Epi Les Paul And Duncan Designs??

[mitchewr]

Hello. I just bought an Epiphone Les Paul Studio Silver Burst (http://www.music123.com/Guitars/Ele...eluxe-Electric-Guitar.site7prodH71864.product). It is stock everything. I also have a Schecter C1+ (http://profile.ultimate-guitar.com/SplitSoul/pictures/gear/638637/).

I am definitely going to swap out the PUPS in my new Epi as the stock ones are sub par at best. What I'm not sure, is what to replace them with. If I'm going to spend "big bucks" on a set of PUPS, I would rather buy a set, and drop them in my Schecter, as it is the better guitar of the two by a mile. What I'm not sure about is whether or not I would be able to put the old pickups from my Schecter into my Epi.

My Schecter has the manufacturer's Ducan Designed pickups with coil tap. So my question is, if I bought new PUPS such as BG Customs, and dropped those into my Schecter, would the Ducan Designed PUPS work/sound good in the Epi? I play a variety of styles of music ranging from Contemporary Christian at church (and don't think that it's mild music, I usually have the gain on my Bogner Alchemist at 75/80% ) to harder rock such as 12 Stones, Creed, some Daughtry, Falling Up, Kutless, etc. style of music along with BLUES. But nothing metal....I'm not a fan of the shredding death metal stuff. If I had to pick a favorite sound/style it would be 12 Stones (Especially their 1st cd --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H2ac9NVdpg) as they are my favorite band.

So given all of that, what do you guys think? Would the D-Designs give me a pretty decent tone coming out of the Epi? As I said earlier, I play through a Bogner Alchemist, single 12. Or would I be better off going in a completely different direction. Your opinions are welcome!

 

[blueman335]

Re: Epi Les Paul And Duncan Designs??

You need to look at used PU's on eBay, they usually go for about half price; that's how I get most of my Duncans, DiMarzios, Gibsons, etc. Another couple quality HB's, Carvin and Schaller, usually go for around $20 to $25 used, and would be an upgrade from the Epi or Duncan Designed PU's you have now. You can do this without spending a lot.

 

[BlueSnMettle]

Re: Epi Les Paul And Duncan Designs??

You need to look at used PU's on eBay, they usually go for about half price; that's how I get most of my Duncans, DiMarzios, Gibsons, etc. Another couple quality HB's, Carvin and Schaller, usually go for around $20 to $25 used, and would be an upgrade from the Epi or Duncan Designed PU's you have now. You can do this without spending a lot.

Yes, This. Good advice.

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: Epi Les Paul And Duncan Designs??

You need to look at used PU's on eBay, they usually go for about half price; that's how I get most of my Duncans, DiMarzios, Gibsons, etc. Another couple quality HB's, Carvin and Schaller, usually go for around $20 to $25 used, and would be an upgrade from the Epi or Duncan Designed PU's you have now. You can do this without spending a lot.

+1

 

[mitchewr]

Re: Epi Les Paul And Duncan Designs??

So if I were to get a pair of pickups from Ebay, that were nicer than the D-Designs, I would put THOSE pickups in my Schecter, as I would rather have the nicest PUPS in the nicest guitar. That then leads me back to my question, will the D-Designs sound good in the Epi? I know that some people don't like the Ducans in Epis and such.

 

[mitchewr]

Re: Epi Les Paul And Duncan Designs??

Assuming I went with some used Ducans from Ebay, what combo would you suggest I put in my Schecter? It is setup for a coil tap right now, and I'd like to keep it that way as it sounds amazing. Music styles stated above.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Epi Les Paul And Duncan Designs??

My Schecter has the manufacturer's Ducan Designed pickups with coil tap.

Look at the baseplate of those and read the model on the sticker. They should read HB10x, (x being a number)

Tell us what they are, THEN we can help you with your next move.

Well? (arms crossed, foot tapping)

EDIT: I've found out those are the HB102 set, which are not-so-loosely based on the Duncan JB/Jazz set.

The only (potential cosmetic) problem I see is the bridge p'up having a bit too wide polepiece spread for the Epis bridge, but soundwise it shouldn't give any string unbalance.

I've done a ton of mag swaps with this particular DD set, and for a Classic Rock, Blues stuff, an UOA5 magnet mod will graciously get you there.

HTH,

 

[mitchewr]

Re: Epi Les Paul And Duncan Designs??

So if there spread is too wide, is there anything that can be done about that? I've never dabbled with pickup mods before so I"m not up to speed with all the lingo. What would an "unoriented" magnet do for me?

 

[mitchewr]

Re: Epi Les Paul And Duncan Designs??

Ok, I just made another purchase, so for all intensive purposes, the Epiphone Les Paul that I mentioned at the beginning is now an Epi LP STANDARD Plus top. I'll be selling the Studio. Not sure if that changes anything, but thought I'd mention it.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Epi Les Paul And Duncan Designs??

Not sure if that changes anything, but thought I'd mention it.

No, it doesn't matter. Those p'ups just have to go. There arguably are the worst stock p'ups a guitar company could use. Installing the DD from the Schecter would make a change for the better, no doubt 'bout it, specially if modded as I told you earlier.

You can get you magnets here:

http://stores.ebay.com/Addiction-FX-Guitar-and-Sound

For more info on things, there are already literally hundreds of threads discussing magnet swap. Use the search engine.

HTH,

 

[blueman335]

Re: Epi Les Paul And Duncan Designs??

Ok, I just made another purchase, so for all intensive purposes, the Epiphone Les Paul that I mentioned at the beginning is now an Epi LP STANDARD Plus top. I'll be selling the Studio. Not sure if that changes anything, but thought I'd mention it.

Good move. What color Std?

 

[mitchewr]

Re: Epi Les Paul And Duncan Designs??

Ok. Cool. I'll do that for sure. And its the Heritage Honey Burst finish. The pic from musiciansfriend doesn't do it any sort of justice. The real life pic.is WAY better.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Epi Les Paul And Duncan Designs??

its the Heritage Honey Burst finish. The pic from musiciansfriend doesn't do it any sort of justice. The real life pic.is WAY better.

Very nice, that's one of their best colors. Flame shows up well on honey burst.