Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Super87 on July 05, 2011, 06:19:33 PM

Title: Best pick for a Les Paul, for 80's hard rock tones?
Post by: Super87 on July 05, 2011, 06:19:33 PM

Which pickups might be suitable for a 1-piece mahogany bodied 1983 Tokai Les Paul?

I'm looking for a good hard rock tone that borders heavy metal - stuff like Number of the Beast to Powerslave-era Iron Maiden (particularly Adrian Smith's sound moreso than Dave Murray's). I know that he used a Super Distortion in his goldtop - which BKPs are most similar to the Super Dist? I've been thinking about the Holy Diver as it would cover more contemporary rock and metal sounds too :)

Apologies for the long-winded post!

Title: Re: Best pick for a Les Paul, for 80's hard rock tones?
Post by: HTH AMPS on July 05, 2011, 07:55:14 PM

Adrian Smith's tone on Live After Death is awesome, I'm with you on his tone all the way.

Holy Diver would be my choice for that tone too, but you might also consider the Painkiller - it can sound FAT.

Title: Re: Best pick for a Les Paul, for 80's hard rock tones?
Post by: Telerocker on July 05, 2011, 08:32:31 PM

The Diver could work, but (brighter) Rebel Yell's are awesome in Les Pauls, from the clips I heard.

Title: Re: Best pick for a Les Paul, for 80's hard rock tones?
Post by: HTH AMPS on July 05, 2011, 09:24:30 PM

THE TROOPER!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSSHk0U9gv4

Title: Re: Best pick for a Les Paul, for 80's hard rock tones?
Post by: Brow on July 05, 2011, 11:25:41 PM

I have a pair of Rebel Yells in a Les Paul and they're pretty much made for 80s Rock imo!  8)

Cold Sweats could also be an idea, although I haven't used 1 in a LP myself, only a Strat.

Title: Re: Best pick for a Les Paul, for 80's hard rock tones?
Post by: ElectricTurkey4369 on July 06, 2011, 03:07:19 AM

I love the Holdydiver in my Les Paul...It sounds massive!

Title: Re: Best pick for a Les Paul, for 80's hard rock tones?
Post by: ericsabbath on July 07, 2011, 01:53:50 PM

cold sweat
the diver sounds nothing like iron maiden, imo
rebel yell as a 2nd option if you want tons of mids
maybe a painkiller

Title: Re: Best pick for a Les Paul, for 80's hard rock tones?
Post by: nickcoumbe on July 08, 2011, 08:36:58 AM

I've got a Rebel Yell set in a set neck mahogany/maple LP copy. It rocks:


Video here:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=215672245129024

Does the job nicely.

I think the Holy diver would be awesome as well.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=215669025129346

Title: Re: Best pick for a Les Paul, for 80's hard rock tones?
Post by: The Hitman on July 16, 2011, 10:51:52 AM

I was looking for the same thing in my Lester and I went with a pair of Cold Sweats.  They work spot on.  Very fluid neck pickup for Murray like tones and tight galloping tones out of the bridge.  Cleans are very good too, especially out of the neck.  I haven't used the HD, but from what I can gather it is warmer and not as tight, but I would think it would sound awesome and even more versatile, but not quite as good a fit for Maiden.  Enjoy the quest!

Title: Re: Best pick for a Les Paul, for 80's hard rock tones?
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on July 16, 2011, 01:08:17 PM

Another vote for cold sweat, although Miracle Man is superb too for 80s tones