Forgive me but I sort of had this going in another thread but jumbled with another subject so I'm starting thie new one to get more opinions.
To repeat, my 1953 Les Paul (pics) was customized before I bought it in '77 refinished from Gold to Black Top, trapeze changed to std bridge/tailpiece, routed for humbuckers, with replaced Schaller tuners. I put in Seymour Duncan pickups in the early 90's. I think the guitar sounds great, but want to tinker and get some boutique PAF replicas which I presume and hope will make it sound even better (and realizing I'm not eager to sink $4-6K to get original PAFs at this point).
Based solely on what I've read and listened to on this site, I'm considering Rolph '58s or '59s or Stephens Design VL58 or VL59JP pickups.
I spoke with Jim Rolph, - for 45 mins, nice guy. Jim recommended his '58 over his '59s for this application - cleaner, more articulate. He also interestingly recommended no nickel covers, just bare zebra or blacks. I sort of like the raw or aged nickel covers but have always liked the looks of the black Duncan buckers in there now without covers). Jim suggested that player guitars are better without covers. Not sure why, does it really affect the sound?
I also received an email reply from Dave Stephens of SD and he suggested that perhaps his pickups were not the right fi for the application. I told him I play Jazz Fusion/Rock through an Egnater ie4 preamp and VHT 2150 power amp. I can get some great sounds out of that rig but he said his PAFs might not be well suited for such a "modern amp". Not sure what he meant but I don't want to outfit my guitar (my wife) for an amp which I may at some point divorce.
Any thoughts on these two pickup makers, which of the two models you prefer and why, and any thoughts on bare versus covered pickups. Or other general advice?
Thanks. -Steve
To repeat, my 1953 Les Paul (pics) was customized before I bought it in '77 refinished from Gold to Black Top, trapeze changed to std bridge/tailpiece, routed for humbuckers, with replaced Schaller tuners. I put in Seymour Duncan pickups in the early 90's. I think the guitar sounds great, but want to tinker and get some boutique PAF replicas which I presume and hope will make it sound even better (and realizing I'm not eager to sink $4-6K to get original PAFs at this point).
Based solely on what I've read and listened to on this site, I'm considering Rolph '58s or '59s or Stephens Design VL58 or VL59JP pickups.
I spoke with Jim Rolph, - for 45 mins, nice guy. Jim recommended his '58 over his '59s for this application - cleaner, more articulate. He also interestingly recommended no nickel covers, just bare zebra or blacks. I sort of like the raw or aged nickel covers but have always liked the looks of the black Duncan buckers in there now without covers). Jim suggested that player guitars are better without covers. Not sure why, does it really affect the sound?
I also received an email reply from Dave Stephens of SD and he suggested that perhaps his pickups were not the right fi for the application. I told him I play Jazz Fusion/Rock through an Egnater ie4 preamp and VHT 2150 power amp. I can get some great sounds out of that rig but he said his PAFs might not be well suited for such a "modern amp". Not sure what he meant but I don't want to outfit my guitar (my wife) for an amp which I may at some point divorce.
Any thoughts on these two pickup makers, which of the two models you prefer and why, and any thoughts on bare versus covered pickups. Or other general advice?
Thanks. -Steve