Twang Gang Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 Took my Les Paul Custom Lite in to have the pickup selector switch replaced and the tech called and told me the bridge pickup is bad - only runs on one coil all the time. I guess I didn't notice it because first I don't play that guitar much, and second since the selector switch was funky pickups were cutting in and out all the time. So looking for some suggestions. Pretty sure what's in there now are 490R and 490T. Gibson wants $155 for a new 490T. Others seem to like Lollars, Seymour Duncan etc. Has anyone tried StewMac Parson Street Humbuckers? They are PAF style and I could get a set (2) for $135. They are not wired for coil tap, but I don't use that much anyway. Also they are unpotted. Give me your ideas please before I try to decide what to put in there. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 Spend money. My first recommendation would be a pair of Lindy Fralins. After that, Seymour makes a bunch, a pair of Pearly Gates in particular. After that, if you want Gibson, '57 Classics if they still make them. Good luck and remember, this all from a guy that no longer owns Gibsons but has sure put a lot of miles on them using all of the pickups above. rct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Dog Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 I haven't come close to trying everything. What I have had are 490's, '57 classics, SD Seth Lovers, SD Antiquity, SD Joe B customs and Custombuckers. If you're looking for PAFs, I think the SD PAFs compare very favorably to the Custombuckers. Relatively under wound, un-potted. They sound very good to me. Not too expensive either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 I haven't come close to trying everything. What I have had are 490's, '57 classics, SD Seth Lovers, SD Antiquity, SD Joe B customs and Custombuckers. If you're looking for PAFs, I think the SD PAFs compare very favorably to the Custombuckers. Relatively under wound, un-potted. They sound very good to me. Not too expensive either. Underwound is a definite. But get them potted. I made the mistake of having Lindy wind me a pair for my #1 Tele and I specifically had them not potted. Mistake. Can't use them out at todays volumes and gains. I don't have them anymore. rct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twang Gang Posted December 18, 2018 Author Share Posted December 18, 2018 Thanks for the input guys - and I agree RCT much better to get something quality than take a chance on cheap replacements (what was I thinking?). Got the guitar back from the tech and the new switch works great. But he is correct, the bridge pickup is much weaker than neck and sounds the same whether it's in the tapped or full position, so I agree with him that one coil is not working. I don't know much about electronics but to me a humbucker is two bobbins wrapped in wire, and a set of magnets. Not much mechanical (no moving parts) going on there so how does one coil just stop? Seems to me it almost has to be a wiring problem either at the pot where the push/pull is, or at the pickup itself. Can anyone enlighten me - Searcy, are you out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zigzag Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 I had the 490/498 combination in a Studio LP, and they are probably my least favorite pickups. I will second the Fralin recommendations. I have a pair of his P-92s in an Epi Dot, and they are the best pickups I own. His PAFs are also very highly rated. You may also consider Gibson Burstbucker Pros. I have them in an LP Standard, and they sound awesome. If you decide to get the Fralins, call Lindy and talk to him in person. He can steer you in the right direction, and he'll wind pickups any way you want. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Dog Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 Underwound is a definite. But get them potted. I made the mistake of having Lindy wind me a pair for my #1 Tele and I specifically had them not potted. Mistake. Can't use them out at todays volumes and gains. I don't have them anymore. rct Yeah, I'm sure there are situations where they may not be the right choice for sure. But, for me, and what I do (not a gigging musician), I really like the sound of the unpotted PAFs, although maybe i'm just deluding myself. I'm not great at describing things like this but there is a chime and harmonics that sound almost piano-like that is very nice. With the low wattage amps I've used I don't have any feedback problems at all. Oh, were those humbuckers in your Tele? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted December 18, 2018 Share Posted December 18, 2018 Yeah, I'm sure there are situations where they may not be the right choice for sure. But, for me, and what I do (not a gigging musician), I really like the sound of the unpotted PAFs, although maybe i'm just deluding myself. I'm not great at describing things like this but there is a chime and harmonics that sound almost piano-like that is very nice. With the low wattage amps I've used I don't have any feedback problems at all. Oh, were those humbuckers in your Tele? No, 5% overwound singles. Like all of his singles, SUPER quiet. But the microphonics were bad once you gained it even a little and started moving around. Unpotted buckers are the same, get some gain and some thrashing about and they'll squeal like pigs too. rct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 I installed BareKnuckles Stormy Monday pickups in my SG. They are unpotted PAF types and they sound incredible but I was having some major issues with microphonic feedback Surfpup gave me a piece of advice which completely fixed my problem. The trick is to put a piece of foam under the pickup to dampen the vibration of the pickup. Dead simple, and totally worked for me. I was considering maybe potting the pickups but now I don’t need to. I won’t make any claims about the sound quality of potted vs unpotted, but my guitar sounds pretty damn good IMO. Much better clarity than stock. I would also say that shielding and good 500K pots/50s wiring are extremely worthwhile and easy mods. Not a fan of the 300K pots Gibson uses. Muddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 Yes, the foam works, and tubing not springs helps as well. I've had pickups potted and it didn't change the sound other than to allow me to radiate gobs of sweet, singing, desirable feedback in my molten shredding and blistering arpeggiations at jet engine volumes and volcanic, earth quaking gains. Something like that. rct 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 (edited) Good suggestions. Fralin, Duncan & Lollar. If you're trying get the PAF sound I'd get a Set of either Gibson MHS of ThroBak's...... Throbaks' are wound on Gibsons' original Kalamazoo Winder.. Edited December 20, 2018 by Larsongs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karloff Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 57 Classic & Classic Plus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky Forrest Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 I only have two Gibsons. One has 490/498 and the other has 57 classic / 57 classic plus. The 57's are by far my favorite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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