Pickup recommendations

[CrackedPepper]

I have an LP on the way - mahogany body, maple cap.  The betrothed neck is a maple with rosewood fingerboard.  I have some GFS Crunchy PAFs that I am going to use in the meantime but I would like to look at something "higher end".  I'm seeking a 70s classic rock tone. 

Originally, I was thinking Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge and a PAF Pro in the neck.  But then I talked to a local shop and one of the guys that works there is trying to talk me into a SD 59 (N) and Custom (B) combination.  He can sell me either at approximately the same cost and I got to thing and second-guessing myself.  Went through everything I could find:  Suhr, Bill Lawrence, Barden.  After listening to some clips, I started seriously looking at Bare Knuckles' Mules which lead to Rio Grande Muy Grandes which lead me to total confusion.  Are these $300/pair boutique pups really that much better than those that cost less than half that?

So let's say money is no object (which is not the case since I do have to save up to get these), do any of you good folks have any favorite combinations that you could recommend? 

 

[Superlizard]

70's classic rock?  My specialty.   :icon_thumright:

Vintage-output PAFs (~8k bridge / ~7k neck as a reference point).

Keep the pickups clean... don't rely on the pickups for distortion; rely on amp and/or stomp.

For dynamic, "squishy" softer tone with warm mids and chimey top-end, go AlNiCo-2 magnets (my preference).

For a skoosh harder tone with slightly scooped mids, go AlNiCo-5 magnets.

 

[nexrex]

I think you really you can't beat Seymour Duncan SH-2N Neck & SH-4 JB Bridge Pickup combo. Not sure about the 70's vibe, but the neck is clean, and bridge is a little hotter, but not too distorted. As Superlizard mentioned that way you can use stomp boxes and amp for distortion.

 

[tfarny]

You know, Chris, we should have talked first - I have a nice set of duncans that was in that axe that I would sell you pretty cheaply - a Jazz neck and Pearly Gates w/swapped magnets bridge. The pearly gates is awesome classic PAF - basically it's the Billy Gibbons pickup with an Alnico 4 magnet in there for a less squishy bass w/ clearer treble. I have an A2 and A3 magnet I could include too so you can play around with that. Great and unique sound. The leads are very short though, it needs to be spliced. The jazz neck is a great neck pickup too. Let me know if you're interested.

 

[CrackedPepper]

Sorry Tim - I came away with the impression that you weren't selling them when I read this from your other post:

I'll put up better pics in a couple of days, including the hardcase. The pickups are neck Jazz, bridge Pearly Gates with an Alnico 4 magnet instead of the 2. Leads are very short on the pearly gates, I had to do some splicing. But as of now I'm not selling the pickups, I don't think.

A pickup purchase is probably a ways out anyhow.  I'm going to use some leftovers while I accumulate some pup-buying bucks

 

[Velcro]

I really think bare knuckle mules are hard to beat for a 70's application like this.