Emeralds? Come inside...

[ventura]

Thinking of outfitting a '57 Les Paul Custom 3 pup 'Black Beauty' with something a little more oomphy than the stock BB1 and BB2s.  I've spoken with Tim, and I'm looking for a moderate output put to still allow my amps to feel the character, and for the guitar to maintain its woodiness. 

3 calibrated Emeralds.  The guitar is a mahogany body, mahogany top, ebony fingerboard.

Any feedback (no pun intended  8)) or advice, greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
V.

[Telerocker]

Mahogany top? Or maple cap?
Anyway, the Emeralds seem to have a good reputation in Les Pauls. Not too much bass, so the lower strings keep breezing and enough sparkle in the highs, articulate but still warm though.

[ventura]

The 'era specific' '57 Black Beauty is actually a mahogany top adhered to a mahogany body - unchambered & non-weight relieved.  So this will, and seemingly has, kept things a bit darker - the BB1 and BB2 are a bit anemic overall. 

I love bass, but not flub.  This guitar will be used with standard tunings with regular drop D stuff.  Maybe this assists in the commentary.  I have RRs, PKs, BDs, MMs, etc.  I'm keen on seeing this LPC have a nicer voice, and stylistically, everything from Slash'esque style of bluesy rock to Jones Tonez o' Tool.

Cheers,
V.

[Telerocker]

Ah, then the Emeralds are spot on, I think. I'm not a Les Paul-expert (I play strats an tele's), but the Emeralds will bring all that mahogany to life.

[ventura]

Cheers, ya, I'm hoping the same...  Just a bit more sparkle, and a nicer output, but still holding that distinct Lester woodiness.

[hunter]

I fear that Emeralds work really well in bright/light Les Pauls, but I doubt it would do great in a dark one. I had an Emerald in my Edwards, which is of the bright/light/resonant type, and it was a perfect fit for soloing.

If it was me I'd do Black Dog Bridge, and VHII Middle and Neck? Or even  BD/RR/VHII ?

[ericsabbath]

VHII and mules?

[PhilKing]

I have Emeralds in an all mahogany custom and they sound great.  They really work with the guitar and give me a lot of tones.  I like the harmonics that jump out at you from the bridge and the neck can get as smooth as you want. 

[Philly Q]

I fear that Emeralds work really well in bright/light Les Pauls, but I doubt it would do great in a dark one. I had an Emerald in my Edwards, which is of the bright/light/resonant type, and it was a perfect fit for soloing.

If it was me I'd do Black Dog Bridge, and VHII Middle and Neck? Or even  BD/RR/VHII ?

But isn't the Emerald set brighter than the Black Dogs?  That was my impression, anyway. 

I was thinking they'd be good to tighten up a slightly darker/warmer sounding quitar (considering them for my McCarty Korina, like Twinfan did with his).

[kevinr]

I can only speak for the bridge pups, however I don't think there is too much difference in the highs! I never have a problem with too many highs! some people use Teles! just use your tone controls on the guitar and/or amp!

[ventura]

That didn't take much  :lol:

I ordered a calibrated triumvirate of Emeralds for my 'Black Beauty' Lester...  Word came back from Tim that, as per all my questions and concerns, wants and wishes, ALL the checkboxes were checked with the Emeralds - slightly brighter for a darker guitar, no sacrifice in bass, terrific overtones and full, rich, complex tone with no flub or mud.  Furthermore, I was looking for something with just a BIT more output than your usual pup, and the Emerald bridge seems to work that out just fine.

So, once again, pretty pumped to hear how these play out.  There's not much out there about these specific pups, so going long with an entire triple set of them was a bit daunting.  Tim's email follow up rested my concerns.  Now I'm just stoked.

And for the record - ordered last night, hand wound today.  Nice timing  :P

V.

[Telerocker]

Hope they turn your guitar in to an evil rockmachine.

[ventura]

An evil "toneful and delicious" rock machine  8)

V.

[Keven]

Tim is usually right with alot of things! i'm pondering emeralds for a dark mahogany toned bolt-on guitar of mine.

looking forward to either pics or clips. what covers did you go for (if any!)