classic sound for a viper

[spratocaster]

Hi Everyone,

I have an ESP Viper 301 (mahogany body like SG) which currently has EMG HZ pups. These need to go ASAP!!! I am looking for a more classic sound as I play a lot of classic rock and dirty blues. I was thinking either a set of 59's or a 59n/a2pb. What would you guys recomend? Any combo I'm missing?

Thanks for your help.

 

[theodie]

Re: classic sound for a viper

I would go for the Alnico II pro neck and bridge. I do not think the 59N would be a good match for the Alnico II pro bridge. It would most likely over power it.
The 59/59, Steh Lovers, Pearly gates,antiquitys, wouldnt be bad wouldnt be bad either. The thinner body of an SG stylke guitar can be a bit brighter so, I would go for alnico II magnet pickups like the Alnico II pro set and the Seth Lovers set ot the Custom Custom bridge and Alnico II pro neck.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: classic sound for a viper

will be shown as neck/bridge. Look into these:

A2P/A2P

A2P/Custom Custom (more beef in bridge)

59/59

59/ Custom (more beef in bridge)

 

[theodie]

Re: classic sound for a viper

will be shown as neck/bridge. Look into these:

A2P/A2P

A2P/Custom Custom (more beef in bridge)

59/59

59/ Custom (more beef in bridge)

Ninja's know how to pick pickups!!!! :laugh2:

 

[jimmy]

Re: classic sound for a viper

You could save money and buy the vintage set (59/59).
Of you could mix and match any of the ones listen in this thread.

Personally, I would go with the SH-12 Bridge and 59 Neck.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: classic sound for a viper

I've got a Jazz neck, A2P bridge and don't have any balance probs...oh well.

I think you would be happy with a Jolly setup, Jazz/Jazz. Lots of articulation, and sounds good in mahogany guitars.

The 59 finds lots of homes in LP, and SG bridge slots because of its chime and vintage sound. For more oomph a C5 will do the trick.

Luke

 

[ex-250]

Re: classic sound for a viper

The thinner body of an SG stylke guitar can be a bit brighter

esp vipers are SG shaped, but theyre a hell of a lot thicker, so i dont think he has to worry about too much high end

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: classic sound for a viper

esp vipers are SG shaped, but they're a hell of a lot thicker, so i dont think he has to worry about too much high end

Yes its true, there is a LOT more bass to a Viper than an SG. Viper bodies are pretty thick.

I added a Custom/59 combo, CTS 500k pots, Orange drop caps, Switchcraft toggle, and Sperzel locking tuners to my Viper 400, it smokes. But I don't care for the 24 frets and thin neck so it's on ebay right now.

Don't forget to put some good CTS 500k pots in there while you're swapping the pickups.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: classic sound for a viper

For classic rock and dirty blues a set of Antiquities or Seth Lovers are hard to beat but any of the 7.5k to 8.5k Duncans will do the trick. It really depends on the specific tones you are after.

A 59 in the bridge and an APH-II in the neck will be a killer combo if you are looking for some snap and tightness from the bridge position and a fairly warm and smooth neck position tone. That combo should cover a lot of ground tonally.

I wouldn't worry about balance issues with the P.A.F. spec'ed SD pickups. The specs are so close that any combo will balance. Neck pickups, because of their location on the guitar are inherently louder anyways and even the Custom series of pickups balance very well with P.A.F. spec'ed neck pickups.

Heck, I even get deceint balance with a Dime in the bridge and a 59 in the neck.

 

[ex-250]

Re: classic sound for a viper

Yes its true, there is a LOT more bass to a Viper than an SG. Viper bodies are pretty thick.

I added a Custom/59 combo, CTS 500k pots, Orange drop caps, Switchcraft toggle, and Sperzel locking tuners to my Viper 400, it smokes. But I don't care for the 24 frets and thin neck so it's on ebay right now.

Don't forget to put some good CTS 500k pots in there while you're swapping the pickups.

yeah, my only real complaint about my viper is the neck being so thin (the balance is a bit off, but i can deal with that). actually ive noticed that esp has beefed up the necks on the EC series lately (or maybe i just ran into an odd batch). i wish they did that on all their models

 

[spratocaster]

Re: classic sound for a viper

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I decided to go for a '59 in the neck and a Screamin' Demon in the bridge. Hopefully this will get me some good classic neck tones and a little snarl in the bridge. I'll post how it worked out wheni get them installed.