I need a Punchy, Clean sound

Telecaster · 01-03-2010, 04:12 AM

Hi guys,
I am new here, although not a Newbie guitarist I have been playing for over 30 years. I need some advice from you guys if I can please.
As you can see by my name I am a Fender player, but have always wanted the creme de la creme of guitars........ The Les Paul.

I went and bought a LP Traditional in Ebony with the cream plate and binding, my trouble is the sound on stage. When I tried the guitar in the shop and at home it sounded great but to my dissapointment on stage it is far to overdriven even at low volumes. The bridge pick up is way to grungy and the neck pick up is too bassy. We do a lot of 12 bar boogie and material that requires chunky clean chord work... I just cant get the sound anywhere near right.

Someone has suggested the I use a split coil arrangement others have suggested using a single coil in place of a H/B....If I do either of these what is the best pick up to do it on?
I understand that if the coil split is done I will need to change the pick up completely because of the single wire on my present one, what is the best type to change it for?
I use a fender Hot Rod De-lux amp through a Boss GT-8 which is by-passed for the chord and boogie work.

Please help if you can, I love this guitar and don't want to have to say bye bye to it.

MrRhoads · 01-03-2010, 05:26 AM

Is your Les Paul 100% stock?
I´m thinking about the electronics (pots & caps)

Telecaster · 01-03-2010, 05:39 AM

Yes it is......As from Gibson.

MrRhoads · 01-03-2010, 06:41 AM

Change the pots and caps

Talk to member Jonesy of ToneMojo.com Got your Tone-Mojo Working? or
member HillBilly of RS Guitarworks - RS Guitarworks Online Store

Talk to them and they will let you know what you need

stephen78 · 01-03-2010, 09:37 AM

The 57 Classic/Classic Plus are very thick and meaty pickups...which is what attracted me to buying my Traditional. I guess try to go for a pots and caps change first, if that doesn't satisfy you, definitely try some different pickups.

The_Sentry · 01-03-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telecaster

Hi guys,
I am new here, although not a Newbie guitarist I have been playing for over 30 years. I need some advice from you guys if I can please.
As you can see by my name I am a Fender player, but have always wanted the creme de la creme of guitars........ The Les Paul.

I went and bought a LP Traditional in Ebony with the cream plate and binding, my trouble is the sound on stage. When I tried the guitar in the shop and at home it sounded great but to my dissapointment on stage it is far to overdriven even at low volumes. The bridge pick up is way to grungy and the neck pick up is too bassy. We do a lot of 12 bar boogie and material that requires chunky clean chord work... I just cant get the sound anywhere near right.

Someone has suggested the I use a split coil arrangement others have suggested using a single coil in place of a H/B....If I do either of these what is the best pick up to do it on?
I understand that if the coil split is done I will need to change the pick up completely because of the single wire on my present one, what is the best type to change it for?
I use a fender Hot Rod De-lux amp through a Boss GT-8 which is by-passed for the chord and boogie work.

Please help if you can, I love this guitar and don't want to have to say bye bye to it.

Welcome to the boards.

I think you should get into some Seymour Duncan Phat Kats.

Seymour Duncan Phat Cat P-90 Review

River · 01-03-2010, 10:27 AM

I would start with '50s wiring (Wiring Library) and keeping the pickup volume controls backed down a hair from 10, even for your maximum desired volume and distortion. That's worked for me. The '50s wiring modification is quite simple - even I can do it!

Paragon · 01-03-2010, 10:48 AM

I think it is just a matter of messin with the settings on the guitar and amp.

YouTube - Gibson Les Paul Traditional (Clean)

Telecaster · 01-03-2010, 01:17 PM

Been listening to the Phat Kats and they sound great!! Think I may go for one of those in the Bridge position.
That is after I have tried the 50s wiring mod. But hey if it's any help, the Phat Kat is the sound I'm after.

cynic79 · 01-04-2010, 02:20 PM

50's wiring, and possibly a new set of pots and caps, can work wonders. Also, some Gibsons come with very low value pots (down to 400k), which can darken the tone of your guitar.

