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T-Top Replacement?

matt1969

New member
Joined
Aug 9, 2021
Messages
12
Hello.

I bought my 1980 LP standard used. It has the original T-Top pickup in the neck position dated1979 but the bridge pickup was SD JB. I put a Dimarzio 36th Ann. in a few years ago and its OK but may be a little thin sounding?

What pickup(s) would best replicate a late 70s T-Top? I really like how the Neck pickup sounds so I want the bridge to be similar.

thanks.
 

metropolis

Active member
Joined
Sep 14, 2018
Messages
390
I bought a Brandonwound T-Top replica which is working out great in my '72 Custom. I haven't been able to compare to an original but it balances as I'd expect with the neck. Worth noting the neck and bridge are wound the same so the bridge will always sound a little weak. If you want something fatter you may have more luck finding something different you can choose specifically for a fatter tone like maybe something hotter.

If I wasn't going to as original a setup as possible I'd definitely put something aftermarket maybe somewhere between a PAF and a Tone Zone (Dimarzio is always my go to!)
 
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matt1969

New member
Joined
Aug 9, 2021
Messages
12
Cool! Thanks for the replies. Throbak pickups are WAY over my budget as I'm not into boutique pickups.... The Brandonwound looks interesting though. My budget is in the 50 -100 dollar range.
 

Johnny Q

Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2003
Messages
511
You might want to check these out. They consistently get great reviews and they will not set you back a lot of money:

 

corpse

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
I would check Ebay- that shouldn't be too hard to locate at all. Those are 498's IIRC and should be right in your budget.
 

dju

Member
Joined
May 7, 2004
Messages
148
some good suggestions here.
I don't know if you are familiar with Dean Delio from stone temple pilots. he uses norlin era guitars.
I was reading up on some of his gear info and I read that in his newer les pauls he wanted to get pickups that are similar sounding to his norlin (T-top) guitars.
I read that he went with SeymourDuncan Jazz models in both positions. I have read many a good review about the jazz pu in the neck position but didn't even know they made one for the bridge.
I can't say if this will work for you but I was thinking of someday trying them out to see how they sound.

good luck in your quest
 

ADP

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 16, 2015
Messages
681
I know everybody has their opinion on pickups.

The Model '78 by Seymour Duncan is what I'd throw in there.
 
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