EMG-60 (neck) and EMG-85 (bridge) in a Les Paul? Good?

[Jakem]

So, while searching for a LP Custom for myself I was thinking about the pup choices; One possibility is that I'll buy EMGs for it (60 neck + 85 bridge) and was wondering what are your opinions on them? I've heard that 60 sounds fantastic on clean settings but how's it for smooth, creamy and singing leads? I think that 85 would be a nice bridge pup for a LP.

On the other hand EMGs seem to sound very similar on every guitar so they'd take away, at least, some of the LP tone.

I have Dimarzio Paf Pros in my RGT3020 (mahogany neck thru) which is a dark sounding guitar and they work very well in it. They might work very well in a LP too.

Here are the things I want:
Neck pup - creamy, fat, singing leads + great cleans
Bridge pup - tight, high-ish output, big rhythm sounds

Suggestions?

-Jaakko

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

NOT GOOD maybe just OK?


as far as EMG's go, those are probably good choices. the 85 does some things nicer than the 81 with less output, and 60 does some nicer than both with even less output.


just so many passives around that will kick the shit out of the EMG's.


if you want a EMG guitar, make it a $200 bolt on, and put some passives with caracter in the LP.


just my 2 cents?

 

[mrp5150]

I'd leave the stock pickups in a Les Paul. I love Gibson pickups.

 

[Jakem]

I'd leave the stock pickups in a Les Paul. I love Gibson pickups.

According to the clips, I've heard, the stock pups in LPCs squeel like little pigs when being slaughtered and that they aren't very suitable for heavier stuff. Not sure though.

 

[blackba]

I'd leave the stock pickups in a Les Paul. I love Gibson pickups.

According to the clips, I've heard, the stock pups in LPCs squeel like little pigs when being slaughtered and that they aren't very suitable for heavier stuff. Not sure though.

It depends on how well they are wax potted. Some old LP pickups were not wax potted at all, so they are more prone to this. My 498T in my LP studio bridge would squeel all the time. I think I need to reheat the potting in that pickup....

 

[Jakem]

I'd leave the stock pickups in a Les Paul. I love Gibson pickups.

According to the clips, I've heard, the stock pups in LPCs squeel like little pigs when being slaughtered and that they aren't very suitable for heavier stuff. Not sure though.

It depends on how well they are wax potted. Some old LP pickups were not wax potted at all, so they are more prone to this. My 498T in my LP studio bridge would squeel all the time. I think I need to reheat the potting in that pickup....

Good info there! Thank you.

 

[Digital Jams]

Going by what you play Jaakko I would not even think about EMGs in the LP, imo it takes away what you are looking for. All of your influences us passives for the most part.

Without hearing the guitar I would try a Custom in the Bridge and a Jazz or 59 in the neck.

 

[again with this]

I'd leave the stock pickups in a Les Paul. I love Gibson pickups.

+1 Both the 500T and 498T are sick to me, the 498T preseves that "Les Paul sound", but not as much as the 490T. The 500T is a flat out killer metal pickup. I pulled the 498T and put in the 500. Some Lesters come with the 500.

That said... I am going to try a Tom Anderson in the Paulie as soon as I get around to it. I have had the Anderson for a few weeks already...

 

[mrp5150]

Yeah the 500T is one of my favorite bridge pickups, it sounds so good.

 

[Jakem]

How does it affect if one removes the pup covers?

 

[nbarts]

I don't know which PUs you should choose, as you are the only one who can answer that question, but I'd stay the hell away from EMGs unless you already have a few LPs laying around. EMGs don't sound the same in every guitar actually, they just sound like EMGs. Try stock, see what you like & what you don't & go from there.

As a side note I think that EMGs sound killer in LPs, but still I have a feeling that you'll be playing that guitar not very often with EMGs.

 

[Random Hero]

I would leave the stock pickups in. EMGs do have a tendancy of taking away the character of a guitar to me, as much as I do love the 60's cleans. Taking away the character of a superstrat doesn't matter as much to me as a LP as they can be much of a muchness, but a LP is a different beast.

FWIW, if you do go EMG, I think the 81 sounds a little better in mahogany. The 85 sounds best in alder superstrats to me, although it is more organic.

 

[troublehead]

NOT GOOD maybe just OK?


as far as EMG's go, those are probably good choices. the 85 does some things nicer than the 81 with less output, and 60 does some nicer than both with even less output.


just so many passives around that will kick the shit out of the EMG's.


if you want a EMG guitar, make it a $200 bolt on, and put some passives with caracter in the LP.


just my 2 cents?

Agree with everything here

When I had my LP Standard, I really liked these pickups:

Rio Grande BBQ or Duncan Custom 5 in the bridge
Duncan 59' or Dimarzio Air Norton in the neck