Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

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LogicallyInsane

New member
I have a 2007 Epiphone Les Paul Standard.. (mahogany body) and basically, the pickups just don't have the "bite" I would like.. Especially side by side with my dad's new Epiphone with the Probuckers..
Been debating putting new pickups in it, since I bought it new back then.. Finally got the funds, and the guitar wiring know-how to actually attempt the project.
I'm really wanting a Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd tone.. I've read he uses the SH-5 model.. (Well at least I think thats what I read.. lol)

So I figured maybe you guys could help me find the right pickup.. Seymour Duncan website says the SH-5 model goes good with the '59 classic in the neck.. Would that be the right choice?, or should I look into other models?

Thanks in advance..
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

Probuckers are good PU's, they have A2 magnets and unbalanced coils, which give them a vintage PAF sound, and are based on Gibson Burstbuckers. Duncan's Seth's are even better than Burstbuckers.

Are you sure about the SH-5 Custom? That's a hot PU with a ceramic magnet that's popular for metal. For Skynyrd I would have thought something more PAF-ish. '59N's can be bassy/boomy in the neck slot of LP's.
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

It also says he uses the 59 and seth lovers. Quite frankly his original guitar (what he used to make his iconic music) had genuine PAF's, so something along that line would be best. The Seth Lover (SH 55) is low output and clear, but has honk like the original PAF....lets face it the inventor of the PAF pickup helped in its development.
That would be my recommendation - let the amp do the work and give it the more clear, pure old style tone as a starting point. If you're still not there, then its your amp.
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

Seth's are the best-sounding PAF Duncan makes, and a favorite of some of the Duncan employees here. In fact, Seth's have set a standard that few PU's can match.
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

The pickups are available in separate versions for the neck/Rhythm and bridge/Treble positions. The pickups are very good indeed. They may reveal any shortcomings in the host guitar.

If funds are tight, consider Tonerider Alnico 4 humbuckers. For extra kick, consider their Rocksong or Generator models for the bridge/Treble position.
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

A set of Pearly Gates, or 59's will give you the bite you seek. Depending I the guitar itself..

If the thing sounds dark I'd go pg's
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

Still a month into the search. lol
For me. the stock bridge position is a little too treble-ee.. When I think of Gary playing the treble position, it isn't so trebly. Bite, but not too much..
and the neck pickup just sounds awful. I've tried it through various different amps, and I just ain't happy with either.
I've looked at all the SD pickups. The Seths worry me, because they aren't potted. (I dont want a ton of squealing..) But then I think about the vintage PAFs and I reckon they weren't potted, and various people used em and love em..

I also looked into StewMacs parsons street humbuckers.. They also arent potted, but theyre cheaper, and most reviews are good on them too.

I've had recommendations for the Hot rodded humbucker set, but again read that the JB doesnt do well in mahogony... Maybe I should just do less reading.. lol

Anyone had experiences with the Stewmacs?

Thanks again. I'm about to flip a quarter and pick a set.. lol
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

LogicallyInsane said:
Still a month into the search. lol
For me. the stock bridge position is a little too treble-ee.. When I think of Gary playing the treble position, it isn't so trebly. Bite, but not too much..
and the neck pickup just sounds awful. I've tried it through various different amps, and I just ain't happy with either.
I've looked at all the SD pickups. The Seths worry me, because they aren't potted. (I dont want a ton of squealing..) But then I think about the vintage PAFs and I reckon they weren't potted, and various people used em and love em..

I also looked into StewMacs parsons street humbuckers.. They also arent potted, but theyre cheaper, and most reviews are good on them too.

I've had recommendations for the Hot rodded humbucker set, but again read that the JB doesnt do well in mahogony... Maybe I should just do less reading.. lol

Anyone had experiences with the Stewmacs?

Thanks again. I'm about to flip a quarter and pick a set.. lol
Click to expand...

I have a few sets of Seth's, and my experiences match what I've read here: the tolerences are tight and feedback isn't an issue unless you're really loud and standing right in front of your amp. They're about as good as it gets tone-wise.

