You said at the beginning of the video that you preferred the sound of the 59 replica because yours was brighter, by fitting the new pickups I think you have made it even more bright. The Monty's sound thinner, brighter, don't have as much texture or growl as the originals, less output, but with a touch more clarity. If this is the sound you set out to achieve then great, it certainly isn't a bad sound, but my personal preference would be the original pickups.
Anyone with an ear for tone can hear the difference quite plainly. Yeah, they both sound like humbuckers. But the original pickups sounded dark and fat while the new ones sounded brighter and with a shimmery high end, almost like a Tele on steroids.
Yeah, it's weird but you are correct... at least to my ears. Maybe in person it sounded different. The 59 he played first though did sound warmer than both of the pickups in his original guitar, so it might have just been the wood of that guitar or the wiring and pots perhaps? I know, the debate about wood... but in my own opinion and owning several of the exact model guitars, they do sound slightly to moderately different. Of course in many cases you can adjust it with the amp but if I want a brighter sound fast, why not just grab the guitar I know will be brighter.
@@Dagger_323 My ears are telling me the new pickups are more 'open' or 'airy' sounding. Not substantially, but still noticeably so and primarily when playing clean. The originals sound a bit flat, in direct comparison. To my ears, that's the principal difference and a difference that makes me definitely prefer the newer set.
Face is hairy with original. Face is clean with new. Kinda the same with the pickup output. Original is thicker and perhaps a bit louder. New is cleaner/brighter and perhaps a bit quieter.
I put the difference in tone down to more facial hair when playing the orginal - clearly changes the impedance and grounding of the player which affects the catalytic conversion of the electrons through the strings and pickups.
on the epi's you mean? yeh i heard they put veneers on their tops. Truth be told though, I have a LP with a non-veneer flame top and a friend has an epi which i suspect (only because the flame is so good) is a veneer. It's impossible to tell which is real and which isn't
The Monty's pickup's actually sound thinner and quacky sounding than the original Gibson's. Honestly if you want a great vintage sounding pickup go with the Gibson Classic 57's neck and bridge and you'll have a great sounding guitar.
You have to remember the fact the stock Gibson pots on them metal boards are 300k (I know this after testing mine) and the pots in the 59’ will be 500k which the pickups will favour WAAAAY more, you’ll get more output and bite and mojo if the pickups see 500k, not sure anyone has said this on here yet, great playing and tone man! All the best
@macauley Fox - Spot on Mac, and Matt uses NOS Oilpaper Caps wired in a particular fashion that exactly replicates the old wiring to those potentiometers. My 59 with Monty’s PAF doesn’t sound anything like the OP’s in his vid. It’s all related.
Congratulations! Those new pickups do sound nice. I recently built new, slightly modded PAF style pickups for my Epi SG. Couldn't be happier, myself. Pickups are only one part of the picture but, sometimes, they're the part you need to look at.
My guitar is called Monty. Surely this is fate? #starcrossed (they sound far less nasal and less muddy but you lose some of the LP bottom end. Sound very vintage to me, a bit like the SD Antiquitiies)
Hmmm thanks for doing this...but a tweak on a 10 band EQ would get you better results and a LOT let expense and soldering... I prefer the originals personally.
New pickup's seem to be brighter and a bit thinner sounding. Personally I like the old ones, but on utube u can't tell shit anyway. With a band you usually can't even hear these subtle differences. They both sound good.
Interesting, hard to say what sounds 'good' in a comparison like this. But it was weird what you were saying about the reissue being brighter and that's the reason you did it. The new pickups sounded brighter and more harsh to me and the originals sounded fatter to my ear. Maybe better for your style like others have commented.
It's easy. Alnico 2 + 3 will have this mid honkiness. Alnico 5 will be hollowed out mids. What do you need is the real question + what is better for your amp(s)
I enjoyed jamming with you and I hope to do it again. I'm 72 and my hands shake, but with a few pints I'm good to go. I've been playing rock and blues since I was 12 so I've seen Peter Greene with the original Fleet Wood Mac and so many more from your country. Rory Gahllager and so many others don't get enough attention I hope guys like you keep feeling those blues notes in your soul.
It's funny cause your original pickups are definitely warmer and the new ones are definitely brighter... which you said you didn't like. But the PAF sound is suppose to jangle
Monty's neck pickup played clean is definitely more balanced and has greater detail. I couldn't hear much of a difference with the distorted sound. Monty's bridge sounded better distorted but again clean I couldn't tell much difference. Sound like great pickups.
Awesome demo ! They seem to be warmer and fatter than the BKP The Mule set or the BKP warmer Abraxas ? Am I wrong ...I need warmth , bass not too muddy but no harsh pickup set ? I am between those 2 sets....I play clean with fingers or pick, blues and classic rock in a Deluxe reverb 65 RI ! Rhythm and solos too...which ones will be rounder , with warm bass without being too muddy ? The Mule seems TIGHT in the bass, no ? My Bacchus Les Paul seems to be slightly Britten.Thanks a lot for your answer and help..Cheers from France
I have to say I preferred the originals mate. They sounded warmer and thicker and overall more 'chewy' than the Montys. Honest opinion, which did you prefer?
