Another which one post...

[skamaniac]

I posted this question to Tim, and while I am waiting for his reply I would like your guys' input... I just picked up a 1984 Gibson Les Paul Studio Custom.  It just so happens that Gibson made this particular guitar out of alder.  Right now the guitar has EMG's in it and they are definitely not my cup o tea.  What would you guys suggest in this guitar with this wood combo?  We mainly are playing the standard rock thing, not really heavy... Mainly a bit overdriven.. strumming chords, with the occasional solo/lead.  Looking for something to cut through well and be sweet at the same time.  Anyway, opinions...

Thanks.

[dheim]

my answer is strictly theoric beacause i haven't got them yet, but i listened to clips, asked tim, read user comments and reviews and i think you're looking for either a set of mules or a couple of black dogs or emeralds (tim described them as "darker" so i think they'll sound great on an alder les paul). emeralds in particular seem to have the fattest bottom in this pickup range so, unless you want your les paul sounding like a strat ( :P) they shoul be the best choice...

useless answer, i fear...

[AndyR]

Not that useless I reckon :D

I believe the stock answer for the music you're playing is Mules (or also maybe Stormy Mondays? not played them myself) - but then alder??!

I originally put my Mules in an Epiphone LP made of basswood, which I suspect might be similar, found them a bit lacking in "chunkiness". The Mules found a very happy home in a Tokai Love Rock. If I was going to BKP the Epi again, I would be looking at Blackdogs or Emeralds myself...

Well, dheim, either we're both as useless as each other - or heading in vaguely the right direction :lol:

Anyway, welcome to the forum skamaniac :D

[gwEm]

i'm into my VH2 at the moment, which works great in my alder body jazzmaster. hunter has a vh2 set in a les paul with traditional woods which you can hear some amazing clips of in the players forum.

perhaps then i would be tempted by a set of those for 'standard rock' ;) in an alder les paul

[carlaz]

It just so happens that Gibson made this particular guitar out of alder.  [...] We mainly are playing the standard rock thing, not really heavy... Mainly a bit overdriven.. strumming chords, with the occasional solo/lead.  Looking for something to cut through well and be sweet at the same time.

It does sound to me like a very classic vibe would be right for you.  I think the Mule suggestions are probably safe (they usually are!), but I'm not sure you need to go to something hotter like a Black Dog (too bright with alder anyway?) or an Emerald.  I wouldn't necessarily rule out a Stormy Monday, which are also quite PAF like if a touch less aggressive than the Mules (judging by the clips I've heard.)

[Roobubba]

I don't think Black Dogs would be too bright in alder, although my experience with them is certainly not 'normal', so my opinion of these awesome pickups is probably not relevant to this conversation!
I have to say, when I first read the post, I was thinking Mules/Black Dogs/VHII, so it's reassuring for me to see other people mention these pickups! :)

Roo