Back and Needing Advice!

[Chriscross]

Hey everyone, it's been a long time since I last posted on this forum, but I'm back with a new project in mind and I need some advice on the pickups...

I'm going to build a les paul, mahogany body with a maple top and all rosewood neck, and I'm still undecided on what pickups I should use. I'm thinking of the Seymour Duncan Custom and 59 pickups, but maybe you guys know a better pair that will work well with my build. I just want an even tone that is a bit warmer than an average les paul but not too muddy. Budget is pretty flexible, but I would prefer Seymour Duncans since they are not super expensive. I also saw that Warmoth is having a sale on Rio Grande pickups, but I think they have too much "sizzle" for my taste.

Thanks in advance! 

 

[Tonar8352]

Chriscross,
I have a pair of Duncan 59 Zebras with the coil-tap that I have recently replace with a set of Throbak's. If you are intrested I'll sell you the pickups with the complete wiring harness including push/pull pots, all you will have to do is drop them in the guitar and wire it up. PM if your intrested.
This is what they look like.

 

[Strat Avenger]

I think the '59 is an excellent choice for the bridge position, but I don't care for it in the neck position. It's just a bit too bassy, and there's not quite enough high-end.  I would go with the SH-1 "Jazz" for the neck position.

 

[Chriscross]

Chriscross,
I have a pair of Duncan 59 Zebras with the coil-tap that I have recently replace with a set of Throbak's. If you are intrested I'll sell you the pickups with the complete wiring harness including push/pull pots, all you will have to do is drop them in the guitar and wire it up. PM if your intrested.
This is what they look like.

Thanks, I wish they had nickel covers, but I guess I could put some on.

I think the '59 is an excellent choice for the bridge position, but I don't care for it in the neck position. It's just a bit too bassy, and there's not quite enough high-end.  I would go with the SH-1 "Jazz" for the neck position.

Hmmm, a 59 Jazz combo... What guitar(s) do you have them in?

 

[Doughboy]

I have a 59/Jazz combo in my chambered alder strat. I really like the Jazz in the neck, especially when split. I wish the 59 had a tad less bass & a tad more mids though.

 

[Kostas]

I have these http://www.wcrguitar.com/godwood.html in my WLP (mahogany-maple body / wenge-kingwood neck) and they sound amazing. I can't tell how pleased I am with the result. They are his version of a slightly hotter PAF. They split incredibly well too.
These http://www.wcrguitar.com/crossroads.html are his PAF replica, I have read the best about them too. All his pickups are expensive compared to big companies like S.D. & DiMarzio. Jim explained everything I asked very quick, maximum a few hours after my emails were sent. If you can afford them email him.

 

[Chriscross]

Did a lot of researching as well as thinking, and have decided that WCR pickups are the right pups for me. I will probably buy Godwoods or Crossroads by next weekend since that's when I'm going to order everything for my build. Thanks for your guy's advice! 

 

[Cagey]

Good luck with those. I know nothing. I've found that pickups are a crap shoot, but without the bell curve to help you. Until you install them, there's no way of predicting what they'll sound like, outside of some gross characteristics.

 

[Chriscross]

Good luck with those. I know nothing. I've found that pickups are a crap shoot, but without the bell curve to help you. Until you install them, there's no way of predicting what they'll sound like, outside of some gross characteristics.

Thanks, I'm willing to take that risk knowing the consequences that can occur. I'm also certain that I will be surprised by the sound when I first play the guitar and try to adapt to it!

 

[lafromla1]

Talk to Ken at Roadhouse Pickups.  He will custom wind a set for you based on what sound you're looking for.  He wound some P90's for me and they sound incredible. 

 

[Kostas]

Good luck with those. I know nothing. I've found that pickups are a crap shoot, but without the bell curve to help you. Until you install them, there's no way of predicting what they'll sound like, outside of some gross characteristics.

Thanks, I'm willing to take that risk knowing the consequences that can occur. I'm also certain that I will be surprised by the sound when I first play the guitar and try to adapt to it!

I think you will be surprised with their sound if you do a good job assembling the guitar. Everybody love my LP, it's the most popular guitar I have! I suggest you to buy RS pots & caps (I used those in my LP) of try Jims. Mine has a clarity I haven't found in any Gibson LP and still close to the LP sound.

 

[Chriscross]

Ok, e-mailed Jim and helped me to decide that the Crossroads, Darkburst combo is the way to go! I'm also going to get push- pulls to split each pickup and use orange drop capacitors instead of Jim's PIO caps. $15 per cap is a little too much for something that doesn't make a huge difference in tone...