I prefer the Monty's. They are more open and airy sounding and, to my ears, more single coilesque, as were/are 50's LPs. Not sure how others aren't hearing the difference. Whether you prefer one or the other is a matter of taste.
This was VERY well done in that you played the exact thing on all comparisons. I have subscribed. I agree with some that the volume on the Monty's didn't sound as loud but they were brighter and seemed to have a faster attack. The volume issue could simply that the volume control was just a hair off of where the first sample was done. With LP's (and tele's for that matter) there are generally no pointers so the exact position of the volume knobs unless marked is a guess. I have an (HOLD YOUR EARS) Epiphone LP Custom that I have been upgrading through the years. All the electronics have been swapped and I've redone it in '50's style wiring and oil caps (on later reflection the oil caps were a waste of money, capacitance is capacitance) I recently installed a new nut etc. My next move is to break the original Epiphone pups out and get some PAF's type of pups in it. I have been considering Monty's, Gibson and (Hold Your Ears again) Stew Mac's Golden Era Parson Street's. It was difficult to tell if this guitar has the '50's wiring in it or not from the vid. That simple wiring change can make a HUGE difference in the way the pups perform. I do like the way they sound, and the attention to packaging and presentation is in a league all it's own; I'm not hearing enough difference in this video to justify the $370.00 U.S.D. plus shipping for these pups. Even if I owned a $2000 Gibson these new pups would be approximately 1/5th the cost of the total guitar. And where the packaging is VERY cool...you don't play the packaging and unless I'm crumpling the brown paper into a mike while I'm playing, it does not affect the sound at all. The bragging rights are there (as they are in the oil caps I used) but for me there is just not enough difference to justify the cost. I'm thinking that it makes a STRONG case for the StewMac's. I get the work and effort that Monty's has put into these and I applaud him for it. But I am a Worship team musician that plays a few services per month and for my own enjoyment. $370 buys a ton of strings, picks, and other stuff my family needs. If I was a pro giving for a living maybe but for me...not enough of a difference.
Hey mate, did you change the pots with the pickups? A lot of early 2000's Gibson have 300k vol pots which roll off more top end. Switching to 500k will give you more clarity
I don’t know if the new P/U’s help the sound that much. They pretty much sound the same as the original’s. But that 59 LP copy still blows the other guitar out of the water. So sweet.
Hmm, I expected the PAF replicas to have more bite to them (like a fatter P90s as some claim) but I heard more of that in the originals. I wouldn't say one is better than the other, they're just different. Thanks for doing this comparison vid, Mike! They are incredibly helpful for busting through tone hype.
You are very welcome Mike, i enjoy your videos and i'm a Bass player out of Nashville, but i do play guitar and i'm a collector as well, my oldest Tele is a Black guard Esquire it's a 56 and my dad gave it to me when i was 7. it looks just like jeff becks and it's been played ALOT !!! LOL
This shows the inherent difficulty in doing pickup comparisons when there are big differences in output between the pickups being compared. Burstbuckers are good pickups but definitely on the hotter side. Here, it sounds like the amp was set up to match the BBs output. When the lower output Monty’s are plugged in they sound underpowered. To optimise both you would have to change the settings on the amp, which defeats the purpose of a straight AB. The thing that the Monty’s (and other low output PAF style pickups) excel at is plugging them into a cranked amp and then using the volume controls to go from clean(ish) to overdriven. The range of possible sounds is a lot greater than what can be gotten doing the same thing with hotter pickups. I have a band mate with a LP with BBs and when I plug his guitar into my rig set up for clean/edge of crunch with my guitar the BBs push it into full on overdrive. Not a bad sound but not really comparable
The Monty’s are much brighter, or more clear? I’m personally used to warmer and fatter sounds from a les Paul so I prefer the originals. It’s a preference thing really
New pickups seem less harsh, smoother. Maybe lose a bit of the lows or low mids. Seem more articulate and vintagey for sure. A lot of old pickups are very bright. I think they sound better and I usually prefer more dark sounding tones. Good stuff.
I liked the originals and I appreciated the comparison because I wanted to change my Greco LP PU's but they are good enough and not worth changing them.
Theres a slight treble lift and seem a bit more lively not alot in it. One mans trash is another mans dinner yeah. So as long as your feeling the benefits thats all that matters. I personally like both.
beautiful guitar might i point ya at a 90s japan Orville gibson les paul built in the 59' way amazing i did lots of side by side comparisons play n feel n look in stores and could never bring myself to spending double the cost of the rare 9 year run of the orville id take 2 over one 2000s gibson
Definitely cleaner and more "hi-fi" to my ears. A little less output as well maybe? Both sound very nice just different. It doesn't hurt that you play pretty well also.
Well there's not much in it to my ears and I'm listening through expensive studio speakers and high end audio interface. But if you believe the new pickups are better (it's all relative), then I'm sure you will be inspired to play better.
