Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: SidewinderINC on May 31, 2009, 12:13:53 PM

Title: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: SidewinderINC on May 31, 2009, 12:13:53 PM
Hi all,

I've been pondering bare knuckles for about 2 years now - and it's time to buy some, I've found my Burny Les Paul's pickups are feeding really badly at high volume on any amp, at any height. Tried rewiring the guitar to no avail.


I play a lot of different things, mostly glam rock like Poison & Motley crue, through to more modern agressive rock like Buckcherry / Black stone cherry type things.


I was originally set on a calibrated set of Holy Divers, but I think that may be too much for what I play?

At the moment I'm also in a KISS tribute band, so something that would be suitable for playing in that would be ideal hehe.

Thanks a lot :)

Matt.
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: ericsabbath on May 31, 2009, 06:21:40 PM
ask tim for the old ceramic version of the holy diver
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: sebby123 on May 31, 2009, 07:52:53 PM
Cold sweat's would be a good way to go.
Vintage modern type of feel.
Tight, amazingly clear, thick! and very transparent so it lets the guitar do the talking.
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: shaman on June 01, 2009, 01:25:22 AM
I am a faithful follower of the Rebel Yell-have it in LP Standard-awesome cleans,very flexible-from vintage Kossoff to modern tones al SStevens,etc...a great all 'rounder IMO-i also dig Nailbombs...a little "darker"...a friend has BDogs..it would sound great as well...oh, the list goes on..>!
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: syr2012 on June 01, 2009, 03:15:45 AM
ask tim for the old ceramic version of the holy diver

What's the old HD like in comparison to the new one?
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: ericsabbath on June 01, 2009, 03:15:48 PM
ask tim for the old ceramic version of the holy diver

What's the old HD like in comparison to the new one?

the new one is JB based (alnico 5, 16k)
the old one was probably based on the dimarzio super distortion (ceramic, 13.5k)
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: JMP2203 on June 01, 2009, 03:25:07 PM
ask tim for the old ceramic version of the holy diver

Tim told me he do not do the ceramic version of the holydriver.
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: shaman on June 01, 2009, 04:51:01 PM
there is some crossover between the old HD and the rebels...scroll down a bit on this thread...

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=16484.0
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: SidewinderINC on June 01, 2009, 06:43:04 PM
Hmm, I've got a pair of Dimarzio Super Distortions here from 1978 (I think that's the year my Westbury was made) that I like the sound of but I find them a bit muddy.

From that thread linked above I quite like the sound of the Rebel Yells.
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: jonthebass on June 01, 2009, 07:28:09 PM
My 2p's worth is this:
What about lower output 'buckers, i.e. Stormy Monday, and cranking the Master Volume up a notch?
Can work wonders for that big rock sound in my experience... 
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: LP_LOVER on June 01, 2009, 09:46:54 PM
SidewinderINC:

What kind of Les Paul do you have?

In general the Custom has a 'harder' attack to the notes with more edge/cut. The Standard is more rounded with less sharp attack.

The tone also depends on whether the guitar is a solid body, weight relieved body or chambered body...the weight plays a part too.

I LOVE the Cold Sweats in my 80's Custom, but I wouldn't put them in my chambered Standard Faded. It's not easy to give advice without knowing anything about your Les Paul.

I think you need some vintage/hot pickups (like VH2s or Black Dogs).
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: SidewinderINC on June 01, 2009, 11:29:34 PM
SidewinderINC:

What kind of Les Paul do you have?

In general the Custom has a 'harder' attack to the notes with more edge/cut. The Standard is more rounded with less sharp attack.

The tone also depends on whether the guitar is a solid body, weight relieved body or chambered body...the weight plays a part too.

I LOVE the Cold Sweats in my 80's Custom, but I wouldn't put them in my chambered Standard Faded. It's not easy to give advice without knowing anything about your Les Paul.

I think you need some vintage/hot pickups (like VH2s or Black Dogs).


It's a Burny Les Paul Custom, mahogany body, weighing in at about 9.5lbs.

Sorry for missing off that info :)
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: shaman on June 01, 2009, 11:57:24 PM
SidewinderINC:

What kind of Les Paul do you have?

In general the Custom has a 'harder' attack to the notes with more edge/cut. The Standard is more rounded with less sharp attack.
..in my LPC, I had to go with nbombs to tame the brightness-i tried Mules at first, but it was too much treble/cut-prob. would have worked with different pots/a treble tamer kit, but I had just bought custom 500 lefty pots from RS,so now I have a set of Mules that can be dropped into my other LP Standards-I wonder if a VHII would be too bright as well??
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: LP_LOVER on June 02, 2009, 08:57:38 AM
SidewinderINC:

Nice that you have a Custom. What about Black Dogs? They can tame the brightness and have a great bite/snarl to them. Awesome for classic hardrock.

Shaman:

The Mules were also too trebly and thin in my LPC, especially in the bridge position. I guess the VH2 would be too bright as well...

Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: SidewinderINC on June 02, 2009, 06:59:11 PM
http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7262&highlight=black+dog

After hearing this, I think the Black Dogs are in the running as they sound sweet as hell, but a little too vintage for what I'm after.

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3433&highlight=rebel+yell

And after hearing this I think I'm 100% sold on them :D Holy hell that's big sound!
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: Sambrowne on June 03, 2009, 02:36:15 PM
http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7262&highlight=black+dog

After hearing this, I think the Black Dogs are in the running as they sound sweet as hell, but a little too vintage for what I'm after.

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3433&highlight=rebel+yell

And after hearing this I think I'm 100% sold on them :D Holy hell that's big sound!

Based on what you wrote, you will friggin' LOVE the RYs.  I have a pair in both my les pauls.  Killer for Kiss and Motley, no doubt about it.
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: Dr. Vic on June 03, 2009, 07:06:43 PM
Yeah having read that thread I was quite tempted to say Rebell Yell, but dunno if they are the best to nail some glam rock tones ala Poison, and for Kiss...

Wouldn't be the CS be a better call for that, in a Les Paul ?

Maybe ask Eric or Antag, I think they have got some in their LP. And they are some clips to listen in the player section too  :D

Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: shaman on June 03, 2009, 09:17:47 PM
...the RY do those tones just fine....paired with the proper amp and attitude, a variety of knucks will fill the bill!
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: SidewinderINC on June 03, 2009, 09:41:22 PM
That's another thing, I'll need to buy (another) new amp.

I bought a Laney VC30 2*10 combo a few months ago, and it sounds great, just not really cutting mustard.

Thinking of selling a lot of my kit and buying something special.
Title: Re: New pickups for a les paul?
Post by: Dr. Vic on June 03, 2009, 09:49:10 PM
oups.....sorry I have read that :
Based on what you wrote, you will friggin' LOVE the RYs. 

...and forgot to read the end :
I have a pair in both my les pauls.  Killer for Kiss and Motley, no doubt about it.

sorry  :na:

I wouldn't easily have thought to the RY for glam' n Kiss tone, but you must be right then, and it's also true the amp will have a lot to do to achieve it !