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Post by Scott on Mar 17, 2011 14:01:28 GMT -7
Lollar Imperials for my Les Paul advice... I am going to order a set of Lollar Imperials for my Les Paul. www.lollarguitars.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=humbucker-pickupsI was thinking of going to go with a Low Wind Imperial in the Neck, @ 7.0K. Not sure about my Bridge selection. The Low Wind Imperial Bridge is 7.9K, but I have been thinking to go with a Regular wound Imperial Bridge @ 8.4K. I had been advised: " I'd go with the high wind in the bridge and regular or low wind in the neck. The darker bridge coupled with a brighter neck leads to a better balance when switching back and forth." And " Does your model LP have a maple cap? If it's got the cap I'd go with the regular wind, the low wind would probably get too nasally/treble-heavy in the bridge. If it's all mahogany I'd be ok using the low wind.
Honestly, I'd be more tempted to go low wind on the bridge than in the neck. 7K is quite low and I'd be worried about losing that big fat neck pickup sound. You could go regular wind neck low wind bridge or regular for both and be ok, but unless your guitar has a lot of junk in the trunk (bigsby) or you don't like the traditional thump of the LP neck pickup I would be careful with a 7K in that position." My guitar is Cap-less just for the record. It's just a glorious, flat, slab of mahogany. I don't need the coil splitting, standard 50's wiring is what I will be using. If you were going to put a set of Lollar Imperials in your Les Paul, what ones would you select?I like from Outstanding Cleans, to Classic Rock, and want my only electric guitar to do it all well. I will soon be clicking buy. Thanks!! These will most likely be the last set of pickups I ever buy for this guitar, so I want to get it right!!
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Post by "Z" Steve on Mar 17, 2011 15:16:38 GMT -7
I just called and spoke with Greg Timmons and he helped me (as well as Rick Fass) re choosing the low wind in the neck and reg wind in the bridge on my PRS McCarty Hollowbody. My point is just call and talk with Greg - or Jason, they will answer any question and talk as long as you want It may help cut to the chase.
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Post by jb on Mar 17, 2011 15:22:41 GMT -7
Good idea, I am thinking about replacing my LP pickups with Lollar Imperials as well. I have the 2000 Custom model in black, and I believe that they put a maple cap on those. Anyone know for sure? Thanks.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2011 16:02:51 GMT -7
I have the Lollar Imperial low winds in my Custom First Act Delgada. It is a solid mahogany guitar. I really like the pickups. It's wired 'Modern'.
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Post by hiftbso on Mar 17, 2011 23:11:42 GMT -7
Good idea, I am thinking about replacing my LP pickups with Lollar Imperials as well. I have the 2000 Custom model in black, and I believe that they put a maple cap on those. Anyone know for sure? Thanks. Yes, LP Customs will have a maple top. There maybe a few exceptions in rare historic reissue models but if it's not a reissue it's got a maple cap.
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Post by Hohn on Mar 18, 2011 8:09:45 GMT -7
I just called and spoke with Greg Timmons and he helped me (as well as Rick Fass) re choosing the low wind in the neck and reg wind in the bridge on my PRS McCarty Hollowbody. My point is just call and talk with Greg - or Jason, they will answer any question and talk as long as you want It may help cut to the chase. I would go low-wind in neck and regular in bridge as well. Better yet, ask for the "collings wind" because is somewhere between a low and regular wind. The voicing of the pickups in my SoCo is absolutely, spot-on stunningly perfect-- that rare point where you just hope you never screw it up or change it. I believe Bill Collings has Jason Lollar wind his Imperials slightly lower than regular. A call to Lollar might shed light on this. I wonder if they have some kind of secrecy or such, where Lollar cannot offer that version in the aftermarket? If I were Collings, I would do something to safeguard that tone recipe! JMO
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Post by Hohn on Mar 18, 2011 8:13:35 GMT -7
I just thought that maybe I could measure the pickups in my SoCo and post that?
Just straight up DC resistance should be pretty straightforward.
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Post by Hohn on Mar 18, 2011 8:21:42 GMT -7
One last comment:
I've decided I would much rather have a humbucker for a vintage-voiced instrument to be too low in output than too high. The too low and can remedy with a boost pedal, and I get great tone from the lower wind -- sparkly highs, singing upper mids, etc.
With an overly hot wind, you get a snarling mid that kills off the tonal magic of a PAF-ish pickup.