The montys sound more dynamic and more clearer in the mids bottom and highs. A bit thinner but the original pickups are stiff sounding. I don't know what strings you used but i think they be a good combination of highs and bottom of you went up a string gauge
I prefer the Monty neck pup. Sounds like an alnico 2. Prefer the old bridge. Overall it sounds like the originals are hotter, but not a bad thing. I would love having either set in a LP. Just not mine. I like my Slash neck and JB bridge combo.What Gibson pups are those?
Pickups are tricky! If I like someone’s pickups doesn’t mean it’ll sound the same in my guitar. There are many factors from wood, adjustments (intonation, action height, string guage, neck relief), amp...etc. I personally wouldn’t change my stock pickups unless I consult a professional luthier.
Jim Jim wood has shit to do with it. Pickups the way a guitar is constructed and quality electronics and hardware is what makes one guitar sound better than another. I know what sounds good to me. You know what sounds good to you. A luthier is a builder. They know what sounds good to them. It’s all relative. I could give a rats ass what a luthier says.
Great vid. Have ordered the greenie PUs today. Spoke to the guy really friendly. Can’t wait to try. Definitely sounded better in every example for me. Subbed as well, great content.
@@MikeBradleyofficial my order was processed on 28th and I get the impression Matt is very busy going by his insta account. Says on the email, 21 to 30 days. So I have a week or two still to wait. But it’s the first thing I do, is check my shop app. To see if they will be coming. Then have to take them to the guy who sorts my guitars out for fitting. I’m actually sitting here right now, practicing a legit vibrato on bends. Weakest part of my game . So May be the guitar gods are saying “ danny boy get ya bends right then your be ready for the greenies “
@@littleninpo Matt is a lovely guy so I’m sure he will get them to you as soon as he can. Yes keep playing buddy and more importantly have fun with it.
@@MikeBradleyofficial yeah and I’d rather wait six months for a pair of great PUs than have a rush job. But no fear of that with Matt. He’s proud of his business. And I’m sure they will be worth that wait. All good things are. Now I’m a bit older (51) The guitar has become my lady. I still put scaffolds up for a living and no matter how poggered I am from work. I make sure we share some time. Hearing guys like ya self, people who it’s obvious are passionate about the guitar, and my hero Peter Green. I love it. Can’t wait I have just bought the two notes captor x. And it’s really made a huge difference, ring able to get fabulous sounds at practise volume it game changing for me. Have an orange OR15 and sure it’s great but not domestically. So loud. Any way I’d better go or I’ll need a publisher for this wall of text. Play on brother
Maaan, if i could meet any youtuber in the world it would probably be you... You're such a positive person and an inspiration to not just me, but a lot of people and thank you for sharing your knowledge to the world! Cheers Mike, greetings from Serbia! 😁🎸
I juste changed my pickups on my 2016 Goldtop les paul too ... For some OX4 paf pickups aged (as the old PAF 57 were made eventually)... Do you know those pickups ? My LP sound wayyyy better now... :D
They are really great :) check out if you have the time .. Thanks for allllll your videos... I'm learning a lot on each of it ! Keep on rocking and we'll be doing great as always ...
You are in the room with them, so you have a much better take on it of course, but over YT I thought the Monty's, while clearer, had bit less "oomph" to them... less punch. What I have found in experimenting with boutique PAFs (I've had several in my LPs) is that they all seem to be very sensitive to pickup height (more so than the stock Gibsons) and I always end up raising them (particularly the bridge) up a bit. I have a feeling if you raised the Monty's you'd get the punch back... and since the Monty's are clearer it'd probably sound even better. Just my 2 cents. Good vid.
I recently installed Throbak pickups. Night and day difference. Its difficult to adjust them because they sound so good . I have a 2019 Les Paul classic Sunburst. It came with Burstbukers and board mounted Pots.
Honestly, I didn't hear any difference 😅 Except that the Monty bridge pu sounds weaker than the stock one. So, is it worth the money and work to swap the pickups here??
i prefer the Monty's. What were the original pickups? If unknown, what year and model is the Les Paul, and I should be able to figure out what came in it.
The Monty's sound a lot better . There is more clarity in the tone . Today's pickups have too much bass and it causes a muffled sound . A lot of so called guitar players on here like the originals cause of the "low end" . Too much low end is bad for a mix . You want the guitar on the mid/treble side of the mix . This is why Martin guitars are great by themselves and Gibson acoustics are great for a band . Martin's have a good bass response and a Gibson has a lower bass response .
Also the way they wire lp's today makes them more bassey.if you go back to the 50's wireing style the tone is a lot les bassey when you role of your volum. So maybe try that before buying new pups. Also caps make a huge differance. I put a 15 paper and oil in my neck pup and changed the world. Where as in my sg there is a .047 orange drop and i like it. So i fool with that stuff first. That said ive bought lots of pups
THE MONTY PYTHON PICKUPS ARE THINNER THAN YOUR ORIGINAL PICKUPS (SOME PINTO BEANS SAY; "MORE OPEN AND AIRY" - WHAT THEY ARE HEARING IS "THIN") - I THINK WITH A BIT OF TWEAKING YOUR ORIGINAL PICKUPS WOULD BEAT THE MONTY PYTHON PICKUPS. BUT TONE IS SUBJECTIVE - IF YOU LIKE THEM, IF THEY ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLAY, WELL, THERE YOU HAVE IT, THEY ARE THE PICKUPS FOR YOU. BUT I SURE DID NOT KNOW MONTY PYTHON MADE PICKUPS - LMAO! PS - GOOD VIDEO!
