New pickup time for LP

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troublehead

troublehead

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I really like my MCP Detroiters, but my other guitarist is using high output ceramics and I need to tighten things up to hang with him. I'm thinking about just going with a covered Duncan Distortion set or maybe even a 500T/496R.

Can anyone compare those 2 in a Les Paul. I've used both but they were in an Explorer..........and its been a long time so my memory is fuzzy.
 
If you liked them in the explorer, you'll like them in the paul.

You're going to do it anyway, so you may as well psyche yourself up into liking the new situation.
 
The Duncan Custom is an all around great Ceramic pup too.
 
glassjaw7":3k8eio6f said:
The Duncan Custom is an all around great Ceramic pup too.

Eso. The Duncan Custom and Duncan Distortion are here to stay for me. I've pickup chased for a while, and the only thing I think I can imagine doing is swapping out for active EMG's, but that's different. For straight passive pickups I think these are my two favorites for rock/metal. The Custom is a little rounder and the Distortion is a bit harder and edgier. Both tight as hell.
 
Funny, I was just chatting with Wade about re-pupping one of my Lesters, a '68 LPC... Wanted something more ballsy but just as rich, if not more so... I'm a big BKP fan, but sometimes those pups can drive out the natural tones of the guitar if they're not just perfect. I hold my Lesters in high esteem, so, still, they may get the BKP treatment, at least this 68 anyway, or, as per Wade's suggestion - 2nd Degree BB's.

I'm intrigued to say the least :yes:

V.
 
the 2nd degree BB is a wonderful pickup
still like my bkps better, though
the riff raff is the most open sounding humbucker I've ever heard
I'm waiting for an aftermath and a mule now
 
Does the 2nd degree have an Alnico 4 like the standard Black Belt?
 
ericsabbath":3wabpaez said:
the 2nd degree BB is a wonderful pickup
still like my bkps better, though
the riff raff is the most open sounding humbucker I've ever heard
I'm waiting for an aftermath and a mule now

See??? I love BKP's and everytime I think I oughta stray, I come back to comments like these. I dig Wade's return policy, but Tim's is just as good. I have the RR's in my Custom Hamer... Love 'em. If I went with BKP's in my '68 Lester, I might consider Mules for standard retrofit, or VHII's r Blackdog's for more of a bite.

Damn BKP love :doh: :bash:

V. :thumbsup:
 
RACKSYSTEMS":34whuslq said:
2nd Degrees are alnico 5 magnets.

So Dave, what's your take - MCP or BKP...?? Straight up, what would you do given the choice, or, what do you see more often than not??

Thanks,
V./Mo
 
FWIW, I like the Detroiters better than the WCR Godwood or BKP Emerald I previously had in there. Hell, I still may keep them and work on some other part of my chain!
 
ericsabbath":23q6zmks said:
the 2nd degree BB is a wonderful pickup
still like my bkps better, though
the riff raff is the most open sounding humbucker I've ever heard
I'm waiting for an aftermath and a mule now

+1 BKP kill!!! Ventura already knows it though.

By the way I really love the Mule. Tim even used that on his Ozzy cover band. Most versatile pickups I have ever played by a lot
 
troublehead":rc1vfmui said:
FWIW, I like the Detroiters better than the WCR Godwood or BKP Emerald I previously had in there. Hell, I still may keep them and work on some other part of my chain!

Not sure what your chain is, but I have a detroiter bridge in one of my guitars and I did a couple of things to help tighten it up.

-The obvious one is I boost it.
-Then I adjusted the pup height using a tip I read about. I put 1 nickel on the bridge pup between the pup & the high E string and adjust the height on that side until the string just touches the nickel. I then did the same thing on the low E, except I used 2 nickels. I then just adjust the neck so it matched in volume. It really helped tighten it up & clear up my sound. It didn't make it sound like ceramic or anything crazy like that, but the band mates could hear a little difference too FWIW.
 
fearhk213":34s9lstl said:
troublehead":34s9lstl said:
FWIW, I like the Detroiters better than the WCR Godwood or BKP Emerald I previously had in there. Hell, I still may keep them and work on some other part of my chain!

Not sure what your chain is, but I have a detroiter bridge in one of my guitars and I did a couple of things to help tighten it up.

-The obvious one is I boost it.
-Then I adjusted the pup height using a tip I read about. I put 1 nickel on the bridge pup between the pup & the high E string and adjust the height on that side until the string just touches the nickel. I then did the same thing on the low E, except I used 2 nickels. I then just adjust the neck so it matched in volume. It really helped tighten it up & clear up my sound. It didn't make it sound like ceramic or anything crazy like that, but the band mates could hear a little difference too FWIW.

Thanks! I did this and it actually helped alot. I actually settled in about the distance of 1.5 nickels on the low E. Didn't really lose much output either :thumbsup:
 
Nico":2u8piqhi said:
ericsabbath":2u8piqhi said:
the 2nd degree BB is a wonderful pickup
still like my bkps better, though
the riff raff is the most open sounding humbucker I've ever heard
I'm waiting for an aftermath and a mule now

+1 BKP kill!!! Ventura already knows it though.

By the way I really love the Mule. Tim even used that on his Ozzy cover band. Most versatile pickups I have ever played by a lot

Yes, yes I do... I really do love my BKPs. Trying to break away from them, but then, I ask myself - why?? I'm still trying to eyeball/earball the best set to replace my stock BB's in my '68 Lester... We'll see. As with everything GEAR related, my fellow RT'ers will be the first to know regardless :lol: :LOL:

V.
 
troublehead":uffd7ipi said:
fearhk213":uffd7ipi said:
troublehead":uffd7ipi said:
FWIW, I like the Detroiters better than the WCR Godwood or BKP Emerald I previously had in there. Hell, I still may keep them and work on some other part of my chain!

Not sure what your chain is, but I have a detroiter bridge in one of my guitars and I did a couple of things to help tighten it up.

-The obvious one is I boost it.
-Then I adjusted the pup height using a tip I read about. I put 1 nickel on the bridge pup between the pup & the high E string and adjust the height on that side until the string just touches the nickel. I then did the same thing on the low E, except I used 2 nickels. I then just adjust the neck so it matched in volume. It really helped tighten it up & clear up my sound. It didn't make it sound like ceramic or anything crazy like that, but the band mates could hear a little difference too FWIW.

Thanks! I did this and it actually helped alot. I actually settled in about the distance of 1.5 nickels on the low E. Didn't really lose much output either :thumbsup:
Awesome :rock:
 
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