Which pickups for my Les Paul Custom?

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Hey guys, thanks for the feedback.
I tried a set of 010-046 and 011-048

Surprisingly I didn't like the feel of the 011-048 at all on my LPC even though I play heavier strings on my other guitars.
So I put back on a set of 010-046 and the sweetnes was back again. Especially on the higher strings it sounds and plays better with 010. Even if the lowest 2 stings are still a bit too loose. But I'll see how it turns out with the new CS as they have tighter lows than the stock PUs anyway.

I will also try a ernie ball heavy bottom set this week 010-052 and maybe the 10.5-048 set from GHS.

[LP_LOVER]

Glad you like the playability and sweet tone of 10's on your LPC as well. I also dig thicker strings on some other guitars, but 10's always feel AND sound the best to me, on a LP (especially on a LPC that already plays as smooth as butter with the ebony board and great neck profile).

I wouldn't worry too much about the lowest 2 strings...you can always take it to an experienced tech if needed for a slight pro adjustment. No guitar is totally perfect, not even my new LPC (although it seems to rape my other Les Pauls in every sense:).

And yes, the CS will definately give tighter lows (but not in a thin way).

Good luck!

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After days of intense playing and tweaking I finally want to give you guys a short review about the Cold Sweat / Mule combo in my LPC.

The stock pickups gave me this classic rock vibe. They made me play AC/DC kind of stuff (which is normally not what I'm playing).
Obvious things first: The CS bridge is completly different voiced - by changing pickups I got a whole new guitar!

In the beginning I was quite shocked as I didn't expect such a big change in sound and feel.

The CS bridge gives me a very rich, saturated and huge rythm sound - exactly the attributes I asked Tim for. It has mighty and meaty lows but it still stays very tight - which is great for downtuned riffing.
The midrange is very balanced and has a very (!!!) unique voicing. For me the tone of the midrange is what makes the CS so unique - it's hard to describe but the mids sound very "round" - very different from anything else I played so far. Where the mids of the stock PUs were quite harsh, the CS provides the smoothest and most saturated midrange I every heard. The more I play it, the more I love it - it instantly puts a smile on my face each time I plug it in.

But this quality is also what makes it not everyone's cup of tea - it's not a swiss army knife for all purposes. It provides a very special sound with loads of character.
I don't like the sound for classic rock stuff - but that's not what I'm using it for anyway.

As all BKPs the CS cleans up superbly - it's really fun playing around with the volume knob.
The CS also delivers fantastic crunch sounds - which was is also one of my requirements.
The CS bridhe is very bright in my LPC - but not overly bright. However it could have a little less highs but it's not a problem at all.

The clean sounds are very ok but didn't knock my socks of.
But that's what I have my Mule neck for.


I asked Tim for a neck pickup which provides "crystal clear, warm and bell-like cleans". And this is EXACTLY what I got. You can really hear the character of the guitar shining through when playing clean. It is clear and articulate to the most possible extend and it has lots of character.
I also get great lead tones with it.

The only thing that bugged me a bit is that the stock PU was a little smoother/sweeter to play.
Except of the sweetnes The Mule smokes the stock PU in all categories by far.


First I was scared that there might be a volume difference between the CS bridge and TM neck - but they match surprisingly well. Not a problem with volumes when switching from bridge to neck at all.

And I must mention that I get the nicest clean sound in the middle position CS/TM - this was a big surprise even if this is exactly what Tim told me when he recommended this combination.

So once again a big thanks to Tim!!! - he hit the bull's-eye again!
With the new pickups I love my LPC even more!
I'm already looking forward to equipping my remaining guitars with BKPs!!! :)

As far as strings are concerned (relating to the previous discussion in this thread), the Cold Sweat was asking for some thicker gauge strings. So after trying 4 different gauges I ended up with "skinny top, heavy bottom" ernie balls 010-052. That way it can play evil sounding drop tuned riffs and still have the thin upper strings for sweet lead playing.

Please excuse my English, as you may have already guessed it's not my native language.

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