New Pickups for my les Paul.

[itamar101]

Hey guys,

I want to get new pickups for my les Paul so of course my first instinct was to take a look at a set of BKPs. The problem is, I don't know what to get.

Ok, the sort of tones I want... Pretty good cleans but they don't have to be spectacular, I don't play jazz. I like lots of alternative rock, hard rock, funk, blues rock and metal.

I like the clean tone of the cure but tge most important thing is that I can get the distorted tones that I want whilst keeping good cleans. I really like randy rhoades tone and slash's gun n roses rythm tone and I also like richie sambora's tone (from Bon Jovi).

I want a really great 70s/80s pure rock n roll vibe to the pickups but I want them to also reach metal tones (black sabbath/ozzy osbourne).

I've decided that putting an albino nailbomb in the bridge might me a good idea but in the neck I Wang something with a lower output for better cleans but it still MUST have lots of clarity and not sound too dark so I've been looking at either an Emerald, Abraxas or VH II neck but I don't know which one.

If you guys have any suggestions for which pickup to get or if you think that I shouldn't put in a nailbomb please say :)

Thanks for the help.

[Kiichi]

NB bridge should work...but you might even think about a Mule set (or just a mule neck). For Slash stuff mules work really nice, and they are faaaaar more versatile than you would think.
The 70/80s rock vibe can be produced I think and the neck especially will do great cleans and amazing leads, from slash smooth to rhoads scream.

Depends on where you put your main focus.

[itamar101]

Thanks, but aren't PAF's kind of dark sounding? If not, then I would still like something spightly higher output than the mule then but I don't know.
I'll wait for more opinions.

Thanks for the answer.

[Kiichi]

I would not call the Mule dark exactly.
I thought this would work since you wanted something with lower output in the neck and personally I feel that they work very well there (for one slash uses pretty low output pickups in general) and for rock tones in general (in the bridge too).
You can always add gain in the amp or with ODs, but there is a certain vibe about low output things I just like.

I wonder what others will have to say about this too^^

[itamar101]

Anyone else??

[darkbluemurder]

Consider the Rebel Yell set. Can do clean and can do Ozzy.

Cheers Stephan

[itamar101]

Consider the Rebel Yell set. Can do clean and can do Ozzy.

Cheers Stephan

Thanks, but from the audio clips the clean channel sound a bit harsh.

[darkbluemurder]

Thanks, but aren't PAF's kind of dark sounding?

On the average, no - just the opposite, they are quite bright sounding, and too much for some players.

If the Rebel Yell sound too harsh for you, then maybe Emerald is the ticket. Have not played one though. I really like the Abraxas set but it would not be my first choice for the heavier things you mentioned.

When you say the Rebel Yell sounds harsh - were you referring to the bridge or neck pickup or both?

Cheers Stephan

[Philly Q]

If you want a bright, clear neck pickup what about the Riff Raff?  It's only marginally less hot than the Abraxas or VHII neck.

[itamar101]

Thanks, but aren't PAF's kind of dark sounding?

On the average, no - just the opposite, they are quite bright sounding, and too much for some players.

If the Rebel Yell sound too harsh for you, then maybe Emerald is the ticket. Have not played one though. I really like the Abraxas set but it would not be my first choice for the heavier things you mentioned.

When you say the Rebel Yell sounds harsh - were you referring to the bridge or neck pickup or both?

Cheers Stephan

I was referring to both. It just sounds like it's punching in the ears me on the cleans, as if it "cuts through the mix" a bit too much.

what to you guys think of a riff raff in the neck?
and maybe an Emerald bridge pup.

[itamar101]

I'm still unsure. Any more help?

[Slartibartfarst42]

I like the clean tone of the cure but tge most important thing is that I can get the distorted tones that I want whilst keeping good cleans. I really like randy rhoades tone and slash's gun n roses rythm tone and I also like richie sambora's tone (from Bon Jovi).

The guys you mention here all use quite low powered pups, which would certainly suggest a PAF style pickup. The Mule was mentioned and I believe Tim uses Mules in an Ozzy tribute band but if you want something hotter, I seem to recall that somewhere I read that the Abraxas was a bit like a Mule with more power. Someone may correct me on that. I'd guess Emeralds may work quite well too.

I want a really great 70s/80s pure rock n roll vibe to the pickups but I want them to also reach metal tones (black sabbath/ozzy osbourne).

For the more overtly Metal tones, perhaps a Holydiver which gives a fantastic 80s Metal tone and is a very versatile pickup. It would produce a very thick tone in a Les Paul but I've heard clips of Holydivers in Les Paul guitars and they sounded awesome. I love my Holydiver in my Jackson and I'm considering putting one in my PRS too. The other option I think you'd really like is a Cold Sweat set. It's tight and bright and is fantastic in a Les Paul. It's powerful enough to give you the Metal tones you want but not insane so it will do the lighter stuff too.

I've decided that putting an alnico nailbomb in the bridge

I know that the description of the Nailbomb makes it sound very versatile but when I tried one in my Jackson I found it to have a VERY 90s Metal feel to it. It was very aggressive, though I think a Les Paul may tame that a bit.

[Kiichi]

I like the clean tone of the cure but tge most important thing is that I can get the distorted tones that I want whilst keeping good cleans. I really like randy rhoades tone and slash's gun n roses rythm tone and I also like richie sambora's tone (from Bon Jovi).

The guys you mention here all use quite low powered pups, which would certainly suggest a PAF style pickup. The Mule was mentioned and I believe Tim uses Mules in an Ozzy tribute band but if you want something hotter, I seem to recall that somewhere I read that the Abraxas was a bit like a Mule with more power. Someone may correct me on that. I'd guess Emeralds may work quite well too.

+1 on both points you made.
I too recall Tim using Mules for Ozzy stuff and the Abraxas being hotter Mules now that you mention it.

I do understand the OP too though, cause before I tried the Mule, I would not have believed they are this amazing and versatile, doing anything from blues to metal gladly (though an OD is strongly recommended).

Someone recently even wanted to do grindcore with unpotted (!) mules on here....if I recall correctly he (or someone else in the thread) said it worked nicely too. ^^

[itamar101]

Thanks guys. I'll probably be getting an Emerald Bridge and The Mule Neck.
But what about an Emerald/Riff Raff combination.

I want the neck to have good cleans but tight distortion too. As long as the mule has tight distortion I'll be getting it.
Can anyone confirm this?

[darkbluemurder]

Have not played either yet but if tightness is your main focus/concern, get the Riff Raff neck.

Cheers Stephan