Pickup suggestion for darker Les Paul

[RedPlated]

Really easy way to add brightness is simply remove the tone control from the bridge pickup. It makes a noticeable difference.

High output pickups will be darker. I find that a lower output pickup adds brightness and cut. Something 10k or less.

The Throbak SLE-101+ are really good pickups for this. They are around 8.5k and have good cut. And actually feel pretty gainy for a PAF-type pickup. They are pricey, though.

 

[itsgoodnow]

ToneNerd Sunset.

I need one of those for sure.

 

[peterc52]

Maybe the SSH+ could work. It’s definitely brighter than the Aldrich

 

[RedPlated]

I just disconnected the tone pot from my Knaggs Steckel bridge pickup. It’s much darker than my other single cuts (Les Pauls) and this reminded me to do it.

Made a huge difference. Much closer to the Les Pauls now.

All you need to do is unsolder the capacitor from the volume pot to the tone pot. Disconnect it from the tone pot side. Then use an alligator clip to A/B with the cap in and out if you want to hear in real time what it does. Very obvious change.

Here you can see the cap disconnected on the left side. The neck cap is still in place.

 

[DanTravis62]

I just disconnected the tone pot from my Knaggs Steckel bridge pickup. It’s much darker than my other single cuts (Les Pauls) and this reminded me to do it.

Made a huge difference. Much closer to the Les Pauls now.

All you need to do is unsolder the capacitor from the volume pot to the tone pot. Disconnect it from the tone pot side. Then use an alligator clip to A/B with the cap in and out if you want to hear in real time what it does. Very obvious change.

Here you can see the cap disconnected on the left side. The neck cap is still in place.

View attachment 434002

This is the only reason i've left the stock wiring in my les paul classic.

I love having the no tone knob tone on a push/pull.

 

[RedPlated]

This is the only reason i've left the stock wiring in my les paul classic.

I love having the no tone knob tone on a push/pull.

I almost did this. Was going to add a push pull volume pot and put the tone cap on the switch. But after A/B'ing it, I don't think I'll ever use the cap.

 

[DanTravis62]

I almost did this. Was going to add a push pull volume pot and put the tone cap on the switch. But after A/B'ing it, I don't think I'll ever use the cap.

Yeah i very rarely use the tone knob on the bridge, but I still do it once in a while when playing TGP/county fair style music

So it's nice to have the option there if I need to

If you're using that guitar for mostly heavy stuff? Nah you'll never need it