LP, To cover or not to cover?!

Bocc69

Bocc69

Ambassador of Metal Health
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To cover or not to cover...that is the question.?

Ok, this has been debated on every forum there is. So here we are. What are your thoughts specifically on a Les Paul? Pickups covered, or not?

Ive always loved 'em covered. It's been a year since I completed my LP assembly. I gave my 57's a year of trial. Tone wise, They're not for me. I'm swapping. But I'm surprised I fell in love with uncovered pickups. Go figure. Just another agonizing decision I needed to make on my tone search.

I've decided....Im going covered!! Now It's going to sound AND look sweet!!!

How about your preferences?? Does it matter??

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gball said:
I generally prefer covered but every once in a while I see a guitar without them and think, "looks perfect." Yours is such a guitar. I wouldn't change a thing.
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I happen to agree with you. Unfortunately, I can't get past the tone. let's be honest, it's all about tone first, than visual pleasure.
 
If the pickups I have or am about to put in are covered, I like them better.
If not, then the other way.

I find I am starting to like the uncovered look more.
 
RVA said:
I like covered, and in the Gibson realm of pickups, I like burstbucker 1 & 2. As I have said before, I love that guitar!
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I do like the BB 1+2, but they are a bit pricey for me. And, I'm also going for a hotter pickup. Probably Duncan Custom sh-5, and Jazz sh-2.

I was able to try both in an LP and I liked what I heard....Just hope it rings true in mine.
 
Bocc69 said:
To cover or not to cover...that is the question.?

Ok, this has been debated on every forum there is. So here we are. What are your thoughts specifically on a Les Paul? Pickups covered, or not?

Ive always loved 'em covered. It's been a year since I completed my LP assembly. I gave my 57's a year of trial. Tone wise, They're not for me. I'm swapping. But I'm surprised I fell in love with uncovered pickups. Go figure. Just another agonizing decision I needed to make on my tone search.

I've decided....Im going covered!! Now It's going to sound AND look sweet!!!

How about your preferences?? Does it matter??

View attachment 10768
Click to expand...

Better, more balanced, less harsh tone from the covers...covered pickups...and Witch Hats...

2016 Gibson SG.jpg

Tune-O-matic.jpg
 
Bocc69 said:
I do like the BB 1+2, but they are a bit pricey for me. And, I'm also going for a hotter pickup. Probably Duncan Custom sh-5, and Jazz sh-2.

I was able to try both in an LP and I liked what I heard....Just hope it rings true in mine.
Click to expand...
I do love the Duncan SH2 also. Look into the Duncan Alnico II pro also. They are like the SH2, but a bit warmer IMHO
 
Robert Herndon said:
Better, more balanced, less harsh tone from the covers...covered pickups...and Witch Hats...

View attachment 10786

View attachment 10787
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No offense but I really dislike witch hats. They just don't feel right to me when I need to make quick, small adjustments to volume/tone. Speed knobs are my favorite, quick and accurate, never have to look down to see what I am doing when I turn them and I find them to also be much easier to turn with just my pinky than witch hats or top hats.
 
gball said:
No offense but I really dislike witch hats. They just don't feel right to me when I need to make quick, small adjustments to volume/tone. Speed knobs are my favorite, quick and accurate, never have to look down to see what I am doing when I turn them and I find them to also be much easier to turn with just my pinky than witch hats or top hats.
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Speed knobs are too slick for me...
 
Bocc69 said:
I do like the BB 1+2, but they are a bit pricey for me. And, I'm also going for a hotter pickup. Probably Duncan Custom sh-5, and Jazz sh-2.

I was able to try both in an LP and I liked what I heard....Just hope it rings true in mine.
Click to expand...

My opinion?

Cream DiMarzio Super Distortion pickups. They are the quintessential high-gain p'up for a Les Paul.

You're welcome!
 
RVA said:
I do love the Duncan SH2 also. Look into the Duncan Alnico II pro also. They are like the SH2, but a bit warmer IMHO
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Rite on RVA....i listened to some demos of the Alinco II pro (neck), and I loved it. I am giving the SH2 a slight lead due to the fact that I played one in person. But, that Alinco is staying on the short list for sure.

Anyway, just so you know where I am coming from, my original plan was for the install of the Mayhem Set SH-6!! Yup, I was going to rock this thing out. I am the Ambassador of Metal Health after all!! :dood:

I think i'm done fighting myself....I'm ordering tonight. There is no other way to know until I solder!!:)
 
gball said:
No offense but I really dislike witch hats. They just don't feel right to me when I need to make quick, small adjustments to volume/tone. Speed knobs are my favorite, quick and accurate, never have to look down to see what I am doing when I turn them and I find them to also be much easier to turn with just my pinky than witch hats or top hats.
Click to expand...

Yup. I'm a speed knob sort of guy, too.

All of my guitars except the Strat, SG Original 2, and Jackson have speed knobs.
 
Bocc69 said:
I know, I know. I agonize over this stuff. I'm thinking I need 2 or 3 more Les Pauls. Then I can get a better grasp of pickup selections. :)
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Completely understand.

I scoured all sorts of places when I was putting my LP Studio together. Aside from the guitar itself, the pickups are the most expensive thing you'll put on the guitar.

Are you planning on splitting coils?
 
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