Humbucking Options

[Carloshoek]

I have Burstbuckers 1 & 2 on a Les Paul and I feel the sound is too thin to my liking, So I started looking for new pickup options. So Far I really really like the Kloppmanns HB 59, but call me cheap I dont want to pay the price of a Mexican Strat for the PUPS.

So I turn to you guys, what options are out there for me to check that doesnt cost $500!!! Just options that are out there, they dont have to be mainstream.

 

[freddy78]

i would try some pickup adjustments and pure nickel strings before swapping them , another thing to consider is the amp/speaker combination that you play trough sometimes you will be surprises from the result of using different amp / speaker combination .
anyway first i would start with strings and adjustments that's my 2c

 

[jb_abides]

Adjust poles, pickup height, and setup. More amp tweaking. Rinse and repeat.

However, to answer your question directly, you can't go wrong with Seymour Duncan Antiquities for ~$330/set, retail. Used better prices. And any SD bucker, suit to taste.

There are plenty of boutiques to research, but cost, taste, timing, all factors. Good luck.

 

[tjdjr1]

If adjustments do work out and changing them is inevitable, can't go wrong with Duncan 59s, Vineham 6070s I have a few set in LP's, Whole lotta humbucker in a SG and recently tried and really like a wolfetone marshall head in another LP...Of the lot The Vinehams are very tough to beat for the money!

 

[Mr. Papa]

Agreed on trying adjustments first, and if that doesn’t do it consider Sheptones if you’re on a budget, or Antiquities if you can swing the extra money. Duncan 59s are also a solid value.

 

[gmann]

Seymour Duncan has something that will fill your needs.

 

[CK6]

I have Burstbuckers 1 & 2 on a Les Paul and I feel the sound is too thin to my liking, So I started looking for new pickup options. So Far I really really like the Kloppmanns HB 59, but call me cheap I dont want to pay the price of a Mexican Strat for the PUPS.

So I turn to you guys, what options are out there for me to check that doesnt cost $500!!! Just options that are out there, they dont have to be mainstream.

More info needed… Rig? Volume? String brand and guage? Type of music? How long have you been playing for? Home or stage with band?

 

[Carloshoek]

More info needed… Rig? Volume? String brand and guage? Type of music? How long have you been playing for? Home or stage with band?

Im playing:

Guitar: 2019 Les Paul Traditional
Amp: 3rd Power Dual Citizen with Reverb on the American Channel Black Face setting, treble 4, bass 6, Reverb 4 (stage setting) voicing Normal.
Pedal: Boss GT 1000 - Pedal Board Setting
Strings: Daddario XL .10 Gauge
Music Type: Blues and Rock and Roll (not metal, havent played metal in years and years)
Volume: Usually 3 or 4
Home Player, havent played in a stage in maybe 22 year or more. Guitar is a hobby I share with my kids.

I started playing a strat when Nirvana dropped Nevermind, quit when got married in 2005 and got back into it around 2013 (when my oldest was born). This rig and settings (slightly different Bass 5 Treble 5) works perfectly with my Standard 60s's and the strats. I started playing and tweaking the amp and guitar at a higher volume and E B G sounds very very thin (best way I can describe it) and not beefy and D A E sounds like they are muffled, not vibrant like with the standard (Granted different PUPS).

Lets put it this way, I have a Scott Henderson strat and the henderson sounds beefier and with more presence than the LP.

 

[CK6]

Im playing:

Guitar: 2019 Les Paul Traditional
Amp: 3rd Power Dual Citizen with Reverb on the American Channel Black Face setting, treble 4, bass 6, Reverb 4 (stage setting) voicing Normal.
Pedal: Boss GT 1000 - Pedal Board Setting
Strings: Daddario XL .10 Gauge
Music Type: Blues and Rock and Roll (not metal, havent played metal in years and years)
Volume: Usually 3 or 4
Home Player, havent played in a stage in maybe 22 year or more. Guitar is a hobby I share with my kids.

I started playing a strat when Nirvana dropped Nevermind, quit when got married in 2005 and got back into it around 2013 (when my oldest was born). This rig and settings (slightly different Bass 5 Treble 5) works perfectly with my Standard 60s's and the strats. I started playing and tweaking the amp and guitar at a higher volume and E B G sounds very very thin (best way I can describe it) and not beefy and D A E sounds like they are muffled, not vibrant like with the standard (Granted different PUPS).

Lets put it this way, I have a Scott Henderson strat and the henderson sounds beefier and with more presence than the LP.

Thanks, this helps!

I would try the following first:

1. GHS Boomers (10s or Gilmour blue set). They are much beefier sounding than the D’addarios and will Already make a difference
2. Replace the existing thumbwheels with brass thumbwheels
3. Try adjusting the bass side of the bridge pickup to be closer to the strings

I think that this should help already, especially the strings. I’ve always found the d’addarios to be a little “screechy” with certain guitars. For example, they don’t work with Wolfetone pickups, and produce an ice pick treble.

Let us know how you get on!

 

[Deus91]

I have Burstbuckers 1 & 2 on a Les Paul and I feel the sound is too thin to my liking, So I started looking for new pickup options. So Far I really really like the Kloppmanns HB 59, but call me cheap I dont want to pay the price of a Mexican Strat for the PUPS.

