Les Paul pickups...

[SchonFan83]

Hey guys,
First post here.

I'm playing mostly les pauls, and typically have either Burstbucker Pros or Burstbuckers 2's in the bridge position.

I work at a music store, so over the last few years I've used my employee discount to try out tons of different pickups...Duncans, Dimarzios, etc.  But I'm looking for something with a little more character and personality.

So far I've been most satisfied with a BB Pro in my '83 LP STD with a Kahler (which of course has a maple neck), and a BB 2 in a '57 Custom 2pu VOS (all mahogany).  I'm playing mostly classic rock/blues.  I typically dont get heavier than VH, GnR, etc...no death metal :)

I've been listening to clips on the site here, but I'd like to get some input from you guys.

What would you suggest?

[Antag]

Well, based on your description, I'd say Mules would be an obvious choice.  Crawlers might go well in your '83.  Abraxas & Emeralds may also be good choices

Rebel Yell may be too rraaaawwwwkk! as might Cold Sweat & of course I'd probably steer clear of Miracle Man (even though it rocks in LPs) :)

[Antag]

& welcome to the forum BTW :)

PS: Forgot to mention Black Dog which is quite popular, though I have very little experience of it...

[HTH AMPS]

I've had Mules in my LP (plus pretty much all the BKP range) and have settled on an Abraxas set which I was initially uninterested in due to the Santana connection.  However, the Abraxas set is my fave - pure PAF neck tone with plenty of clarity then a bridge pickup with all the tonality of a PAF, but with more power and fatness.

Crawlers are cool too, but have more of a pronounced midrange honk - good with lots of OD.

[AndyR]

Welcome :D

I'd have said Mules too, that's what I use, but I do find myself wondering about Abraxus (due to some recent love for them on here a few months back, HTH being one of them, I think :D)

[PhilKing]

I have Emeralds in an all mahogany custom and they sound great.  I would say for rock and blues they are great.  I would also look at Black Dogs and Crawlers if you want a bit more push.  My real favourite for the older blues and rock sounds are the PG Blues - don't be put off by the lower output, they can still rock.

[SchonFan83]

I love the tone of lower output humbuckers.  I think the PG and Mules have a killer tone for bluesy rock.

I do like a pickup that can get a little nastier at times, so I don't want to go too tame with it..especially since Im playing through plexi-style amps... :P


So far I'm really liking the tone of the Black Dogs.
How responsive and dynamic are the HolyDiver pups?  Do they clean up well when you roll the volume back?

[shaman]

if you are, indeed, a Schon fan, I can tell you I am happy with my Rebels AND Crawlers(as Tim suggested, the Crawler would have sweeeeter highs -I was looking for Lukather/modern Schon...Crawlers are great in my LP Classic/Rebs rule in my LP Standard)

[SchonFan83]

Ahh, choices choices...

I am a huge Schon Fan.  I love his tone on Trail By Fire and the Hardline Double Eclipse album.


I have Sustainiacs in everything except my '57 custom LP 8)

So the Crawlers and RY's have the same magnets and looks like they are close on output.
The highs sound a bit more aggressive on the RYs.  What other differences have you noticed between the two?

[shaman]

I like both for the Luke/Schon tone...either is fine..the Crawler is fatter/tad sweeter in highs-they are two similar axes(very similar..), and I am so happy with the rebs, but I wanted something a shade different-tim suggested the Crawler for the sweeter highs, a la sustaining,singing lead work in the upper register with delay..it is hard for me to tell difference-aggressive is a good word for the rebs,while crawler is a little on fatter side(just talking bridge pup, mind you..my Crawler neck isn't here yet...)I love the reb neck because it isnt muddy-great clarity..good bite,yet very fat

[BigB]

So the Crawlers and RY's have the same magnets

Actually, the Crawler neck is alnico IV - you may (or not...) want to read the sticky "magnet types" post for more on this.

I can't compare with RY's, but tonewise, the crawler neck is quite different (in a good way IMHO) from the bridge - very warm and rounded (with still enough high-mids to cut thru, but I guess it can sound a bit dark on a dark guitar) vintage tone, sweet, opened and organic, a pure delight played clean / early breakup (still do a fine job under more heavy distortion).  I love the way it complements the bridge's more gritty, rock'n'roll character, but YMMV.   

[dheim]

maybe mine is a metalhead view ( :P), but RYs are great for every kind of rock/metal application...