Any Suggestions For New Pickups In A LP Studio?

[skintaster]

I own a newish (2008 model) Les Paul Studio. Got a great deal on it, and it's not a bad guitar overall. I'm considering using it as a stage guitar for drop C tuning.

It's currently stock, with 490R and 498T pickups. They're alright, but not "great" or anything.

Does anyone have any suggestions for better pickups to install? They need to be suitable for a really crushing tone, and preferably not active. Thanks.

[mr426]

Why not active? EMG 85's would work great in that...A duncan Custom custom or Custom5 may be great as well.

[Metaled1020]

I own a newish (2008 model) Les Paul Studio. Got a great deal on it, and it's not a bad guitar overall. I'm considering using it as a stage guitar for drop C tuning.

It's currently stock, with 490R and 498T pickups. They're alright, but not "great" or anything.

Does anyone have any suggestions for better pickups to install? They need to be suitable for a really crushing tone, and preferably not active. Thanks.

Check out DiMarzio`s line of high output pickups, especially the X2N if you really need crushing!!!

[Grandturk]

If you're going that low, get something that will add some brightness to the sound. Don't go for dark and middy. EMG 81 in the bridge of my SG down to B sound pretty good.

[straycat]

Grandturk has a good point if you go with EMG's and are going to tune down it will work.
Put some good electronics ie pots and caps in too if you go passive.
Remember if you go with down tuning go with a heavier string guage like 11-56's

[JetFixxxer]

Here's my PUP's in my LP's and LP's style

Epi 08' - GFS VEH - Neck, Fat Pat - Bridge
Epi 05' - Seymour Duncan Pearly Gate - Neck, Alinco II Pro - Bridge (or it might be the other way around
Agile - Seymour Duncan - Alinco II Pro set - I used this for Down turning
My LP Kit - Seymour Duncan Seth Lover Bridge and GFS Dream 90

[Mazrim]

If you want CRUSHING I'd go for a BKP Warpig or a DiMarzio X2N if you cant get a BKP or money is a problem.

[skintaster]

Wow... Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

And I don't necessarily hate active pickups. The main guitar that I used to tour with was one of those "gothic" Les Pauls, and I had an emg 81 and 85 installed in it. They sounded ok, but not great... However that might have been caused by other elements in my rig.

My current "main rig" is a So-Cal and the LP studio through a 5150 half stack. I use some stomp boxes, but no heavy processing.

Again, thanks!

[Grandturk]

I have Fralins in my Les Paul - they're vintage output - nothing heavy and they can get a pretty good heavy sound. As long as your amo can push the gain up, you don't need your pickups to. But, I don't know how they hold up tuned down really low - Eb, no problem, anything more, they might mush out.

[Rupe]

An X2N is actually not very crushing to my ears. It is so over the top with it's output that it lacks the definition that you will need when tuning down as low as you are. I had one in a guitar tuned to straight up D (not dropped D) and it was way too dark sounding...and that was in a solid maple bodied Strat style guitar.

For low tunings, you need clarity more than power...let the amp do the work. Since you seem to prefer passives, the guys who mentioned the Duncan Custom 5 and Alnico Pro II are steering you in the right direction.

[bsteff666]

For big & "crushing" drop tuned stuff...I always used Gibson Tony Iommi pickups. They sound killer.

[DonP]

If you want CRUSHING I'd go for a BKP Warpig or a DiMarzio X2N if you cant get a BKP or money is a problem.

I used to think BKP were way overpriced, and pretty much still do. But when I bought my ESP Horizon, it came with a free Warpig in the case (uncovered, and I'm not sure if it's an A5 or a Ceramic since I didn't buy it).

I put the warpig in my HM strat, and damn if it doesn't nail Maiden to a T. It also does great Scorpions, Accept, etc. I don't know how it would sound de-tuned, or if "noodly" Maiden is "crushing" to you, but for me, this is heaven.

I'd say the Warpig has a big bottom, and a nice top. Fat lower mids. Good singing voice. High output, but open, not compressed like the Duncan Distortion.

Now I'm on the hunt to find a pair of singles to finish off my "Maiden" strat.

[DocNrock]

If you were going to do standard tunings, I'd have a whole lot of suggestions. But since you do drop tunings, consider the DiMarzio D-sonic...its made for drop tunings. It looks like the old Megadrive, but is completely different.

[goodwood]

I have Fralins in my Les Paul - they're vintage output -

That's what I have in my Les Pauls too...P92s in one and zebra humbuckers in the other.

My suggestion:
The WCR Ironman bridge is $185. I have one in a mahogany, maple capped guitar and it is crushing indeed.

http://www.wcrguitar.com/ironman.html

Description from the site:
The IronMan is the most musically complex and powerful pickup ever used or needed.
No batteries required, and are the do it all pickups for MANY players. At 22k with Ceramic8's, this pickup delivers tons of tone, harmonics, pinch-squeals all OVER the guitar, and generates it's OWN power! VERY controllable as well. Comes in all combinations of the standard combos of Black, Cream, and White You also have the choice of any of our 3 conductors at no extra charge. This is a great "Straight Into the Amp" style of pickup. We have here a couple of demos by Gabriel Manzo of Malo playing with them in his PRS, into a Marshall JCM 2000 head, and into a closed cab Mesa Boggie 2x12 No pedals, live recording. Everything from baking metal, to clean and clear, and everything in between.

[skintaster]

Thanks again for all of the suggestions! Now I just need to figure out a way to try out some of these.