Finding the best pickups for Les Paul guitars is crucial to unlocking the full potential of this iconic instrument. The right pickups can dramatically enhance Les Paul’s deep, warm tones and versatile sound. It’s the secret ingredient that makes every riff, chord, and solo come alive with clarity and richness.
Whether you’re after the smoothness of blues, the edge of rock, or the depth of jazz, the pickups you choose play a pivotal role. In this guide, we’ll explore the best pickups for your Les Paul-style guitars based on their performance and playability.
Getting The Most Out Of Your Les Paul (Why Pickups Matter)
With its rich legacy, the Les Paul is a classic guitar that attracts admiration for its deep, warm tones and remarkable versatility. Often, choosing the best pickups for Les Paul guitars is a crucial step in unlocking their unique, sought-after tonal capabilities.
Finding the right pickups ultimately enables musicians to tailor the sound to their precise stylistic preferences. Their impact on tone, dynamics, and overall playability can be huge.
Choosing the right pickups is akin to finding the guitar’s true voice.
What Qualities Make For Good Pickups For Les Paul Guitars?
It’s essential to understand how the qualities of your pickups play a defining role in Les Paul’s renowned sound profile. These characteristics go beyond technical specs; they ensure pickups match the guitar’s natural voice for the right tone.
Here’s what makes pickups stand out for Les Paul guitars:
- Tonal Balance and Clarity: Pickups for Les Pauls should ensure that every string’s voice is heard clearly. They must be able to balance the guitar’s rich lows and crisp highs seamlessly. This clarity is crucial for maintaining the guitar’s signature warmth even in high-gain settings.
- Dynamic Responsiveness: The ability to capture the full spectrum of dynamics, from the subtlest nuances to the most powerful strums, defines the expressiveness of Les Paul guitars. Good pickups will translate these dynamics into a rich, detailed sound.
- Warmth and Sustain: Enhancing a Les Paul’s natural sustain and warmth is a primary goal. You should look for pickups that provide a smooth, continuous tone that supports a wide range of musical expressions.
- Versatility: Adaptability across various music genres is a must. The right pickups can navigate through clean, melodic passages and aggressive, distorted riffs. The Les Paul is a famously versatile guitar; your pickups should be, too.
The 7 Best Pickups for Les Paul Style Guitars
Let’s now take a look at seven of the best pickups for Les Paul guitars. These pickups stand out for their unique tonal quality, dynamic response, and versatility within Les Paul-style guitars.
#1) Seymour Duncan SH-1 ’59
The Seymour Duncan SH-1 ’59 replicates the sound of the original PAF pickups with its vintage-correct, single-conductor cable and long-legged bottom plate. The balanced coil windings and the Alnico V magnet offer a dynamic range that brings forward a smooth, nuanced tone with exceptional clarity.
The SH-1 ’59 pickups are unique in their ability to enhance Les Paul guitars’ harmonic richness. They are known to provide a warm, articulate sound profile that excels in genres from blues to hard rock.
Its design helps ensure that the tonal qualities of the guitar’s wood are pronounced, which offers players a bridge to classic tones.
#2) Gibson ’57 Classic Plus
The Gibson ’57 Classic Plus extends the capabilities of the original ’57 Classic. These pickups feature a special Alnico II magnet and slightly increased coil windings to produce more output without losing tonal characteristics.
This design decision results in a pickup that delivers a fuller sound with enhanced sustain. The ‘57 Classic Plus pickups are great for pushing amplifiers into natural distortion while maintaining clear, rich harmonics.
These Les Paul pickups are Ideal for musicians who require the vintage tone with the ability to cut through a mix. They can also adapt to a variety of playing styles, from clean, expressive leads to crunchy rhythms.
#3) EMG 81 Active Pickup
The EMG 81 utilizes an active circuitry setup, distinct for its use of a ceramic magnet. This setup provides a level of precision and output that is perfect for Les Pauls.
The EMG 81 is a popular choice for its tight, aggressive tone that cuts through in high-gain settings. This makes it optimal for genres requiring pristine clarity and a pronounced attack, such as metal and hard rock.
The active design also ensures a consistent output level across the board. This significantly reduces noise and enhances the Les Paul’s natural sustain. It results in a powerful and clear sound while retaining the warmth Les Paul’s are known for.
The EMG 81’s efficiency in translating the guitar’s natural dynamics into a focused, articulated sound output without sacrificing tonal richness makes it an exceptional upgrade for Les Paul players.
#4) DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion
Introduced in the 1970s, the DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion is a pioneer in high-output pickups. It’s specifically designed to push amplifiers into overdrive while maintaining tonal clarity and richness.
Its construction features a ceramic magnet, contributing to its capability to produce a powerful, thick distortion. This distortion is widely known to complement the Les Paul’s inherent warm, full-bodied tone.
The DP100’s coil winding design increases its output yet is crafted to ensure your Les Paul’s tonal balance is not lost. This pickup excels in delivering a sound that is both aggressive and articulate. It’s ideal for genres that rely on a heavy, distorted guitar sound without muddying the complex overtones and harmonics Les Paul guitars are capable of. I
The DP100 offers a commanding presence and the versatility to easily navigate between nuanced, clean tones and saturated distortion.
#5) Seymour Duncan Slash Alnico II Pro
The Seymour Duncan Slash Alnico II Pro is designed with a unique Alnico II magnet. The softer magnetic field of Alnico II magnets contributes to a warmer, smoother tone with less bite and more sweetness.
Ultimately, this setup produces a distinct, warm tone perfect for classic rock and blues.
It’s a go-to pick for many players thanks to its ability to deliver a vintage, velvety sound that Slash himself helped make popular. This makes it ideal for genres that thrive on expressive, dynamic lead work.
The pickup’s moderate output ensures that every note and bend is clearly articulate without sacrificing Les Paul’s natural sustain. This creates a rich, full-bodied sound that’s both powerful and distinct.
This pickup perfectly complements any Les Paul by enhancing its inherent tonal qualities, ensuring the guitar’s character shines through. It’s a prime choice for players looking to recreate iconic classic rock tones.
#6) Bare Knuckle Black Dog
The Bare Knuckle Black Dog features a custom-wound coil paired with an Alnico V magnet. This combination yields a high-output tone with exceptional clarity and punch.
This pickup is renowned for its ability to produce a tight, aggressive sound. It excels in settings that demand precision and power, such as hard rock and metal.
Despite its aggressive output, the Black Dog maintains a balance that respects the Les Paul’s rich, harmonic character.
This allows for a sound that’s both commanding and coherent.
Its construction ensures that the pickup interacts seamlessly with the Les Paul. It offers a tonal enhancement that’s both significant and subtle.
Ultimately, the Bare Knuckle Black Dog is an excellent option for players seeking to add bite and depth to their sound.
#7) Lollar Imperial Humbucker
The Lollar Imperial Humbucker captures the essence of the 1950s PAF humbuckers with a modern twist.
Its neck uses an Alnico II magnet for warmth and clarity, which is ideal for expressive lead and chord work. The bridge features an Alnico V magnet, offering a brighter, more focused tone with increased output. This magnet combination ensures versatility, catering to both smooth jazz tones and aggressive rock riffs.
Its scatter-winding design enriches harmonic overtones, adding depth and complexity to its sound. The hybrid magnet approach balances sweetness and punch, enhancing the Les Paul’s dynamic range.
This pickup easily adapts to various genres, from blues to hard rock, maintaining detailed articulation.
The Lollar Imperial offers a unique design for players seeking vintage tones with modern reliability.
