Pickup Suggestions to replace 498t in Les Paul Custom?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mightywarlock
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mightywarlock

mightywarlock

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So, I just traded guitars and picked up a nice new Silverburst Les Paul Custom, has the stock 498t's in it, which I find too bright, thin, and harsh. Nice clarity though.
Not enough meat and potatoes, I want more grind, less top end treble, more low end needed, better mids.

Not sure the JB is what I want in here, and I know there are so many pickups to try, but I want more raw than smooth...
I'm used to Duncan Distortions in my Ibanez guitars...

recommendations?
 
If you want to stick with Gibson pickups, look to the 490T. The '57 Classics will probably be too bright for you. A Burstbucker 2 might be ok, or a Burstbucker 3 if you want the added gain, but if the PAF sound is what you're going for, and you are OK with non-Gibson, get yourself a Dimarzio PAF 36th Anniversary. One of the best sounding pickups I've ever heard and I highly recommend, especially for mahogany/maple cap guitars. Just gobs of great tone for days. IMHO YMMV.

Cheers,
 
Try taking one of the Distortions out of an Ibby and try it the LP. You may like it in there. I think the Duncan Custom might be a thick pickup from what I've read from others on the forum. The JB is a Distortion but with an A5 mag instead of Ceramic. I personally always love 57 Classic's in a LP. Open midrange for clarity but still can chug if you need it to. You get more openess in the top end than a JB but I don't think it's too bright.
 
JB's I find ok, but a slightly bit muddy sometimes.
57's - don't think there's enough...output maybe? I don't have to stick with gibson pickups. I will probably just get something with a chrome cover though, if i can.
Duncan custom I haven't liked much either in other guitars.
Keep 'em coming though...

I have a Painkiller I could try...I guess...
 
I have MCP Solutions in my LP Customs. Tons of lows but tight, nice snarl in the mid range and highs that don't pierce your eardrums. I really like them. I have a Pain Killer in my Adrian Smith Jackson. That pickup would probably sound good in your LP also. The low end is tight and the mids are very present (I never tried it another guitar so I can only speak to how it sounds in that guitar).
 
Id say go with Bare Knuckles, my favorite pickup maker by far...
 
If you dont want to go the super super high gain route, Check out the BKP Holydiver and the MCP 2nd degree blackbelt
 
I just ordered another set of Cantrel's for an LP I just picked up as I encountered everything you described with the stock Gibby pickups,Wade does a killer job on getting what you want.!
 
jmgman69":23m45hc6 said:
I just ordered another set of Cantrel's for an LP I just picked up as I encountered everything you described with the stock Gibby pickups,Wade does a killer job on getting what you want.!
Click to expand...
what are cantrels? afwayu?
 
mightywarlock":8ykb58yz said:
JB's I find ok, but a slightly bit muddy sometimes.
57's - don't think there's enough...output maybe? I don't have to stick with gibson pickups. I will probably just get something with a chrome cover though, if i can.
Duncan custom I haven't liked much either in other guitars.
Keep 'em coming though...

I have a Painkiller I could try...I guess...
Click to expand...

With 57's it depends on how high gain the amp is already. They would sound awesome into a high gain amp because you'll still get saturation for days but it will respond to volume rolloff well and give you better dynamics than say a ceramic or HO Alnico. If your playing into 6 knob Marshalls you would definitely need pedals. Ultimately it's up to you, I'm more classic rock minded even with my metal and don't tend to like ceramic pickups.
 
i put a SEYMOUR CUSTOM CUSTOM in my lespaul custom 20yrs ago and never ever took it out....phenominal,it belongs with an Ebony board .... i wouldnt put anything w./ more output than this into a higain amp
 
High output pups can actually sound crappier than lower output pups on a gainier amp...

I've liked the tone of a moderate output pup for high gain applications - otherwise, if it's high output, seems everything goes from sizzle to fizzle - depending on the amp and the style of playing. This being said, and if you want to stick in the same neighborhood as the original Gibby pup that was in there, go with the BKP Riff Raff.

It'll knock yer socks off.

My tech was blown away with the RR's and to this day, says he can't believe how good they sound in a Les Paul, or any mahogany body/rosewood fretboard based guitar.

Just sayin'... WELL worth the look... :yes:
V.
 
droptrd":11696p8p said:
jmgman69":11696p8p said:
I just ordered another set of Cantrel's for an LP I just picked up as I encountered everything you described with the stock Gibby pickups,Wade does a killer job on getting what you want.!
Click to expand...
what are cantrels? afwayu?
Click to expand...

He's talking about the Cantrell sig Afwayu.
 
If you want good drive, more complex mids, and just more of everything.....you really need to check out the new Motor city Black Irons. Around 14k, A2 magnet and just plain massive sounding. Vintage voicing, like most of Wade's stuff, with great clarity and string separation. But hot enough to drive your amp without all the compression and fizz of a lot of pickups. Worth a look. Also, the classic WCR Godwoods and Bare Knuckle Rebel Yells would be perfect too.
 
I have been chasing my tail as well with my own Les Paul custom...I too hated the 498T.

I found the key with my personal LP Custom (which has a sharp attack, and is a bright sounding guitar) is the 300K volume pots. I swapped them once for 500K's and the axe was way too bright. With that said, I really like the Suhr Aldrich set, JB/Jazz, Duncan Custom in this guitar. Also, the Rio grande BBQ and Genuine TX in the neck grew the guitar a major set of balls.

JQ
 
RoidRage":z2ycqksn said:
BURSTBUCKER III

Amazing In My LP!

R RAGE
Click to expand...

I love this pickup too, great midrange and treble Kerang through a Marshall. Plus it has a decent output......BUT.....It being more of a vintage type pickup the low end is not as defined as someone who wants to play a lot of palm muted metal would like. Awesome for rock but I wouldn't recommend it for a lot of heavier muted stuff. It's fine but not ideal for that.
 
I play a lot of tight Palm muted metal.

so don't think the burstbucker will work well for me.
 
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