Les Paul Pickup Suggestions

[Wizard of Ozz]

Got some good advice here before so let see what y'all have to say on this...

Need pups for a 2016 LP R9... I've got 2 sets of Suhr Aldrich pups in 2 other LPs (really like them there)... and a SD Jazz/Distortion set in another LP (also love this combo)... but want something in the same vein but slightly different.

I've got an SD Jazz/JB combo in the R9 now... and I like the Jazz in the neck, the JB is a little too wooly, mushy, nasally and undefined for the low end rhythm chords. It's got to go...

So what to replace with the SD JB with that is high output... an Alnico V or Ceramic magnet... no active pups... with a very tight, bright, articulate and very defined bottom end?

Thoughts? I could care less about the brand... just want a great tight, focused high gain sound mostly for modern metal rhythm in the realm of Amon Amarth, CoB, Arch Enemy, etc.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

I have a set of Duncan Antiquities in an R7 Goldtop and love them.

Could also try a Duncan Custom-Custom in the bridge and keep the Jazz in the neck. I have one in bridge in a BB7

DiMarzio 36th anniversary set in a Trad + that kill it too.

 

[Hardvalve]

Thornbuckers. Love them.

 

[btsimoes]

Jim Wagner Godwood/Darkburst combo for hot PAF heaven!

 

[paulyc]

The SD distortion is a JB with a massive ceramic magnet, so I'd use that. My favorite pickup especially in a fat sounding LP.

 

[braintheory]

I've tried almost the entire line-up of Bare Knuckle's high out pickups, Lundgren M6, Seymour Duncans, Dimarzios, Wolfetone's, EMG's, Motor City's (like the Angel Dust and Afwayu), and plenty of others and, for high-output pickups specifically, my favorites have hands down been the Arcane Luxxbucker Hot and Lynch model (now called the 13), but the Lynch model isn't that tight, so I wouldn't recommend that one (still a great pickup though), but the Luxxbucker is the tightest, more focused and defined pickup I've tried so far! I also, have an Arcane Bulldozer with an Alnico 8 on order, which Rob from Arcane says should be even tighter and more focused than the Luxxbucker with more bottom end and growl, so I'm curious to see how that will compare. I'm also curious to try the Fishman Fluence series. Still haven't gotten to try any of those yet

 

[romanianreaper]

I have a Motor City 2nd Degree Black Belt in my Les Paul and it is a great hard rock/metal pickup. Has an open tone to it that is never nasally and just sounds really clear.

 

[Steinmetzify]

SD Alternative 8.

 

[LP Freak]

Well I've tried many pickups in my LP's and to me nothing sounds as good as the Suhr Aldrich.

 

[Braciola]

I highly recommend the Wolfetone Fenris.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Thanks for the replies... keep em coming...

Well I've tried many pickups in my LP's and to me nothing sounds as good as the Suhr Aldrich.

I agree. No question. I've them in 2 different LPs right now. Maybe I have to go for 3. I just ordered a third set for another guitar today (Jackson). They really do just about everything... and cover such a vast amount of ground.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

I highly recommend the Wolfetone Fenris.

I've been eyeing his Blisterbucker. Anything mainstream that you can compare them to?

 

[SFW]

Of the pickups you have listed, the Custom. I've gotten some mean tones from the BKP Rebel Yell.

https://www.soundclick.com/html5/v3/play ... i&newref=1

 

[Ventura]

It's so hard to offer advice on what YOU think will sound great - the entire chain needs to be taken into account - pedals - amps - everything.

That said, I've got a mess of RIs and I've loaded all of them up with BKPs of some sort or another. If you're using a high-gain head, I find the BKPs are best as a lower output pup, just my experience, too high an output with a high gain head gets too compressed and squishy. I prefer the magnet to work hard and the amp to work hard, and then all the nuances come out. Not the best for sloppy playing, but none of us here are sloppy players, right??

But my decision on this is pretty easy - VHII for a less modern feel, BlackDogs for HUGE midrange BITE, and for higher output, check out the Holy Diver: https://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/pi ... /holydiver

I've got all the aforementioned, in addition to the RiffRaffs, MiracleMan, Emeralds, Mules, and a couple others I can't remember...

