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Author Topic: I need new pickups for my les paul classic  (Read 14689 times)

Sinner1980

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I need new pickups for my les paul classic
« on: March 13, 2011, 04:53:05 PM »
Hey everybody,

For the last years I've been playing strats and teles but due to another music style I've changed my entire setup.
I currently own a les paul classic which I play through my brand new Marshall Vintage Modern stack (which is great by the way).
I bought the les paul  second hand several months ago and it's by far the nicest les paul I've had so far;very resonant,sustains forever and just a great overall feel.

As much as I like the les paul I definitely think it can achieve better sounds with some upgrades.
Since BKP's have worked wonders for my strat I've decided on getting some BKP's for my les paul as well.

I'm also getting a RS Guitarworks pre wired kit (I think the modern one) since I really need good pots and caps to conrol my amp from the guitar which is what you need to do in order to get the best out of the Marshall VM.
Any advice on which set to get is welcome ofcourse.

Anyways,I've already looked into several pickups but would really like your advice as well since I'm a complete newbie when it comes to BK humbuckers.

The style I play is mainly classic rock like for example; Guns & Roses,ACDC,Van Halen,Aerosmith,Billy Idol,Motorhead,Led Zep to name a few. The pickups need to cover a lot so versitality is very important to me.
As much as I love metal I don't tend to play it often except for some early metal like early Judas Priest and especially Ozzy Osbourne (the Randy Rhoads stuff).
I'm thinking about some PAF style pickups,not too hot yet not too subtle.
The pickups which have my interest so far are:

-Rebel Yell set (big Steve Stevens fan)
-Black dog set
-Mule set

Like I said I'm absolutely new to BK humbuckers so this selection is strictly based on soundclips and the description on the website.
I think the neck pickup of a les paul in general is ofte a bit muddy which I dislike.
As for the rest I really do like the overall sound of les pauls and I would like to keep the les paul's tonal character.
If there's any further questions please don't hestitate to ask.

Thanks

Slartibartfarst42

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Re: I need new pickups for my les paul classic
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2011, 07:33:20 PM »
Of the Bare Knuckle pickups I've tried, the Mules remain my favourite. In a Les Paul they're incredible as there's very little (if anything) they can't do, they're very articulate and have the sweetest tone you could imagine. Certainly a PAF pickup but a hell of a long way from a one trick pony that's for sure. I know at some point in the future I'll be buying a mahogany guitar just to give me a reason to buy a Mule set.

I've not played the others you mention so I suppose it's difficult to comment but from the clips, the Black Dogs sound like they've got much more edge to them. Probably great for Metal and Classic Rock but I'd be surprised if they're as versatile and sweet as Mules. I'll grant you the Rebel Yells sound impressive and another you may consider would be the Emeralds but for me, it's hard to see past Mules.
BKP owned:

Bridge - Emerald; Cold Sweat; Crawler; A-Bomb; Holydiver; Miracle Man; Sinner; Trilogy Suite

Neck - Emerald; Cold Sweat; Crawler; Holydiver; Sinner; Trilogy Suite

Gizmo

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Re: I need new pickups for my les paul classic
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2011, 08:30:41 PM »
I've got a blackdog bridge and a mule neck in my les paul classic. it sounds great.

These pickups will cover the bands you mention and blackdog does metal well. Mules are classic PAF and more versatile.

they are much better then the original pickups


Alex

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Re: I need new pickups for my les paul classic
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2011, 09:42:54 PM »
You have already singled out the most suited for your guitar and for what you want to play.

If you love Jimmy Page style licks, the Black Dog would be the choice. I find it a very versatile pickup that can get very heavy, but it is still more on the vintage side in terms of output.
Current BKPs: Miracle Man, Nailbomb, Juggernaut, VHII
Past BKPS: Holy Diver, Trilogy Suite, Sinner, Black Dog

kevinr

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Re: I need new pickups for my les paul classic
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2011, 11:23:03 PM »
I would go for Blackdogs with second choice VHIIs

Telerocker

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Re: I need new pickups for my les paul classic
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2011, 11:42:02 PM »
Definitely Mules. Open, dynamic, cleaning up well, great crunch and will do metal too. Closest to a '59 PAF and great for classic rock. The Black Dog is great too, but more a middy middy pickup and, as a few users stated, less versatile then Mules. Listen to the Mules-clip Nolly send in in the players-section. Amazing.
Mules, VHII, Crawler, MM's, IT's, BG50's.

jms8250

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Re: I need new pickups for my les paul classic
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2011, 05:13:43 AM »
Congratulations on getting a nice Les Paul.

