Is there a magic pickup set that makes a chambered LP sound like a solid one?

[Dannyz]

Thats my question. Lets say that you got a post 2006 chambered Gibson LP and you want to compensate the lack of wood with a pickup set that fills the frecuencies that are missed by that particular construction, in a convincing way.

 

[27sauce]

I had a chambered LP for years and I never really thought it sounded chambered. Bone dry, and less "sweet", I'd say. Like an old guitar.

 

[Whiskey N Beans]

I have an '06 CR4 (BB) and am curious. Never thought it sounded chambered, but would be a cool gap to bridge.

 

[cutaway]

What difference and what frequencies? How can you know that the tone difference can be pinned on the chambers?

 

[frankencat]

My buddy @steve39stripes swears by the SD Jazz/CC set. I have a 59/PG set in my Suhr Alt T Pro that sounds great.

 

[tapeworm]

My 08 LP Standard Faded is 7lbs even and sounds like a just as good as any 10lb LP if not better. I have guys come up to me at gigs raving about how great the guitar sounds and when the hold it and feel it is only 7lbs the are blown away. I just don't buy into this heavier is better/sounds better line of reasoning. But that's just me. FWIW I have Wolfetone Dr. V's in it.

 

[Dannyz]

What difference and what frequencies? How can you know that the tone difference can be pinned on the chambers?

Im not Eric Johnson but you can clearly hear the differences here:

 

[swiveltung]

Generally, my take is no.... a pickup change wont make a remarkable difference in a guitar that doesn't have the mojo for you. Of course there are extreme exceptions. I've had guitars that I thought I could fix (loved the feel, hated the tone) I put many pickups in and no real solution.

 

[Little Robert]

I had a chambered LP for years and I never really thought it sounded chambered. Bone dry, and less "sweet", I'd say. Like an old guitar.

Nice!

To OP: No, you can change the frequency response and sound a bit - but there's no transforming your guitar into something it's not. I think you'll just end up chasing your tail.

I'd say either embrace the instrument for what it is or move it along and get a different guitar.

 

[cutaway]

Im not Eric Johnson but you can clearly hear the differences here:

They do sound different (you're a very good player btw). But if you had two Les Pauls with the same construction they'd sound different. Given this is an extreme example, but have you seen this? The original sounds more like your chambered guitar.

 

[Papanate]

Mr. Obvious says: Of course there is - you take the pickup set you have and put
them in a solid wood guitar.

 

[Pointy Headstock]

Mr Obvious also says: You seem very focused on compensating for your "lack of wood" (heh heh huh huh). Maybe the real solution is considering a different amp that better accentuates the "sweet spot" (heh he huh huh) that you're listening for and missing?

Seriously- Eliminate your amp as a contributor to your problem before you start down the pickup swapping rabbit hole.

 

[AD]

They do sound different (you're a very good player btw). But if you had two Les Pauls with the same construction they'd sound different. Given this is an extreme example, but have you seen this? The original sounds more like your chambered guitar.

That's Ariel Pozzo in the first clip. Not sure if he's still a TGP'er. He posted regularly back in the day. I had his CD which was quite good - great musician.

 

[walterw]

Lets say that you got a post 2006 chambered Gibson LP and you want to compensate the lack of wood with a pickup set that fills the frecuencies that are missed by that particular construction, in a convincing way.

not a chance.

it may not even be about "frequencies" (i.e., EQ) but rather envelope, as in how it attacks, sustains and decays.

that said, is this a chambered chambered gibson or a "weight relieved" gibson? the former has big empty zones and is supposed to have a different tonal vibe, while the latter has a bunch of small holes specifically designed to not really change the sound that much.

if it's chambered i'd embrace it (more resonance=more character, it's why 335s and gretsches are cool) and if it's weight-relieved i'd just forget all about it, the sound is likely not different enough to notice.

 

[Darby Crash]

Chambered pickups

 

[myaudiodna]

not a chance.

it may not even be about "frequencies" (i.e., EQ) but rather envelope, as in how it attacks, sustains and decays.

that said, is this a chambered chambered gibson or a "weight relieved" gibson? the former has big empty zones and is supposed to have a different tonal vibe, while the latter has a bunch of small holes specifically designed to not really change the sound that much.

if it's chambered i'd embrace it (more resonance=more character, it's why 335s and gretsches are cool) and if it's weight-relieved i'd just forget all about it, the sound is likely not different enough to notice.

I would agree with this. I have both and I like the chambered one BECAUSE it's different.

 

[Dannyz]

not a chance.

it may not even be about "frequencies" (i.e., EQ) but rather envelope, as in how it attacks, sustains and decays.

that said, is this a chambered chambered gibson or a "weight relieved" gibson? the former has big empty zones and is supposed to have a different tonal vibe, while the latter has a bunch of small holes specifically designed to not really change the sound that much.

if it's chambered i'd embrace it (more resonance=more character, it's why 335s and gretsches are cool) and if it's weight-relieved i'd just forget all about it, the sound is likely not different enough to notice.

The guitar in question is a chambered 2006 Gibson Les Paul Classic.

 

[SuhrFTW]

The Suhr Thornbuckers offer great Burstbucker tone, however given that your LP is Classic AND not solid body, you might want to look for something else before you spend your money on expensive pickups.

 

[p.mo]

'57 Classics. If they don't make you love your LP, then you're just gonna have to give up the Gibson ghost.

 

[walterw]

'57 Classics. If they don't make you love your LP, then you're just gonna have to give up the Gibson ghost.

great pickups, but they come in 335s too, where they make 335s sound very much like 335s.

pickups are not gonna do anything here. (OK maybe EMGs, just because they make anything they're put in sound like EMGs)