Pickup for a Sho Bud LDG

Frank Markow · Post by **Frank Markow** » 25 Apr 2017 10:32 am

I have a very nice 1976 Sho Bud, currently has a George L E66 pickup. It is a nice sound, very smooth..but I am not sure this is the best match for this guitar. I would like to get something with a bit more bite and snap, brighter sounding. I know this is a mellow sounding guitar generally, but is there a pickup that would help this?

I know "best" is subjective, but just curious as to what ya'lls thoughts on a proper PUP for the LDG? Thanks.

Dave Meis · Post by **Dave Meis** » 25 Apr 2017 12:06 pm

My '74 came to me with a GL 10-5 on it, and after talking with Ricky Davis about it, I went with a Wallace TT wound to 17.5 and tapped at 11 .. I like it.

Mine has barrels behind 2 hole pullers, and I'm not sure if that would make a difference.

Larry Allen · Post by **Larry Allen** » 25 Apr 2017 12:10 pm

I upgraded mine to a BL 710...excellent!..Larry

Dave Campbell · Post by **Dave Campbell** » 25 Apr 2017 1:31 pm

i had a wallace true tone in mine and it sounded fantastic. if buzzing is a concern, i've tried a telonics 206 and 409 and they both sound pretty good.

Alex Johnson · Post by **Alex Johnson** » 25 Apr 2017 2:34 pm

Frank, put a Wallace true tone in it. You won't regret it. I have the same thing in my LDG.

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 25 Apr 2017 5:03 pm

I've had three LDG's over the years and the GL EON pu worked for me on each one. Narrow mount.

J R Rose · Post by **J R Rose** » 25 Apr 2017 7:00 pm

Frank, What's wrong with a Sho-Bud pickup? I have an original 1982 Sho-Bud I took out of a Pro ll in 1982.
It has that Sho-Bud sound!! Send me a PM. J.R.

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 26 Apr 2017 8:05 am

I'm no expert, but just a couple of thoughts.
Just trying to sort through the information and comments.

You have an E-66 already.
You mentioned that you want something brighter.
Isn't that already a bright pickup?
Are the ones mentioned (710, TT, etc) brighter?

I think that Show Pro is the current branch on the Sho Bud tree. They may be able to advise you on a "traditional" more vintage choice, if that is what you are looking for. However, re-reading your original post, it may not be.

My gut feel tells me that all of the ones mentioned would sound great (after all, it's a PSG, how can it sound bad, right?), but they may not be exactly what you're looking for.

Frank Markow · Post by **Frank Markow** » 26 Apr 2017 8:10 am

Alex Johnson wrote:Frank, put a Wallace true tone in it. You won't regret it. I have the same thing in my LDG.

Good tip. Are these single coil... do they buzz? This may be the challenge with this..

Jess Tolbirt · Post by **Jess Tolbirt** » 26 Apr 2017 8:44 am

i thought you was wanting to trade your sho-bud for a pick-up

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 26 Apr 2017 8:58 am

I like a Lawrence 710 in my LDG.

Notably, that's Lloyd Green's choice when not using the original Sho-Bud pickup.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 26 Apr 2017 9:08 am

710's on both Buds I had. Great matchup.

Tucker Jackson · Post by **Tucker Jackson** » 26 Apr 2017 11:25 am

ajm wrote: You have an E-66 already.
You mentioned that you want something brighter.
Isn't that already a bright pickup?
Are the ones mentioned (710, TT, etc) brighter?

Exactly. The guitar already has an E66 -- one of the brightest humbuckers available. If it doesn't supply enough snap, it might make sense to move to a single-coil of some kind, like a Wallace Truetone. Yes, it might buzz in certain environments...

Frank Markow · Post by **Frank Markow** » 26 Apr 2017 11:33 am

Thanks for all the input so far guys, I really appreciate it.

Dave Hartley has a nice old Bud here, with that crisp, bell like tone I am thinking about..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoUTvvpciLM

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 26 Apr 2017 11:41 am

You might try a 'Li'l Izzy' (believe that there is or was one for sale here on the Forum). One of these little boxes will enhance the tone of the guitar considerably.

Frank Markow · Post by **Frank Markow** » 26 Apr 2017 1:10 pm

David Nugent wrote:You might try a 'Li'l Izzy' (believe that there is or was one for sale here on the Forum). One of these little boxes will enhance the tone of the guitar considerably.

I have a Hilton active pedal... I think this already has a buffer in it.. but it does not give the bright, chimey sound I seek..

Dustin Rigsby · Post by **Dustin Rigsby** » 27 Apr 2017 7:35 am

Frank Markow wrote:
David Nugent wrote:You might try a 'Li'l Izzy' (believe that there is or was one for sale here on the Forum). One of these little boxes will enhance the tone of the guitar considerably.
I have a Hilton active pedal... I think this already has a buffer in it.. but it does not give the bright, chimey sound I seek..

Maybe it's not your pickup. Maybe it's your technique . Try picking closer to the bridge. Try to make sure that you're picking the notes cleanly....changing your technique is an inexpensive way to change you tone

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 27 Apr 2017 8:24 am

I'm with Dustin. It might also be amp settings,but the right hand makes a huge difference in tone.

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 27 Apr 2017 4:16 pm

Put an original Bud pickup in it if you can find one in good shape.. If not a Wallace Truetone is a very close second.. Humbuckers tend to change the sound of a Bud too much, unless thats what you want.. if you want it to have an authentic Bud sound, put a Bud or truetone pickup in it... bob

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 30 Apr 2017 3:55 pm

Loyd Green has made a reasonable fist of things using a BL710

Paul Redmond · Post by **Paul Redmond** » 1 May 2017 6:00 pm

I have late model LDG (circa 1982) on which the former owner installed a "late model" L705. It doesn't get any better than that.
PRR

Dan Robinson · Post by **Dan Robinson** » 1 May 2017 8:27 pm

Paddy Long wrote:Loyd Green has made a reasonable list of things using a BL710

...and he is adding a few more Sweethearts to that Rodeo today.

Greg Thompson · Post by **Greg Thompson** » 1 May 2017 8:34 pm

Frank,
I have a hardly used L705 Re-Issue For Sale if that helps

Frank Markow · Post by **Frank Markow** » 8 May 2017 11:27 am

Greg Thompson wrote:Frank,
I have a hardly used L705 Re-Issue For Sale if that helps

Greg, thanks for the offer. I played a LDG with a 705 this weekend, was close to what I am looking for. I got JR's SB PUP, going to try that, but if that doesn't do the trick I may snag it from you. Thanks.

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