Les Paul Custom Pickup Guide

[mermer]

Hi all! I find the 498t sounding good in my Les Paul Custom, but not great, the top end is too raspy. I tried underwound custombuckers in another les paul custom, they were very low output being the neck dominating the bridge pickup all the time. I changed these pickups in that guitar to Arcane 13 these pickups felt great but they were smooth (my setup was also different that time). Still, 13 set was way more suitable for my taste and style.

Now I have another Les Paul Custom and would like to try new pickups in it. I will use that guitar in a Tool cover band mainly, so it will live in D standard. The guitar is very open sounding with presence acoustically. The go-to choice would be a Seymour Duncan DDJ but it might sound very harsh in this guitar. Besides I am not searching for something very high output, my favourite bridge pickups are my TTops and used to low output pickups overall. Still I would like to go with something medium output range in this guitar.

After some research initial option:
- Motor city 2nd Degree Black Belt
- Motor city Afwayu
- Bare Knuckle Rebel Yell
- Bare Knuckle Polymath
- Arcane 13

If you have any experience with one of these pickups, or any other pickuo that you like, in a LP Custom please let me know.

Many thanks!

 

[ilikehats]

I just put a BKP Rebel Yell in my LP standard and can't put it down. It is on the hotter side but not crazy. Did you consider the slash 2.0/3.0? I had the 2.0 in the LP before and love them.

@EGW-Eric is very pickup knowledgeable, he may be able to provide some insight.

For Tool, I know @Sixstringflannel has done a deep dive on Adam's tone. He might have some helpful thoughts as well.

Good luck!

 

[endofall]

I've had the mcp 2nd degree bb and the afwayu. Loved the 2nd degree but the afwayu wasn't my thing. I currently have a SD whole lotta humbucker in my custom and it's been one of the best pickups I've had in it. I would recommend considering it as a slightly hot PAF that does awesome.

 

[ChurchHill]

I've got a BKP Rebel Yell in an LPC and it's great! It's hot without being too hot and cleans up nicely with the volume. It's not overly modern sounding, either. I can get really close to Sykes tone through a Mk III.

I have another LPC with an old SD Distortion. It actually sounds really nice, not harsh at all. I've got an SD Alnico II Pro in the neck and they blend really nicely. Maybe a touch more scooped than the BKP RY, and a different sound, but in the same vein.

Another thought might be doing a magnet swap in that Custombucker. I put an Alnico IV from Throbak in one and it's a monster. The stock A3s were an interesting choice. Not bad in the neck, but the bridge can be plinky through some amps.

 

[napalmdeath]

Hi all! I find the 498t sounding good in my Les Paul Custom, but not great, the top end is too raspy. I tried underwound custombuckers in another les paul custom, they were very low output being the neck dominating the bridge pickup all the time. I changed these pickups in that guitar to Arcane 13 these pickups felt great but they were smooth (my setup was also different that time). Still, 13 set was way more suitable for my taste and style.

Now I have another Les Paul Custom and would like to try new pickups in it. I will use that guitar in a Tool cover band mainly, so it will live in D standard. The guitar is very open sounding with presence acoustically. The go-to choice would be a Seymour Duncan DDJ but it might sound very harsh in this guitar. Besides I am not searching for something very high output, my favourite bridge pickups are my TTops and used to low output pickups overall. Still I would like to go with something medium output range in this guitar.

After some research initial option:
- Motor city 2nd Degree Black Belt
- Motor city Afwayu
- Bare Knuckle Rebel Yell
- Bare Knuckle Polymath
- Arcane 13

If you have any experience with one of these pickups, or any other pickuo that you like, in a LP Custom please let me know.

Many thanks!

Duncan Custom.

 

[metalmaniac93]

I have a 2nd Degree Black Belt in the bridge of my Heritage 150CM. I have the T-wreck in the neck. Awesome pickups!!! I will be putting a set in my Edwards LPC. I am a huge MCP fan!!!

 

[VonBonfire]

I loved the Lollar DB in the bridge of my Edwards LP. One of the nicest pickups I've ever owned.

 

[mermer]

I just put a BKP Rebel Yell in my LP standard and can't put it down. It is on the hotter side but not crazy. Did you consider the slash 2.0/3.0? I had the 2.0 in the LP before and love them.

@EGW-Eric is very pickup knowledgeable, he may be able to provide some insight.

For Tool, I know @Sixstringflannel has done a deep dive on Adam's tone. He might have some helpful thoughts as well.

Good luck!

@Sixstringflannel suggested many stuff in the other thread, I really appreciate

I have a 2nd Degree Black Belt in the bridge of my Heritage 150CM. I have the T-wreck in the neck. Awesome pickups!!! I will be putting a set in my Edwards LPC. I am a huge MCP fan!!!

I’m very curious about Rebel Yell and most probably it is the closest to what I am looking for but heard great things about MCP pickups (maybe not the delivery time and customer service) as well. So I would like to give one of the pickups from MCP lineup as well.

 

[cobrahead1030]

I have a 2nd Degree Black Belt in the bridge of my Heritage 150CM. I have the T-wreck in the neck. Awesome pickups!!! I will be putting a set in my Edwards LPC. I am a huge MCP fan!!!

I’ve got the same set in my R7 & am very happy with it.