The humbucker sized P-90's might also be a good choice, especially since you normally play Fenders.

cynic79 · 01-04-2010, 02:20 PM

Whoops, double post.

tao_of_drew · 01-04-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by River

I would start with '50s wiring (Wiring Library) and keeping the pickup volume controls backed down a hair from 10, even for your maximum desired volume and distortion. That's worked for me. The '50s wiring modification is quite simple - even I can do it!

+1

blues24 · 01-04-2010, 05:15 PM

[QUOTE=The_Sentry;1411150]Welcome to the boards.

I think you should get into some Seymour Duncan Phat Kats.

Seymour Duncan Phat Cat P-90 Review[/QUOTE

+2

Telecaster · 01-05-2010, 12:32 AM

Thanks guys, having a Phat Cat fitted in the bridge position on Thursday.
Don't know how to send the Board Thanks but will find out.

analogsystem · 01-06-2010, 03:22 PM

Try a Fralin Twangmaster in the neck.....it will be VERY VERY clean and gets the percussive, snappyness of strat pup in the neck. It rules all other neck pickups.

PINKBITS · 01-06-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paragon

I think it is just a matter of messin with the settings on the guitar and amp.

YouTube - Gibson Les Paul Traditional (Clean)

LANEY

Telecaster · 01-07-2010, 12:37 AM

No disrespect meant but I have been a guitarist for over 30 years in bands so the very FIRST thing I tried was the amp and guitar settings. Thanks for the nudge anyway

The_Sentry · 01-07-2010, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telecaster

No disrespect meant but I have been a guitarist for over 30 years in bands so the very FIRST thing I tried was the amp and guitar settings. Thanks for the nudge anyway

Yup....saw that in the opening post.....

Hey, you'll let us know how this turns out?

Telecaster · 01-08-2010, 11:03 AM

Hi Guys,
Well I had the Phat Cat fitted and ............................it's now an absolutly fantastic sounding guitar. The Phat in the bridge position, and left the neck humbucker as is....what a beutifull sound. It is exactly what I wanted and the appearance of the Les Paul remains the same.

Thank you all for your input, this is the place to be. A special thanks to the guy's who suggested the Phat Cat.

01-03-2010, 04:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
Telecaster Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I need a Punchy, Clean sound Hi guys, I am new here, although not a Newbie guitarist I have been playing for over 30 years. I need some advice from you guys if I can please. As you can see by my name I am a Fender player, but have always wanted the creme de la creme of guitars........ The Les Paul. I went and bought a LP Traditional in Ebony with the cream plate and binding, my trouble is the sound on stage. When I tried the guitar in the shop and at home it sounded great but to my dissapointment on stage it is far to overdriven even at low volumes. The bridge pick up is way to grungy and the neck pick up is too bassy. We do a lot of 12 bar boogie and material that requires chunky clean chord work... I just cant get the sound anywhere near right. Someone has suggested the I use a split coil arrangement others have suggested using a single coil in place of a H/B....If I do either of these what is the best pick up to do it on? I understand that if the coil split is done I will need to change the pick up completely because of the single wire on my present one, what is the best type to change it for? I use a fender Hot Rod De-lux amp through a Boss GT-8 which is by-passed for the chord and boogie work. Please help if you can, I love this guitar and don't want to have to say bye bye to it. Last edited by Telecaster; 01-03-2010 at 05:03 AM.

01-03-2010, 05:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
MrRhoads Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SWE Posts: 3,627 Thanks: 232 Thanked 76 Times in 27 Posts	Re: I need a Punchy, Clean sound Is your Les Paul 100% stock? I´m thinking about the electronics (pots & caps) __________________ Proud user of "JonesyBlues Customshop" parts T-Top info read this http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/pick...490r-490t.html Alot of good wiring help http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tone...g-library.html Help on soldering http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tone...ow-solder.html Capacitor info http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tone...apacitors.html

01-03-2010, 05:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
Telecaster Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I need a Punchy, Clean sound Yes it is......As from Gibson.

