Grok says:
Based on your description—keeping the tight, crunchy response of the DiMarzio 36th Anniversary bridge (DP223) while adding more low-end girth for body and smoother, fuller highs for singing leads in an LP-style guitar with 500K pots—you're describing the:
Seymour Duncan SH-1 '59 Model (bridge version).
It's a vintage PAF-voiced humbucker that's widely praised for delivering that exact upgrade: beefier overall mass without muddiness, rounded treble sparkle instead of thin ice-pick harshness, and excellent articulation under gain for leads that cut through cleanly.
### Why This Pickup Fits
- **Tight & Crunchy Foundation**: Like the 36th Anniversary, it's got a focused low end that stays punchy and responsive (no flab under distortion), but it avoids the "light" feel by emphasizing fuller bass and low-mids for a bigger, more authoritative crunch—perfect for palm-mutes or riffing that feels substantial in a mahogany body.
- **Fuller Highs for Leads**: The '59's alnico 5 magnets and scatterwound coils give highs a velvety, harmonic-rich bloom rather than the brittle edge you mentioned. It's ideal for expressive bends and sustains that sing without fizz, especially in the bridge position where leads need to soar over a mix.
- **Balance with Your Neck Pickup**: It pairs beautifully with the 36th Anniversary neck (DP103), as both are low-to-medium output (around 7.5–8.1k DCR for the '59 bridge), keeping coil-splitting viable if you use it. Many players swap in the '59 bridge specifically for this reason in mixed setups, noting how it complements the neck's warmth without overpowering cleans.
- **LP-Specific Vibe**: In Les Paul clones or Standards, the '59 shines for classic rock/ bluesy leads (think early Clapton or Slash territory) while handling moderate overdrive without losing definition—exactly the "bigger sounding" step up from the 36th's leanness.
### Availability & Price
It's super easy to find—stocked at every major retailer like Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Reverb, or Amazon, often with quick shipping and nickel/silver covers to match aesthetics. Street price is $100–$120 new (well under $150), with used ones going for $70–$90 on Reverb/eBay. No exotic sourcing needed, and it's not in Charvel-proprietary territory (those often run $200+ for custom-wound stuff).
If you want to audition it first, search YouTube for "'59 bridge vs DiMarzio 36th Anniversary" clips in Les Pauls—they highlight the girth/highs difference clearly. Drop it in, and it'll feel like the natural evolution of what you already love about that guitar. If it doesn't click (unlikely), the return policies at those sites are solid.
