Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

[JMD102]

Hi there, I am looking for some help choosing which pickups to buy to convert this metal guitar to a classic rock/blues sound. It currently has an EMG 81 in the bridge and a 60 in the neck. I have come to realize I don't like these active pickups. The guitar sounds great, if that is the sound you are looking for. Would love to get a more Gibson Les Paul sound out of this guitar. I currently play through a JMD102 combo but will soon pick up a JCM 800 or 900. Thanks for all your help.


Specifications:

Set-Neck Construction 24.75” Scale Mahogany Body Quilted Maple Top Mahogany Neck Ebony Fingerboard 42mm Bone Nut Thin U Neck Contour 22 XJ Frets Black Nickel Hardware Gotoh Magnum Lock Tuners Gotoh TOM Bridge & Tailpiece EMG 81 (B) / 60 (N) Active p.u. Finish: AMBER CHERRY SUNBURST Controls Bridge Volume Neck Volume Master Tone 3-Way Toggle

 

[RStabler]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

I have a 2013 Eclipse-II. I really like the PAF 36th Anniv. from DiMarzio in it.

 

[JMD102]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

I have a 2013 Eclipse-II. I really like the PAF 36th Anniv. from DiMarzio in it.

Thank you for your reply. I was thinking about getting a set of Pearly Gates or at least one for the bridge. How would you describe the sound you get with the DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniv.? I youtubed them and find they sound very good in a very good Les Paul. I am looking for that classic rock bite you hear in very good Les Pauls. I may keep the Eclipse as is and pick up a Les Paul as it is inevitable that I purchase one at some point.

 

[Leon Of Late]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

I think a Slash set would sound great in your guitar. A PG set would also be great, a little more upper mid bite and a little less low end. If your guitar is tonally on the bright side, a set of the A2P's would really warm it up.

Some of the suggestions I might make, along with everyone else, will depend on what sound YOU like. Do you a tone that is a little edgier and crisp, or are you looking for a little more laid back, warm, smooth sounding tone. Sets of these pickups with either Alnico 2 or Alnico 5 will make a big difference in your end tone. A5 tends to have tight lows, crisp highs and less midrange. A2 magnets tend to have warmer lows, but not as tight, more midrange and sweeter highs.

Truthfully, there are a half dozen pickup sets that will cover classic rock and blues and an even more vast number of one bridge pickup and another neck pickup... not from the same set or magnet type even. So maybe some examples of songs that exemplify the tone you'd like to achieve would help a great deal. Not that you want to copy one tone (or maybe you do), this information will help guide additional suggestions. For example, the three sets I suggested all use A2 magnets, yet show the versatility of that magnet in the different tones.

Good luck.

 

[JMD102]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

I think a Slash set would sound great in your guitar. A PG set would also be great, a little more upper mid bite and a little less low end. If your guitar is tonally on the bright side, a set of the A2P's would really warm it up.

Some of the suggestions I might make, along with everyone else, will depend on what sound YOU like. Do you a tone that is a little edgier and crisp, or are you looking for a little more laid back, warm, smooth sounding tone. Sets of these pickups with either Alnico 2 or Alnico 5 will make a big difference in your end tone. A5 tends to have tight lows, crisp highs and less midrange. A2 magnets tend to have warmer lows, but not as tight, more midrange and sweeter highs.

Truthfully, there are a half dozen pickup sets that will cover classic rock and blues and an even more vast number of one bridge pickup and another neck pickup... not from the same set or magnet type even. So maybe some examples of songs that exemplify the tone you'd like to achieve would help a great deal. Not that you want to copy one tone (or maybe you do), this information will help guide additional suggestions. For example, the three sets I suggested all use A2 magnets, yet show the versatility of that magnet in the different tones.

Good luck.

I thank you for your reply. I was curious about the Slash pickups. To be honest, along with many people, the closer I could get to a 59 Les Paul through a JCM800 dual reverb I can get, the better I would like it. I realize my guitar is not a 59 Les Paul and I am dreaming, however, I think the guitar is a quality guitar that can achieve some real 'bite' which I am guessing you may be describing as sweet highs. So it soungs like you may be suggesting A2 magnets for me.

Thanks again!

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

JB/59 sets sound pretty good in Eclipses. The JB isn't for everybody though. Some like it and some hate it.

 

[RStabler]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

Thank you for your reply. I was thinking about getting a set of Pearly Gates or at least one for the bridge. How would you describe the sound you get with the DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniv.? I youtubed them and find they sound very good in a very good Les Paul. I am looking for that classic rock bite you hear in very good Les Pauls. I may keep the Eclipse as is and pick up a Les Paul as it is inevitable that I purchase one at some point.