So I turn to you guys, what options are out there for me to check that doesnt cost $500!!! Just options that are out there, they dont have to be mainstream.

I feel your pain on the Kloppmanns, but I couldn't help myself. I custom ordered a hybrid set.
A '59 bridge and a '58 neck, beautiful sounding pickups.

 

[Carloshoek]

I feel your pain on the Kloppmanns, but I couldn't help myself. I custom ordered a hybrid set.
A '59 bridge and a '58 neck, beautiful sounding pickups.

Man congrats! Those Kloppmanns are awesome.

 

[Wilko]

Little tweaks aren’t going to do what you want.

seymourduncan makes wide range of pickups any sound. Consistent quality backed by years of experience with the best players.

I like the antiquirTies. Go for over 8.1k maybe the 59 or albino ii pro. Great fat vintage tone

 

[Deus91]

Little tweaks aren’t going to do what you want.

seymourduncan makes wide range of pickups any sound. Consistent quality backed by years of experience with the best players.

I like the antiquirTies. Go for over 8.1k maybe the 59 or albino ii pro. Great fat vintage tone

Absolutely, Seymour Duncan has quality pickups across a broad range.
I also have one of his, and I have no complaints. Quality pickup, it is outstanding for sure.

 

[freddy78]

based on your reply , there is nothing wrong with your PU's , first step as already was suggested i would change the strings to pure nickel , personally i find Diaddario as bright strings , second step might be to have another amp as the one that you are using is voiced like VOX , i had the possibility to try an AC30 from the 60's and i didn't like the sound of it to me it was very thin and bright sounding amp .

 

[Carloshoek]

based on your reply , there is nothing wrong with your PU's , first step as already was suggested i would change the strings to pure nickel , personally i find Diaddario as bright strings , second step might be to have another amp as the one that you are using is voiced like VOX , i had the possibility to try an AC30 from the 60's and i didn't like the sound of it to me it was very thin and bright sounding amp .

Yes the 3rd power has a VOX channel, thats the British channel, but im using the american channel and you can voice it as a Tweed or a Blackface. Im uing the Blackface voice.
But definitely I will try to use other strings to see if that helps.

 

[Skydogfan81]

Wolfetone Legends have been my best bang for your buck experience. He was offering a 25% off deal during Covid....check his website. Great pickups and I've had many.

 

[CK6]

Wolfetone Legends have been my best bang for your buck experience. He was offering a 25% off deal during Covid....check his website. Great pickups and I've had many.

I have a set of Legends on the way! How do they compare to the Dr Vintage set? I have those installed right now.

Thanks.

 

[Carloshoek]

What about pearly gates? I have seen the custom and the stock and the range from 180 (stocks) to 300 (CS) for a pair.

 

[Amp360]

I've always found Gibson stock pickups to be great. I would try adjusting them.

I've tried two sets of fancy Thro-Baks and in one set I put Burstbuckers back and in the other (which came in the guitar) I went with Duncan Antiquity.

9 times out of 10, unless they're way too hot you just need to adjust them a bit.

Don't buy into hype! Save that money for a Klon

 

[Cranknfrank]

I have Burstbuckers 1 & 2 on a Les Paul and I feel the sound is too thin to my liking, So I started looking for new pickup options. So Far I really really like the Kloppmanns HB 59, but call me cheap I dont want to pay the price of a Mexican Strat for the PUPS.

So I turn to you guys, what options are out there for me to check that doesnt cost $500!!! Just options that are out there, they dont have to be mainstream.

Tone is so objective.....I worked in music retail for many years and helped thousands of people with their rigs. I was always happy to sell gear that helped players get the tone they were looking for but I tried to really help them maximize what they already owned rather than jumping to conclusions. Here are some general tips......not in any particular order.....1. A lot of players just don't have their instruments set up properly - many variables here but pickup height is a major consideration. 2. Try plugging the guitar directly into the amp - no pedals - just one cable to see exactly what that tone is. Many pedals (especially digital) have an adverse effect on tone even when they are not engaged. Some cable brands can impart more treble emphasis on your tone. See if you can get a nice tone with just the guitar and amp and then start adding effects to see if you can enhance that base tone. If the tone suffers after you add some pedals, you have some decisions to make. 3. Strings are obviously important - D'addario strings are very good - they make a 10.5 gauge set that I put on my R9. I think the tone with them is fatter/warmer and tuning stability improved. Joe B uses .11's....strings are pretty cheap, don't be afraid to explore heavier gauges. 4. DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE PICK! This is the most overlooked item in the tone recipe. I've solved people's problems with a simple pick before. Check out a 1mm (to start) made of celluloid (D'addario/Planet Waves is my preference) or possibly nylon. A slightly thicker pick can sometimes impart a low midrange or even bassier response depending on how your guitar is set up and how your amp is set up. I had a BB1 and BB2 in an R8 I used to own and I was quite happy with the tone. I just couldn't get used to the neck. My suggestions are not gospel.......just things I did in my job for over 25 years to try to help players find the sounds they were looking for. My basic point.....start with the variables that won't cost you a dime....it's not always about throwing money at it. If you can't get a good base tone with just your guitar and amp, then you might have to start making some financial decisions about next steps. Hope some of that info helps.......good luck with your tone journey.