Dimarzio Pickups in my Les Paul Traditional

[khalilthewanderer]

Hi everyone, first post on here. I'm wanting to change out my pickups from the Burstbuckers that came stock to something more versatile. I want something that can cut through with high output, but also has clearly defined notes when playing heavily distorted/overdriven but retains warmth and articulation. I would classify my sound as prog rock/metal, but I like versatility since I play really heavy progressions followed quickly by solos and cleans. I was looking at Dimarzio Steve's Special and maybe pairing it with a Liquifire, but I'm not sure. Any suggestions recommendations?

 

[thenine]

Aldrich

 

[Robotechnology]

Steve’s Special is cool but, also consider the Transition. It has A LOT of clarity and enough gain.

 

[khalilthewanderer]

Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll take a look at these. Keep ‘me coming!

 

[skullfxr]

Swap out the pots for 500k Bournes, get decent caps and wire it '50's style first then see how you like it. I have done that to every LP I own. Makes a massive difference. I probably would change the pickups too though.

Those Gibson 300k pots really put a blanket over the tone of the guitar. The caps I use (NOS Russian K42Y-2) are cheap and great. Especially for me, because I use the tone knobs probably more than the average. But still.

You can get four long shaft Bournes 500kA for $20 shipped off reverb or ebay. The caps may cost you $20 for a pair, but I bought a big quantity (40+) and paid a fraction. If you don't want to spend that much on caps, go for some orange drops. I think you will like the difference, but I bet you will still want to switch out the (edit) bridge pickup for sure.

 

[napalmdeath]

Duncan Custom in the bridge, '59 in the neck. Skip Dimarzio.

 

[romanianreaper]

Aldrich

This!!! I used to gig with one of those in my Les Paul Standard and was a killer combo. Cleans up well too.

 

[romanianreaper]

Duncan Custom in the bridge, '59 in the neck. Skip Dimarzio.

I'm with you man, I'm more of a Seymour Duncan guy.

 

[Filter500]

I want something that can cut through with high output, but also has clearly defined notes when playing heavily distorted/overdriven but retains warmth and articulation. I would classify my sound as prog rock/metal, but I like versatility since I play really heavy progressions followed quickly by solos and cleans.

Evolution in the bridge

 

[JackBootedThug]

custom 5. not a dimarzio but.....had a mij jackson and put one in it and holy fuck. love that pick up.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

When people say Duncan custom, make sure you mention which custom? Are we talking classic custom SH-5? I find Duncans are a bit rawer at times but dimarzio has some good stuff. My fave is an alnico 2 JB and Aldrich bridge. Neck pups I rock dimarzio chopper. Love that one. 36 the anniversary neck is a beautiful sounding pup but the bridge is weak, thin in the highs and not open/big enough in my opinion.

 

[hammered]

Not a Les Paul but I’ve got the Norton in two of my super strats . Really versat pickup not an ultra hot pickup but hot enough. Works really good for rock and hard rock

 

[napalmdeath]

When people say Duncan custom, make sure you mention which custom? Are we talking classic custom SH-5? I find Duncans are a bit rawer at times but dimarzio has some good stuff. My fave is an alnico 2 JB and Aldrich bridge. Neck pups I rock dimarzio chopper. Love that one. 36 the anniversary neck is a beautiful sounding pup but the bridge is weak, thin in the highs and not open/big enough in my opinion.

SH-5. THE Duncan Custom.

 

[skullfxr]

Duncan Custom in the bridge, '59 in the neck. Skip Dimarzio.

I'm with you man, I'm more of a Seymour Duncan guy.

There are a lot of ' meh' DiMarzios out there, and IMO too big of a selection that are very similar. But some are great. I know that I am ALWAYS saying this, but I like the '80's ones.

The EVO's are awesome for some guitars
I really like the older PAF pros in some applications
The Liquifire is one of my favorite neck metal neck humbuckers. Air Nortans can be good in the right guitar.
Super Distortions are as good as raw sex in some guitars.
There are others too, but those I have one or multiples of that I regularly use.

SD seems more modern and mainstream, and I think popularity has something to do with the fact that they come stock on a lot of guitars. But it's hard in general to beat a JB, Duncan Distortion, SD Custom, a Jazz, or a 59. And they are all over. I like black winters, but don't own them. The nazgul/Pegasus, and sentinent are great for heavier lower tunings.

I must say that I have not found a single DiMarzio or SD that sound remotely similar. I like both in different things.

I have three Gibson LP's that have a DiMarzio either on one spot or both. I have never cared for an SD in a LP, or at least the ones I have tried.

I love the Virtual PAF with the PAF Pro in one LP
I love the PAF Pro and Gibson 500t in another
And when the refin is done it will have a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge and not sure about the neck.