1poorplayer
Power User
After many years of chasing tone with my Les Pauls , I found the pickup type that I feel is the only one to have.
In order to get the full dynamic range of cleans to grit to growl , I think it's essential to use a lower output pup.
Magnet type is another factor that plays a very important part. Alnico II are dark , Alnico V are bright , while Alnico III are very balanced.
Low output , Alnico 3 pickups - from Gibson ( like the ones found in early original 50's Les Pauls ) are not available for individual sale from Gibson. Apparently they save these "special" pickups for their historic reissues.
So , after looking for used pickups of this type ; taken from reissue LPs , I stumbled upon the Seymour Duncan Bonamassa Skinnerburst pickups.
800 sets made , limited edition.
I currently own 4 sets of them. They are a reproduction of the pickups in Joe's 59 Les Paul.
There are more sets still out there on Reverb , eBay , etc , but I wouldn't expect them to last forever.
...what sweet sounding pickups. Joe is obviously a great player , and undoubtedly knows great tone , but it was the specs of his pickups that drew me in , NOT his name.
I know this thread is written around my personal opinion , based on my experience of trials and errors over the years , so I don't expect everyone to agree.
For those who can relate to what I have said , I would encourage you to get a set for yourself , before they are gone !
In order to get the full dynamic range of cleans to grit to growl , I think it's essential to use a lower output pup.
Magnet type is another factor that plays a very important part. Alnico II are dark , Alnico V are bright , while Alnico III are very balanced.
Low output , Alnico 3 pickups - from Gibson ( like the ones found in early original 50's Les Pauls ) are not available for individual sale from Gibson. Apparently they save these "special" pickups for their historic reissues.
So , after looking for used pickups of this type ; taken from reissue LPs , I stumbled upon the Seymour Duncan Bonamassa Skinnerburst pickups.
800 sets made , limited edition.
I currently own 4 sets of them. They are a reproduction of the pickups in Joe's 59 Les Paul.
There are more sets still out there on Reverb , eBay , etc , but I wouldn't expect them to last forever.
...what sweet sounding pickups. Joe is obviously a great player , and undoubtedly knows great tone , but it was the specs of his pickups that drew me in , NOT his name.
I know this thread is written around my personal opinion , based on my experience of trials and errors over the years , so I don't expect everyone to agree.
For those who can relate to what I have said , I would encourage you to get a set for yourself , before they are gone !