Okay, so now I'm considering a Gibson Explorer in natural (that was my first dream before a goldtop les paul), and it has the greatest feeling neck that I've ever played, behind a JEM. Anyway, I want to swap out the pickups, a 496R and a 500T, and throw in a set of breeds. So, here's my question:

1. Would it be worth it? or would Burstbuckers sound better? (Bustbuckers definitely look nicer)

2. How much would you pay for a set of unused 496R and 500T?

1. Burstbuckers are ok, not what I would go with. Ihad an Explorer with a JB and a 59, I would definately do that. If you wanted to stay Gibson, Id go 57 Classics.

2. Not much, the 500T is about the worst pickup I've ever had.

+1 on both points.

It'd be pretty much impossible for you to be able tell which pickups are "better", based on our own opinions.

I mean, tone is very subjective. What one person hates, another person will love.

But, I wouldn't go with either set, to be honest. I think they're overpriced, like pretty much everything else Gibson makes.

+1 on that!

The JB sounds amazing in the bridge of a Les Paul. I like the Jazz a bit more in the neck than the '59 but that's subjective. Don't put anything with lots of bass and mids like a Breed in a Les Paul. You want bright.

Now I'm thinking maybe PAFs (originals, not PAF Pros) for the classic sound... I know they can do dirty but I'm not sure about hot. Maybe I'll throw like an evo2 into the bridge and maybe Evo in the neck.

I tried an Evo in my LP and it was nice but the pickup I'm really amazed by in my Les Paul is a PAF-pro (F-spaced) It just sounds incredible. I'm really getting away from distortion class pups and going with clean articulate sounding pups.