Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

[Aden]

Hey I'm going to replace the stock pups in my epi lp goth studio. It's mahogany with a rosewood fretboard and I'm thinking of putting a duncan cc in the bridge. I was wondering if someone with some knowledge could tell me what i would expect, or if there is something terribly wrong with that idea, and perhaps what to pair it with.

Some spacific questions? I've heard the cc can lack in punch. Is that true and would that be fixable by raising it up higher?

I've also heard it's not crazy with harmonics, which is why i'm looking to use it, but if played high gain would it be hard to get pinch harmonics out of it?

For the neck i'm looking for something really bright. I've also been thinking of setting it up to split a push/pull. Thoughts? I'm pretty knew to pick-ups.

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

I thought about getting a Epi LP Goth w/ Floyd Rose (of course), how's it treatin' ya thus far ?

I read on someone else's post that a Les Paul with similar woods (mahoghany and rosewood, at least) matched with a Custom x2 gets a bit muddy or dank (I mean dank, my expression). I'm gonna put a Custom duece in my bright Randy Rhoads V.

What kinda stuff ya gonna play specifically ?

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

How do you know it's mahogany?

 

[Jeff5]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

I don't think the CC lacks punch. Pair it with an AII Pro for tonal goodness!

 

[ErikH]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

Welcome to the forum.

Lacks punch? Not crazy with harmonics? I think somebody threw you a load of BS, my man. The CC has punch, has harmonics, and is a good fit in a LP IMO. Your Gothic is either alder or mahogany (not pure mahogany but a mahogany type wood in the same family with similar tone).

The pickup is just a start in the chain of tone. If someone told you it lacks punch and harmonics, they must have had it in a dead wood guitar or played it through a crappy amp with a mile long pedalboard chain.

Raising the CC up to the strings and adjusting the poles so those under the treble strings are up a little more will add some highs to it. The thing really reacts well to adjustments.

For the neck, the Alnico 2 Pro is a good choice. If you want something a little brighter and more articulate, the Jazz is the perfect choice.

What type of music do you play?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

I agree with ErikH's description, but in an all mahogany axe, I would personally go with a Jazz/Custom combo for extra bite.

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

I agree with ErikH's description, but in an all mahogany axe, I would personally go with a Jazz/Custom combo for extra bite.

It probably has a maple neck though... it's an Epiphone.....

 

[ErikH]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

It probably has a maple neck though... it's an Epiphone.....

So what. That doesn't automatically say it has a maple neck. The LP Standard Plus models don't. The Lynyrd Skynyrd model doesn't. The new Firebird Studio doesn't. The LP Ultra doesn't. The LP Plain Top doesn't.

There's nothing wrong with maple necks and your statement makes it appear that they are. Fender has been making maple necks for 60 years.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

I have an old Epi LP Std that has a mahogaany neck and body and a plain maple top. Some Epi's are the real deal. :burnout:

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

So what. That doesn't automatically say it has a maple neck. The LP Standard Plus models don't. The Lynyrd Skynyrd model doesn't. The new Firebird Studio doesn't. The LP Ultra doesn't. The LP Plain Top doesn't.

There's nothing wrong with maple necks and your statement makes it appear that they are. Fender has been making maple necks for 60 years.

If it has a maple neck, and since it's a goth then it probably does, then it won't be too dark for the custom custom. It's another factor to be taken under consideration.

I have an old Epi LP Std that has a mahogaany neck and body and a plain maple top. Some Epi's are the real deal. :burnout:

Yup. But the three that I've owned have all had maple necks.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

Goth LP Studio specs are mahogany neck and mahogany body.

The ones that have maple necks are the old Specials and Juniors, the Wylde models, the Ace Frehley model, and Custom Plus. The Ultra actually does have a hard maple neck (this one is awesome).

Regardless though, even with the mahogany neck, the CC won't be too dark.

 

[Aden]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

I thought about getting a Epi LP Goth w/ Floyd Rose (of course), how's it treatin' ya thus far ?

I read on someone else's post that a Les Paul with similar woods (mahoghany and rosewood, at least) matched with a Custom x2 gets a bit muddy or dank (I mean dank, my expression). I'm gonna put a Custom duece in my bright Randy Rhoads V.

What kinda stuff ya gonna play specifically ?

I'm liking it a lot. For a $400 lp copy it's plays amazingly. It was set up really well when i bought it of the showroom floor at GC. Of course the pickups are a little cheep, and that's why i'm looking to replace them.

As far as what i play it's all over the spectrum, and I do mean that litterally. But what I'm looking to do with the goth is make it usable promarily for a bright blues and prog and doom metal.

How do you know it's mahogany?

I'm not 100% sure, but it seems to be, the neck seems to be made of the same wood as the body. The epiphone site also claims the lp goth studios are mahogany. I'm not completely sure though because the whole thing is lighter than most lps even the ones without maple tops

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

Rock on, Aden ! For your bridge, I'd suggest the JB or Screamin' Demon.

The JB would do 'bright' alright, and I don't see why it wouldn't do blues well, it seems to have a certain sustain quality in the mids region that would suit blues lead. And, I've heard it's similar to the Disortion pickup which I use, and not to be biased here, it plays modern blues-rock rather well.

I think the JB should play Prog somewhat well too as it's popular among many players. And it'll hafta play Prog so you can play blues too right !

Also, it has enough output and clarity for Doom, whether it's tuned down or sludgy. But all these are relative (as in I have not actually played a JB, but gathered my conclusions based on official info and sound clips) facts are subject to taste. Your taste.

The same tips go for the Screamin' Demon too. I feel the pickup could do these styles o.k. too, but the output, for a novice pickup guy, eventually may be noticed as not enough output. In the hands of someone who's been playing awhile may have no trouble adjusting to this area covering these styles.

(I feel) my opinions are good, but hands-on experience, reading the Official Website descriptions, combined with others posts, will tune ya in better.

Happy Tone-blazing !

 

[Aceman]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

Recommend: Brideg - JB or Distortion for punch, neck - Jazz, PG, 59 in that order

Now - Let's get real! While Epi's are solid axes (I've got one!), if they painted it they put anything just this side of plywood that they could call Mahogany. And...Mine is a birdseye maple top in amber - beautiful! But I wouldn't bet on there being more than an 1/8 inch of birdseye veneer there. Bottom line is all mahog is dark, and Puals are already dark even with maple caps. Go bright for pups. The maple neck will help.

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

Goth LP Studio specs are mahogany neck and mahogany body.

The specs they give are lies.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

The specs they give are lies.

What proof do you have (aside frm your say-so)?

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

What proof do you have (aside frm your say-so)?

The three epiphones I've had.

All three had maple necks.

Only two actually were made of luan / sapelle / cheep mahogany, and one of those had an alder cap while the other was advertised as korina with no mention of mahogany.


When Epiphone doesn't outright lie, they cover their asses by saying "finish" or "mat" instead of "material".

 

[Aden]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

either way, it sounds good and was made well, only thing i have to complain about is a tiny bit of fret buzz when i put a .52 low e-string on it

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

The three epiphones I've had.

All three had maple necks.

Only two actually were made of luan / sapelle / cheep mahogany, and one of those had an alder cap while the other was advertised as korina with no mention of mahogany.


When Epiphone doesn't outright lie, they cover their asses by saying "finish" or "mat" instead of "material".

You know, a pic is worth a thousand words.

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Epi LP goth studio CC? and what to pair it with

You know, a pic is worth a thousand words.

Epiphone "Special" with a refinished neck (tung oil).

"Korina" 1958 Explorer with the body veneer off.

I don't have any good revealing pictures of the 7 string les paul, as in the back of the neck or the pickup cavity.