Pickups for Gibson Les Paul Custom

[BLooDRuST]

Hello everybody, my first post here

I'm looking for some options re the TB-11 (SD 'Custom Custom' bridge) in my Gibson Les Paul Custom. I've been debating whether I want to try my Duncan RTM in place of it, but it's really a perfect fit in my solid maple Warmoth/Floyd so I kinda want to leave it there but the TB-11 sounded pretty good in there before the RTM took it's place, better than the '78. I have that '78 in a Warmoth Maple soloist that's perfect there.

So, my choice for a good neck pickup match if I leave the TB-11 in the bridge. Overall I've been 90% satisfied with the TB-11 in the bridge of my L.P. but I might want a little more low end, however the tone is really sweet and I don't think anything would improve on its highs and mids for me.

Currently it's a Duncan Whole Lotta Humbucker (neck) - which is a great pickup but it's overpowering the TB-11, I'm more a fan of Alnico2 mags than the A5's or ceramics. Maybe a magnet swap like an A2 or A3? Probably gonna eventually do something about the neck pickup besides just lowering it a lot. I usually prefer Seymour Duncan, how about the Slash neck? ...the Pearly Gates set was nice in my L.P. but I still prefer the Custom Custom over the PG in the bridge, and the PG neck was a bit too 'spongy'. The stock Gibson's weren't even close. There's a lot of choices... Thanks for the input!

 

[SFW]

The Slash neck is a great pickup. You may also want to try a Seth Lover in the neck.

 

[pasinbyyou]

I think knowing what type of music you play could influence what pickups/outputs you use?? (maybe...maybe not). I'm from Seattle, and i'm old, so i have that 90s grunge sound thing - it seems like its natural and trying to get the high gain, high output Eddie Van Halen sound just doesn't come out of my hands.

With that, I have been preferring a higher output pickup in my Les Pauls - All of them have EMG's except my Custom. That guitar i put in a Dirty Fingers in the bridge and a Duncan Super Distortion Neck pick up in the Neck. they balance nicely and sound good. These replaced the 57 classic's that it came with.

I went through a bunch of Pickups before i found the pair i liked, if you have the PCB wiring its really easy to swap out pickups. I would try a bunch of different combinations and see what you like....GOod luck!!

 

[RockyStar]

Musical style and desired tone will help me to help you.

 

[BLooDRuST]

Musical style and desired tone will help me to help you.

I'm playing a heavy blues rock metal sound, anywhere from early VH, ZZ, Sabbath, Guns, Alice in Chains to newer metal to Muse, etc. some variety. I usually use my bridge pickup with a lot of gain. Hope that helps. Thanks!

 

[4406cuda]

I like SD Seth Lovers and Dimarzio 36th Anniversary PAF's

 

[RockyStar]

Bareknuckle Rebel Yell or Black Dog will do you brilliantly.

 

[BLooDRuST]

I like SD Seth Lovers and Dimarzio 36th Anniversary PAF's

For neck or bridge, both?

 

[BLooDRuST]

Bareknuckle Rebel Yell or Black Dog will do you brilliantly.

for the bridge or neck?

 

[4406cuda]

I like SD Seth Lovers and Dimarzio 36th Anniversary PAF's

For neck or bridge, both?

I have a matched set of each on two different LP's

My Classic Plus has the Seth Lovers with Nickel Covers

My LP Studio has the 36th Anniversary

I prefer PAF type pickups pickups. I play through a Bogner Shiva and Mesa Boogie Elctra Dyne

In my current band, I use a little less gain, thank what you hear on AIC Dirt. But even when I played in a 90's cover band, I always preferred PAF type pickups.

 

[BLooDRuST]

I like SD Seth Lovers and Dimarzio 36th Anniversary PAF's

For neck or bridge, both?

I have a matched set of each on two different LP's

My Classic Plus has the Seth Lovers with Nickel Covers

My LP Studio has the 36th Anniversary

I prefer PAF type pickups pickups. I play through a Bogner Shiva and Mesa Boogie Elctra Dyne

In my current band, I use a little less gain, thank what you hear on AIC Dirt. But even when I played in a 90's cover band, I always preferred PAF type pickups.

CooL. Good to know. I might first try swapping out the A5 for an A2 in the WLH neck pickup, but the Seth Lover might be a contender as a replacement. Thanks!

 

[RockyStar]

Bareknuckle Rebel Yell or Black Dog will do you brilliantly.

for the bridge or neck?

Both! I have gotten superb results with these in my Customs.

 

[BLooDRuST]

Bareknuckle Rebel Yell or Black Dog will do you brilliantly.

for the bridge or neck?

Both! I have gotten superb results with these in my Customs.

I'm reading up on them.

 

[CEG85]

I have Tom Anderson h3 and h1 in my silverburst custom.
The h3 is a real beefy pickup with great low end and clarity.
The H1 is a great neck pickup as well.

Great pairing considering the large difference in output.
H3 is 14.4k
H1 is 6.3k

I should mention the tom andersons aren't vintage voiced.

I have another black custom with the stock 498t and 490t pickups that sound great in that particular guitar.

All in all I really recommend the tom andersons if your looking for beefier low and low mids.

I've heard great things about bare knuckles, Motorcity, and arcane pickups as well.

 

[thickwood]

I can not stand the 490r neck pickup as its a muddy sound and not a good sounding distortion to my ears in tubes amps.

I can put up with the 498 bridge pup but any ideas too replace that 490r please post it for me.
Any idea would be better than current pup on the neck imop

 

[hatrick00]

motor city 2nd degree black belt.

 

[AmpliFIRE]

Why not get the WLH bridge to match the neck?

 

[Beyond Black]

MCP 2nd Degree BB, MCP Detroiter, WCR Godwood. All around 9-10 K and awesome. Detroiter sounds more pissed, the others sweet.

 

[splawner]

I just put a 500t pup in my les Paul.... fucking rips!! Tight and focused...

 

[BLooDRuST]

Why not get the WLH bridge to match the neck?

I thought about doing that. I prefer A2's, I'm thinking about just doing a magnet swap in that one with a A2.