 I would go for a Mule in the neck.  No matter what, get a Mule in the neck.  The sound is amazing and is just what the majority of Les Paul Players are looking for.  As far as the bridge goes, this is more open to your playing style.  You can't go wrong with a Mule in  the bridge.

 I think the stock pickups in a Les Paul Classic are 496R and 500T ceramic high-output (neck at least 8K, bridge at least 15K).  The bridge pickup is a ceramic.  Ask yourself if you like the basic tone and output level of the bridge pickup.  If you do, then consider getting a BKP ceramic humbucker that is suited for the  for the Les Paul.  For instance, consider a Cold Sweat.  This has a slightly lower output than the 496r (13k) and is an awesome pickup.  If you like the 496t you also might be oriented towards playing more modern rock or metal and the Cold Sweat can cover this in spades.

If you like the overall sound of the 496 but you want to stay away from Ceramics (but you still want a rockin set of 'pups") consider the Crawlers.  These are also awesome in Les Pauls.  I also like the Rebel Yell for modern/hard classic era rock in a Les Paul.  I tell folks to get the Crawler for the vintage vibe or the  Rebel Yells if you want a more modern sound.  Both pickups are outstanding Les Paul Pickups for moving beyond the vintage sound.  You may or may not have to throw out what I said about getting a mule neck pickup with these higher output pickups.  I am fine with it, you absolutely get the best of both worlds if thats what you want.  Just to confuse you further, my favorite combo is a mule neck and VHII bridge.  Pure magic as the VHII is so creamy, yet articulate and so responsive.  Its slightly lower output.  It can deliver the goods but it's still well matched with a mule neck.

Back to the basics.  If you want a classic Les Paul sound you can't go wrong with the Mules.  These are going to be lower output than the 'pups in your classic now but your fingers and subtleness are going to be much more important in your playing.  Despite all the different kinds of pickups, through the right rig, a Mule can do just about do anything.  Look at all the different types of music recorded with 59 Les Pauls.  If you want to go a little hotter in  the bridge then get a Mule neck and a Black Dog bridge.  I think this is the classic 59 LP sound, or a version of it (ala Jimmy Page). 

I always tell first time BKP buyers that the cardinal feature or characteristic of a truly good pickup is that is can be versatile.  This is simply because the pickup has a good tone and broad frequency response.  BKP have this in spades.  Almost any set of 'Knuckles in the ballpark of your playing style is going to bring you a lot of joy and you'll never change them out of that guitar. 

Unless your really in the know about a specific tone you want (and that's why so many BKP models) then take it simple with a set of Mules or Rebel Yells, Nailbombs, Crawlers, or the ceramic Cold Sweats.  That way, if your not sure, just match the output or style you like.  From there you can consider mixing and matching;  that's a lot of fun.

I just love BKP pickups.   Best pickups ever made period.

jms
www.peerlesstone.com

Sinner1980

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Re: I need new pickups for my les paul classic
« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2011, 03:59:57 PM »
Thanks for the great replies guys :P

Very usefull info which I'll definitely take in considaration although it'll be a tough choice in the end.
I'll let you what I picked eventually,might take a while though since I'm still a bit in doubt of what I'm really looking for.

Cheers! :D

keith

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Re: I need new pickups for my les paul classic
« Reply #8 on: March 18, 2011, 01:33:45 AM »
Mules in my Standard sound great with my new Blackstar. Would you not be better off getting the vintage wiring kit from RS? if you decide on Mules........... just a thought
Gibson 2000 Honeyburst Standard/10th Anniversaries
Bernie Marsden PRS SE/Miss.Queen/Mule.
Orange Dual Terror Head
Zilla 2x12 cab

Alex

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Re: I need new pickups for my les paul classic
« Reply #9 on: March 18, 2011, 04:53:48 PM »
With new 500K pots the 496 made an amazing neck pickup in my Voodoo LesPaul btw. Definitely a keeper.
Current BKPs: Miracle Man, Nailbomb, Juggernaut, VHII
Past BKPS: Holy Diver, Trilogy Suite, Sinner, Black Dog

Sinner1980

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Re: I need new pickups for my les paul classic
« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2011, 07:35:39 PM »
If I'd go for Mules the vintage kit would indeed be a better choice I guess;would make more sence anyway.

I stumbled upon a couple of new SD Alnico II pro slash humbuckers the other day and they were such a bargain;could not resist to press the "buy now" button on ebay.
Guess I'll give them a shot first but will definitely check out the Mules next; an abbomination...I know,sorry guys :shock: