Which pickups for a LP Standard?

[Lerxst2112]

I bought a Les Paul in 2003, and I've grown to hate the thing. I went so far as to set it up for slide (and then left it in the case, because I never play slide). I've decided, however, to give it a second chance. Maybe it's the Burstbuckers I hate so much.

I play mostly '60s-'70s rock (Rush, Thin Lizzy, Allman Bros., etc.), and I'm looking for the clearest tone possible. I do not want high output. I want something that will let my amps shine through as much as possible.

I'm looking primarily at Fralin, WCR, and other smaller pickup builders. What say you?

 

[GCDEF]

I didn't like Bustbuckers at all either. I have a Traditional with 57 classics that sounds great. Everything I've heard from WCR sounds really good too, although I've never used them myself.

 

[slider313]

If the guitar is resonant and snappy...a set of Manlius "Fat Dianes".
If the guitar is solid and punchy....a set of Duncan Antiquities or Seth Lovers.

 

[amigo30]

I'm looking for the clearest tone possible. I do not want high output. I want something that will let my amps shine through as much as possible.

It sounds like you described a pair of Seth Lovers perfectly.

 

[The Kid]

FWIW, I love my Jason Lollar Imperials. He makes a low wind set as well as a Peter Green set (which I believe is also lower than the standard imperials.)

 

[Acrobat]

I had my Tokai guitar pickups changed yesterday with Barenuckles "The Mule" pickups. I couldn't believe how awesome and different it sounded, a lot more tonal range, sustain and... well, you get it

 

[Jim S]

+ 1 on Lollar and BareKnuckle

I imagine any decent PAF clone would help. I have a love/hate with the BB2/3 in one of my Les Pauls. And they are not universally adored here or on the Les Paul forum.

 

[NOVA70]

Sheptone's, Great pickups and great service! :RoCkIn

 

[lpfella]

What was wrong with the stock pickups? I rather enjoy stock pickups. What were they sounding like that you didn't like or felt you needed a pickup as expensive as a burstbucker?

 

[m@2]

you probably tried this, but increasing the distance of the p/u might help thin them out (in a good way) and get you closer to what you want. otherwise, the Seth Lovers would be my choice

 

[Bluesbuff]

Any good PAF style would probably be an improvement. I just put Rolph Vintage Pretenders in my LP STD. Just had my first expended playing the last couple days and really like them, huge improvement over the BB Pro neck and Duncan JB bridge that were in there. I also highly recommend WCR pickups. They're all great, I have the Darkbursts in a Carvin CT4 and just love them. My son keeps stealing it and taking it to college with him.

 

[mrmuzikhead]

Just put some Motor City Pick Ups ("Black Belts") in my Les Paul. Unbelievable. They are the real deal.

 

[ThugLife]

I'm waiting for my Pickups to come back from Wolfetone. He's doing the Dr. Vintage rewind on them. Spoke to him today and hopefully he'll have them finished next week!! The wait has been PAINFUL . . . I'll let you know how they sound

 

[David Robrecht]

Sheptone Tributes! :RoCkIn

 

[waggclan]

WCR: Godwood bridge with a Darkburst neck... Don't forget WCR pots and caps too... A MUST!!! (5 Smile TONE Rating!!!!!)

 

[M55ikael]

Yeah, get something with alnico 2s. I'd suggest SD Antique, Seth Lovers or 59's.

 

[Lerxst2112]

Good God, there are too many options. There are 1,000 pickup companies, and every one of those companies has at least one set that looks like something I would like.

Fralin Humbuckers (lower output)
Lollar "Peter Green Style" Imperial Pickups (I love Gary Moore)
WCR Green/Moores, WCR Darkburst/Godwood/etc...

Those are the ones I'm looking at the most. I have to say that the Fralins and the Lollar Peter Greens both look great to me. Which ones? I don't have any idea.

 

[silencer eleven]

I have wolftone DRV and lollar lo-wind imperial that are great.

 

[cugel]

Good God, there are too many options. There are 1,000 pickup companies, and every one of those companies has at least one set that looks like something I would like.

Fralin Humbuckers (lower output)
Lollar "Peter Green Style" Imperial Pickups (I love Gary Moore)
WCR Green/Moores, WCR Darkburst/Godwood/etc...

Those are the ones I'm looking at the most. I have to say that the Fralins and the Lollar Peter Greens both look great to me. Which ones? I don't have any idea.

what he said

today is a great time to be alive if you like to shop for pickups
the biggies "only" sell about 25 different models each

i highly doubt you will be dissapointed with fralin, lollar, wcr, florance, wolfies, etc

 

[Lerxst2112]

what he said

today is a great time to be alive if you like to shop for pickups
the biggies "only" sell about 25 different models each

i highly doubt you will be dissapointed with fralin, lollar, wcr, florance, wolfies, etc

No, it sucks! I'm extremely OCD, and I have to research absolutely everything until I'm 100% sure I'm picking the perfect product. Honest to God, I don't even have the spare change lying around right now to buy pickups and I'm already having a nervous breakdown.

Is there a better website than Harmony Central for pickup reviews?