Pickups for Les Paul

veddie10

Hello everyone. I was hoping to get some guitar advice. I have a 2003 Les Paul that was somewhat neglected in its past life. I’m looking to have the pickups replaced. Any suggestions as to what sounds best with a Les Paul? I’m a living room guitarist, and generally play Pearl Jam and other grunge, classic rock, and bluesy rock. Any advice is much appreciated. Hope to see some of you soon in Toronto, Ottawa, and/or Baltimore!

gimmesometruth27

i like PAFs in les pauls. gibson classic 57s are great. i have them in an old flying v and that is the best sounding guitar of the 12 I own. was thinking about getting a set for my les pauls. i am not a fan of the stock humbuckers that gibson has been using in their lps the last 20 years or so. i prefer lower output pickups with my rig.

pjpjpaul

Pickups	Rhythm		Lead
Style:	Custom Bucker		Custom Bucker
Winds/Coil: Screw side/Slug side:	5500-5750		5500-5750
Material of Wire (gauge):	#42 Enamel		#42 Enamel
Coil Dimensions (per coil):	6.6294 cm x 1.7272 cm x .9525 cm / 2.61 x.68 x .375"		6.6294 cm x 1.7272 cm x .9525 cm / 2.61 x.68 x .375"
Coil Material:	ABS		ABS
Coil Winding Process:	Machine Wound		Machine Wound
Pole Piece Material:	416 Grade Stainless Steel		416 Grade Stainless Steel
Pole Piece Position from Nut:	48.1965 cm / 18.975"		59.7 cm / 23.5"
Slug Material:	416 Grade Stainless Steel		416 Grade Stainless Steel
Slug Dimensions (diameter x length):	47.3075 cm / 18.625		47.3075 cm / 18.625"
Magnet Material:	Alnico III		Alnico III
Magnet Position from Nut:	58.36 cm / 22.975		58.36 cm / 22.975
Magnet Dimensions:	6.35 cm x 1.27 cm x .3175 cm / 2.5 x .5 x .125"		6.35 cm x 1.27 cm x .3175 cm / 2.5 x .5 x .125"
Polarities:
Cover:	True Historic Replica Aged Nickel		True Historic Replica Aged Nickel
Qfactor:	8.0k		8.5k
ResistanceDC:
Resonant Frequency:

Those are the specs for the Mike McCready Gibson Les Paul model. I would suggest finding something with similar output. Alnico III's are a little different from other magnets too so that may be a factor as well. You can customize pickups through Seymour Duncan and other sights.

gimmesometruth27

pjpjpaul said:

Pickups	Rhythm		Lead
Style:	Custom Bucker		Custom Bucker
Winds/Coil: Screw side/Slug side:	5500-5750		5500-5750
Material of Wire (gauge):	#42 Enamel		#42 Enamel
Coil Dimensions (per coil):	6.6294 cm x 1.7272 cm x .9525 cm / 2.61 x.68 x .375"		6.6294 cm x 1.7272 cm x .9525 cm / 2.61 x.68 x .375"
Coil Material:	ABS		ABS
Coil Winding Process:	Machine Wound		Machine Wound
Pole Piece Material:	416 Grade Stainless Steel		416 Grade Stainless Steel
Pole Piece Position from Nut:	48.1965 cm / 18.975"		59.7 cm / 23.5"
Slug Material:	416 Grade Stainless Steel		416 Grade Stainless Steel
Slug Dimensions (diameter x length):	47.3075 cm / 18.625		47.3075 cm / 18.625"
Magnet Material:	Alnico III		Alnico III
Magnet Position from Nut:	58.36 cm / 22.975		58.36 cm / 22.975
Magnet Dimensions:	6.35 cm x 1.27 cm x .3175 cm / 2.5 x .5 x .125"		6.35 cm x 1.27 cm x .3175 cm / 2.5 x .5 x .125"
Polarities:
Cover:	True Historic Replica Aged Nickel		True Historic Replica Aged Nickel
Qfactor:	8.0k		8.5k
ResistanceDC:
Resonant Frequency:

Those are the pecs for the Mike McCready Gibson Les Paul model. I would suggest finding something with similar output. Alnico III's are a little different from other magnets too so that may be a factor as well. You can customize pickups through Seymour Duncan and other sights.

alnico 3s are not very hot. more vintage from what I recall. the alnico 5s and 8s are much hotter.

veddie10

Wow, that’s incredibly specific. I don’t know what a lot of that means, but will take it to my guitar shop and see what they can do for me. Thank you both for your recommendations. Happy Friday!