Roland Burt Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Got back into playing guitar this year. Maybe many of us have, being isolated at home and all. I bought a new 2019 Les Paul Standard (Vintage). Guitar is great, but wondering about these pick ups. Kind of hating them, but mostly because of the lower E string. It is well...froggy and wooly, and has no string definition AT ALL. Ruins playing it for me. This is not my first Les Paul. Used to have a black LP Custom, and a CS 56 Goldtop before falling off playing several years back. I am generally a fan of stock Gibson pick ups and was happy with those instruments. So I am wondering what is up with the pups on this new Standard. I know they are newly designed for this model and supposed to be vintage-voiced so not as hot as some other pups. Is it the pick up height? Are the bass strings just distorting the pick up? I looked at the height and it seems okay to me visually. Or maybe the pups are just poorly wired and should be replaced? Open to dropping in some 57s or some Busrtbuckers. Anyway, does anyone have some insight into these newer Gibson pups? Same experience maybe? This seems like a good forum to ask on, and would appreciate any insight or comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Maybe you need to adjust your pickup height or the pole piece. Is it both pups? I used to play with both or the neck. I hated just the bridge pup by itself. When I had electrics I generally ripped out almost any stock pup and went with aftermarket stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 (edited) Which Pickups are they? There are so many different kinds of Pickups in Gibson's.... If you're accustomed to '57's & Burstbuckers Sound you might install one of those types.. Edited September 2, 2020 by Larsongs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 I am not sure what is in there, but classic 57 / 57+ are good sounding pickups. and yea, the first place to check is the pickup height. you can also turn the pole screws to match the neck radius. Some say it doesn't matter, some say it does... I set all my buckers that way after reading a setup article about 20 years ago I bevel in guitar player. Does it matter No idea.. I like the sound of my LPs tho.. one of them has 490T / 498R which many don't like. (I Think they're fine) I have a set of Duncans in my other LP, I think it's a SH1 in the neck and I know for sure, an SH4 (Jeff Beck) in the bridge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Burt Posted September 2, 2020 Author Share Posted September 2, 2020 Thanks. I am considering a pick up swap for sure, but will take a look at the height and see if an adjustment does not help out. The issue is with both front and back pick ups. So maybe a pole height change, etc will help. As for pick up choices I too liked the 490/498's in my Custom. I actually swapped them out for some aftermarket pups back in the day, and ended up going back to them. Always thought they were nicely voiced for a Custom even though as you say, many tend to hate them for some reason. I think 57/57+ would be a good choice. Always liked those pups in guitars I've played that had them. Just not sure how they will sound in the new LP. Also considering Burstbucker 2 & 3's. But first things first I guess. Maybe a height adjustment will help out on the factory installed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 8 minutes ago, Roland Burt said: Thanks. I am considering a pick up swap for sure, but will take a look at the height and see if an adjustment does not help out. The issue is with both front and back pick ups. So maybe a pole height change, etc will help. As for pick up choices I too liked the 490/498's in my Custom. I actually swapped them out for some aftermarket pups back in the day, and ended up going back to them. Always thought they were nicely voiced for a Custom even though as you say, many tend to hate them for some reason. I think 57/57+ would be a good choice. Always liked those pups in guitars I've played that had them. Just not sure how they will sound in the new LP. Also considering Burstbucker 2 & 3's. But first things first I guess. Maybe a height adjustment will help out on the factory installed. Yeah mess with the pole and height. You can always go back if it gets worse. Lindey Fralin makes nice pups. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 27 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said: Lindey Fralin makes nice pups. They are awesome,, but you'll pay for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 (edited) 2 minutes ago, kidblast said: They are awesome,, but you'll pay for it. Indeed, but last I checked Gibson isn't exactly giving away guitars either. Edited September 2, 2020 by Sgt. Pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 29 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said: Indeed, but last I checked Gibson isn't exactly giving away guitars either. well hey let me know when ANY one is giving em away. I'll wait in line too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 Just now, kidblast said: well hey let me know when ANY one is giving em away. I'll wait in line too The last time I bought Fralins. I got em on Reverb. Used $120 for a set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NighthawkChris Posted September 2, 2020 Share Posted September 2, 2020 The new (i.e. 2019 and 2020 LP Standards) 50s Standards have Burstbuckers in them... If you like the 57s, give them a shot. Other than that, you're on your own if you want to venture into the world of pickups that aren't Gibson. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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