Advice for my new Gibson Les Paul Custom!

[LP_LOVER]

Hi BKP lovers,

I have a few questions regarding my new Gibson Les Paul Custom with the stock 490R/498T pickups...stock Gibson pots, stock ceramic caps.

The 490R has an alnico 2 magnet, the 498T has an alnico 5 magnet. I expected the neck pickup to sound boomy, dull and lifeless, but it isn't. I also expected the bridge pickup to sound overly bright, hot and thin, but also that ain't the case. It sounds balanced from the neck to the bridge pickup. It's a pretty light Custom too, a bit under the 9 lbs, not chambered.

Right now I'm thinking about Rebel Yells for my new Custom, but I'm not sure about replacing the stock pots. Are they
300K or 500K? Can I change the pickups without changing the pots for this guitar or should they be new 500K pots?

[Antag]

It does make a difference but I don't think it's a huge show-stopper either way.

I changed to 500k when I put a MM set in one LP, but didn't bother when I put the MM in my Flying V.  Both sound like a Miracle Man.  I'm not sure how much of the difference is the 500 v 300k pots & how much is that they are in different guitars.  I like them both FWIW...

[LP_LOVER]

Thanks for your response Antag.

I'll keep the stock pots, since they feel right for the guitar (whether they're 300K or 500K).

[LP_LOVER]

Now I'm just curious what kind of differences the Rebel Yells would make for this Custom...I think it sounds pretty great with the stock 490R/498T pups.

[ericsabbath]

how can you stand the 498t? the only thing that sounds worse than that is the burstbucker pro :lol:

[Zaned]

Well, you can always try the Cold Sweats in the new LP. That won't cost you anything but time, if you use the old strings 8)

-Zaned

[shaman]

i replaced mine with many bkp's..settled on the NBombs for sure-helped darken it up nicely/more definition/better harmonics..but its a full blown rock machine,and it does the blues nicely-i like crawlers,ry's,and bombs in a Custom!

[LP_LOVER]

Shaman, I don't feel that I need to darken up the guitar...it seems to have the right blend of darkness/brightness already.

[ericsabbath]

don't you have a spare holy diver?

[LP_LOVER]

No, not anymore....

I really liked the HD bridge in my old LPC, but the HD neck didn't sound as thick and fluid distorted with leads...(I liked the RY or CS neck better for that).

[kevinr]

Have you considered an Abraxas set? nice vintage sounds with more power.

[LP_LOVER]

Nice.

[Alex]

I changed the 300K tone pot on the neck 490 on my SG to a 1MegOhm one and it made a great impact on its sound / for the better! Try that maybe!

[LP_LOVER]

Thanks Alex, my question whether to change the pots or not has more to do with the BKP's functionality (like how they work at their best).

[Zaned]

It sounds like your guitar just is really great, woodwise! If you pick (hopefully you did  :) ) the right BKPs for the guitar, you're in for a treat.

Your description of the guitar is really like I describe my McCarty; warm and thick, but clear. If I were you, I'd try the CS set in that guitar just for the kicks.

Trytrytrytry!  PDT_001

-Zaned