I way to stay around 8K or lower, ballpark (pending the measurement of my actual Lollars:))
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Post by dei305 on Mar 18, 2011 8:59:00 GMT -7
Hohn, The Lollar low wind in the neck position is fabulous! You may even want to consider the 4 wire config for coil tap too. Check with Dave (hairboy) on how much better his 58 RI sounds with the Lollar Imperials. I would also highly recommend you consider a tonepros replacement bridge.. Thanks! Rick
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Mar 18, 2011 10:28:47 GMT -7
I've got Lollar Imperials in my Grosh Set Neck- a regular wind in the neck and a high wind in the bridge. I didn't have a choice in the matter as I bought her used (but in mint condition). They were factory ordered by Stu at Fatsound in that config. He said that over the years many guys thought the regular Lollar Imperials were a little too bright in the bridge and the HW's took away a slight bit of high end and added a little more mids. He said the regular/HW setup was loved by almost all his customers. As always YMMV; heck I just installed a set of Lollar '50s wind ultra low output P-90s in one of my Hamers I love those too. As far as my Set Neck though- I'll never change those Lollars. My "normal" style may be a little more aggressive than Justin's but for me the guitar is perfect. I got to hear her from the audience's perspective when our very own stellar guitarist Drew played her on stage at Z-Fest and I was almost literally floored by the tone in the room. My crappy camcorder mic and YouTube compression do NOT do this justice. The notes just exploded out of the amp and filled that room with harmonics and tone. I hate high output pickups in general (there are a few exceptions) and some other humbuckers I own and love include Fralin regular wind Unbuckers and a Seymour Duncan " '78" 9K bridge pickup. The Lollars are easily my favorites. They still clean up well and can do Dickey Betts or Rev. Billy G but on rock tones they excel like nothing else I've tried IMO.
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Post by Scott on Mar 18, 2011 14:39:44 GMT -7
I guess so far I am thinking...
for my Cap-less Les Paul, A Low Wind in the Neck, and Regular or "collings wind" in the Bridge.
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Post by Ryan (shorty) on Mar 18, 2011 18:38:15 GMT -7
I have a set of Imperials and they are great pickups. I actually found the low wind neck to be a little weak for me, but YMMV. They are great pickups for sure, but I actually like the WCR Darkbursts in my McCarty better.
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Post by Scott on Mar 18, 2011 20:02:14 GMT -7
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Post by Hohn on Mar 19, 2011 15:40:41 GMT -7
Hohn, The Lollar low wind in the neck position is fabulous! You may even want to consider the 4 wire config for coil tap too. Check with Dave (hairboy) on how much better his 58 RI sounds with the Lollar Imperials. I would also highly recommend you consider a tonepros replacement bridge.. Thanks! Rick Rick, I think you meant to direct this to the OP, as I already have Lollars in my Collings SoCo (and a TonePros).
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Post by Scott on Mar 19, 2011 16:29:25 GMT -7
Just to be clear... This guitar: A Cap-less, solid, slab of mahogany. ;D + a Callaham Bridge install by a Pro, shortly after I receive my pickups.1 - MojoTone 50's Style wiring kit, now on site...2 - Callaham Bridge with mounting studs, now on site...3 - Funds have officially been secured for my pickup upgrade. We now have the Green light!! I will be clicking buy this Monday AM. ;D Still would love to hear more opinions...
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Post by doublecut on Mar 19, 2011 16:42:53 GMT -7
I am a big fan of Lollar Imperials, both regular and low wind. I have low winds in the neck and bridge of my LP Standard, and it has great tone AND balance between the pickups. And, I repoaced a set of Tom Holmes that came with the guitar (which I bought used). I also have a regular wind in the neck of a tele along with a special T in the bridge. Another great matech.
I do agree with all the posters earlier who suggest calling Lollar directly and asking for a recommendation. They won't steer you wrong.
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Post by Scott on Mar 19, 2011 16:46:02 GMT -7
I will be doing that Monday for sure, but still love to hear opinions... (Buying Monday AM, so I can call them first.) " I have low winds in the neck and bridge of my LP Standard, and it has great tone AND balance between the pickups". Good to know, thanks for the info.
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Post by fuggle on Mar 19, 2011 17:45:09 GMT -7
you will love Lollar Imperials. I have the regular wind in my LP standard in both positions. However the idea of low wind in the neck would make it more usable in my opinion. The Imperials are amazing. My LP had stock ceramic 500T's that were dark and muddy and I never used the guitar much before. Now I love the PAF tones I get from it and I play at least half of my set list with my LP.