01-03-2010, 06:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
MrRhoads Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SWE Posts: 3,627 Thanks: 232 Thanked 76 Times in 27 Posts	Re: I need a Punchy, Clean sound Change the pots and caps Talk to member Jonesy of ToneMojo.com Got your Tone-Mojo Working? or member HillBilly of RS Guitarworks - RS Guitarworks Online Store Talk to them and they will let you know what you need __________________ Proud user of "JonesyBlues Customshop" parts T-Top info read this http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/pick...490r-490t.html Alot of good wiring help http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tone...g-library.html Help on soldering http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tone...ow-solder.html Capacitor info http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/tone...apacitors.html

01-03-2010, 09:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
stephen78 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 689 Thanks: 1 Thanked 36 Times in 14 Posts	Re: I need a Punchy, Clean sound The 57 Classic/Classic Plus are very thick and meaty pickups...which is what attracted me to buying my Traditional. I guess try to go for a pots and caps change first, if that doesn't satisfy you, definitely try some different pickups.

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01-03-2010, 10:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
River Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rural Colorado, USA Posts: 54,399 Thanks: 740 Thanked 847 Times in 77 Posts	Re: I need a Punchy, Clean sound I would start with '50s wiring (Wiring Library) and keeping the pickup volume controls backed down a hair from 10, even for your maximum desired volume and distortion. That's worked for me. The '50s wiring modification is quite simple - even I can do it! __________________ River Bottom Blues Band - Music Home of the River Bottom Blues Band

01-03-2010, 01:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
Telecaster Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I need a Punchy, Clean sound Been listening to the Phat Kats and they sound great!! Think I may go for one of those in the Bridge position. That is after I have tried the 50s wiring mod. But hey if it's any help, the Phat Kat is the sound I'm after.

01-04-2010, 02:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
cynic79 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 5,076 Thanks: 81 Thanked 19 Times in 8 Posts	Re: I need a Punchy, Clean sound 50's wiring, and possibly a new set of pots and caps, can work wonders. Also, some Gibsons come with very low value pots (down to 400k), which can darken the tone of your guitar. The humbucker sized P-90's might also be a good choice, especially since you normally play Fenders. __________________ Dressing the Debutantes Facebook Alonetone Some songs http://soundcloud.com/cynic79

01-04-2010, 02:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
cynic79 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 5,076 Thanks: 81 Thanked 19 Times in 8 Posts	Re: I need a Punchy, Clean sound Whoops, double post. __________________ Dressing the Debutantes Facebook Alonetone Some songs http://soundcloud.com/cynic79

01-04-2010, 05:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
blues24 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bayou Bluesville Posts: 2,201 Thanks: 198 Thanked 82 Times in 31 Posts	Re: I need a Punchy, Clean sound [QUOTE=The_Sentry;1411150]Welcome to the boards. I think you should get into some Seymour Duncan Phat Kats. Seymour Duncan Phat Cat P-90 Review[/QUOTE +2 __________________ IN MEMORY: MICHAEL "IRONMAN" BURKS R.I.P.

01-05-2010, 12:32 AM	#14 (permalink)
Telecaster Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I need a Punchy, Clean sound Thanks guys, having a Phat Cat fitted in the bridge position on Thursday. Don't know how to send the Board Thanks but will find out.

01-06-2010, 03:22 PM	#15 (permalink)
analogsystem Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 680 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: I need a Punchy, Clean sound Try a Fralin Twangmaster in the neck.....it will be VERY VERY clean and gets the percussive, snappyness of strat pup in the neck. It rules all other neck pickups. __________________ www.wahwahexitwound.com

01-07-2010, 12:37 AM	#17 (permalink)
Telecaster Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I need a Punchy, Clean sound No disrespect meant but I have been a guitarist for over 30 years in bands so the very FIRST thing I tried was the amp and guitar settings. Thanks for the nudge anyway

01-08-2010, 11:03 AM	#19 (permalink)
Telecaster Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I need a Punchy, Clean sound Hi Guys, Well I had the Phat Cat fitted and ............................it's now an absolutly fantastic sounding guitar. The Phat in the bridge position, and left the neck humbucker as is....what a beutifull sound. It is exactly what I wanted and the appearance of the Les Paul remains the same. Thank you all for your input, this is the place to be. A special thanks to the guy's who suggested the Phat Cat.

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