Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: indysmith on October 03, 2006, 12:32:35 PM

Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: indysmith on October 03, 2006, 12:32:35 PM
Hi guys,
I'm sure a few of yu know i've just bought a 1987 Greco Mint Collection les paul custom (mahogany back + neck, maple top, rosewood fretboard). It comes with SD '59s which are apparently not very nice, due to a severe mid scoop. Therefore i'll most probably be wanting to upgrade the pups.

For the bridge i would like something quite versatile - something i can get everything from low-output blues to hot-rodded biting 80's sounds out of. cleans aren't that important for the bridge. It's gotta be warm and touch-sensitive, but i'd like to be able to conjure up screaming harmonics and HUGE overdriven chords aswell. (think g'n'r, motley crue, billy idol, def leppard, skid row, bon jovi etc.) I think i'm gonna go for the rebel yell...

For the neck i'd like something real low output for thick rhythm and blues work, and the ocassional lead. I'm pretty much set on a mule for this...? any other ideas?
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: _tom_ on October 03, 2006, 12:34:34 PM
Just get the neck Mule.. recorded a little thing of the neck Mule through my Fender and TO800 today so I'll show you that when you get on msn later ¬¬
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: Twinfan on October 03, 2006, 12:37:43 PM
I'd consider a Mule or RY in the bridge (RY if you prefer a brighter sound) and a Mule or MQ in the neck...
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: indysmith on October 03, 2006, 04:31:47 PM
yeah i like a brighter sound in the bridge. I think the rebel yell will be pretty much perfect, does anyone know the what its output is like? perhaps a little high for my needs? I have a Nailbomb in an ibanez which i'm finding great for higher gain stuff, but i'd like something lower in this guitar...
Just about to listen to ur clip todge, thanks :D
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: ayeman oooman on October 03, 2006, 06:49:55 PM
Would a holy diver now work in a les paul? From its description its meant to do the whole hot rodded 80s thing perfectly.
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: cjpmmd on October 03, 2006, 07:34:03 PM
I just got a Crawler set in my LP Standard --- sounds awesome!  If you lean a little more towards the classic rock end, I'd recommend them.  If you lean a little more towards higher-output 80's stuff, the Holy Diver might be a bit better.
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: indysmith on October 03, 2006, 08:06:21 PM
I'm going more for the '80s.
i want a really open PAF sound in the bridge, that still has the crunch and screams. Would a Holydiver do that? I don't like Dio's tone all that much - it sounds to me a bit flat and thin? Steve Stevens RY clip sounds pretty much how i'd like for the higher gain stuff, i think i might just go ahead and go for the RY,
I'm settled for a Mule in the neck finally
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: indysmith on October 03, 2006, 10:05:10 PM
Also - which way round is zebra and which is reverse zebra? i want my white bobbins both pointing towards eachother rather than away from eachother, and the black bobbins pointing out towards the bridge and the neck respectively... is this zebra or reverse zebra?
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: gingataff on October 04, 2006, 02:35:31 AM
neck- zebra. bridge - reverse zebra.
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: fps_dean on October 04, 2006, 04:09:42 AM
I will have to second your decision on the Rebel Yells.... not only because I have them and they are great (the supreme rock pickup!), but because they match your description to a pinpoint as well.

I'd personally go with the RY neck as well, but the Mule will do as well...
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: carlaz on October 04, 2006, 11:01:14 AM
I'd say Crawlers or Rebel Yells, though for more emphasis on the 80s vibe, the Holy Diver suggestion would be a good one.  I don't think you need to mix and match pickups, necessarily, though; calibrated sets of your eventually chosen model should sort ya!
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: PhilKing on October 04, 2006, 12:00:42 PM
Quote from: indysmith
Also - which way round is zebra and which is reverse zebra? i want my white bobbins both pointing towards eachother rather than away from eachother, and the black bobbins pointing out towards the bridge and the neck respectively... is this zebra or reverse zebra?


