Author Topic: Pickups for my new Les Paul Custom (Read 7256 times)

indysmith · « **on:** October 03, 2006, 12:32:35 PM »

Hi guys,
I'm sure a few of yu know i've just bought a 1987 Greco Mint Collection les paul custom (mahogany back + neck, maple top, rosewood fretboard). It comes with SD '59s which are apparently not very nice, due to a severe mid scoop. Therefore i'll most probably be wanting to upgrade the pups.

For the bridge i would like something quite versatile - something i can get everything from low-output blues to hot-rodded biting 80's sounds out of. cleans aren't that important for the bridge. It's gotta be warm and touch-sensitive, but i'd like to be able to conjure up screaming harmonics and HUGE overdriven chords aswell. (think g'n'r, motley crue, billy idol, def leppard, skid row, bon jovi etc.) I think i'm gonna go for the rebel yell...

For the neck i'd like something real low output for thick rhythm and blues work, and the ocassional lead. I'm pretty much set on a mule for this...? any other ideas?

_tom_ · « **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2006, 12:34:34 PM »

Just get the neck Mule.. recorded a little thing of the neck Mule through my Fender and TO800 today so I'll show you that when you get on msn later ¬¬

Twinfan · « **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2006, 12:37:43 PM »

I'd consider a Mule or RY in the bridge (RY if you prefer a brighter sound) and a Mule or MQ in the neck...

indysmith · « **Reply #3 on:** October 03, 2006, 04:31:47 PM »

yeah i like a brighter sound in the bridge. I think the rebel yell will be pretty much perfect, does anyone know the what its output is like? perhaps a little high for my needs? I have a Nailbomb in an ibanez which i'm finding great for higher gain stuff, but i'd like something lower in this guitar...
Just about to listen to ur clip todge, thanks :D

ayeman oooman · « **Reply #4 on:** October 03, 2006, 06:49:55 PM »

Would a holy diver now work in a les paul? From its description its meant to do the whole hot rodded 80s thing perfectly.

cjpmmd · « **Reply #5 on:** October 03, 2006, 07:34:03 PM »

I just got a Crawler set in my LP Standard --- sounds awesome! If you lean a little more towards the classic rock end, I'd recommend them. If you lean a little more towards higher-output 80's stuff, the Holy Diver might be a bit better.

indysmith · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2006, 08:06:21 PM »

I'm going more for the '80s.
i want a really open PAF sound in the bridge, that still has the crunch and screams. Would a Holydiver do that? I don't like Dio's tone all that much - it sounds to me a bit flat and thin? Steve Stevens RY clip sounds pretty much how i'd like for the higher gain stuff, i think i might just go ahead and go for the RY,
I'm settled for a Mule in the neck finally

indysmith · « **Reply #7 on:** October 03, 2006, 10:05:10 PM »

Also - which way round is zebra and which is reverse zebra? i want my white bobbins both pointing towards eachother rather than away from eachother, and the black bobbins pointing out towards the bridge and the neck respectively... is this zebra or reverse zebra?

gingataff · « **Reply #8 on:** October 04, 2006, 02:35:31 AM »

neck- zebra. bridge - reverse zebra.

fps_dean · « **Reply #9 on:** October 04, 2006, 04:09:42 AM »

I will have to second your decision on the Rebel Yells.... not only because I have them and they are great (the supreme rock pickup!), but because they match your description to a pinpoint as well.

I'd personally go with the RY neck as well, but the Mule will do as well...

carlaz · « **Reply #10 on:** October 04, 2006, 11:01:14 AM »

I'd say Crawlers or Rebel Yells, though for more emphasis on the 80s vibe, the Holy Diver suggestion would be a good one. I don't think you need to mix and match pickups, necessarily, though; calibrated sets of your eventually chosen model should sort ya!

PhilKing · « **Reply #11 on:** October 04, 2006, 12:00:42 PM »

Quote from: indysmith

Also - which way round is zebra and which is reverse zebra? i want my white bobbins both pointing towards eachother rather than away from eachother, and the black bobbins pointing out towards the bridge and the neck respectively... is this zebra or reverse zebra?

They are both reverse zebra. A reverse zebra has black screw bobbin and cream slug bobbin, a zebra has cream screw bobins and black slug bobbins. Since the screw coils will be nearest the bridge and neck and you want them to be black, you need 2 reverse zebras.

gingataff · « **Reply #12 on:** October 04, 2006, 01:49:18 PM »

^ :oops: of course, my mistake.

indysmith · « **Reply #13 on:** October 04, 2006, 08:19:32 PM »

thanks phil for getting that straight - i thought so :)
So yu guys reckon a calibrated set will be good for me? i'm partially inclined to agree - i'd like to know what the output on the RY neck pup is though...

fps_dean · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2006, 03:51:58 AM »

I asked Tim... it's something like 8.3 or 8.4k and the bridge is 14.5k). It's a little bit louder than a Mule would be, but it works great with its counterpart.