Pickup Swap in my Les Paul Custom

[Gridlock]

I can’t understand why Gibson puts better pickups in the Standard ‘50s model Les Pauls, but they are still putting 490/498’s in their $5,500 Les Paul Customs.

I recently sold a 3-pickup ‘57 Reissue Les Paul Custom. I loved the Custombuckers in that guitar but the middle 3rd pickup seem kind of useless and sometimes got in the way of picking.

I had someone who wanted that guitar, so I sold it and bought a 2006 (still Custom Shop) Les Paul Custom. I ordered a new set of Custombuckers and had my tech install the new pickups and to a setup on the guitar.

Only a short trial today, but I am liking what I hear.

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Nice looking guitar.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

So you like Custombuckers more than 498. Seems a few do. What's the main tonal difference?
I might have to do a swap or 2.

 

[dmatthews]

Brilliant!
Love it when a plan works out.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

I love it when a pickup swap works out nicely.

 

[Gridlock]

So you like Custombuckers more than 498. Seems a few do. What's the main tonal difference?
I might have to do a swap or 2.

These sound more articulate and warmer to my ears. I’m also a fan of the Burstbuster 1 & 2 types.

 

[Ampeq]

Absolutely beautiful guitar. If you want to try a good set of pup’s try Lindy Fralin vintage PAF’s. I have a custom made guitar that came with them, which I was already thinking about changing out. The builder told me to try them before doing anything stupid. He was so right, by far the best sounding guitar I have ever played. I put a set in my ES335 and they are awesome in it too. You can call Lindy and talk to him as well and he will custom wind them for you. Well worth a try if you get a chance.

 

[Gridlock]

I owned a 2013 Custom with Lollar PAFs and they were also good sounding pickups.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

These sound more articulate and warmer to my ears. I’m also a fan of the Burstbuster 1 & 2 types.

Hmm. Good to know! I am not a vintage tones guy, perhaps the extra high end on the 498m is not a bad thing. It's such a pain dealing with strings and soldering then hoping you hear the difference. Almost have to record with each set.

 

[Ampeq]

I owned a 2013 Custom with Lollar PAFs and they were also good sounding pickups.

Aren’t they supposed to be similar to Lindy F pup’s? I have always heard good things about them. Never got to try them myself.