Amazing playing. When clean, slightly more clarity from the Montys but they seem quieter. Overdriven, montys are also brighter, a bit thinner and more complex.... to ME! Do you know how the Monty’s compare to the rareish Gibson 59 Tributes that are supposed to capture the same
the new ones are more defined and with more character in my opinion, but not thaaaaaat different, its more like a difference between and a sedan and a hatch, both are cars but have different characteristics. Great video man!
The Gibson's were not bad(a little muddied in the neck pup ). The new ones sounded right to my ears, more articulated and smooth. Not a big difference just more refined. Now check those tone pots and see if they are 300k linear, or 500k audio taper. I swapped my 300k Gibson pots out of my 97 Las paul for 500k CTS pots and it was night and day difference.
Certainly got a slightly less aggressive tonality, I'm impressed. I swapped my Burst Buckers for OX4s recently, however I found that I got greater impact from swapping out the pots to. Do you know if your pots are 300k, 100k or 500k?
For those wanting to know the background music is one of my songs called The Devil's On Side :)
Nice tune!
have you tried brown hatters?
The pickups packaging looks like a Oscar Wilde era cigar gift box of sort.
Really nice music!
Love the style. Good original man 👍👏
You said at the beginning of the video that you preferred the sound of the 59 replica because yours was brighter, by fitting the new pickups I think you have made it even more bright. The Monty's sound thinner, brighter, don't have as much texture or growl as the originals, less output, but with a touch more clarity. If this is the sound you set out to achieve then great, it certainly isn't a bad sound, but my personal preference would be the original pickups.
sounds like you took out the old pickups and put them back in again
The difference is so slight that it could be from pickup height.
Anyone with an ear for tone can hear the difference quite plainly. Yeah, they both sound like humbuckers. But the original pickups sounded dark and fat while the new ones sounded brighter and with a shimmery high end, almost like a Tele on steroids.
Yeah, it's weird but you are correct... at least to my ears. Maybe in person it sounded different. The 59 he played first though did sound warmer than both of the pickups in his original guitar, so it might have just been the wood of that guitar or the wiring and pots perhaps? I know, the debate about wood... but in my own opinion and owning several of the exact model guitars, they do sound slightly to moderately different. Of course in many cases you can adjust it with the amp but if I want a brighter sound fast, why not just grab the guitar I know will be brighter.
The new pickups sounds a bit brighter like 3% any pickups with overdrive distortion is gonna sound much louder and powerful.
@@Dagger_323 My ears are telling me the new pickups are more 'open' or 'airy' sounding. Not substantially, but still noticeably so and primarily when playing clean. The originals sound a bit flat, in direct comparison. To my ears, that's the principal difference and a difference that makes me definitely prefer the newer set.
Face is hairy with original. Face is clean with new. Kinda the same with the pickup output. Original is thicker and perhaps a bit louder. New is cleaner/brighter and perhaps a bit quieter.
The Monty's sounded even brighter to my ears
Nice review,but I still prefer the original,I think they sound more vintage bite with more mids focus and more output less cleaner
I put the difference in tone down to more facial hair when playing the orginal - clearly changes the impedance and grounding of the player which affects the catalytic conversion of the electrons through the strings and pickups.
5:30 It was really interesting to see how thick the maple cap was on the guitar when the pickups were out.
do they make the caps thinner on the newer models?
looks same as Epiphone custom and Santander Les Paul guitar.. have some picture on facebook
To clarify :) I'm just surprised how thick it is in general, not in comparisons to other Les Pauls. I'm used to things with a thin veneer.
even with veneer, maple is thick...just not that beautiful, so they put veneer
on the epi's you mean? yeh i heard they put veneers on their tops. Truth be told though, I have a LP with a non-veneer flame top and a friend has an epi which i suspect (only because the flame is so good) is a veneer. It's impossible to tell which is real and which isn't
So, no real difference. Will you be putting the old ones back in? ;-)
The Monty's pickup's actually sound thinner and quacky sounding than the original Gibson's. Honestly if you want a great vintage sounding pickup go with the Gibson Classic 57's neck and bridge and you'll have a great sounding guitar.
I had the 57 Classics in a Gibson Historic 57 Gold Top Les Paul. Great guitar with a huge neck. Killer guitar.
Theres so many aspects to get paf tones. This demo certainly shows some authentic sounds. Thanks for the upload.
