Pickups for a les paul classic

[TheImmaterial]

Hello all,

I recently got a les paul classic (with the 500t) and have been thinking about some new pickups for it.  :D The problem (if you can really call it a problem) I have at the moment is that it sort of lacks it's own distinctive 'voice'.

My other two guitars are a PRS Standard 24 and a Les Paul Classic-Antique. I love the sound of both of these and between them they cover a lot of ground tonally. The HFS (hot, fat, screaming) in the PRS does me for all my modern, distortion needs and the 57classic+ in the antique does all my classic rock sounds.

As it stands the classic sounds like a beefier version of the PRS, which is great, but I'd prefer it to have a bit more personality of its own. I play mostly punk rock type stuff so not too worried about chasing that vintage sound. I guess i'm after a nice tight, defined sound that can handle distortion (but no scooped mids) but still clean up nicely and handle the occasional lead work. The PRS handles 70% of my sound at the moment so I'm probably looking at something more in that direction than the classic.

I did think about slapping some P90s in it just to give it something completely different but would that limit be to a more vintage sound?

I look forward to hearing your suggestions. Thanks!

p.s. I'll probably upgrade the wiring and caps in it as well (probably coil tapping and out of phase if i go for humbuckers too)

[Mr. Air]

Based on my limited knowledge I'll suggest Rebel Yells. It seems that people really like'em in LPs and they're voiced for hard rock so I think they fit the punk rock bill. Apparently they clean up well too and can handle clean stuff as well. Finally I have been told by Tim that they split really well.

I'm sure someone else with a lot more BKP experience than me will chip in.

[Telerocker]

Agree with mr Air. Rebel Yell's could be a good choiche. I would count Crawlers and Holydivers in. I only have experience with the Crawler. Creamy, powerfull and when crancked a nice growl to it, maybe a tad to vintage for what you're looking for, but cleans up very well. You could ask Tim.

[dheim]

A vote for rebel yells! :)
They can easily cover a very wide range of rock and metal styles without sounding generic at all... I swapped my classic antique's '57+ for a RY and it works very, VERY well.