Pickup options for Les Paul, Alnico 2 vs Pearly Gates vs Gibson Burstbucker

[Cemal]

I am considering changing my epiphone custom stock pickups with new pickup. I think about seymour duncan pickups and have few models in my mind.

I play as a lead guitar, and style of AC/DC, GnR, Green Day, Stepphenwolf, RHCP etc. So king of classic rock songs from soft to hard. I like warm marshall style tones but times to times I like some punch. I most of the time play with high overdrive.

So I consider following options:

1) Alnico 2 pro or slash Set
2) Alnico 2 pro and Pearly gates combination
3) Gibson burstbucker
4) Duncan JB (do not have much idea about it but keeping in mind as alternative)

I have following concerns,

1) I read in some forums that Alnica 2 might sound muddy. How it would sound for the solos ?

2) Some says pearly gates sounds very good, but In duncan official web page it says that it is kind of vintage output pickup. I am not sure how it would sound comparing to alnico2? Less or more punch or softer or harder ?

What would you suggest in that case ?

 

[bluesoul]

From your list, my pick hands down are the PG's. I have the custom shop version which are wound a little hotter. I would not describe them as vintage output. They rock a bit harder than most vintage PAF winds.
Might want to add to your list Wolfetone Marshallheads (based on what you are asking for). You can order them with A2's if you choose (default they come with A5).

 

[BadPenguin]

Without a doubt, the Pearly Gates set. I love my A2's, but the PG's are like the chameleons of pickups. Need clean? There you go, with a beautiful sparkle in the top end. Add dirt, and they want more. The only other suggestions I would make are the Dimarzios Super Distortions, (EVERYONE in the 70's used them.) And the Bill Lawrence XL500. (I personally think it's one of the greatest pickups ever.)

 

[heartburn]

I have both a set of PG's and the slash set. To me the slash set has a little more midrange and the PG bridge has a bit more treble that gives a good bite. For classic rock/classic metal I think both are great. From mild overdrive to high gain they both stay very articulate and give good note definition. I prefer the slash set personally at the moment

With that said, I have a plus top pro model that I just recently started playing quite a bit that has the probucker 2/3 (I believe) and after some tweaking of pickup height and pole pieces (I am not really versed in pole piece adjustments, just started trying the half turn here and there method...) I have found in that guitar I really like the sound with an overdrive and really like it with fuzz pedals. Haven't gotten to the point of love with high gain yet, but still working on it. I don't have any experience in the all mahogany customs though and that may be a whole different sound.

 

[freak]

I have the slash alnico II's in an Epiphone Custom. They sound fantastic. I love them, for leads and rhythm.
And, as mentioned above, I have heard nothing but great things about the Pearly Gates. Never tried them though.

 

[rbraad68]

I have the slash alnico II's in an Epiphone Custom. They sound fantastic. I love them, for leads and rhythm.
And, as mentioned above, I have heard nothing but great things about the Pearly Gates. Never tried them though.

i want to try a set of the slash pups...I think seymour has them without the slash name i forget what their called but you can save a few bucks.. deff not buying a set of pups just because they are endorced by someone...

 

[freak]

i want to try a set of the slash pups...I think seymour has them without the slash name i forget what their called but you can save a few bucks.. deff not buying a set of pups just because they are endorced by someone...

Me neither. And I am in no way a fan boy. But I love these things.....They do not say slash anywhere visible....no one will ever know what you have by looking at them, if that helps.

 

[Cardinalcomb]

I've had the SD slash pickups in a slash signature les Paul and did not like them. Just not high enough output for me. They sounded frail in a way. My preference is the SD Jeff Beck pickup in the bridge and 59 in the neck. It's one of the most common combos out there. SD Jazz in the neck is also really popular. The JB definitely works really well with hard/classic rock and even metal but will overdrive a clean channel when a lower output humbucker will stay clean. The JB has serious punch.

I'm sure you have already seen this, Seymour Duncan's website has audio recordings of all their pickups and makes for a great tool to compare. Load a bunch up and start narrowing it down if you haven't already.

I mostly play classic rock along the same lines as OP. Zeppelin, Acca Dacca, GNR, 90s grunge, hair metal, Metallica, etc. The JB just roars, makes the hair on my arms stand up when I hear those tones.

Happy hunting!

 

[musicmaniac]

I put an old set of BB's in my Custom and they sound great. I'd try the Pearly's next!

 

[fry]

Might want to add to your list Wolfetone Marshallheads

I think Wolfe is still having his pandemic sale, 25% off. Hefty savings on really good pickups.

 

[bluesoul]

I think that discount IS still going on!

 

[Cemal]

Thanks all for sharing opinion. I think I am gonna try alnico 2 pro.

 

[KStopper65]

I think that discount IS still going on!

Dude's a legend!!!

 

[jvin248]

.

Don't forget to measure and swap Pots 'n Caps ... they have as much influence on the guitar tone as the pickups.
Pots have a 20% tolerance range and Max/Min samples can give bright/dark output.

Also, pickup heights and screw poles heights (mini-EQ).
Lowering Alnico 5 pickups can give the same output as higher set Alnico 2 pickups.

.

 

[akuster777]

slash neck with a short rough a5

 

[Robert Corrington]

I’ve tried the Duncan JB. Meh.
I haven’t tried the others.
In my Schecter C-1, I replaced the stock EMGs with a DiMarzio Super Distortion (DP100) in the bridge and a DiMarzio Super 2 (DP104) in the neck. Both pickups use ceramic magnets. This guitar is now a classic rock machine.

 

[Stinky Kitty]

It's hard to go wrong with the Duncan APH2..

Testing each with your own ear is really the only way you'll know.

Learn to solder, call in sick, let the fun begin!

 

[DrBGood]

Thanks all for sharing opinion. I think I am gonna try alnico 2 pro.

Alnico 2 is kind of generic, what brand are you talking about ?

 

[Cemal]

Alnico 2 is kind of generic, what brand are you talking about ?

I am talking about seymour duncan alnico 2 pro for LP.

 

[DeathTongue]

I've got the Seymour Duncan A2P in my Les Paul Tribute+ (purchased without the Gibson 57 Classics unfortunately, so I added the SDs that I had lying around) and I absolutely love them.