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Post by mdrs on Mar 19, 2011 20:23:26 GMT -7
I've tried out different "PAF" like custom made pu's. Do your self a favor, and consider Lindy Fralin's "Pure PAF" pu's. I just put a pair in an old LP Classic, and they are wonderful. The only PAF's I've experienced that I liked better were a real pair in an early '60 Burst I've played, and those in my '62 335. And, the Fralin "Pure PAF's" are cheaper too, at $130 per pickup. www.fralinpickups.com/humbuckers.asp
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Post by Scott on Mar 20, 2011 2:46:58 GMT -7
I want to pay using a credit card, so I was looking at the dealer page... www.fralinpickups.com/domesticDealers.aspClicked on a few links trying to find one that... 1 - Let you buy online. 2 - Actually listed the ' NEW! Pure PAF' to click buy on. Can't find any so far...They make the buyer work too hard, to find the product. I also was wondering if Zebra would go with my guitar, or if I could get them covered. (I have never had bare pickups, just hanging out in the wind before.) I do like that the Lollar Imperials are covered, and that there easy to buy. www.lollarguitars.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=humbucker-pickupsAdd to cart, then check out. Jason has the better web site. ;D you will love Lollar Imperials. I have the regular wind in my LP standard in both positions. However the idea of low wind in the neck would make it more usable in my opinion. Thanks for the valuable tip... That is quite a few ' Lollar low wind in the neck position' recommendations... Even one from a regular wound guy. If I go Lollar, that is a pretty much a lock in now I think. It's now just down to High, Reg, or Low wind in the Bridge. I did get th one guy telling me... " I'd go with the high wind in the bridge and regular or low wind in the neck. The darker bridge coupled with a brighter neck leads to a better balance when switching back and forth." And after reading this post over, and over... I've got Lollar Imperials in my Grosh Set Neck- a regular wind in the neck and a high wind in the bridge. I didn't have a choice in the matter as I bought her used (but in mint condition). They were factory ordered by Stu at Fatsound in that config. He said that over the years many guys thought the regular Lollar Imperials were a little too bright in the bridge and the HW's took away a slight bit of high end and added a little more mids. He said the regular/HW setup was loved by almost all his customers. As always YMMV.
As far as my Set Neck though- I'll never change those Lollars. My "normal" style may be a little more aggressive than Justin's but for me the guitar is perfect. I got to hear her from the audience's perspective when our very own stellar guitarist Drew played her on stage at Z-Fest and I was almost literally floored by the tone in the room.
My crappy camcorder mic and YouTube compression do NOT do this justice. The notes just exploded out of the amp and filled that room with harmonics and tone.
I hate high output pickups in general (there are a few exceptions) and some other humbuckers I own and love include Fralin regular wind Unbuckers and a Seymour Duncan " '78" 9K bridge pickup. The Lollars are easily my favorites. They still clean up well and can do Dickey Betts or Rev. Billy G but on rock tones they excel like nothing else I've tried IMO. I think I might want High in there! Although, with my solid slab of mahogany guitar, maybe the extra brightness that a standard wind would bring would be welcome, and provide better balance? The Low Wind Imperial Neck is 7.0K, and going in, end of story.My Bridge Shootout: Imperial 8.4K Regular wind, Bridge only, Clean: (Using Alnico 5 magnets.)www.lollarguitars.com/humbucker-pickups/Imperials/335-imperial-bridgeEDIT.mp3Imperial 8.4K Regular wind, Bridge only, Dirty: www.lollarguitars.com/humbucker-pickups/Imperials/335DT003EDIT.mp3Imperial 9.4K High wind, Bridge only, Clean: (Using Alnico 2 magnets.)www.lollarguitars.com/humbucker-pickups/Imperial-Highwinds/OWBKRCL3EDIT.mp3Imperial 9.4K High wind, Bridge only, Dirty: www.lollarguitars.com/humbucker-pickups/Imperial-Highwinds/OWDT65A3EDIT.mp3What does my slabber need in there? ;D
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Post by hairboy on Mar 20, 2011 6:32:58 GMT -7
I'm a little late to the party here'But I really like Lollars in my 58 VOS.It almost sounds like The other pickups were muffeled and the lollars are unmuffeled if that makes sense.They are veryclear and musical.Definately Use the low wind in the neck and the coil tapreally adds a whole new dimention.I'm happy!Thanks to Rick Fass for all the help also he really went above and beyond the call in provding his knowledge and help.....Dave
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Post by dei305 on Mar 20, 2011 8:03:55 GMT -7
Dave (Hairboy), Did Terry get your LP done yet? Many thanks for your Kudos and trust! Rick
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Post by Scott on Mar 20, 2011 9:14:27 GMT -7
Either of you guys have an opinion about my bridge? One last comment:
I've decided I would much rather have a humbucker for a vintage-voiced instrument to be too low in output than too high. The too low and can remedy with a boost pedal, and I get great tone from the lower wind -- sparkly highs, singing upper mids, etc.
With an overly hot wind, you get a snarling mid that kills off the tonal magic of a PAF-ish pickup.
I way to stay around 8K or lower, ballpark (pending the measurement of my actual Lollars:)) Now I think I am back to a regular wind 8.4K there... I keep flip-flopping back and forth on my bridge. I think I could almost click buy today, even without the phone call to Jason.
