Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

[kennesawbob]

I just picked up a used Epiphone Les Paul Std and I need to upgrade her. I'm putting in a Jimmy Page wiring system (push pull on all 4 pots). I'm looking for suggestions on which SD humbuckers to place in her. I play classic rock and blues. Any suggestion must come in a 4 wire lead.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[blueman335]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

We need more to go on. Are you wanting to go the PAF route, or a more modern high output bridge? What kinds of music are you wanting to play?

 

[kennesawbob]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

PAF. I play classic rock and blues.

 

[dkal24]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

Custom 5 bridge/ 59 neck

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

PG Set....

 

[symptom]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

I'd go with the standard choice: a pair of 59's (4 conductor, so you cand o the fancy wiring)

 

[Frogman]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

PG Set....

+1.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

I have all of Duncan's PAF's, and multiples of several of them. '59's are bright and thin in the bridge and are often bassy in the neck of LP's. A mag swap to an UOA5 for the bridge, and A4 or A3 for the neck will fix that. PG's are also bright in the bridge, and rather smooth and mellow in the neck (not much treble), I prefer A2P's over PG's (the bridge is a little warmer, and the neck has more bite to it). Ant's have aged A2's, which reduces the treble and output of the magnets, which are already low on treble and output at full strength.

That leaves Seth's, which are one of the world's great PAF's. Highly recommended. The bridge is warm and full, the neck is clear and well-defined, and the tones are more alive and complex. It doesn't get much better than this.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

I prefer humbuckers with the nickel covers installed. And I prefer alnico 2 humbuckers.

I'd suggest the Seth Lovers. Or Pearly Gates with covers.

However, if you're going to split them into single coils you might like a bridge pickup with more output.

My favorite is the alnico 2 Duncan '78 that Seymour designed for EVH.

But I've also had great luck with the PGn and Duncan Custom combo. The Custom is a great pickup in a Les Paul and splits into a very usable single coil.

Split humbuckers usually sound better to me when the neck and bridge pickups are combined.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

I agree that the Seths or A2Ps are a great choice. I, however, love the PG in the neck (not much of a fan of PG bridge).

I also love Screamin Demons. They are very balanced, smooth, nice chimey highs without being obnoxiously bright, and at 10k output they can handle just about anything. They are amazingly clear and articulate for a medium output pup, but can also handle overdrive and distortion exceptionally well. A supurb pup for classic rock and blues in a LP.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

A supurb pup for classic rock and blues in a LP.

You had to underline it...where's spell check when you need it?

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

You had to underline it...where's spell check when you need it?

OK blue, I'm redfaced. SUPERB.

But at least I hope you got my meaning anyway.

I must have underlined it to subconsciously bring attention to my ignorance. (I've always had a problem with spelling, even simple words. I hate English! German is sooo much more precise).

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

Seths come standard with a single conductor. You'll have to contact SD and get a 4 conductor version should you decide to buy one.

 

[GregJr]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

Custom bridge and A2P neck.
Simply AMAZING!!

 

[tubecrunch]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

As long as you're going for the jp wiring, I would suggest triple shots. You'll have less spaghetti in the control cavity. And you can swap p'ups without disassembling the whole thing.

 

[ajeffcote]

Re: Bought a used Epiphone Les Paul, now I need SD pups

I have Seths in my Carvin CS, which is like an LP with a 25" scale. 4 conductors but only have them split. Great pickups for classic rock and blues.
I've done the Jimmy Page wiring a couple of times, but about all I ever used was the split and the phase reverse.
Still, it's pretty cool to have all the options at your fingertips.
You can go with hotter pickups to drive your pre-amp, but I haven't been able to find the cleans and edge of break-up tones I like with them.
So, for me a least, low output pickups work best. I start with a great clean tone and then build on that.