What humbucker..

[mat]

.. do You prefer with the D-clone ?

I just bought an Epiphone Les Paul and while it is really nice playing guitar the pickups are guite dark sounding..

What would You suggest ?

[Bob-I]

I'm a fan of PAS style PU's. I don't like my PU's too hot or too dark. I used Kent Armstrong PAF's in one of my guitars and it sounds great into a Dumble.

[west]

I swear by Seymour Duncans.

I like a '59 PAF clone at the neck, and a JB at the bridge in my humbucker guitars.

[Darkbluemurder]

I definitely prefer lower output humbuckers with D-style amps. The DOS overdrive already has a lot of midrange to it. If a pickup has smooth highs and moderate midrange it seems to enhance the singing quality that the DOS overdrive has.

As Bob-I said PAF type humbuckers work fine. I've had good results with WCR, Lollar, Voodoo and Wolfetone pickups. I haven't dealt with Voodoo/Peter Florance directly. I did with the others and have made excellent experiences.

Don't underestimate the primary sound of the guitar (i.e. the sound of the strings, wood and hardware). Try to find out whether you have a guitar that sounds bright acoustically or if it is on the dark side. You may want to choose a pickup to compensate or enhance a particular quality of your guitar.

I would stay away from any Super Distortion/Shred/Metal/Thrash whatever kind of pickup - but I guess then you would not play a DOS style amp ...

Good luck!
Stephan

[mat]

Thanks all for Your tips!

I think I will be trying to diy PAF then. I have source to weak alnico5 magnet and I already have every other part (including the 42-gauge wire). I have couple of P90 that I would like to try also but they do not fit on the cavity (so I did read from the net).

You are right Darkbluemurder. I've studied few years of instrument building so I do value every part on the guitar very high. Btw. I've never owned es-335 (maybe my next purchase) type quitar, they seem to be very good with the clones. I tried Yamaha 335 style guitar (stock Yamaha pu's) today at music store and it gave nice feedback with the VOX I tried it with.

Thanks again,

[Funkalicousgroove]

I really like Lindy Fralin Humbuckers, he uses an alnico IV magnet which gives a nice round sound with plenty of definition. Keep in mind that original PAF pickups had AlNiCo II, IV, or V Magnets. Billy Gibbons' "Pearly Gates" guitar has Alnico II (as do their SD Namesakes).

[mat]

I really like Lindy Fralin Humbuckers, he uses an alnico IV magnet which gives a nice round sound with plenty of definition. Keep in mind that original PAF pickups had AlNiCo II, IV, or V Magnets. Billy Gibbons' "Pearly Gates" guitar has Alnico II (as do their SD Namesakes).

I only have access to alnico5 so that it will be. i also am buying one kit of stewardmacdonalds from a friend that has also alnico5 bar magnet. Hope to get nice sounds out of my clone with these

[glasman]

I put a Gibson 57 and 57+ in my Squire Esprit and it kicks the crap out of $2K LP R7. Smoother tone and not as ice picky as the Burstbuckers in the R7.

Gary

[Funkalicousgroove]

I have an antiquity and a JB in my Esprit, but it hardly compares to my Cloud 9 Les Paul. Normally I HATE burstbuckers, but this particular set in this particular guitar is magic. Can't say I'd reccommend them for anything else though.

[jaysg]

I put a Gibson 57 and 57+ in my Squire Esprit and it kicks the crap out of $2K LP R7. Smoother tone and not as ice picky as the Burstbuckers in the R7.

When I go to the Gibson site, it doesn't talk about R7's or similar. Is 'R7' shorthand for Custom Shop Reissue '57?

[phannattic]

I really like a Duncan '59 or Jazz in the neck, and a '59 or for more top end a Duncan JB in bridge, all with Nickel covers, but sans covers seems to give more treble response.

Schaller Golden 50's are great PAF style pick ups too, although they probably wouldn't brighten up a dark sounding axe.

Just me .02

[Darkbluemurder]

I put a Gibson 57 and 57+ in my Squire Esprit and it kicks the crap out of $2K LP R7. Smoother tone and not as ice picky as the Burstbuckers in the R7.

When I go to the Gibson site, it doesn't talk about R7's or similar. Is 'R7' shorthand for Custom Shop Reissue '57?

Yes, R7=Reissue 1957, R9=Reissue 1959 and so on.

[glasman]

I put a Gibson 57 and 57+ in my Squire Esprit and it kicks the crap out of $2K LP R7. Smoother tone and not as ice picky as the Burstbuckers in the R7.

When I go to the Gibson site, it doesn't talk about R7's or similar. Is 'R7' shorthand for Custom Shop Reissue '57?

You are correct it is my 2004 '57 reissue gold top. It has Burstbucker 1 and 2 pickups. Not bad, but the Gibson 57's sound better to my ear.

Gary

[jaysg]

Cool...thanks...and Cloud 9 is apparently shorthand for a chambered LP -- I believe done for weight considerations, not necessarily tone?
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Found it...$5200!!!!! You have to really want that.

[Zippy]

Adding chambers - and even drilling - can affect the resonant frequencies of the instrument. Similarly, the density of the wood affects the sound. It all has some effect - good or bad.