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Post by cheycaster on Mar 20, 2011 9:25:04 GMT -7
I'm a little late to the party here'But I really like Lollars in my 58 VOS.It almost sounds like The other pickups were muffeled and the lollars are unmuffeled if that makes sense.They are veryclear and musical.Definately Use the low wind in the neck and the coil tapreally adds a whole new dimention.I'm happy!Thanks to Rick Fass for all the help also he really went above and beyond the call in provding his knowledge and help.....Dave Yep, Rick is da man! Highly Recomended. Shalom, Cheyenne
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Post by cheycaster on Mar 20, 2011 9:46:41 GMT -7
Almost forgot... I have a killer Guild Bluesbird that I put a Lollar regular wind in the Neck and a High Wind in the Bridge wired up to 57 spes and Sozo Tone Caps etc. and I found the highwind was too much for me and what I do so I went with a Regular Wind in the Bridge and love it. I know I should have given the Highwind a lot longer trail period but it just worked out that way for this guitar as the Bluesbirds have Tone Chambers in them and that for me probably the lower wind is voiced great for the Bluesbird. I would love to however try a highwind set in a more rock-ish geeter some day. But anyhoo, lotsa love for the Lollar Imperials. Next time I will for sure try the low wind in the Neck with a coil tap and probably a regular wind in the Bridge. The Imperials a sweet and clear both in distortion and cleans to killer funk city onto sweet blues tones.
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Post by Scott on Mar 20, 2011 9:50:17 GMT -7
Thanks for the post... One more regular wound Bridge fan.
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Post by Scott on Mar 20, 2011 16:16:50 GMT -7
I wonder what these are?? Guitar: Les Paul, Lollar imperial humbuckers Amp: Dr. Z Carmen Ghia Effects: T-Rex mudhoney (distortion), T-rex overdrive (boost), T-rex replica (delay) Backing Track: Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-880Gibson Les Paul Replica, Lollar Imperial PU And found a Low Wind Neck, into a Maz Jr. New guitar from King Bee Guitars in Texas, USA. I call her Bloody Mary...awesomely gross fiesta red, double bound body, round comfy neck, and a pair of Lollar Pickups. The Imperial Low Wind Humbucker, and a 52 telecaster bridge pickup.
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Post by Hohn on Mar 23, 2011 18:04:08 GMT -7
Be sure to ask about the "collings wind" bridge. In a TQR interview with ill Collings (available here: www.collingsguitars.com/Images/reviews/TQR.pdf), Bill discusses that they used on off-the-shelf Imperial in the neck (std wind apparently), but the Collings bridge is a little brighter than normal, so it's actually a lower-than-standard output bridge pickup (but not an actual low-wind-- more of a slightly-lowerish-wind) I happen to find the Collings bridge pickup to be perfect. The extra high end zing is easily tamed because it's smooth, but still present, and you really want that bite on the clean side. This bridge humbucker comes really close to a "runnin' down a dream' (Tom Petty) sort of tone--in a humbucker! I love it.
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Post by Scott on Mar 23, 2011 19:16:34 GMT -7
Trivia on my Lollar selection... I ended up selecting a Low wind in the Neck, and Standard wind in the Bridge. So the DC resistance of the Low Wound Imperial Neck is 7.0k. And the Regular wound Bridge measures 8.4k. Alnico 5 magnets that are degaussed to a specific level are used in both sets, helping to contribute to their vintage type PAF sound. Both sets are wax potted helping to keep microphonic squeal to a minimum. Word on the street is Jason does not “over-pott” his pickups. Some feel too much potting can deaden a pickup's sound. Hearing about this makes me wonder how Jason's potting, compares to Gibson's potting on my BurstBucker Pro's?? So my neck should sound close to this: (Low Wound, 7.0k) Neck only, clean: www.lollarguitars.com/humbucker-pickups/LowWinds/low-wind-black-paul-copy-neck.mp3Neck only, dirty: www.lollarguitars.com/humbucker-pickups/LowWinds/LWDT0001.mp3And my bridge should sound close to this: (Regular wound, 8.4k) Bridge only, Clean: www.lollarguitars.com/humbucker-pickups/Imperials/335-imperial-bridgeEDIT.mp3Bridge only, Dirty: www.lollarguitars.com/humbucker-pickups/Imperials/335DT003EDIT.mp3I hope they play well together, and that my solid mahogany guitar likes um!
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Post by "Z" Steve on Mar 23, 2011 22:23:31 GMT -7
Ordered mine last week (same set up) - got the tracking # today. Looking forward to hearing what the new pups (going for the split config) and Ricks tone kit has to add to my hollowbody ;D
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