Pickup Suggestions Please (with reasons)

[wootbetogod]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading a lot about different pickups since I'm getting ready to replace mine, and I was hoping for some expert recommendations.

I suppose I'll list what type of music I play, my influences, and my gear, and I'll let all of you suggest what might get me where I want to be.

Gear:
1984 Gibson Les Paul Studio Standard (pretty sure it's not mahogany. . . any input on what would it probably is would help).
"Jimmy Page" push/pull wiring kit (requires 4 conductor wire pups) for coil splitting, out of phase, etc.
Valvetech VAC25 Combo Amplifier

Styles I Play
Hillsong United (sparkling cleans and pop rock distortion/overdrive)
Muse - very articulate overdriven power chord variations and strong use of overdriven triads)
AC/DC - clear, overdriven open chords used to drip melted skin from audience faces

I'd say those examples can serve as a good idea of what my guitar parts usually include in our band.

The guitar I have now with the "Patent Applied For" humbuckers sounds pretty good, but the neck position is very dark and muddy.  I'm pretty happy with the bridge, but I'm going to go ahead and purchase a set of matching pickups for it.

Thanks in advance for all of the help.  I can't wait to see what recommendations are made.

Blake.

[Alex]

Something in the Vintage or Vintage Hot category.

I love my Black Dog,  but I think there might be some "clearer" pickups available from BKP. Suggestions will come soon and I would guess they would include the RiffRaff.

[Simon D]

If you want clarity and articulation, without overwhelming power or 'darkeness' you could do a lot worse than a Holy Diver set. Also, they give some of the nicest cleans I've heard.

From a quick listen, they'll do that Hillside Drive stuff well, and they'll certainly suit the Muse-type power chord work. Possibly not quite vintage enough for the exact AC/DC sound, but back off the volume and they'll make a fair stab at it.

Be sure to talk to Tim at BKP about it too, as he really does know his products (and what they're capable of) inside out.

Oh, as far as the guitar goes, there's some pretty decent information here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Les_Paul_Studio

Hope this helps.

[Zaned]

I wouldn't put Holy Diver for those tones in an LP, especially if it's whole mahogany (not counting the fretboard).
Too thick. Probably much too thick, and it's not vintage voiced.

Bellamy from the Muse uses the Nailbomb, which is more rooted in the vintage voice. However, I wouldn't put that either in a whole mahogany LP.

Maybe Mule or Riff Raff..or Black Dog. Depends on how the guitar is acoustically. Tim is an LP guy, I'd e-mail him just to be sure.

-Zaned

[Ratrod]

I'm thinking Mules.

[Twinfan]

You mention clarity, you want a good basis for plenty of gain (Muse), and you need sparling cleans.

To me, that all adds up to a set of Riff Raffs.  They're great pickups, think late 60s T-Tops.

[AndyR]

I'm also thinking Riff Raffs for the reasons stated above... :D

[ericsabbath]

body is alder

[Ratrod]

body is alder

Probably maple neck too. Which is why I'm thinking Mules. Riff Raff might be too bright and trebly.

[AndyR]

Hmmm... alder/maple... I might agree with Ratrod then... but I've no real practical experience - my Mules and Riff Raffs are in standard LP and SG woods respectively...

I will definitely add my vote to the "ask Tim" though :lol:

[wootbetogod]

Thanks for all of the info so far.  I was thinking maybe it was alder/maple, but I haven't read anywhere that really said what kind of wood was used in Studio Standards in 1984.  From what I have read, there's a lot of unknowns around that time.

The suggestions for Mules and Riff Raffs sound like a good start.  I had read that Bellamy uses Nailbombs, but from what I've read, as much as I want to sound like my favorite guitarist, that pickup may not be best for my rather muddy dark LP neck. 

Side note:  my wiring kit will have .01 and .15 pio caps -- neck and bridge respectively.  Not sure if that will influence any of the advice out there.

Keep it coming.  The feedback is great!

[ericsabbath]

Thanks for all of the info so far.  I was thinking maybe it was alder/maple, but I haven't read anywhere that really said what kind of wood was used in Studio Standards in 1984.  From what I have read, there's a lot of unknowns around that time.

you're right

1983-1984 Models

All models made from 1983 until 1984, with the exception of Studio Custom and Studio Standard, featured alder carved topped bodies with set maple necks. The mahogany body and neck combination did not appear on a Les Paul Studio until 1985, per Gibson Customer Service.

 :?

[wootbetogod]

Haha.  Oh yeah, I thought I remembered reading something like that.

Could it be maple/maple? 

[wootbetogod]

Update:

I emailed Tim, and he gave me two suggestions.

Mule in the Neck
Riff Raff in the Bridge

I just finished ordering them, and I can't wait for them to get here.  Got 'em both in Zebra, and from what I've seen, they're going to sound great and look great in my LP.

Now, I just gotta get one of those fancy BKP tshirts.  :)

Thanks for the help, everyone!

[AndyR]

Sounds good :D

Let us know how you get on.