for Les Paul Classic

[Pastor of Muppets]

Hi guys,

I'm after some advice on getting hold of some replaceemnt pickups for my LP Classic. Basically, it's a beautiful guitar BUT the ceramic humbuckers have a slightly thin, harsh tone to my ears and I'm after a warm vintage sound. I play blues and classic rock mostly and am looking for something that will cover everything from Scotty Moore through To Jimmy Page and Paul Kossof...that fat, warm vintage LP sound. Any advice would be really appreciated.

Cheers

[J.LaGrassa]

I've tried a few sets in my LP Classic SD59's, Pearly Gates, and 59n/Custom 5 bridge. All sound real good but the fattest of the bunch I would say is the 59n/C5 combo you can cover a lot of styles with them!

[cvansickle]

A guy in town is selling one that he upgraded with Fralins, I don't know which particular set. But the sound of this guitar is EXACTLY what you're describing.

[Pastor of Muppets]

Thanks for your responses guys - I have been leaning towards the 59s (I have a Blues Deluxe as well, so if they sound good through yours that's a bonus). Unfortunately, Fralins do not have a UK distributor...

[SFW]

I have run several set of pups through my 01 Classic. For what you're after- if you want to go with Duncan- I'd say 59 in the neck and either a 59 or a Pearly Gates. (Remember that you will need to get a trembucker for the bridge so your pole pieces lineup with your strings.)

With that being said, I had a 59/CC combo in my Classic. At first I really liked the tones I was getting. However, while we were in the studio working on tracks for our CD I started to notice that the CC sounded very dull compared to my guitars loaded with JBs and 59s. It felt like a blanket was over the speakers. So I reinstalled the Gibson 500T and adjusted the pole pieces to match the string radius. After playing with the pickup height I was able to get the bridge tone I was after- fat with just the right amount of bite.

The other option would be the tried and true 59/JB combo. I have never installed that combo in a guitar and not come away smiling. The JB goes in and out of favor here (a lot of bs about “new” vs “old” JBs…. which is pure rubbish!) The point is, before you give up on your current pickups try adjusting the poles and the pup height first. You may just fine the tone you’re looking for.

[AdmiralB]

A2s in those Gibsons will improve things about 1000%. You'll need a keeper bar and spacers for the 500T, though.

[Pastor of Muppets]

I have run several set of pups through my 01 Classic. For what you're after- if you want to go with Duncan- I'd say 59 in the neck and either a 59 or a Pearly Gates. (Remember that you will need to get a trembucker for the bridge so your pole pieces lineup with your strings.)

With that being said, I had a 59/CC combo in my Classic. At first I really liked the tones I was getting. However, while we were in the studio working on tracks for our CD I started to notice that the CC sounded very dull compared to my guitars loaded with JBs and 59s. It felt like a blanket was over the speakers. So I reinstalled the Gibson 500T and adjusted the pole pieces to match the string radius. After playing with the pickup height I was able to get the bridge tone I was after- fat with just the right amount of bite.

The other option would be the tried and true 59/JB combo. I have never installed that combo in a guitar and not come away smiling. The JB goes in and out of favor here (a lot of bs about “new” vs “old” JBs…. which is pure rubbish!) The point is, before you give up on your current pickups try adjusting the poles and the pup height first. You may just fine the tone you’re looking for.

That's really interesting, and to be honest with you it's the neck pickup I am more bothered about replacing...I quite like the bridge pup and have found that I can get a sound I am happy with from it, but the neck pup is thin and characterless. I also have an Epiphone 56 Gold Top reissue and the P90 on the neck of that just blows the les Paul away, and I'm looking for something with tha degree of warmth and character at the neck.

[theodie]

Thanks for your responses guys - I have been leaning towards the 59s (I have a Blues Deluxe as well, so if they sound good through yours that's a bonus). Unfortunately, Fralins do not have a UK distributor...

Fat and warm describes Alnico II magnet pickups. The Seth Lover and The Alnico II pro will be your best bet for a warm and fat classic tone. The 59's (alnico 5 magnets) are not warm and fat at all, the Pearly gates are alnico II but, the have a sort of bright/rude side (in the bridge anyway) to them so, that will probally not work for you either. The Seths are good as long as you play with low gain levels due to them being unpotted (might squeal like a pig). IMO, what you are asking for is the Alnico II pro set or if you want something a bit hotter in the bridge, the Custom Custom with an Alnico II pro in the neck.

[theodie]

That's really interesting, and to be honest with you it's the neck pickup I am more bothered about replacing...I quite like the bridge pup and have found that I can get a sound I am happy with from it, but the neck pup is thin and characterless. I also have an Epiphone 56 Gold Top reissue and the P90 on the neck of that just blows the les Paul away, and I'm looking for something with tha degree of warmth and character at the neck.

Alnico II pro or Pearly gates.

[Simon_F]

I currently have a '59 set in my 91 Classic and a Pearly Gates set in my 96 Standard.

The PGs are all-around awesome for blues and classic rock in a Les Paul - I think they'd meet your requirements.

I love the '59 bridge model, but have never been 100% on the neck model (in a Les Paul). It's a little too bassy for my tastes however I adjust it. I'm considering trying a Jazz with the '59b instead. If that doesn't work out I may end up with another PGn!

The Seth Lovers are also great pickups for blues/classic rock.

[Pastor of Muppets]

Thanks guys, from what you and others have said the Alnico II is the warmest of the lot, so I'll got for that in the neck and stick where I am at the bridge (though I suspect if the Alnico makes a big difference I may end up sticking a Pearly Gates back there).

Thanks again.

[skynyrdlover1]

Seth's=warm & Classic Rock & Blues

[Boogie Bill]

I do use high gain, but not at extreme volume levels in my cover band. I have Antiquitys in one LP Classic Premium Plus; and the MF 50th Anniversary A2 Seth's in another. Both made a huge difference, and both are wonderful.

I have an LP Supreme that will get a set of regular Seths with gold covers, and hopefully that will be a good combo.

Bill

[BloodRose]

First, let me say welcome! Second, let me say that I LOVE your user name!!!! Almost spit my coffee on the screen!
For pickups, a great approach would be a 59 b in the neck, c5 in the bridge. Or if you want alittle more rock crunch, a custom in the bridge. The custom has a ceramic mag, but is not harsh..
I always use 59bridge models in the neck because it gives me a little more "smokey blues" flavor.

[Pastor of Muppets]

Thanks Bloodrose - I am in charge of a bunch of muppets, so it seemed apt...;>)

As I said, the ceramic at the bridge is pretty cool for a Page sound as it is, so I am not planning to change it right now, but if a new neck pup blows me away I suspect the urge to try a Custom ofr PG in the bridge will become overwhelming...

[Pastor of Muppets]

Alnico II Pro arrived today...woo-hoo.

[dr.barlo]

Cool, let us know of what you think.

B

[JOLLY]

Alnico II Pros are definitely warm and vintagey.