You have to remember the fact the stock Gibson pots on them metal boards are 300k (I know this after testing mine) and the pots in the 59’ will be 500k which the pickups will favour WAAAAY more, you’ll get more output and bite and mojo if the pickups see 500k, not sure anyone has said this on here yet, great playing and tone man! All the best
@macauley Fox - Spot on Mac, and Matt uses NOS Oilpaper Caps wired in a particular fashion that exactly replicates the old wiring to those potentiometers. My 59 with Monty’s PAF doesn’t sound anything like the OP’s in his vid. It’s all related.
Congratulations! Those new pickups do sound nice. I recently built new, slightly modded PAF style pickups for my Epi SG. Couldn't be happier, myself.
Pickups are only one part of the picture but, sometimes, they're the part you need to look at.
Well done comparison demo. Side by side really gives a good idea of the differences. Monty's are quite brighter. More clarity.
The painting on that R9 is wicked and beautiful. Would be my nº1
My guitar is called Monty. Surely this is fate? #starcrossed
(they sound far less nasal and less muddy but you lose some of the LP bottom end. Sound very vintage to me, a bit like the SD Antiquitiies)
I've heard some great things about Monty's pups, but not hearing it in this vid. I'm heading to the Throbak website..
Hmmm thanks for doing this...but a tweak on a 10 band EQ would get you better results and a LOT let expense and soldering... I prefer the originals personally.
me as well
me to
New pickup's seem to be brighter and a bit thinner sounding. Personally I like the old ones, but on utube u can't tell shit anyway. With a band you usually can't even hear these subtle differences. They both sound good.
Interesting, hard to say what sounds 'good' in a comparison like this. But it was weird what you were saying about the reissue being brighter and that's the reason you did it. The new pickups sounded brighter and more harsh to me and the originals sounded fatter to my ear. Maybe better for your style like others have commented.
It's easy. Alnico 2 + 3 will have this mid honkiness. Alnico 5 will be hollowed out mids. What do you need is the real question + what is better for your amp(s)
I enjoyed jamming with you and I hope to do it again. I'm 72 and my hands shake, but with a few pints I'm good to go. I've been playing rock and blues since I was 12 so I've seen Peter Greene with the original Fleet Wood Mac and so many more from your country. Rory Gahllager and so many others don't get enough attention I hope guys like you keep feeling those blues notes in your soul.
Aww thank you Stephen, and that’s so cool you saw Peter with Fleetwood Mac.
It's funny cause your original pickups are definitely warmer and the new ones are definitely brighter... which you said you didn't like. But the PAF sound is suppose to jangle
The new pickups sound more articulate to me. Nice upgrade!
Originals all the time!!
The presentation itself is beautiful.
I prefer the original ones.
Monty's neck pickup played clean is definitely more balanced and has greater detail. I couldn't hear much of a difference with the distorted sound. Monty's bridge sounded better distorted but again clean I couldn't tell much difference. Sound like great pickups.
Awesome demo ! They seem to be warmer and fatter than the BKP The Mule set or the BKP warmer Abraxas ? Am I wrong ...I need warmth , bass not too muddy but no harsh pickup set ? I am between those 2 sets....I play clean with fingers or pick, blues and classic rock in a Deluxe reverb 65 RI ! Rhythm and solos too...which ones will be rounder , with warm bass without being too muddy ? The Mule seems TIGHT in the bass, no ? My Bacchus Les Paul seems to be slightly Britten.Thanks a lot for your answer and help..Cheers from France
Hi! Which one have you decided? I also stuck between these two?
I have to say I preferred the originals mate. They sounded warmer and thicker and overall more 'chewy' than the Montys. Honest opinion, which did you prefer?
Honestly I prefer the new ones, couldn't be happier.
Mike Bradley made up you're happy with them mate. It's all subjective after all. Love the vids. Keen 'em coming 👍
So the pickups included a free razor?
I prefer the Monty's. They are more open and airy sounding and, to my ears, more single coilesque, as were/are 50's LPs. Not sure how others aren't hearing the difference. Whether you prefer one or the other is a matter of taste.
The difference is just a little tad, hardly to mention..
First time I watched this I couldn’t tell a difference, watching it a few months later I can now
I like the Monty bridge pickup more but the original neck pickup more
This was VERY well done in that you played the exact thing on all comparisons. I have subscribed.
I agree with some that the volume on the Monty's didn't sound as loud but they were brighter and seemed to have a faster attack. The volume issue could simply that the volume control was just a hair off of where the first sample was done. With LP's (and tele's for that matter) there are generally no pointers so the exact position of the volume knobs unless marked is a guess. I have an (HOLD YOUR EARS) Epiphone LP Custom that I have been upgrading through the years. All the electronics have been swapped and I've redone it in '50's style wiring and oil caps (on later reflection the oil caps were a waste of money, capacitance is capacitance) I recently installed a new nut etc. My next move is to break the original Epiphone pups out and get some PAF's type of pups in it. I have been considering Monty's, Gibson and (Hold Your Ears again) Stew Mac's Golden Era Parson Street's.
