Mahogany Guitar - Bridge Pickup suggestions

[tunedown]

I'm a newb to the guitar section, so go easy on me, will ya?

I am probably a huge cliche, but I need help just the same. I have an all mahogany Les Paul Studio that sounds muddy and too dark. I use a 2ch Dual Rec (rev G) and a 5150 4x12 with (x-pattern) Sheffields and Marshall V-30s...

I pulled the stock pickup and I am currently using a Ceramic Gibson 500T pickup. The pickup is high output (16k). It's tight and punchy (which is good), but it seems (to me) to lack clarity... and the highs tend to be shrill or sharp and uncomfortable to the ear during rhythm work.

I'd like to, somehow, exemplify the warmth of an all mahogany guitar w/out sacrificing clarity. Do you have any suggestions of some high output pickups I could try to get me where I want to be?

(The style of music I play is hardcore. It's heavier then punk, and not quite metal. I know it sounds incredibly silly to make that distinction, but there's a very fine line between hardcore and metal in terms of tone. There's a brittle, sharp/biting quality that I'm staying away from while still achieving clarity in a high gain application. You get what I'm saying?)

thank you for putting up with me

 

[JOEY B.]

You could try changing the magnet in the 500T to an Alnico 2,4,or 8. Much cheaper than a new pickup.

 

[tunedown]

You could try changing thr magnet in the 500T to an Alnico 2,4,or 8. Much cheaper than a new pickup.

I didn't know you could change out the magnet in your pickup. Is that a normal thing? Would I take it to a shop and have them do it?

 

[JOEY B.]

You could try changing thr magnet in the 500T to an Alnico 2,4,or 8. Much cheaper than a new pickup.

I didn't know you could change out the magnet in your pickup. Is that a normal thing? Would I take it to a shop and have them do it?

All you need is some small philips and flat blade screwdrivers to change the magnet. Do a Google search about humbucker magnet swaps. If you need any additional info, shoot me a PM.

 

[tunedown]

I'm going to look in to it this week.

If I don't perform a magnet swap in my current pickup, do you have any other suggestions for me?

 

[fluff191]

The only problem I would see with changing the magnets is risking damage to the coils if you dont know what you are doing.

For other pickup suggestions in the tone you are looking for I would try:

Dimarzio Super Distortion - Full bodied and warm but not to shrill with plenty of output. (personal fav)

Dimarzio Breed - Good low end and midrange punch

Duncan Distortion - lots of output but still retains clarity

Might I also suggest the user reviews over at Harmony-Central.com once you do choose a pickup......It provides a wealth of information.

 

[tunedown]

The only problem I would see with changing the magnets is risking damage to the coils if you dont know what you are doing.

For other pickup suggestions in the tone you are looking for I would try:

Dimarzio Super Distortion - Full bodied and warm but not to shrill with plenty of output. (personal fav)

Dimarzio Breed - Good low end and midrange punch

Duncan Distortion - lots of output but still retains clarity

Might I also suggest the user reviews over at Harmony-Central.com once you do choose a pickup......It provides a wealth of information.

Thank you.

I'm looking into them. I feel like I've reached a point where my pickup is the next step to improve (warm up) my tone. until now it's been gain, gain, gain. A nice warm pickup may be just the thing I need to cool off my very metal-esque tone based on the amount of gain I'm forced to run. I've found that I need a certain amount of output from my OD pedal to get my low-end tight/punchy, and I need a certain amount of gain dialed in on the head to get me in to the "Most Balanced" gain region to "enhance the saturation and replace some of the upper harmonics with a richer, warmer quality and a fuller bottom end response." I can actually hear the voicing shifting and I can hear it get fuller and "bigger" as I dial in more gain.

It's not as cold as a 5150, but I could use just a little warmth. A little more "character" from my gain.

 

[flieger67]

An alnico 2 (A2) magnet might really be what you are looking for. In addition to the DiMarzio suggestions (which aren't A2, however), I'd recommend either a Duncan Alnico II Pro or the Custom Custom. I have an all-mahogany Charvel that now has the A2Pro and it's sounds great. However, the A2Pro isn't a high output pickup, so the Custom Custom (CC) might be more to your liking in terms of output.

 

[gonzo]

after years of playing dimarzio and duncan, i'm digging the Bill Lawrence blade styles...
500L, 500XL, L-45

 

[GD_NC]

I used to have a Mahogany LP with a S. Duncan JB/JAZZ set. I found it to be an amazingly versitile combination. So much so I kept the pickups when I sold the LP. I'm going to put them in my new Les Paul as soon as I get some spare time to do it. IF you are looking for clarity and definition that's a great set up. The JB is hot as H*** but rolls off amazingly well if you take the volume on your guitar down to 7 or 8.

I'm really not a big fan of Gibson's hot pickups (498 or 500) the Duncans sound much better.

Just my $.02 pickups are REALLY subjective.

 

[dani]

you probably get your gain from dual rectifier and jcm800. that said, i will usually pair a low/vintage output pickups on a 24.75 scale mahogany guitar into high gain amps for a more open, less compressed tone. high gain pickups are invented to drive vintage amps into overdrive.

i know most folks will be like, huh? low output pickups? those are for blues and i am a rocker/metalhead! hey, you can add more output if needed with a clean boost but i haven't found anything that will effectively decrease a high output pickup without changing its tone and feel.

say, try a seymour duncan 59 in the bridge on your lp. its cheap especially on the used market and they retain value pretty well if it doesn't work out. you'll be amazed by the control, clarity and open-ess of a paf type into high gain amps that will let your guitar tone shine through. if high output pickups is a must. i second bill & becky lawrence's l-500xl.

 

[Chadd]

you probably get your gain from dual rectifier and jcm800. that said, i will usually pair a low/vintage output pickups on a 24.75 scale mahogany guitar into high gain amps for a more open, less compressed tone. high gain pickups are invented to drive vintage amps into overdrive.

i know most folks will be like, huh? low output pickups? those are for blues and i am a rocker/metalhead! hey, you can add more output if needed with a clean boost but i haven't found anything that will effectively decrease a high output pickup without changing its tone and feel.

say, try a seymour duncan 59 in the bridge on your lp. its cheap especially on the used market and they retain value pretty well if it doesn't work out. you'll be amazed by the control, clarity and open-ess of a paf type into high gain amps that will let your guitar tone shine through. if high output pickups is a must. i second bill & becky lawrence's l-500xl.

Great points. I love the 57 classic+ in my goldtop when paired with my recto. In fact all of my guitars have mid-output pickups in all of my guitars and I love the tones they achieve, especially when paired with a recto.

 

[cliff hetfield]

i have the same guitar with the same 500t and 496r pickups, and the tone is warm. very warm, yet crisp and punchy. i dont get any of the shrillness you complain of at all.
maybe you should try and adjust your pickup's height. that has a great impact on your tone.
im not sure what amp and speakers youre using, but you may find some tweaking will help.
the greatest improvement i made to my rig was the addition of hellatone 60 speakers. i had been using celestion g1270s and WOW what a difference.