59 Bridge in Epiphone Les Paul Studio Replacement

[SteveSweat]

Hello,

My first post and I thought I'd start off by asking for advice on a replacement for my Epiphone Les Paul Studio Deluxe (mahogany body and neck). It has great action and sustains well, the only problem with it is that I think it has a ton of bass in the bridge and still sounds sounds dark even with a 59. I have a 59 bridge in my Stratocaster and LOVE it, so I thought I'd try a 59 in the bridge in my Les Paul. Well, my Les Paul sounds better overall, but not as clear as I'd like it to sound. It's sounding a little too thick when I play it in my old HH vs musician head through a 2x12 cab. The cleans sound great, but the fuzzy type of distortion is not getting along with my Les Paul. I've adjusted the height of the pickups, checked that the controls are 500k pots, I even added a treble bleed and it does make an improvement, but I was curious for other suggestions. I know I'm used to playing a fat strat, and may not be used to the thickness of my Les Paul. However, I've heard some great examples of Les Pauls with more bite, clarity, and treble. So I know its possible.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: 59 Bridge in Epiphone Les Paul Studio Replacement

Welcome to the forum

Try 50s wiring maybe? Just move the tone pot/capacitor connection from the outside volume lug over to the middle volume lug for each pickup. That will brighten it up, though a small increment.

Are you changing your amp settings when you switch guitars? Settings that work for a Strat are not going to work for a Les Paul of any sort.

 

[SteveSweat]

Re: 59 Bridge in Epiphone Les Paul Studio Replacement

I am changing amp settings, lowering the bass etc. Don't get me wrong, I can make this Les Paul sound decent with the clean channel and a rat distortion pedal. But I'm trying to make it work with a fuzzier thicker sounding overdrive that's part of the amplifier. My stratocaster sounds more even and balanced. I've gotten compliments on that combination. It's amazing how different these 2 guitars sound with the same humbucker. I'm pretty sure T-Rex used an HH amp with a Les Paul, but yeah I guess mine is an Epiphone Studio

 

[Clint 55]

Re: 59 Bridge in Epiphone Les Paul Studio Replacement

Use a 1 meg volume pot.

 

[SteveSweat]

Re: 59 Bridge in Epiphone Les Paul Studio Replacement

Use a 1 meg volume pot.

Wow, I just looked this up on the net. Great idea thanks!

 

[Clint 55]

Re: 59 Bridge in Epiphone Les Paul Studio Replacement

Yapp!

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: 59 Bridge in Epiphone Les Paul Studio Replacement

Sounds to me as if what you need isn't just more treble, it's thinner low end. 59b does well with magnet swaps, but that'd take off some high end along with the bass.

Something like a Full Shred bridge pickup, maybe? Strong highs with nice tight lows.

 

[SteveSweat]

Re: 59 Bridge in Epiphone Les Paul Studio Replacement

Thanks, but I'm actually thinking of some Phat Cats. I've never been interested in a single coil type of tone, but it might be what I'm looking for. I'm trying to play post-punk and new wave. Some of those tones are kind of jangly, which is hard for a Les Paul.

 

[Demanic]

Re: 59 Bridge in Epiphone Les Paul Studio Replacement

A4 59b.

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[vinnie1971]

59 Bridge in Epiphone Les Paul Studio Replacement

Sounds to me as if what you need isn't just more treble, it's thinner low end. 59b does well with magnet swaps, but that'd take off some high end along with the bass.

Something like a Full Shred bridge pickup, maybe? Strong highs with nice tight lows.

I was about to suggest mag swaps, but you beat me to it. Some pickups in some guitars sound boomy (muddy) with A5. Even though A2 theoretically would be more muddy, it can sound brighter as there's less bass.
But before trying that lower the bass side of the pickup only say a whole 360 turn on the height adjuster and raise the bass pole prices the same amount and adjust from their. Leave the trebles as they are. Then adjust from their. You can get quiet bright.

Could try A2, A4 as in between A5 and A2, or A8. I like A8 a lot (if you like EVHs sound some say a 59s with A5 is very close to the Super 70) tonally it's like between A2 and A4 but with much more power. So you get tight bass, punchy mid range and good top end nice and bright but with a bit of warmth.


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