Les Paul Tribute 60's pickups

[thetourist]

Gibson Les Paul Tribute 60s are great guitars.
I played four before buying, and three of them sounded good.

I have the honeyburst and it looks nice with its natural body binding. I actually prefer it over new pinkish binding of the Standards.

However there are few problems regarding those P90s.
First, I am no sure that I like P90 neck pickup - possibly it's too bassy and muddy. I lowered it and it solved the bass problem. Now I decided to give it more playing time in the band.
Anyway I consider putting a mini-humbucker in the neck, and the good news is that this guitar is mini-humbucker friendly. The pickup mounting plate has also holes in the sides were minis can be mounted.




Second, I didn't like that the bridge P90 was pushing in when I put my hand on it. What I found out in one of Les Paul forums was to use the following rubber-like material under the pickup.
http://www.softnsafefloors.com/soft toys.htm



It solved the problem.

I hope this will help others to do these easy mods and enjoy even more these great guitars.
Cheers!

 

[macula56]

mini humbuckers sound great on these guitars. i put a set of Duncans in one and it turned into an excellent sounding axe.

 

[thetourist]

Were the screws of minis a perfect match with the mounting plate holes in your LP Tribute?

 

[sleewell]

cool thread, i have one too and love it. thanks for the write up and pics!

 

[EtaCarinae]

To be honest, P-90's are my favorite neck pickup for anthing besides very heavy metal. My Les Paul has P-Rails in it, and the clarity on the pickup is exceptioinal using the P-90. It manages to sound warm while still retaining some good top end chime - and it makes a very good clean sound. To be fair, I tend to play my cleans through Vox type amps - perhaps it would sound darker or less distinct in a different amp.

 

[Telecaster62]

I love Minis! A Les Paul with mini humbuckers is the most versatile and best all around electric guitar on the planet. Clarity and cut like a single coil with the meat of a bucker when you need it. Perfect.

 

[datsun]

I'm still undecided on the neck pickup.

I replaced the bridge with a Dimarzio DP154 and have been happy so far.