Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

neckcutta

New member
Well, I've been thinking lately...

Is there THAT big of a difference between the epi-stock pup's (LP:Custom) and the sh-5 custom?

Anyone who has done this (I know Nightburst has) please let me know what differences you noticed?
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

Also, does anyone know what magnet the epi pickups use? I believe it's A-2 but not sure.
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

rombola said:
dude stock epiphone pickups are worst than horrible

Heh. So I've heard. I mean, I don't think they sound all too bad.
But then again, I haven't tried any duncan pup's before so what do I know...
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

There are playable pick ups to be honest. I sued my friends epiphone lp standard and it played pretty good and it was completely stock. I dont have that much experience with duncans but from what i have tried there is a noticibale difference. With my stock fender strat after adding a htorail into the bridge i noticed a huge difference. The sounds became a lot more clearer, and sounded more lively. If you dont have the cash to upgrade the pick ups, you don't have to. I could honestly play with a stock epiphone, provided there are no faulty wiring going on. Regular line epiphones tend to have wiring problems, and pots going wierd and all sorts of stuff. And yes i think the regular line pick ups by epiphone are alnico 2, and on the elitists just in case you want to know are alnico 2 and 5 magnets.
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

dude just for you to get a slight idea how much better duncan pickups are , even duncan design pickups sound way better than stock epi's
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

When you talk of faulty wiring, are you referring to wires not soldered right, etc.?
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

In my experience epiphone pickups are the muddiest pos ive ever hear.
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

i actully replaced my Epiphone Lespaul's stock pickup with a Duncan Sh5 pickup. After the replcement, I noticed that the sound is a bit cleaner, tigther, definitly not muddy and definitly doesnt squeal like the epiphone stock pickup did.. oh and the sound was more round overall.

There is a very small gain drop, but nothing raising the pickup didnt fix.


hope that helps
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

The stock Epi pups in 2 of my LP's are decent but not great sounding. I actually did put a Custom/Jazz combo in one guitar and those pups brought the Epi to life. A Custom kicks in a Les Paul.
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

Replacing the pickups with good ones (duncans, dimarzios) makes a huge diffrence imo.
The stock pickups in epis tends to a bit on the muddy side.
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

I have put a custom in my epi LP and the difference is HUGE. The custom has much more clarity, better sustain, more mids, and better overall tone. Completely worth it.
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

Any cheap stock ceramic pickup sucks IMHO, including the Epi stock ones.
However the designed by Gibson pickups that are in some epi's (like my LP Custom) have alnico magnets and enlameled wire, which make up for an ok sound.

Actually I think a Jazz/Custom set would have kind of a similar voicing as the stock Gibson Designed buckers. But the Duncans still sound different and way better (Ie. Smoother, especially in the highs departement, MUCH better cleans, clearer, deeper sound, etc.) and don't feeback as much.
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

While we're on the subject, you say the custom would have a similarity to Gibson Designed buckers. Well, how would you think a Distortion would do in a Les Paul? Because I'd rather have more of a "metal" sound and I've been hearing a distortion in a LP isn't a good idea. I'm into stuff like Manson, Tool, RATM, SOAD. I guess, prog-metal/industrial.

Anyways, anyone with a sh-6 in their LP or a prediction on how'd it sound?
I have a pretty high-gain amp.
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

How about this... my perfect tone would be identical to the one Jones has in the song Lateralus off of the matching album. If any one is familar with this song please let me know which pick up would better play it (sh-5/6).
 
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Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

I have an EPI SG that had alnico 5 stock pups. I replaced them with a custom
and APHII. Major difference that i noted was more clarity and definition and all round better sound.
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

neckcutta said:
Well, I've been thinking lately...

Is there THAT big of a difference between the epi-stock pup's (LP:Custom) and the sh-5 custom?

Anyone who has done this (I know Nightburst has) please let me know what differences you noticed?

Let me tell you from personal experience... DUMP those Epi pickups. I have a Epi Les Paul Standard Flametop that I put a set of '59s in. OMG, night and day difference.
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

are EMG-HZ on the epi zakk wylde and Gibson Iommi Humbuckers on the Epi Tony Iommi considered stock epi pups?

if yes.. the gibson iommi's rock! they're heavy and darker..... :headbang:
 
Re: Epiphone Stock Pickups vs. SH-5 Custom

i think tool uses JB

i have an sh-6 in my les paul and it kicks so much ass!!!
tone is so thick, yet very clear, great singing lead tone.

i think an sh-6 would be great for you
 
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