• Registered: 2012-05-30
  • Posts: 485

Topic: Les Paul Pickups

Okay so I am sure that there has been a gajillion threads already on pickups...

...but I'm going to be getting a new Les Paul in a couple of months and will (in all likelihood) be getting a Les Paul Traditional since there's almost no chance of me being able to afford a 59 VOS...

Thing is, I've tried several Traditionals already and I like the guitar, except that I'm not that keen on the 57 Classics that are fitted as stock.

So my plan is to replace them with an aftermarket set.

Now I have a set of Bareknuckle Mules that I used to have in a Tokai Love Rock and I loved them in that guitar - they're supposedly modelled after a '59 PAF...

...but I'm now wondering whether I should keep those in the cupboard and go for a set of Bonamassa Sig pickups (assuming I can still get hold of a set when I have the money for them).

Can anyone compare the Bonamassa pickups to the Bareknuckle Mules or the Classic 57s?

Thanks

AJ

Guitars: Fender American Original 60s Strat, Fender American Vintage 52 Tele, Gibson Les Paul Traditional
FX: Various including - Ceriatone Centura, Fire Custom Shop Carpe Diem
Amp: Fender ML212 Deville + 212 extention cabinet
  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Les Paul Pickups

So most people are clearly going to say yes for the Bonapups...but the difference between those and Mules is going to be less than nothing, especially in rehearsal and live situations.
To be honest...there is only a subtle difference that I can hear between stock pickups and the finest boutique pieces live...

  • From: West Sussex
  • Registered: 2011-05-17
  • Posts: 307

Re: Les Paul Pickups

Since you already have Mules it seems crazy to not even try them first.

I love mine in my Ebony '91 standard.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Les Paul Pickups

I'd check ebay for a used 57' gold top or maybe a 58' reissue if your looking for VOS.  I get about $2200-2500 average price.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Les Paul Pickups

Seriously, you should have a 50s style wiring harness put in first and see what you think after that. The pickups seem to open up more. I was in the same boat over a year ago so I bought the kit from RS and it made a huge difference. I like the 57 classics now, warm and full toned. I have hotter pickups in my other LP and I still like the 57s better.

HOWEVER: Since you already have a set of mules, even if you don't go the wiring harness upgrade route, I would just put them in. Dave is right, nobody, not even you is gonna tell much- if any- difference in them and the JBs live. First of all, nobody has anything to compare them to live and secondly there won't be a discernible difference that cannot be EQ'd out to match. -S

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Les Paul Pickups

Hi All
Agree with everything everyone has said but I think for me the difference is in the touch dynamics. They feel different under my fingers. But this is different for everyone.
My two cents
Cheers Ron

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Les Paul Pickups

cindyron wrote:

Agree with everything everyone has said but I think for me the difference is in the touch dynamics.

Agree. Very minute difference but sometimes those small nuances are enough to drive a player crazy almost to the point where you can't concentrate. This of course assuming you have the chance to compare/contrast between similar types of gear/pedals/pups/ etc.. Fun and addicting to try different gear but maddening!

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Les Paul Pickups

OCD every guitar player on this board!  lol

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Les Paul Pickups

AD3THREE wrote:

OCD every guitar player on this board!  lol

You mean severe G.A.S.

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • Registered: 2012-05-30
  • Posts: 485

Re: Les Paul Pickups

AD3THREE wrote:

I'd check ebay for a used 57' gold top or maybe a 58' reissue if your looking for VOS.  I get about $2200-2500 average price.

Sadly not so many here in the UK and I would never pay that amount of money without being able to try the guitar in person before paying...

Guitars: Fender American Original 60s Strat, Fender American Vintage 52 Tele, Gibson Les Paul Traditional
FX: Various including - Ceriatone Centura, Fire Custom Shop Carpe Diem
Amp: Fender ML212 Deville + 212 extention cabinet
  • Registered: 2012-05-30
  • Posts: 485

Re: Les Paul Pickups

Okay so it seems that while I'd been looking at R9's and not found any within my price range...an R7 or R8 might just be within grasp...

I won't bother to ask whether they're worth the extra, I've owned a CS Les Paul in the past and know just how good they are (and that was only a Ltd Ed Custom).

My question though, is what are the respective neck shapes/sizes like? Are they all at least as thick as the "50's round" shape on the Traditional? I like a thick neck (my Strat's neck is 0.98" all the way along!!) and if anything the Traditional is a bit thinner than I like...

Guitars: Fender American Original 60s Strat, Fender American Vintage 52 Tele, Gibson Les Paul Traditional
FX: Various including - Ceriatone Centura, Fire Custom Shop Carpe Diem
Amp: Fender ML212 Deville + 212 extention cabinet
  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: Les Paul Pickups

helrazr84 wrote:

Seriously, you should have a 50s style wiring harness put in first and see what you think after that. The pickups seem to open up more. I was in the same boat over a year ago so I bought the kit from RS and it made a huge difference. I like the 57 classics now, warm and full toned. I have hotter pickups in my other LP and I still like the 57s better.