But my vote would go to HolyDiver.

 

[tripstan]

Seymour Ducan Antiquities or BKP Rebel Yells.

 

[braintheory]

I highly recommend the Wolfetone Fenris.

I've been eyeing his Blisterbucker. Anything mainstream that you can compare them to?

I have a Blisterbucker, but never tried a Fenris. The Blisterbucker isn't really like any of the mainstream pickups, especially not like any of the Duncan's or Dimarzio's. The closest pickup to it that I can think of would be the Lundgren M6 (Meshuggah's signature pickup), but it's still different from that. The Blisterbucker is tight, articulate, a bit scooped, big bottom end, sizzly intense highs. It's a very good pickup, but I like the Arcane's better and the Luxxbucker will be tighter. The Wolfetone Marshallhead may be my favorite bridge humbucker of all time but it's lower output at around 9K and not super tight. Compared to some of the other lower output humbucker's I've had experience with (Motor City Detroiter's, 2nd Degree BB's. T-Wrecks, Wolfetone Caretaker, Bare Knuckle's and others that I can't remember), I prefer the Marshallheads by a good margin, especially the neck pickup. The Marshallhead and Dr V are by far the 2 best neck pickups I've tried regardless of output

 

[APO]

No experience with it, but maybe a Seymour Duncan Pegasus? A bit like the JB, but less wooly, more clarity, much less mids, and very tight bass; really impressive clean tone for a bridge pickup as well.

I considered it myself for a while, but I'm a bit too used to a strat I think!

 

[ProgFree]

Have you considered a SD custom 5? Less mids, more lows and not as aggressive high end as the JB, I have one in a Les Paul and like it. But still my fav combo for Les Paul is the JB/Jazz 35th anniversary.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Wizard,

I've got a BK Rebel Yell in the bridge of my 04 LP and the lows are bright, articulate and very tight. It also has a unique growly midrange quality and has nice present highs that don't get harsh. Its an AWESOME metal pickup! I've got a dimarzio Dominion bridge in the neck position to compliment it which actually works really well.

I can dig up some clips I did with it if you'd like.

Dimarzio Dominions are also worth a look to bud! I've had the set in and out of that LP and also in my walnut superstrat and they kick ass. Only downside with those IMHO is that they can be a tad stiff when playing metal rhythm when with lower gain settings. The beauty of them however is that they will handle gobs of gain and remain pretty tight and articulate.

The Black Winter set kicked ass in the LP I have too; kind of wish I didn't get rid of those. Need to pick up another set.


EDIT:

No doubt you're already fully aware, but just like Ventura stated above, its so dependent on the rest of the chain. My RY loaded LP sounds mediocre for metal through certain amps and cabs, and downright AMAZING through others.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Wizard,

I've got a BK Rebel Yell in the bridge of my 04 LP and the lows are bright, articulate and very tight. It also has a unique growly midrange quality and has nice present highs that don't get harsh. Its an AWESOME metal pickup! I've got a dimarzio Dominion bridge in the neck position to compliment it which actually works really well.

I can dig up some clips I did with it if you'd like.

Dimarzio Dominions are also worth a look to bud! I've had the set in and out of that LP and also in my walnut superstrat and they kick ass. Only downside with those IMHO is that they can be a tad stiff when playing metal rhythm when with lower gain settings. The beauty of them however is that they will handle gobs of gain and remain pretty tight and articulate.

The Black Winter set kicked ass in the LP I have too; kind of wish I didn't get rid of those. Need to pick up another set.


EDIT:

No doubt you're already fully aware, but just like Ventura stated above, its so dependent on the rest of the chain. My RY loaded LP sounds mediocre for metal through certain amps and cabs, and downright AMAZING through others.

Thanks for the feedback Mike. The BK RY seems to be a fav with LP owners. I might have to get a set of these to try either way. The bad part is I have to buy all these pups and have to sell off the losers. I've never gelled well with DiMarzios as they usually sound too dark/distant to me. Might be my ears.