It was difficult to tell if this guitar has the '50's wiring in it or not from the vid. That simple wiring change can make a HUGE difference in the way the pups perform. I do like the way they sound, and the attention to packaging and presentation is in a league all it's own; I'm not hearing enough difference in this video to justify the $370.00 U.S.D. plus shipping for these pups. Even if I owned a $2000 Gibson these new pups would be approximately 1/5th the cost of the total guitar. And where the packaging is VERY cool...you don't play the packaging and unless I'm crumpling the brown paper into a mike while I'm playing, it does not affect the sound at all. The bragging rights are there (as they are in the oil caps I used) but for me there is just not enough difference to justify the cost. I'm thinking that it makes a STRONG case for the StewMac's. I get the work and effort that Monty's has put into these and I applaud him for it. But I am a Worship team musician that plays a few services per month and for my own enjoyment. $370 buys a ton of strings, picks, and other stuff my family needs. If I was a pro giving for a living maybe but for me...not enough of a difference.
Hey mate, did you change the pots with the pickups? A lot of early 2000's Gibson have 300k vol pots which roll off more top end. Switching to 500k will give you more clarity
I didn't hear much difference, except that the Monty's pickups sounded thinner, and had less character to them in my opinion...
Hope you enjoy your new Monty's. It's a pickup thing :)
I don’t know if the new P/U’s help the sound that much. They pretty much sound the same as the original’s. But that 59 LP copy still blows the other guitar out of the water. So sweet.
Hmm, I expected the PAF replicas to have more bite to them (like a fatter P90s as some claim) but I heard more of that in the originals. I wouldn't say one is better than the other, they're just different. Thanks for doing this comparison vid, Mike! They are incredibly helpful for busting through tone hype.
New pickups are more articulate, sound smoother and have higher output as well.
I personally like the all round tone and "Bite" of the original Pups myself Mike...great review though 🖒
Excellent Sound
Cheers buddy! :)
They sound different, but not sure if I think they're better. The neck pickup has a bit more clarity, but the bridge lacks the bite.
New pickups are more vintage PAF-like. Better clarity, definition and treble. If its worth the money is a tougher question 😀
You play nice and sing really well Mike and the new pickups are brighter !!! Nice
Thank you very much Ernest.
You are very welcome Mike, i enjoy your videos and i'm a Bass player out of Nashville, but i do play guitar and i'm a collector as well, my oldest Tele is a Black guard Esquire it's a 56 and my dad gave it to me when i was 7. it looks just like jeff becks and it's been played ALOT !!! LOL
This shows the inherent difficulty in doing pickup comparisons when there are big differences in output between the pickups being compared. Burstbuckers are good pickups but definitely on the hotter side. Here, it sounds like the amp was set up to match the BBs output. When the lower output Monty’s are plugged in they sound underpowered. To optimise both you would have to change the settings on the amp, which defeats the purpose of a straight AB. The thing that the Monty’s (and other low output PAF style pickups) excel at is plugging them into a cranked amp and then using the volume controls to go from clean(ish) to overdriven. The range of possible sounds is a lot greater than what can be gotten doing the same thing with hotter pickups. I have a band mate with a LP with BBs and when I plug his guitar into my rig set up for clean/edge of crunch with my guitar the BBs push it into full on overdrive. Not a bad sound but not really comparable
They sound great mike that neck pickup sounds awesome!!! Montys our the best!!😉
The Monty’s are much brighter, or more clear? I’m personally used to warmer and fatter sounds from a les Paul so I prefer the originals. It’s a preference thing really
Monty's sound a little more snappier with higher end clarity coming thru. Less mud. What set were these?
New pickups seem less harsh, smoother. Maybe lose a bit of the lows or low mids. Seem more articulate and vintagey for sure. A lot of old pickups are very bright. I think they sound better and I usually prefer more dark sounding tones. Good stuff.
Sounds awesomme mate! going to have to order some now, are they the used nickel? He's got loads on the website ,cheers.
Ooh I’m not sure tbh. There were nice
And new looking when I got them, they are reliced the old fashioned way now. Haha
Should try really nice Wizz pickups..sounds like real 59 pickup...
I liked the originals and I appreciated the comparison because I wanted to change my Greco LP PU's but they are good enough and not worth changing them.
Theres a slight treble lift and seem a bit more lively not alot in it. One mans trash is another mans dinner yeah. So as long as your feeling the benefits thats all that matters. I personally like both.
beautiful guitar might i point ya at a 90s japan Orville gibson les paul built in the 59' way amazing i did lots of side by side comparisons play n feel n look in stores and could never bring myself to spending double the cost of the rare 9 year run of the orville id take 2 over one 2000s gibson
Definitely cleaner and more "hi-fi" to my ears. A little less output as well maybe? Both sound very nice just different. It doesn't hurt that you play pretty well also.
Thanks Nick, appreciate it.
Well there's not much in it to my ears and I'm listening through expensive studio speakers and high end audio interface. But if you believe the new pickups are better (it's all relative), then I'm sure you will be inspired to play better.
Great comparison video Mike 😊
Monty's are brighter - more clarity. I would like to see how they change as they age.
The Monty's are brighter. I think it's really what you (the guitarist) really needs and wants for your style.
