Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Twinfan on April 13, 2007, 05:16:17 PM
-
Finally finished installing my unpotted, uncovered Zebra Mules into my '96 Gibson Les Paul Standard, supplied by Chris at GuitarZone. I've also fitted a lightweight Gotoh stop bar tailpiece and TonePros locking posts courtesy of Jonathan at Feline guitars, new 500k CTS top spec pots and Hovland MusiCaps.
To quote my wife: "Wow, that sounds fantastic!"
Yesterday it was bog stock and sounded dull, thick and lifeless. Today it's bright, zingy, full, rich, sparkly - simply awesome!
The only slight negative is that I've got an earth-type buzz. It's fairly slight, and goes away whenever you touch anything metal on the guitar (bridge/strings/pots). I've double checked all wiring and everything is spot on. By comparison, my SG with fully potted Riff Raffs is absolutely silent. I'm assuming it's a consequence of having unpotted pickups and I can live with it given the tones I'm getting! SimonP had a similar problem and he didn't seem to resolve it either (see this thread: http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=72382&sid=995a779f4d8b193efd4d0a32ea5bb938).
Shame I'm going out this evening or I'd be playing it all night! I shall be having curry and beers to celebrate :D
And now the obligatory pic ;)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/LesPaul.jpg)
-
Wow. Looks killer!
-
Cheers Ben! I prefer plain tops to flames/quilts, and the subtle wood grain with the Zebras really works I think! They look too busy with a figured top to my eyes.
As the Coke folk say - "I'm lovin' it"
:D
-
As the Coke folk say - "I'm lovin' it"
:D
Isn't that Macdonalds?
Looks sweet dude, though personally I think that particular sunburst on Les pauls is a bit overdone.
-
Ooooh, nice one Dave!
I'm really interested in the lightweight tailpiece - obviously it's hard to tell the effect on the amplified tone as you've changed the pickups and electronics at the same time, but is there a noticeable difference in the acoustic tone and sustain :?:
-
Looks awesome bro!!!
Now I know what my Standard would look like with Zebras! 8)
-
As the Coke folk say - "I'm lovin' it"
:D
Isn't that Macdonalds?
Cack. Yes it is :oops:
-
I'm really interested in the lightweight tailpiece - obviously it's hard to tell the effect on the amplified tone as you've changed the pickups and electronics at the same time, but is there a noticeable difference in the acoustic tone and sustain :?:
It sustains forever and the acoustic is tone is a bit brighter. This was always a dark Les Paul and so sustained really well anyway. It's certainly got a brighter tone after the change, and in a good way!
I forgot to mention that Gibson had fitted 300k volume pots as standard. Why??? It made the guitar muddy as hell!
-
Looks very nice indeed and it sounds like the tone has been transformed.
-
Absolutely Mr38th. Can't wait to try it though my Angus rig at next rehearsal ;)
-
Looks great! If your wife noticed the difference in tone it must've been quite a change :lol: Mules are great, I dont know why anyone would want anything else in a Les Paul!
btw, just saw your Riff Raff'd SG the other day, it looks really good, and has got me gas'ing for an SG now :D
-
looks great....what does unpotting do to the sound?
-
I forgot to mention that Gibson had fitted 300k volume pots as standard. Why??? It made the guitar muddy as hell!
I didn't realise they were still doing that! :?
I didn't check the pots on my Gibsons when I changed the pickups, just assumed they were 500K. I must have a look. Wonder if that's why I've never found the Riff Raff as bright as some say it is? I think I'll leave the RY/Abraxas setup as it is, though, regardless of pot values.
Thanks for the info on the tailpiece. I've just bought a Les Paul and I might consider that mod.
-
Twinfan that looks lovely, I'm looking to do the same thing but potted & with covers. Is the tone as good as everyone says it is & how do the Hovland affect the tone
-
Very, very nice Twin! I would also go for a plain cherry sunburst as well + the Zebras really match the whole guitar perfectly! Is the tailpiece an aluminium one + are those type of tuners standard on the Standard? W-O-W!!! PDT_011
-
Looks lovely Twinfan! From you description it sounds the business as well. I had a go on a Feline LP with mules last weekend and they sound great.
-
I forgot to mention that Gibson had fitted 300k volume pots as standard. Why??? It made the guitar muddy as hell!
I didn't realise they were still doing that! :?
Not sure if they still are - mine is a 1996 Standard.
-
looks great....what does unpotting do to the sound?
Twinfan that looks lovely, I'm looking to do the same thing but potted & with covers. Is the tone as good as everyone says it is & how do the Hovland affect the tone
The tone is great - I had a potted Mule in another guitar and potting makes it a little "sweeter" for want of a better phrase. Unpotted makes it more light, airy and "alive". I think potted would be better for a smoother sound but I like the "bite" of the unpotted Mules in this particular guitar.
The Hovlands I also have in my SG and they're a more subtle difference. I find that the pots are more useable with them and the tone is a touch more musical. It's hard to describe really, but I like them. They are a bit pricey though compared to Orange Drops for example, but I find they're not as harsh as them.
-
Very, very nice Twin! I would also go for a plain cherry sunburst as well + the Zebras really match the whole guitar perfectly! Is the tailpiece an aluminium one + are those type of tuners standard on the Standard? W-O-W!!! PDT_011
The tailpiece is a Gotoh aluminium one and it's as light as a feather. It certainly makes a difference to the unamplified tone. I think if you had a brighter 'screamer' Les Paul rather than my 'bellower', plus a lightweight tail and unpotted pickups you might find it had too much treble, espeically with a modern treble-y amp. My guitar is now nice and biting at the top end - just enough without overdoing it.
Yep, they're the standard tuners too. Snot green Klusons (branded Gibson).
-
Well I've been playing with the pickup height and generally getting used to the new pickups etc. Wow - what a guitar it is now! My new favourite. Can't wait to finish work, get home and start learning some more Led Zep tunes...