How to choose a pickup

[Hamberg]

I am assuming that that same pickup will sound different in a different guitar. I am also assuming that the I use amp will also be another variable that will effect the sound. How can I figure out what kind of pick up I need for my guitar to get the sound that I want. I have a les paul, and a marshall amp. The bridge pickup is the one im considering replacing. I belive that the neck pick up is a P-90.

[alucard0941]

umm, the first question is what kind of music or sound do you want to come out of it?
Active or Passive

And dont think that active pickups can work on a Les Paul, look at Zakk Wylde

[Hamberg]

Thats a tough question to answer because I know how to play lead but I play rhythm for the band that im in. The neck pick up is already pretty passive sounding. I like heavier sounding guitars, but not so much into the metal sound. I like to palm mute and artificial harmonic alot. Also I hate string talk. I love the sound of Alice in Chains guitar. Their sound is number one in my opion. The others are in no particualr order. Stone Temple Pilots (off core,) 311, Nirvana, Linkin Park, and Metallica (james hetfield, his live sound only.)

[alucard0941]

it seems to me you might like EMG's

[Hamberg]

an emg on the bridge and a P-90 on the neck in a les paul with a marshal amp is a cool sound? Would it have a good solo and rhythm sound do you think?

[SPL]

I wouldn't go with EMG's in a Les Paul at all...

Sounds to me like you would benefit from something a lot more versatile.

How about a Seymour Duncan JB4 at the bridge, and a SH2 at the neck?

[Hamberg]

what if I can only afford 1 pick up right now, would that still be a cool sound on the bridge?

[Tele Master]

Your the guy whos playing the guitar. Your going to have to decide for yourself. The problem with pickups and guitars and amps and effects is that no one can tell you what sound you want. Trial and Error is what it's all about.

[SPL]

what if I can only afford 1 pick up right now, would that still be a cool sound on the bridge?

The JB4 will work just fine... if you like playing both clean and distorted.

But like Tele Master said... all we can do is give you suggestions. There are so god damn many different models of pickups out there, it's not easy to find the right one. I'm always happy when I find one that simply does the trick.

[rockonman]

Like they said its trial and error...I had a Fender strat that I wanted to have more balls so I just decided to put a Seymour Duncan Hot Rails into it at the bridge and now it can do Rock, Metal, Blues, Acoustic...it made it really versatile...one thing I'll say about EMG's is that they have great tone and are good distorted, but they lack a high output for really heavy stuff.

[Hamberg]

MAbey it would be better for me to ask this question. How can I find out what gear and pick ups famous artists use that I would like to sound like?.

[alucard0941]

go to the pickup webistes.

may I also suggest Di Marzio. I personally like them better than Duncan

[Lordathestrings]

... but they lack a high output for really heavy stuff.You don't need high-output pickups for heavy tone - you need a good amp and FX.

[rockonman]

You don't need high-output pickups for heavy tone - you need a good amp and FX.
That is true but if you have a high output pick up it is much easier to get a heavy distorted tone.

[SPL]

I thought EMG pickups were known exactly for being high output pickups...

[PonyOne]

That is true but if you have a high output pick up it is much easier to get a heavy distorted tone.
not necessarily.

Lord is right, it has a lot to do with the amp. A '52 Reissue telecaster through a Mesa Dual Recto with the right settings will sound deeper, darker, heavier and more distorted than a Jackson Dinky with active pickups played through a Crate.

I have a 50th anniv Telecaster with medium-low output Fender custom shop pickups that sounds awesome distorted and can really growl; I also have a Gretsch with pickups that are pretty low output for humbuckers, more intended for blues and rockabilly than metal but even in the neck position it can really wail and is great for pinch harmonics. my Strat I just put the P90 in can get pretty low, though not quite so as the Gretsch.

And lastly my Kramer with the DiMarzio Tone Zone, which is a very versatile, super-high gain passive pickup that gets a great low grind like you'd hear on Jar Of Flies or some of Tool's stuff, as well as some high leads.

[guitarfreak2244]

what if I can only afford 1 pick up right now, would that still be a cool sound on the bridge?
Ya that would be good you dont need to replace both of them at the same time and i would go with the seymour duncan jb4