Yep. The Monty's definitely have something I like a bit better than the originals.
they sound much much better!! specially for the typr of music that you play!! are you also promoting your old single : the devil is in my side?
I agree... hahaha seemed like a great song to use there. Just happens to be mine... WHICH IS AVAILABLE ON ITUNES :) haha
being 2003 i'd guess they were burstbucker pros on there? that's a lovely looking LP by the way!
Yes they’re Burstbuckers. I still have them, but the Montys are still in mine.
@@MikeBradleyofficial I thought so! Yeah man the montys sound spectacular! I’m falling down this rabbit hole myself now haha
The original sound much better, in all aspect. Which are the original pickup?
The montys sound more dynamic and more clearer in the mids bottom and highs. A bit thinner but the original pickups are stiff sounding. I don't know what strings you used but i think they be a good combination of highs and bottom of you went up a string gauge
I prefer the Monty neck pup. Sounds like an alnico 2. Prefer the old bridge. Overall it sounds like the originals are hotter, but not a bad thing. I would love having either set in a LP. Just not mine. I like my Slash neck and JB bridge combo.What Gibson pups are those?
A bit more vintage sounding but not much in it for a better type check out S.D.pickups they are the best iv'e ever heard
Pickups are tricky! If I like someone’s pickups doesn’t mean it’ll sound the same in my guitar. There are many factors from wood, adjustments (intonation, action height, string guage, neck relief), amp...etc. I personally wouldn’t change my stock pickups unless I consult a professional luthier.
Jim Jim wood has shit to do with it. Pickups the way a guitar is constructed and quality electronics and hardware is what makes one guitar sound better than another. I know what sounds good to me. You know what sounds good to you. A luthier is a builder. They know what sounds good to them. It’s all relative. I could give a rats ass what a luthier says.
Great vid. Have ordered the greenie PUs today. Spoke to the guy really friendly. Can’t wait to try. Definitely sounded better in every example for me. Subbed as well, great content.
Great to hear, how you getting on with them?
@@MikeBradleyofficial my order was processed on 28th and I get the impression Matt is very busy going by his insta account. Says on the email, 21 to 30 days. So I have a week or two still to wait. But it’s the first thing I do, is check my shop app. To see if they will be coming. Then have to take them to the guy who sorts my guitars out for fitting. I’m actually sitting here right now, practicing a legit vibrato on bends. Weakest part of my game . So May be the guitar gods are saying “ danny boy get ya bends right then your be ready for the greenies “
@@littleninpo Matt is a lovely guy so I’m sure he will get them to you as soon as he can. Yes keep playing buddy and more importantly have fun with it.
@@MikeBradleyofficial yeah and I’d rather wait six months for a pair of great PUs than have a rush job. But no fear of that with Matt. He’s proud of his business. And I’m sure they will be worth that wait. All good things are. Now I’m a bit older (51) The guitar has become my lady. I still put scaffolds up for a living and no matter how poggered I am from work. I make sure we share some time. Hearing guys like ya self, people who it’s obvious are passionate about the guitar, and my hero Peter Green. I love it. Can’t wait I have just bought the two notes captor x. And it’s really made a huge difference, ring able to get fabulous sounds at practise volume it game changing for me. Have an orange OR15 and sure it’s great but not domestically. So loud. Any way I’d better go or I’ll need a publisher for this wall of text. Play on brother
That's a cool lick you played at 9:59! What scale did you use? I'm talking about the ascending lick.
It's a diminished arpeggio.
GreekGuru74 I
You've been listening to too much Django Reinhardt!! Nice one MB.
Maaan, if i could meet any youtuber in the world it would probably be you...
You're such a positive person and an inspiration to not just me, but a lot of people and thank you for sharing your knowledge to the world!
Cheers Mike, greetings from Serbia! 😁🎸
I juste changed my pickups on my 2016 Goldtop les paul too ... For some OX4 paf pickups aged (as the old PAF 57 were made eventually)... Do you know those pickups ? My LP sound wayyyy better now... :D
Haven't heard of them i'm afraid.
They are really great :) check out if you have the time .. Thanks for allllll your videos... I'm learning a lot on each of it ! Keep on rocking and we'll be doing great as always ...
You are in the room with them, so you have a much better take on it of course, but over YT I thought the Monty's, while clearer, had bit less "oomph" to them... less punch. What I have found in experimenting with boutique PAFs (I've had several in my LPs) is that they all seem to be very sensitive to pickup height (more so than the stock Gibsons) and I always end up raising them (particularly the bridge) up a bit. I have a feeling if you raised the Monty's you'd get the punch back... and since the Monty's are clearer it'd probably sound even better. Just my 2 cents. Good vid.
Cheers buddy, I will experiment but happy at the moment with them.
you canhave an amazing variety of tones more drastic then switching pickups with an eq in the fx loop. every twitch of any lever changes the tone
Sound the sam e to me maybe a tad bit brighter but not worth paying money to replace
Sound almost identical to me. Montys sound a bit thinner. I would stick with the originals.
