Could use some advice please on my 2017 Les Paul Tribute

[Eman7422]

What has your experience been and is it worth doing any upgrades?

I like the tones but also wonder if a more proper LP would sound better through my rig having never had one, like at least a standard or a custom or something more vintage which I cannot afford. I use a fractal FM3.

I like the clean tones and higher gain, but feel like the more bluesy edge of breakup sounds are not as “authentic” as they could be.

I also do feel like I’d like to keep a bit more treble when turning down the volume, more specifically, on the treble thing, should I go with a treble bleed circuit or 50s wiring or nothing? (Can pre eq on the fractal to some extent for example).

the guitar has 490t and 490r pickups, how much of a difference vs other paf style pickups, really???

it is so hard to test these ideas through your own gear, basically impossible. I really can’t do the work myself so somewhat expensive but would be willing to spend for real benefit…..pickups are such a slippery slope as indicated with no real way to test and listening to sound clips and YouTube vs. Videos doesn’t really seem to help, again, not able to do real side-by-side with my setup. There are soooooo many pickup options with everyone saying theirs are the best/most authentic.

I do love the way the 2017 looks and plays, enjoy the satin finish, it stays in tune well, and I appreciate that it has a mahogany neck. I’ve played with pickup height and pole pieces and believe I’ve optimized those.

would really appreciate some solid advice from those in the know with more experience than I.

thank you in advance.

 

[corpse]

You are talking about covering a lot of ground with the tones you want to achieve with a single set up/pick-up combination. The 490's are really 1970's hard rock PUP's- it's what you get- resistance in the 9k's- whereas "authentic" blues tone i would think in the low 8's or high 7's even.
A dream guitar, a LP still has the confines of how it is outfitted.

 

[Eman7422]

that is a great nugget. didn't realize the 490s were gear toward that....and also, seems like good advice that it really at the end of the day cannot be a "one trick pony"

what is you take on treble bleed circut vs. 50s wiring vs. just eq the front end of the chain ?

 

[MarcB]

that is a great nugget. didn't realize the 490s were gear toward that....and also, seems like good advice that it really at the end of the day cannot be a "one trick pony"

what is you take on treble bleed circut vs. 50s wiring vs. just eq the front end of the chain ?

An eq is your most powerful weapon on the board..it quite simply and effectively does everything you want to achieve.

 

[dwagar]

Asking about upgrades on this forum is dangerous.

50s wiring is pretty easy to try, it might work for you.

I had 490s in my SG Tribute, I know a lot of people like them, I didn't. I swapped them for a 57/57+ set (because I'm a fan of 57s, more 'vintage' sounding to me) and I'm happier. But that doesn't mean that you will be.

 

[GlassSnuff]

Welcome to the forum!

Personally, I don't think binding improves the tone that much. (And note @dwagar's .sig )

If you're happy with the bridge pickup for rocking out, I'd put a Seth Lover in the neck position for the blues and an authentic "vintage" sound. You might not get a useful 'middle' sound, but it would be like having two guitars on one strap.

 

[lure555]

I have and love a Tribute. They are super fun to play, but can be super bright. Probably due to the maple neck. I think of them as an LP/Tele hybrid. I've loaded my with custom P90s to tame the high end, but it still has a snap that my other Gibson Les Pauls don't have.

 

[Eman7422]

Mine is a 2017 and has a mahogany neck.

 

[The Rover]

Picked up a 2021 Tribute in honey burst a few weeks ago. It's my first Les Paul so i can't really compare it to others, but the thing plays like butter. fretwork is nice, no sharp edges or anything. However the Sire L7 I had ,the frets were a lot nicer. To me the pickups sound good for the kind of music that I play. ( mostly heavier classic rock ) Someone mentioned that the bridge pickup sounds super bright. I would say they do sound somewhat bright, but I wouldn't say super bright.
I'm not sure but maybe for the 2017 model year they were using the 498T pickups.

 

[Eman7422]

2017 has 490t and 490r

Been playing with a parametric eq first in the signal chain and with more time, believe I can make them sound just about however I want within reason. As a fractal user this is pretty easy to do. Would love a more real Les Paul and of course a vintage burst is the Grail. Vintage will never be in the cards. Maybe one day I can get a great standard, but the tribute is going to have to scratch that itch for now.

 

[MarcB]

2017 has 490t and 490r

Been playing with a parametric eq first in the signal chain and with more time, believe I can make them sound just about however I want within reason. As a fractal user this is pretty easy to do. Would love a more real Les Paul and of course a vintage burst is the Grail. Vintage will never be in the cards. Maybe one day I can get a great standard, but the tribute is going to have to scratch that itch for now.

You own a great guitar.. and one which you’ll treasure.. because it’s the guitar that gave you your sound and technique. All other guitars after this pale into insignificance.. no matter how swanky they may be.. ?

also well done on the eq.. it’ll serve you well..

 

[Wilko]

I've been around a long time. I know this stuff backwards and forwards. The fact that you asking these questions says all I need to near.

Don't mess with it. It is a prefectly fine guitar and will do everything a Les Paul should do. The stock pickups are just fine and will sound very "authentic blues" all day long.

Everything you want except maybe the treble loss turning down volume (that is normal and very vintage) is your hands and your rig.

 

[Hemi]

Hey I agree with what Wilko said.