Author Topic: New pickups for my Les Paul? (Read 5280 times)

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #15 on:** September 09, 2007, 11:34:48 PM »

If you want a MQ but with more of a vintage wind (like the BKP-90) then all you have to do is ask Tim. I'd be very surprised if it was a problem to wind a MQ for a more vintage flavour.

:twisted:

Gabel · « **Reply #16 on:** September 10, 2007, 12:17:17 AM »

I have emailed Tim, haven't asked him about custom winding it, but which one he would recommend.

hunter · « **Reply #17 on:** September 10, 2007, 06:06:28 AM »

I'd also tend to go for humbuckers, besides all the other advantages mentioned, do not forget that P90s can get quite noisy.

And a set on the lower side (SM, MQ) would be better as they are usually more open, airy, sparkly than the hotter ones.

Also I would look at the source of tone, the guitar. If it's dark you could for example add an aluminium tailpiece or use brighter strings, e.g. blue steel from dean markley. BKPs are awesome, but the better the acoustic tone, the better the sound they can produce.

Gabel · « **Reply #18 on:** September 10, 2007, 10:37:29 AM »

Well I began thinking about a MQ in the neck and then a vintage voiced BK humbucker in the bridge.

What would you recommend for a bridge pickup?

I want a humbucker then that has a very open sound and good top end, but I still want it to be fat. This was why I was thinking about P90s. They can be both deliver the top end and openess while still retaining the fat (listen to the song The Seeker by The Who and you'll get just what I mean).

Hum isn't that much of a trouble for me, using a Strat a lot. I don't use that much gain anyway.

Gabel · « **Reply #19 on:** September 11, 2007, 03:47:22 PM »

I have decided to get humbuckers instead.

As I said I want open sounded humbucker with fat mids and nice top end. Quite vintage voiced too.

I'm thinking about a set of Alnico IV Mules or Stormy Mondays.

Jonesy76 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 11, 2007, 04:30:12 PM »

I've got a matched pair of Riff Raffs in my Shaftesbury LP Custom, and they have great drive and clarity to them, without getting anything like muddy and meaningless. My doubleneck has the Stormy Mondays in which are a little bit less raucous, but beautiful when you're not messing about with an overdose of overdrive!

If you have a valve amp either will reward endlessly, just the 'Stormy Mondays' have a little less bite to them.

PhilKing · « **Reply #21 on:** September 11, 2007, 04:59:04 PM »

Quote from: Gabel

I have decided to get humbuckers instead.

As I said I want open sounded humbucker with fat mids and nice top end. Quite vintage voiced too.

I'm thinking about a set of Alnico IV Mules or Stormy Mondays.

You should really look at the PG Blues set. They are a new set that was introduced at LGS this year and they get exactly the sound it looks like you are looking for, the older blues/rock LP tones.

Gabel · « **Reply #22 on:** September 11, 2007, 05:08:15 PM »

From what I red they're for Peter Green/ Gary Moore stuff.

How would Mules compare? I read they're based on the PAF, which tends to have a good bite.

Basically I use very "controlled" amounts of OD and never a lot.

Johnny Mac · « **Reply #23 on:** September 11, 2007, 08:37:48 PM »

Those PG blues are great for a vintage tone, I tried them at the LGS and was very impressed by them.

Gabel · « **Reply #24 on:** September 11, 2007, 08:42:44 PM »

Ah.

Well are there any pups out there that compare to them?

PhilKing · « **Reply #25 on:** September 11, 2007, 08:51:12 PM »

The mules are a fatter sound, if you listen to early Fleetwood Mac, then you have the sound of the PG Blues. The mule is a thicker HB sound, more Free like. That is not to say that the PG Blues will not rock, because they really do when you put more gain on the amp, but they maintain a level of clarity too. My Stormy Monday set in the 335 is instant Crossroads.

Gabel · « **Reply #26 on:** September 11, 2007, 10:32:59 PM »

Well having listened to a lot of early Peter Green stuff the PG Blues does certanly get my attention. It's quite a thin tone, but sounds nice. They seem like a good choice!