Best replacement pickups for Epiphone Wilshire?

[steve9199]

Hey troops...

New member here. I have an Epiphone Wilshire reissue (full size humbuckers), and I'm looking to replace the stock Epi pickups. They just don't seem to have that much of a "voice" to them. They're a little bit anemic, and I'd like to open up the sound a bit more. I play mostly Classic Rock and Blues (Think Alvin Lee, Clapton, Gary Moore, old ZZ Top..) and I'm looking to find something that will cover as many bases as possible.

Guitar body....solid Mahogany, Rosewood fretboard.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Steve

 

[j9fd3s]

Re: Best replacement pickups for Epiphone Wilshire?

i have an epi les paul and the first thing you should do is the 50's wiring mod, it makes a HUGE difference. second, i have the seth lover set in mine and they are great, there is lots of good stuff to say about em, they sound HUGE, and with the volume knob, very versatile too.

the 59 set is nearly as good (its basically the same except wax potted), and the pearly gates set is good too (its got more highs), any of the three will get you really in the ball park

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Best replacement pickups for Epiphone Wilshire?

^
With respect, the Wilshire stands closer comparison with an SG than any LP variant.

First question: two pickups or three?
Second question: if three pickups, how are the controls wired? (NV, CV, BV, MT or N/B Vol, N/B Tone, C Vol, C Tone ?)

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Best replacement pickups for Epiphone Wilshire?

^+1. (two hummers, right? Wired just like a LP or SG.)

It's more like an SG than a LP. I've got two Wilshires. They are great guitars and lots of fun to play. Good choice.

There are many pups that will work great in the Wilshire for your types of music.

Bridge: (if you prefer more classic PAF type output and tone):
Seth,
Pearly Gates,
A2P,
P-90 (Mean 90 from GFS is great sounding and very inexpensive),
P-Rails,
PATB-3.

Bridge: (higher output pups):
C8 (any of the Custom pups with an A8 magnet),
DD,
Alt 8,
Sometimes even a JB

Neck:
Screamin Demon (don't let the name fool you, this is a great neck pup),
Pearly,
Seth,
A2P,
P-90,
P-Rails

 

[steve9199]

Re: Best replacement pickups for Epiphone Wilshire?

Hey troops...

New member here. I have an Epiphone Wilshire reissue (full size humbuckers), and I'm looking to replace the stock Epi pickups. They just don't seem to have that much of a "voice" to them. They're a little bit anemic, and I'd like to open up the sound a bit more. I play mostly Classic Rock and Blues (Think Alvin Lee, Clapton, Gary Moore, old ZZ Top..) and I'm looking to find something that will cover as many bases as possible.

Guitar body....solid Mahogany, Rosewood fretboard.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Steve

After some digging, I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a matched set of the '59's. I'll be sniffing some solder fumes... hopefully later today, and will post back with my impressions.

Thanks for all of the advice, now we'll see what happens!

Steve

 

[steve9199]

Re: Best replacement pickups for Epiphone Wilshire?

After installing the '59's in my Epiphone Wilshire, I absolutely love, love, LOVE the tone of my guitar!! It's got that creamy smooth "violin" sustain I was craving, and the new pickups brought out some of the high end I was missing. It's a keeper!!....thanks so much.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Best replacement pickups for Epiphone Wilshire?

Glad that you are enjoying your Seymourised Epiphone.

In the event that you ever decide that the volume balance between the two pickups needs improving, this can easily be achieved by minor modifications such as changing the bar magnet inside one or other of the pickups. Either weaken the neck/Rhythm PU with an Alnico 4 magnet or boost the bridge/Treble PU with an Alnico 8.

 

[steve9199]

Re: Best replacement pickups for Epiphone Wilshire?

Glad that you are enjoying your Seymourised Epiphone.

In the event that you ever decide that the volume balance between the two pickups needs improving, this can easily be achieved by minor modifications such as changing the bar magnet inside one or other of the pickups. Either weaken the neck/Rhythm PU with an Alnico 4 magnet or boost the bridge/Treble PU with an Alnico 8.

I'm actually quite pleased with the balance right out of the box. Everything seems to be just what I was looking for. The suggestion might be helpful for any future mods I might make though...thanks for that.