Fatter Bottom For Epi LP?

[nast2112]

I have an Epi LP and potted the stock bridge PU (DC res 14K) but I wish it had a bassier, fatter tone.

I'm after a pickup that...

-Does NOT have nasally mids (JB is out)
-Preferably a A5 magnet (vs ceramic)
-BUT DEFINITELY a thicker bottom end (sort of like what Alex Lifeson is getting now a days, as well as, Ted Nugent (maybe even just shy of Tremonti's fat tone) - I think both of them are playing an HFS.

I would go with the JB because I prefer A5 magnets to ceramic, but it just has that nasally midrange that gets annoying. Other suggestions for something without such pronounced mids as a JB? How is the thickness of a Custom or Custom 5? Are the mids less pronounced? I think old posts suggest a Custom is close to the HFS, but I'm concerned that it will be TOO hot. Confused? me too

Thanks
Chris

 

[Jay 77]

Re: Fatter Bottom For Epi LP?

The Custom flat out rocks. Huge sound with a solid bottom end, cutting highs, and smooth but discreet mids. I love it for almost all kinds of rock, especially harder stuff. Don't know if it's quite the Lifeson/Nuge sound but it'll get you some killer tones anyway. Chances are you're better off with the C5. But hey, that's what the 21 day policy is for, right?

 

[ErikH]

Re: Fatter Bottom For Epi LP?

If you want the mids scooped some, try a C5. If you want your mods present but not over the top, try the Custom. Both have a pretty solid low end. All the Custom pickups (Custom, Custom 5, Custom Custom) use the same coils, just different magnets (ceramic, alnico 5 or alnico 2). So, if you don't like how one sounds, just swap the magnet.

Don't forget that the amount of bottom end you get isn't just the pickup, but the guitar and most importantly, the amp and cab/speaker. Closed-back cabs will project more bottom end out front where open-back cabs will have less out front and it will appear to be less bottom altogether but it's just that those lows are also going out the back. The sounds is spread out more rather than all pushed out front.

 

[nast2112]

Re: Fatter Bottom For Epi LP?

Thanks for the replies. I'm really thinking the C5 because of the A5 magnet. The gain I'm after is like taking Jimmy Page's distortion and being able to take the crunch/gain/sizzle up a about 1-2 notches (I had my amp modified so it goes to 11....).

Thanks
Chris

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: Fatter Bottom For Epi LP?

Thanks for the replies. I'm really thinking the C5 because of the A5 magnet. The gain I'm after is like taking Jimmy Page's distortion and being able to take the crunch/gain/sizzle up a about 1-2 notches (I had my amp modified so it goes to 11....).

Thanks
Chris

I have it.. and that's pretty much exactly what you'll get from it. Though be warned, its a bit buzzy at low volumes on a tube amp.

 

[Robbiedbee]

Re: Fatter Bottom For Epi LP?

I have never played the C5, but if it is the same as the Custom, but with a different magnet, it should be pretty cool. I loved the Custom.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fatter Bottom For Epi LP?

I have never played the C5, but if it is the same as the Custom, but with a different magnet, it should be pretty cool. I loved the Custom.

Sounds quite a bit differant than the Custom, IMO. The Custom sounds more even and seems to have more mids than the C5.

The Custom seems to have strong lows, mids and treble....the C5 has strong bass and treble but unless I'm playing really loud I feel like it lacks lower mids which make it sound a bit to trebley for my tastes.

Lew

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: Fatter Bottom For Epi LP?

Sounds quite a bit differant than the Custom, IMO. The Custom sounds more even and seems to have more mids than the C5.

The Custom seems to have strong lows, mids and treble....the C5 has strong bass and treble but unless I'm playing really loud I feel like it lacks lower mids which make it sound a bit to trebley for my tastes.

Lew

Hmm, Lew, could you continue your description into the CC as well? And possibly tell me what a A4 or A3 would do to my Custom?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fatter Bottom For Epi LP?

Hmm, Lew, could you continue your description into the CC as well? And possibly tell me what a A4 or A3 would do to my Custom?

The a4 will make it brighter and more articulate. Some people don't like that and feel a4 lacks a certain warmth.

Basically, I hear the a2 CC as having lots of mids and loose bass and smooth warm buttery treble.

It was my favorite of the three Customs for a long while but now I like the Custom just as much...maybe more. The CC is almost to smooth sometimes but I still keep one in a Strat and still have a ball playing that guitar when I'm in that kind of mood.

These days, I like the Custom and the EVH/78 best of all for bridge humbuckers.

Lew

 

[BBQLS1]

Re: Fatter Bottom For Epi LP?

I have an Epi LP and potted the stock bridge PU (DC res 14K) but I wish it had a bassier, fatter tone.

I'm after a pickup that...

-Does NOT have nasally mids (JB is out)
-Preferably a A5 magnet (vs ceramic)
-BUT DEFINITELY a thicker bottom end (sort of like what Alex Lifeson is getting now a days, as well as, Ted Nugent (maybe even just shy of Tremonti's fat tone) - I think both of them are playing an HFS.

I would go with the JB because I prefer A5 magnets to ceramic, but it just has that nasally midrange that gets annoying. Other suggestions for something without such pronounced mids as a JB? How is the thickness of a Custom or Custom 5? Are the mids less pronounced? I think old posts suggest a Custom is close to the HFS, but I'm concerned that it will be TOO hot. Confused? me too

Thanks
Chris

I wouldn't be stuck on the A5 unless you are sure that is what you want. I've had 3 pups with A5's and I've decided that I'd really rather have an A2 or ceramic from a bunch of magnet switching I did. If your sure that the A5 is what you want, then I'd try the C5. I had a CC in my strat(has an A2), switched the mag for the A5(making it a C5) and changed it back to the A2. Hands down better to me.

 

[kjrocks]

Re: Fatter Bottom For Epi LP?

If you're worried about to much output from the Customs you could try a 59. They're A5 and alot of guys like them in their Pauls.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Fatter Bottom For Epi LP?

C5 is your best bet reading from your description. Fat bottom end with rich A5 tone. I thought the Custom had too much sizzle in the high end.

Still I think the lack of bottom end is a typical Low quality wood issue for more budget oriented guitars like Epiphone. My Gibson SG with low output mini buckers has wayyy more bottom end than my epi ever had with any pickup. Def. a wood thing.