Replace BB3 & 57 N Les Paul: Suggestions for Blues-Hard Rock

  • Thread starter Thread starter Junk Yard Dog
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Junk Yard Dog

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Got an awesome LP Traditional Pro that came with the Burstburker III in the Bridge and a Classic 57 in the neck.

Not enjoying my BB3 with my amps: EVH 5153 and BFG Modded Egnater Seminar Head (RULES!). The BB3 can be very shrill and feeds back too much in higher gain settings. The 57 is really bass-y, and I have it flush with the cavity opening. I've lowered the BB3, and it's an improvement, but I want something a little less hot, that splits well (I have push pulls for both; they do both split pretty well). I play blues to hard rock (Crowes, Kravitz, GNR, Tool, Alice in Chains).

My amps are pretty high gain, so I don't need the pups to push too much or be super hot to where it gets mushy and squelchy at higher high gain volumes. Something rude, but sweet and has some control as I don't use clean channels, so they should clean up pretty well.

I'm looking at the following:

Bridge
Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid (SH-16)
Duncan Custom 5 (SH-14)
Duncan Alnico Slash B
Rio Grand BBQ

Neck
Duncan 59
Duncan Jazz
Duncan Alnico Slash N

Experiences and suggestions are welcome. I know it's subjective, but just curious. That's why we're here, after all!

Cheers!
 
The Custom 5 is hotter than the BB3 so if you want something less hot, that one is out. Not much of blues pickup anyway...much more suited to hard rock/metal.

The best pickup that I've found for what you want is the Duncan Pearly Gates...hotter than a PAF but very dyncamic and cleans up well. Gets rude and nasty if you want it to but never mushy, nasally, or compressed.
I use mine in a LP Custom along with a Jazz in the neck...great combo. The PG neck pickup is great as well.
 
The Alnico II won't sound like the others you listed
Look at medium output Dimarzios, some derivates of the PAF Pro if you want a more open sound

Or Suhr's DSV or SSV serie
 
Pearly Gates is super bright in my experience. I have one if you would like to try it. Might work really well if your guitar is on the dark side.
I really like the MCP 2nd degree blackbelts. Buy used and you can resell at no loss if it is not your thing.
Nothing wrong with the duncans you listed. Custom might be a bit hot for you.
Chubtone sells Arcane. I have one and dig it but have not tried it in a les paul.
 
I have the Custom 5 in my Strat and really like it! I didn't realize it was hotter than the BB3. I really like the C5 in my Strat. I'll look into these other suggestions...
 
'63-Strat":1yfg7qot said:
I'd consider just regular alnico pro IIs.
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Cool. Why do yo think over the Slash's and others? Thanks!
 
Junk Yard Dog":3egyeztq said:
'63-Strat":3egyeztq said:
I'd consider just regular alnico pro IIs.
Click to expand...

Cool. Why do yo think over the Slash's and others? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Because I've played them in multiple lps, they're cheaper than the slash ones and all of slash's best recordings were done with those not his new ones, though that's true of nearly every sig pickup.
 
I run the same gear and play blues based hard rock. Duncan Custom and 59n. Great combo. The Slash set sounds killer as well with the 5153. But for my money the Custom just does something magical with the 5153.
 
I would check out Smits Boosted Classic (bridge) and Classic Coil (neck). I love that set. My bridge BC has an A4 magnet and kills just about every pup I've tried in a LP.
 
Suhr SSV neck Suhr DSV bridge. DSV+ if you want more output.
 
Cool vid, man. We play that one, too. Can you tell me what settings you were using? My EVH 5153 is my backup amp now, but just curious. Sounded pretty good for the recording. Thanks!
 
Channel three. Gain- 1:00, bass 1:00, mids 10:30, highs at noon. Pres at 11:00
 
Ventura":3h5m221g said:
BKP RiffRaffs - done.
Click to expand...

YEAH! Bare knuckles for sure! I was going to recommend him the Mules for the maximum in versatile tones!
 
I have a duncan custom custom that I'm trying to clear out... its a vintage tone with higher output type sound. It might be what you are after.
 
You will probably find the Arcane Tripleclone to be hotter than the Duncan Alnico II or Slash pups, but within the ballpark of what you are looking at. If you are looking at the standard Duncan pup lineup and if splitting is a must, I would say go with the Slash pup over the Alnico II Pro. For neck, it is difficult to beat the Duncan 59 for the price.The 59 will not produce the unwanted squeeling of the BB3. The Duncan Jazz is one of Seymour's go-to pups for neck. For splitting the bridge position especially though you may find the output to be a little too low unless you plan on using other means to bring things up when in coil split mode. You might want to include the Whole Lotta Humbucker in there to for Duncan pups with the area you are looking at or even a Screamin' Demon, but that will get things pretty much as hot or hotter than what you seem to be after. I would recommend you try a couple out see where it goes, report back here if it does not go so well with what is missing, then proceed. Good luck.
 
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