I was hoping for some opinions on these. If so by people who own or have used both. Things like differences you've noticed, tone, weight, problems involved. More specifically what types of music you prefer to play with either, whether or not you've found issues in picking and especially palm muting? Also if anyone knows the history behind why the late Mr. Paul decided, hey boys! Throw one in the middle and let's see whatsup! Haha, any insight is good insight:) Thanks all!

I find three pickup Les Pauls very difficult to play ... I keep hitting the middle pickup. They sure look cool, though.

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Peter Frampton always prefered 3 pup LPs.I have an Epi G-400 Custom SG bodied Les Paul,I know that it's not the classic single cut Les Paul but it basically has the same layout.I love my Epi,It has a great feel(although is a bit neck heavy)and fabulous tone you can almost get a single coil tone when engaging all pups.You can also emulate the 2 pup model by rolling off the volume for the middle pup.It's a very versatile guitar.

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This one has some weight to it but as long as you use a good strap I find they are no problem. Sound, well its an LP

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I get a headache from the middle pup in my Strats so I do the Blackmore, Yngwie thing and sink them so my pick does not keep hitting it. So there is no way I would ever get a Paul with 3 pups as that must be real torture.

I guess it's just something I'm going to have to check out in person. I was at the local shop looking at 2 vintage beauty's. The 3 pup one being 78 tobacco burst les paul artisan and the 2nd being a 79 2 pup black beauty. Thank-you to the people who replied and I'll try and keep you updated!

Right! Two humbuckers take up a lot of my picking space ... three is impossible for me to deal with!

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My other guitar is a Strat.

well because of the way i play.... picking right where the neck pup is located.... i would take the 3 pup version because it would be yet another sound from the guitar and no matter what i hit the neck pup anyways.... but thats because of my playing style. play both and see what works best for you

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A Stratocaster has 3 pickups??????? The fender is more of a problem for me as the pickup is more narrow and the pole pieces catch my picks. If you are hitting the pickup on the Les Paul its not as much of a problem as it is much wider and smoother for the pick to glide across. (especially for us EMG fans) I happen to hate bridge pickup on almost all guitars because there to darn treble / nasally and just plane no tone ear splitting kind of sound. A middle pickup (at least for my tastes, is perfect for lead runs as it will still break out leads but not as ear splitting…) If you play over the middle pickup on your fender then you certainly can do it on the les paul as well. . Don’t let seeing less of the body scare you……increase you tonal opportunities if 2 are good then 3 is better right?

Cheers
Bill

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no probs here with a 2 pup lp and sg then again i tend to hold the pick right at the point . i say give it a go

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I agree, and it's somethng to consider before buying one.

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