Much more clarity and detail!
Las originales 👍🏻
I recently installed Throbak pickups. Night and day difference. Its difficult to adjust them because they sound so good . I have a 2019 Les Paul classic Sunburst. It came with Burstbukers and board mounted Pots.
I am also thinking to replace the burst bucker pro. Did you keep the board. How did you found the Throbak?. Please answer love to hear from you.
Honestly, I didn't hear any difference 😅 Except that the Monty bridge pu sounds weaker than the stock one. So, is it worth the money and work to swap the pickups here??
i prefer the Monty's. What were the original pickups? If unknown, what year and model is the Les Paul, and I should be able to figure out what came in it.
Burstbuckers, The guitar is a 2002 standard.
@@MikeBradleyofficial Thanks Mike!
The originals sound great, but so do the Montys.
All a matter of personal preference, I suppose.
Cool M8 have you changed the strings as well or you're using the old set
Using the exact same strings.
The Monty's sound a lot better . There is more clarity in the tone . Today's pickups have too much bass and it causes a muffled sound . A lot of so called guitar players on here like the originals cause of the "low end" . Too much low end is bad for a mix . You want the guitar on the mid/treble side of the mix . This is why Martin guitars are great by themselves and Gibson acoustics are great for a band . Martin's have a good bass response and a Gibson has a lower bass response .
Also the way they wire lp's today makes them more bassey.if you go back to the 50's wireing style the tone is a lot les bassey when you role of your volum. So maybe try that before buying new pups. Also caps make a huge differance. I put a 15 paper and oil in my neck pup and changed the world. Where as in my sg there is a .047 orange drop and i like it. So i fool with that stuff first. That said ive bought lots of pups
The AlNiCo in Monty sounds more detailed and the eq is a little thing in the low mid.
I don't think it's an improvement, they just sound different.
THE MONTY PYTHON PICKUPS ARE THINNER THAN YOUR ORIGINAL PICKUPS (SOME PINTO BEANS SAY; "MORE OPEN AND AIRY" - WHAT THEY ARE HEARING IS "THIN") - I THINK WITH A BIT OF TWEAKING YOUR ORIGINAL PICKUPS WOULD BEAT THE MONTY PYTHON PICKUPS. BUT TONE IS SUBJECTIVE - IF YOU LIKE THEM, IF THEY ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLAY, WELL, THERE YOU HAVE IT, THEY ARE THE PICKUPS FOR YOU. BUT I SURE DID NOT KNOW MONTY PYTHON MADE PICKUPS - LMAO!
PS - GOOD VIDEO!
Amazing playing.
When clean, slightly more clarity from the Montys but they seem quieter.
Overdriven, montys are also brighter, a bit thinner and more complex.... to ME!
Do you know how the Monty’s compare to the rareish Gibson 59 Tributes that are supposed to capture the same
Mike
Do you prefer the the new pickups, & did you get a chance to compare them with the '59 that inspired you to get them?
I do prefer them, I'm playing the guitar a lot more now. For me the sound is a lot more manageable and versatile.
There a difference...but did you like them?
I do, very happy with them :)
the new ones are more defined and with more character in my opinion, but not thaaaaaat different, its more like a difference between and a sedan and a hatch, both are cars but have different characteristics. Great video man!
I love the way u play dude..very good marriage between tech & feeling 👌 same for the combination les Paul & fender amp 👏
Thank you Andre, really appreciate it. and it was my Hamstead amp :)
What a beautiful pair of guitars.! and well upgraded!. could you tell me the song's name at 5:15
The song is my song called The Devil's On My Side :)
Great Finger pickin' , You can be sure your song will be on my playlist from now!
The Gibson's were not bad(a little muddied in the neck pup ). The new ones sounded right to my ears, more articulated and smooth. Not a big difference just more refined.
Now check those tone pots and see if they are 300k linear, or 500k audio taper. I swapped my 300k Gibson pots out of my 97 Las paul for 500k CTS pots and it was night and day difference.
How old were the strings on the guitar with the old pickups compared to the new ones after you changed pickups?
What Gibson pickups did you have before? Burstbuckers?
Sure did.
The new ones sound like they are missing the "oomf" the old ones had. either way, great guitar playing mate!
Certainly got a slightly less aggressive tonality, I'm impressed. I swapped my Burst Buckers for OX4s recently, however I found that I got greater impact from swapping out the pots to. Do you know if your pots are 300k, 100k or 500k?
I've been debating about doing the pots. At the moment I think I will leave it as it is.
Mike Bradley well Mike, you know the golden rule 'If you like it, you're happy, leave it alone!' 😊
Hey man great vid as always!
I’m curious, what song did you use as music background for the pickups change part?
Keep rocking man
Cheers buddy, it's one of my songs called The Devil's On My Side. You can get it on iTunes :)
Mike, does Monty make a Jimmy Page voiced set after the 1974 “The Song Remains the Same” Film & live Album?
I’m not sure, but it’s worth contacting Matt, there isn’t much he doesn’t know about pickups, so I’m sure he could sort you out.