Just got a slo (need pick up advise)

[Clpether]

I love this amp but just realized my les paul with burstbuckers sounds like shit through it. My Gretsch sounds awsome but I think I need to change the pick ups on the paul. The burstbucker come through all rough and muddy which is the oposite of the gretsch. I leaning towards pearly gates or alnico 2's any other advise. I need a good all around passive.

 

[Giga]

Warren Haynes uses Burstbuckers I think ? Just saying....

Giga.

 

[Clpether]

I thought he was using custom pearly gates in his.

 

[sixstrings]

Are you joking? Even with so-so pickups, it's hard to get the SLO to sound muddy and "like shit." Hell, I've played pieces of shit Squires and Ibanezes through the SLO and got some passable tones. How are you EQ'ing the amp? Are you leaving the volume/tone controls wide open? I find it hard to believe that Burstbuckers in a Les Paul don't sound extraordinary in an SLO. Something is wrong. Is it used? Have you checked the tubes?

Hmmm, well if you really want to replace your pickups then Dimarzio is a great place to start. I love the PAF 36th anniversary pickups and they're perfect in a Les Paul. If you have some dough to invest, then WCR pickups are amazing. Try the Godwoods. Here's their website http://www.wcrguitar.com/

I've spoken with the dude at WCR a couple of times and he's a cool guy. They make those pickups right when you order them and get them out to you.

I don't really care for Seymour Duncan pickups all that much, but they have a couple of pickups that are decent. The Custom Custom and some of the Antiquities are pretty good, however, I think Dimarzios are better pickups all around.

Bear Knuckle also makes some top-notch pups. Also check out Lindy Fralin. They just came out with the new "Pure PAF" humbuckers which I think I'm going to install in my Les Paul traditional.

Like I said though, it sounds like there's something wrong with your rig. What kind of guitar cable are you using?

 

[gbsmusic]

+1 on the WCR, I had the Gowood-Darkburst combo and it sounded amazing! Sixstrings is right though, the BBuckers should sound good!

 

[luxxtone]

If you're looking for straight PAF type tone (open and chimey, lower vintage type output) but much more full and 3D then the Burstbucker, I would suggest the Motor City BlackBelt Set, WCR Crossroads, Lindy Fralin 9k 8k set, or Bare Knuckle Stormy Mondays. All fantastic PAF type pickups.

For something with a slightly hotter kick but still PAF output range: Bare Knuckle Mule, Motor City 2nd Degree Blackbelts or WCR Darkbursts.

Once you get into these high-end custom winders all the pickups are amazing...it's just about picking one!

 

[vchizzle]

Sometimes the pickup height can be an issue causing muddiness. Maybe try lowering the pickup 1/32 or even 1/16" just to see how it affects the tone. I typically lower the height just a hair on higher output pickups from where they come set up stock from factory. New strings if your wound strings sound dead and flat when playing unplugged.

What amp did you use before the SLO? How did this guitar sound thru that amp?

 

[blackba]

Sometimes the pickup height can be an issue causing muddiness. Maybe try lowering the pickup 1/32 or even 1/16" just to see how it affects the tone. I typically lower the height just a hair on higher output pickups from where they come set up stock from factory. New strings if your wound strings sound dead and flat when playing unplugged.

What amp did you use before the SLO? How did this guitar sound thru that amp?

+1 exactly what I was thinking, try adjusting the pickup height first. My main complaint with the burstbucker pros was a harsh high end, mainly on the bridge. The Pickups were decent, actually I dug the neck.

 

[Clpether]

Thanks for all the suggestions I am going to try lowering the pick up height tomorrow and see how that goes.

What amp did you use before the SLO? How did this guitar sound thru that amp?
/quote]
It was actually a hotrod 100 and before that a mark v and yes that guitar did have similar muddy characteristics with both.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Motor City all the way, he will custom tailor a pickup to your needs just call him!

 

[Clpether]

Motor City all the way, he will custom tailor a pickup to your needs just call him!/quote]
I like the idea of having a custom tailored pick up this is definetly making them a top contender.

 

[troublehead]

Godwood

 

[CaseyCor]

Motor City all the way, he will custom tailor a pickup to your needs just call him!

Will he actually do this for anyone who asks? I've heard a few people talk about getting some custom wound pickups from Motor City, but I wasn't sure if he'd do it for anyone who calls him.

It's very cool either way

 

[moltenmetalburn]

yea he sure will! his policy is to listen to what gear you have and what you're looking to get out of the pickup. he then "adjusts' the pickups hes winding for you. If you're not happy with what you got send em back and either start over with a new model or rewind what you already have.

There is no greater customer service when it comes to a pickup and Wade is a nice guy as well!

 

[Clpether]

Okay I lowered the pick ups a little and holy shit instant clarity. I can't believe I did not do this before or even think about it. All I can say is now I am getting the tone I want and then some. I still want to try motor city pick ups so I think I will place an order. Thanks for the help guys

 

[rupe]

I don't get it...Burstbuckers have never been accused of sounding muddy, even when raised too high. And the SLO is not an inherently muddy/dark amp. Something sounds amiss to me with the amp (tubes or settings). The fact that it still sounds good with the Gretsch is a bit of a mystery, unless the Gretsch does not sound overly bright...in which case I go back to the issue being with the amp.

Most of the pickups mentioned are not ones that I would consider brighter than a Burstbucker so I'm not sure that's the answer.

 

[Clpether]

I think my settings are pretty common for a slo pre-amp 5 bass 8 mids 4 treble 4 and presence 4. I do not use the depth mod but have the WH mod. As I said though It sounds great now mabey It was that the pick ups being high were causing it to distort a little more thus becoming less clear.

 

[blackba]

Okay I lowered the pick ups a little and holy shit instant clarity. I can't believe I did not do this before or even think about it. All I can say is now I am getting the tone I want and then some. I still want to try motor city pick ups so I think I will place an order. Thanks for the help guys

Glad it worked out Its amazing how pickup height can really make a difference.

Always wanted to try a soldano of any kind. Never seen one in a store. Enjoy the SLO, that is alot of people's dream rig right there

 

[Clpether]

I tried out a slo four years ago and at the time owned an sg and a tremoverb. After playing it my rig did not sound the same and I have been chasing that tone ever since. I finally found one I could afford an bought it (using a new hot rod 100 as a bargining chip). Now I got this guitar issue resolved it sounds just as good as when I played one four years ago. It is definetly worth trying out.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

You should try the EMG 81/85 pups. Awesome in the Les Paul.