Noise noise noise

[Scottando]

Just got back into playing after many years. I needed a new amp, and after a lot of research, I picked up a used HT40 club. Hooking up my old Boss EQ pedal and old Epi Les Paul custom, the setup is what I always wanted - tons of gain, awesome tone, EXCEPT for all the noise! Either neck or bridge pickup, noise is there. A noise gate I picked up off fleabay works, but I hate how they clip. Rolling off the tone control on the pickup reduces noise but again, tone suffers. What I can’t get my head around is that if I use both humbuckers, noise is gone. Aside from moving, any advice as to where to look to alleviate the noise, or does it look like something I am going to have to live with? Thanks for any advice!