Pickup suggestion for LP Custom

  • Thread starter Thread starter DLJR
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mhenson42":4g267bdi said:
I had an Aldrich in a LP Custom. Sounded pretty good, but was way too compressed. Changed it to a Bare Knuckle Emerald. Loved it. Check out that pickup...may suit your needs.
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Emerald is a little-known, but great pickup, in the right guitar. I have one and had it in a Custom Shop LP, sounded sterile and cold. I put it into a different LP and its amazing. Really like it there. So much clarity.
 
I used to think using the same high output pickups I used in my super strats made sense for Les Pauls, but finally got my eyes opened to using more PAF type pickups and much happier now. And I play high gain hard rock/metal. I think maybe it's because Les Pauls tend to have such great tone you don't want to kill all the dynamics with pickups that are too hot, whereas super strats (even really resonant ones) can sometimes benefit from being pushed more.

Ox4's were mentioned, love them, I've ordered several sets. I asked Mark if he could make the standard wind a little hotter and they have been perfect in my LP's including LPC's. I even dropped one in a Charvel and it sounded great there too, absolute proof to me the DC resistance thing really can be a red herring for us high gainers.

ThroBak's have been great as well though pricey...I was using the SLE-101 Plus in a number of standards, and then asked Jon what he recommended for a Custom. He suggested the ER-Custom, and he was right, sounded awesome.

But going back into Duncan-land, the Antiquity JB I like, smoother than a stock JB. I also really like the Saturday Night Special, great pickup I've had in a few LPC's, and friendlier on price but hold their own well IMO.
 
JB in my LPC and I think it’s awesome in there. I agree with the other poster - have u adjusted the pole pieces for your action, experimented with height? JB is a great pickup. Proven over time. Many, many players have used it in a variety of guitars and gotten great tones. Then again, it’s your guitar. If u want something else then go for it.
 
harddriver":1zbht0te said:
What magnet is in the 2nd degree bridge Blackbelt? I also thought Motorcity's Detrioter was a good sounding pickup
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The standard Black Belt pickup is an Alnico 4 so I imagine the 2nd Degree is the same but not sure. I bet I'd like the Detroiter as well.
 
lowrig":ekoxzs0h said:
I have a Duncan JB bridge in my Les Paul custom. I kinda hate it. Really boxy sounding. Looking for a little bit higher mid clarity and punch. I was looking at Suhr Aldrich. Any suggestions?
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Calibrated set of uncovered Rebel Yells, thank me later.
/end
 
Bare Knuckle Holy Diver is the JB without the annoying spike in the high minds. Sounds pretty good, although Wade's 2nd Degree Black belt is best pickup in a Les Paul I heard, feels good, sounds good, and cut without being harsh. Just my 2 cents.
 
romanianreaper":1oik7kla said:
harddriver":1oik7kla said:
What magnet is in the 2nd degree bridge Blackbelt? I also thought Motorcity's Detrioter was a good sounding pickup
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The standard Black Belt pickup is an Alnico 4 so I imagine the 2nd Degree is the same but not sure. I bet I'd like the Detroiter as well.
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BB2 is A5
 
RedPlated":2jiwqs8s said:
romanianreaper":2jiwqs8s said:
harddriver":2jiwqs8s said:
What magnet is in the 2nd degree bridge Blackbelt? I also thought Motorcity's Detrioter was a good sounding pickup
Click to expand...

The standard Black Belt pickup is an Alnico 4 so I imagine the 2nd Degree is the same but not sure. I bet I'd like the Detroiter as well.
Click to expand...


BB2 is A5
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Thanks man!
 
lowrig":23wclqb1 said:
I have a Duncan JB bridge in my Les Paul custom. I kinda hate it. Really boxy sounding. Looking for a little bit higher mid clarity and punch. I was looking at Suhr Aldrich. Any suggestions?
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What year is your LPC ?
 
I've literally used hundreds of different pickups in my Les Pauls over the years. My current favorites are the Suhr Aldrich set, Rebel Yell set, Duncan Antiquity Set and the Friedman Classic and Classic Plus. Here are some clips of the mentioned pickups. Unfortunately, I don't have a Rebel Yell clip through my Splawn.

Aldrich Set:


Friedman Classic/Classic +:


Duncan Antiquity Set:
 
SFW":3vwcari7 said:
I've literally used hundreds of different pickups in my Les Pauls over the years. My current favorites are the Suhr Aldrich set, Rebel Yell set, Duncan Antiquity Set and the Friedman Classic and Classic Plus. Here are some clips of the mentioned pickups. Unfortunately, I don't have a Rebel Yell clip through my Splawn.

Aldrich Set:


Friedman Classic/Classic +:


Duncan Antiquity Set:
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I've referenced your clips a number of times, great stuff, thanks for making them!
 
As much as the Suhr Aldrich is a great pickup for a Les Paul, I don't think it's THAT different from a JB. I think of it more like a fine-tuned bulked-up JB on steroids. JMO.
 
DLJR said:
I have a Duncan JB bridge in my Les Paul custom. I kinda hate it. Really boxy sounding. Looking for a little bit higher mid clarity and punch. I was looking at Suhr Aldrich. Any suggestions?
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Yeah, I find the JB kind of generic.

I’ve played around with all the major pickups brands in the past. I’ve only ever liked one Seymour Duncan pickup, the Whole Lotta Humbucker but even it’s been replaced. I’ve tried the suggested Duncans and Dimarzios and, while they’re better than most stock pickups, I’ve been left wanting for more.

Now you’ve got to understand that I’m a Lollar fanboi. It all started when a friend worked for Lollar. He made me a set of P90s for my Les Paul and they just woke that thing up. Then I got a set for my Charvel and then my Strat and then my SG. It’s like every time I put a set of Lollars in a guitar, I get a new favorite guitar.

I guess I’m just surprised that Lollars aren’t discussed very often in these threads.

I’d suggest a set of Imperials unless you want higher output, then get a set of dBs unless you want extra dynamics, then get a set of El Rayos. I’ve got the El Rayos I’m my SG. They are lower output and have single-coil dynamics. They’re bright.
 
SFW said:
I've literally used hundreds of different pickups in my Les Pauls over the years. My current favorites are the Suhr Aldrich set, Rebel Yell set, Duncan Antiquity Set and the Friedman Classic and Classic Plus. Here are some clips of the mentioned pickups. Unfortunately, I don't have a Rebel Yell clip through my Splawn.

Aldrich Set:


Friedman Classic/Classic +:


Duncan Antiquity Set:
Click to expand...
That Aldrich Video makles me wanna go back to using Passives.
 
Suhr Aldrich. I have it in my LP classic and it works great but still sounds like a Les Paul if that makes sense.
 
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