I did exactly the same thing. I also have a Traditional with 57s and converted the stock modern wiring with 300 pots to a RS kit with 500 pots and 50s wiring. Highly recommended.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Les Paul Pickups

'57 Classics might surprise you. They are less noisy than PAF or Burstbucker pickups... I see a lot of players going back to them because they don't get in the way.  My only guitar that has these is a SG Supreme, and it's a perfect match since it's a brighter guitar and the 57's are on the smoother, sweeter side.

I've never had Barenuckle pickups or heard anyone who has had them. They've made a name for themselves over the past couple years, and I doubt much of it is hype. That said, making a good pickup is not super difficult.

Keep in mind "true" PAFs, without user (hand) error have similar or the same resistance between the two pickups.... the Neck at 7-8k, and the bridge pickup around the same but not more than 8.5k. They didn't make neck and bridge pickups from what I heard, they just would a ton of humbuckers and tossed em in. You might find that the high end is too much on the bridge pickup because of it. Not a huge deal, just roll-off on your tone control. But most people like 9k bridge pickup or higher to have more output and cut some of the high end.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2012-05-30
  • Posts: 485

Re: Les Paul Pickups

Thanks.

Much as I would love to get one of the VOS models, I guess I can't really justify the extra cost over a Traditional, so I'm going to follow the advice a few on here have given and plan to retro-fit a 50's style wiring harness and will give both the 57's and Mules a chance.

I like to have a bit more top end bite in Les Paul pickups and then use the tone controls to tame them a little when I need to...

And the Mules are a balanced set so the bridge is 8.5 and the neck 7.3 (on my set - their website quotes a slightly lower value for the bridge pickup)...

So, what pots, caps etc do you guys recommend for the most accurate 50s wiring harness?

Guitars: Fender American Original 60s Strat, Fender American Vintage 52 Tele, Gibson Les Paul Traditional
FX: Various including - Ceriatone Centura, Fire Custom Shop Carpe Diem
Amp: Fender ML212 Deville + 212 extention cabinet

15 Reply by sonicpete (edited by sonicpete 2012-07-11 09:47:25)

  • Registered: 2012-03-29
  • Posts: 84

Re: Les Paul Pickups

I had a set of bare knuckles the mule in the neck and riff raff in the bridge and they were a great combination. I have tried alot of boutique winders over the past ten years and spent alot of time researching original PAFs looking for that bell like clarity thats retained no matter how dirty they get. I would def try the bare knuckles first. I think they really capture the essence of a PAF type tone.
Joe's seymours are modelled on a different original PAF and the dynamics and tone will be different. The first thing to do before you do anything is change the wiring loom to a vintage style one where you can use your tone pots properly. I would even try the 57 classics with the new loom
I have bought a couple of wiring looms from jonesy blues custom shop in the past and his seem to be well made and can be dropped in

Smitty Custom classic Strat in sonic blue
Smitty Custom classic Gold top Hog tele
DR Z m12
  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: Les Paul Pickups

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

'57 Classics might surprise you. They are less noisy than PAF or Burstbucker pickups... I see a lot of players going back to them because they don't get in the way.  My only guitar that has these is a SG Supreme, and it's a perfect match since it's a brighter guitar and the 57's are on the smoother, sweeter side.

I've never had Barenuckle pickups or heard anyone who has had them. They've made a name for themselves over the past couple years, and I doubt much of it is hype. That said, making a good pickup is not super difficult.

Keep in mind "true" PAFs, without user (hand) error have similar or the same resistance between the two pickups.... the Neck at 7-8k, and the bridge pickup around the same but not more than 8.5k. They didn't make neck and bridge pickups from what I heard, they just would a ton of humbuckers and tossed em in. You might find that the high end is too much on the bridge pickup because of it. Not a huge deal, just roll-off on your tone control. But most people like 9k bridge pickup or higher to have more output and cut some of the high end.

From what I've heard and felt, I personally prefer the 'noisy' burstbuckers they seem to be very interactive and feel very 'alive'.... I don't get this feeling from a lot of wax potted pickups!!

Just my opinion,

All the best from Aus,

- Stefan

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

  • From: West Sussex
  • Registered: 2011-05-17
  • Posts: 307

Re: Les Paul Pickups

Adrian J wrote:

So, what pots, caps etc do you guys recommend for the most accurate 50s wiring harness?

In the UK?

Get parts from BKP and just wire it up yourself. If you are going for a straight 4 pot 50s wiring setup it isn't worth getting pre-wired kits the circuit is so simple and the parts are big.

  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: Les Paul Pickups

This may be a stupid question but would it be worth changing the Epi wiring for the early Gibson wiring? If so what would be the likely result?

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)