They are both reverse zebra.  A reverse zebra has black screw bobbin and cream slug bobbin, a zebra has cream screw bobins and black slug bobbins.  Since the screw coils will be nearest the bridge and neck and you want them to be black, you need 2 reverse zebras.
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: gingataff on October 04, 2006, 01:49:18 PM
^  :oops:  of course, my mistake.
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: indysmith on October 04, 2006, 08:19:32 PM
thanks phil for getting that straight - i thought so :)
So yu guys reckon a calibrated set will be good for me? i'm partially inclined to agree - i'd like to know what the output on the RY neck pup is though...
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: fps_dean on October 05, 2006, 03:51:58 AM
I asked Tim... it's something like 8.3 or 8.4k and the bridge is 14.5k).  It's a little bit louder than a Mule would be, but it works great with its counterpart.
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: indysmith on October 05, 2006, 05:02:21 PM
awesome - i've decided to get my pups rewound to rebel yells and the covers removed (saves a few pennies). Thanks for all your help guys - i'll tell you how she works out 8)  :twisted:
Title: Re: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on October 05, 2006, 06:35:46 PM
Quote from: indysmith
Hi guys,
It comes with SD '59s which are apparently not very nice, due to a severe mid scoop. Therefore i'll most probably be wanting to upgrade the pups.


Whilst I am very keen on BKPs I dont know where you got the idea that Duncan 59s have a mid scoop
They are wound with 42 gauge plain enael coated wire just like BKP Mules

To be fair the scatter wind and slightly different number of turns in a Mule will result in a different sound , but I would never describe a Duncan 59 as scooped- quite the opposite really - they have a big midrange in typical Gibson PAF type style.

But do go for a pickup change for the tone you want, just wait to try the pickups that are already in there to gauge how the guitar sounds in itself before diving in and getting replacements without knowing what the guitar sounds like.

It may help save disappointment in buying replacements not knowing what the guitar sounds like beforehand
Title: Re: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: fps_dean on October 05, 2006, 07:17:42 PM
Quote from: FELINEGUITARS
Whilst I am very keen on BKPs I dont know where you got the idea that Duncan 59s have a mid scoop
They are wound with 42 gauge plain enael coated wire just like BKP Mules


I've found they have a very significant mid scoop as well.... a very poor PAF replica because they are way too dark and the mids are way too low.  I've heard from people who have Seth Lovers and Pearly Gates that their sound fits the job description a lot better than the '59.
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: indysmith on October 05, 2006, 07:20:37 PM
i've only heard about the mid-scoop from Brow - i've never played '59s. and yes, i am planning to have a listen to the guitar before i decide if i want to get the pups rewound or not - BKPing them can only make them better :twisted:
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: fps_dean on October 05, 2006, 07:55:08 PM
Quote from: indysmith
i've only heard about the mid-scoop from Brow - i've never played '59s. and yes, i am planning to have a listen to the guitar before i decide if i want to get the pups rewound or not - BKPing them can only make them better :twisted:


You will... trust me ;)
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: indysmith on November 28, 2006, 12:22:34 PM
okay well i've decided i thoroughly dislike these pickups that are in the greco.
yuck - they sound...weak, hollow. I definately want a lot more power and a LOTTTT more mids.
If i get the e.q. in front of the amp, and boost the mids by 15db and the rest of the signal just a tad, then thats how i want the gutiar to sound stock. these pups simply lack any sort of life. they make the guitar sound completely dull and lifeless aswell as slightly muddy- whereas it has the most amazing acoustic tone. It resonates like a beast - it's 11lbs and i love it.
I'm still thinking rebel yells i think - do you guys think they'll provide the extra kick i'm looking for?
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: Philly Q on November 28, 2006, 12:42:24 PM
Quote from: indysmith
It resonates like a beast - it's 11lbs and i love it.

Holy cr@p, 11lbs!  I'd have to play it sitting down.

I think the RY will do what you want - it has a big, punchy 80s rock sound with tons of definition and a kick in the midrange.
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: Peter Antal on November 28, 2006, 03:10:03 PM
Quote from: Philly Q
Holy cr@p, 11lbs!  I'd have to play it sitting down.

My Artist weighs somewhere between 12 and 13 lbs... :P But the sound... :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
Title: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom
Post by: Philly Q on November 28, 2006, 04:03:55 PM
Quote from: Peter Antal
My Artist weighs somewhere between 12 and 13 lbs... :P But the sound... :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

Suffering for your Art, Peter!  :wink:

My Tele is a ridiculous 9lb or so, that's about as much as I can stand.  I think I'm going to get a replacement body from Warmoth at some point.

I've also got a shitety Fernandes bass which is stupidly heavy, but I never ever play it.