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

 

[RedPlated]

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

"...TGP/county fair style music"

 

[Zado]

I've never been a far of the complementary game when chosing pickups, dark guitar + bright pickups (or the other way around) doesn't always pay back. With that said, if your guitar is dark and somehow muddy you may wanna try the Duncan Screamin Demon, it really combines well with mellow guitars with smooth note attack.

 

[napalmdeath]

Pearly Gates are pretty good for this.

I was thinking that too, but the low end might be a bit round. They sound great, but not the tightest pickup.

 

[tallcoolone]

What worked to brighten mine up was finding something with less output.

That’s the formula yes

 

[tallcoolone]

Pearly Gates are pretty good for this.

Yup

 

[12ax7m]

Hey all,

I have a Les Paul that just sounds a lot different than my others. It’s a lot darker and seems to have a mid scoop—Even acoustically. I tossed a Duncan distortion in, messed with the height of the pickup and the screws and it sounds kind of dead/bland/dark. The ass end even sounds a little flubby. Very different from my other Les Pauls with a distortion pickup. I even checked the pots and wiring. All good.

So…Any other suggestions for a darker less cutting Les Paul to get it there?

Thanks all.

Hi. I would try a lower to mid output pickup and put an Alnico 3 magnet in it. I had a 59 reissue with similar darkness and a 498t with an alnico 3 in it did the trick nicely. Have fun! Dave

 

[SonVolt]

As others have said, Duncan Custom is very hot and tight and bright. It's like a more soulful Distortion.

 

[SFW]

Check your volume pot value. Gibson tends to ship them out with 300k pots. Put a 500k in and that will brighten up the guitar. Otherwise, yes, a PAF style pickup will be brighter.

 

[Music&Chaos]

You siad you checked the wiring and pots and they are all good - does this happen to have an orange drop or yellow mallory installed or is it using .033 ceramic as usual for Gibson?

Are the pots the Gibson 300k or 500k?

Modern or 50s wiring?

All of these things contribute to overall brightness/tone.

 

[Music&Chaos]

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

Dreaded orange caps. They make your sound 'scooped', which I get people dig for strats but have never liked em in LP style guitars.

 

[itsgoodnow]

You siad you checked the wiring and pots and they are all good - does this happen to have an orange drop or yellow mallory installed or is it using .033 ceramic as usual for Gibson?

Are the pots the Gibson 300k or 500k?

Modern or 50s wiring?

All of these things contribute to overall brightness/tone.

500k pots and an orange drop on this one

 

[Music&Chaos]

500k pots and an orange drop on this one

I would expect it to have some top end and a good amount of low end for sure but have the mids be a bit dark. If it has modern wiring, that would be the same slight scooping/flat mid effect.

Do you know if you have 50s wiring or standard? A quick pic will tell us.

You could try just removing that cap from the circuit on the bridge and see if that livens it up in and/or try converting it to 50s wiring.

You can clip a cap out without an iron, not so much anything else.

 

[itsgoodnow]

I would expect it to have some top end and a good amount of low end for sure but have the mids be a bit dark. If it has modern wiring, that would be the same slight scooping/flat mid effect.

Do you know if you have 50s wiring or standard? A quick pic will tell us.

You could try just removing that cap from the circuit on the bridge and see if that livens it up in and/or try converting it to 50s wiring.

You can clip a cap out without an iron, not so much anything else.

I appreciate that. Pics attached.