I'm not particularly good at explaining myself. I can play more "classic" styles and it sounds juicy and amazing. When I play metal, it has a certain edge that I don't seem to get from "metal" pickups. It may not be your choice, but I wouldn't discount them, either. They come stock in some of the EC-1000t's now.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

You might like the Whole Lotta Humbucker set, too. It has the 'hot PAF' thing covered. These would sound amazing through a real JCM 800.

 

[Dahla]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

You might like the Whole Lotta Humbucker set, too. It has the 'hot PAF' thing covered. These would sound amazing through a real JCM 800.

I installed the WLH in my ESP Eclipse. It replaced a set of EMG 57/66.

At first I thought of putting the EMGs back in, but the WLH has grown on me. It's weird how my pickup gas suddenly died when I got the WLH.

Highly recommended either way.

 

[JMD102]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

Thanks for all of the advice. I have gone ahead and ordered the pearly gates zebra set. I think I would have been happy with a few different options that were suggested here. I appreciate all input. I will update the thread when I get the pearly gates installed and let everyone know how I made out. Thanks again!

 

[Leon Of Late]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

Cool. I hope they sound exactly like you want them too. I also agree that there were several sets mentioned that would have put you in the same ballpark.

 

[JMD102]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

Just an update for those interested. I received my pearly gates from Sigler Music. I ordered them from Sigler Music because the wiring harness came with it. I specifically asked about a wiring harness for my Eclipse II but of course received a Les Paul wiring harness when it arrived. They promptly sent me the correct wiring harness after I emailed them about their mistake. I had a friend install the pickups for me and wanted to play them for a bit before I posted what I felt about them.

I absolutely love the sound of my guitar now. I had put the guitar up for sale to buy a Les Paul but I am very happy that it did not sell. I will keep the guitar forever now. I do believe that I would have been happy with pretty much most of the pickup combinations mentioned above. The big thing I believe was to swap out the actives for passives meant to produce a classic rock sound. Both the clean and distorted channels sound very good to me.

Thanks for all the input and advice. I also would recommend an eclipse II if you can get one cheap like I have seen them listed for ($900 CDN). You won't get any better value for your dollar in my opinion.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

Jazzn in the neck, Distortion in the bridge. Or Alternative 8 in the bridge if you want it sweeter.

 

[Chad]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

I also own an Eclipse II. Great guitar. Mine leans a little on the bright side. It came stock with a JB/59 set. Love the 59, but not the JB. Swapped it for a Dimarzio Air Zone and liking it so far.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

I have a 2013 Eclipse-II. I really like the PAF 36th Anniv. from DiMarzio in it.

The regular in both or the 36th Bridge in the bridge?

When I put both the 36th Bridge and the Virtual Hot PAF on the LCR meter, all the specs are so close that I see why they suggest the 36th bridge as an alternate. The VHPAF is good enough to have gotten a BKP user I know to put (and keep) it in his LP Jr. With the 36th Bridge being so similar, I think it might be a great pairing for the regular 36th in the neck.

 

[GhostriderDuck]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

Hi,

I had the exact same request for my ESP eclipse II vintage Black. I odn't like the active EMG's 60/81 so i decided to put Seymour DUncans in it . My Choice is Pearly Gates (neck) and SH-4 Jb (bridge) My local guitar dealer had that recommendation for me I have the SH-1 59 neck and SH-5 costum in my PRS and that's an awesome combination too

 

[Mincer]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

Welcome to the forum!

Yeah, the PG/JB combo is great for hard rock tones. In many cases it is better than the Jazz/JB combo that is so popular.

 

[GhostriderDuck]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

Thank you

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

Fishman Fluence Classic pair. Voice and Tilt switching. Possibly, coil splitting too.

 

[Artie]

Re: Best Pickups for 2013 ESP Eclipse II

Just an update for those interested. I received my pearly gates from Sigler Music. I ordered them from Sigler Music because the wiring harness came with it. I specifically asked about a wiring harness for my Eclipse II but of course received a Les Paul wiring harness when it arrived. They promptly sent me the correct wiring harness after I emailed them about their mistake. I had a friend install the pickups for me and wanted to play them for a bit before I posted what I felt about them.

I absolutely love the sound of my guitar now. I had put the guitar up for sale to buy a Les Paul but I am very happy that it did not sell. I will keep the guitar forever now. I do believe that I would have been happy with pretty much most of the pickup combinations mentioned above. The big thing I believe was to swap out the actives for passives meant to produce a classic rock sound. Both the clean and distorted channels sound very good to me.

Cool. Happy ending. You can't really go wrong with Pearly's.