I have have a couple sets of Parsons Street (A2 version) and love them. The specs and materials are excellent. And even better, the coils are unbalanced like original 1950's PAF's, so you get a sharper high-end from the neck (I just don't care for warm, rounded neck HB's, like '57's and PG's; personal preference of mine). Again, feedback hasn't been an issue for me.

Either one of these is a great choice. Les Pauls and PAF's are a match made in heaven.
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

I don't know if there are different version of the Stewmac pickups, but the ones I got were dull and uninspiring. I opened them up and saw why.....a wax soapbar under the cover.
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

AlexR said:
I don't know if there are different version of the Stewmac pickups, but the ones I got were dull and uninspiring. I opened them up and saw why.....a wax soapbar under the cover.
Click to expand...

There's Stewmac PU's and then there's Parsons Street, which are a new, separate line. Two very difefrent things. Parsons Street use original specs and materials.
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

Seymour Duncan 59' or Pearly Gates. I would also consider new pots, caps and wiring. There is several other good choices, but i would recommend these from my own experience
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

It's one of those things, where I do eventually plan to change the wiring out as well. But one small process at a time.

I think I'm going to bite the bullet on the Parsons. Gona wait til prolly Monday night, and order 'em.. Read a few more minor details, and see if any Seth Lovers are on an ebay deal or something. I just wanted to see if anyone had tried em head to head. So I appreciate the input blueman..
Go with the Parsons, and use the extra cash I would've spent on Seths for better wiring perhaps..

Edit: Also see you went with the A2 in both positions. I've read the A5 in the neck is the way to go. So now I guess I'll have to research a little more. haha

Once I get em, and put 'em in. I'll throw my feelings about 'em in here or in another thread.

As far as the 59s and PGs. I dont doubt they're good sets, I just have found mixed feelings about what they are as opposed to what I'm looking for. Add that to the fact that I'm wanting covered pickups.. (and they're a LOT more expensive for that metal and wax..) I just think I'm better off starting with a cheaper PAF replica one. See if thats what I'm looking for. If not. Move on to something different.. lol

(Sorry guys, I ramble on and on..)
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

A5 may or may not be the way to go. CAn't decide based only on the magnet.

In dark LP an A5 PAF style can be muddy and boomy. Partly the mag, party the wind of the pup.

My experience with Epiphone LPs is that the tone varies considerably from a real Les Paul. Probably due to their use of a wide range of mahogany, or mystery wood.
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

Then there's the differences in player tone, not to mention the amp he's using and the one you're using, as well as the entire signal chain including post-processing done for CDs, and the fact that unless you're playing the CD through a guitar amp, there's a vast tonal difference. What you're hearing through your setup from a CD may not be what he's hearing through his amp while he plays it on the guitar.

Even with his guitar and amp and whatnot, you're not going to cop his tone to the 'T'. SRV and Jimmie Vaughan swapped the same Strat back and forth through the same amp for one track on Family Style, and each one had their own signature tone because they each had a signature style. Pickups similar to what he's using may or may not get you in the ballpark. You might need a P90, or you might need an Invader.


Don't believe the hype about the Custom being more for Metal. Yeah it works for Metal, through a suitably boosted amp, but those knobs on the guitar do have functions between full-on and full-off. There's also pedals for tone-shaping EQ as opposed to just solo boosts/freq shifts.
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

Aceman said:
A5 may or may not be the way to go. CAn't decide based only on the magnet.

In dark LP an A5 PAF style can be muddy and boomy. Partly the mag, party the wind of the pup.
Click to expand...

+1. The most common one accused of that is a '59N. They're prone to being bassy/boomy in LP's and 335's. A5's just have a lot of low-end. The reason A5's are recommended for the neck slot is that they have the most treble and least mids, of any alnico. That's the good part, and helps with clarity and definition. The downside is that a lot of low-end comes along as a package deal, and in some woods, it's overkill. A '59N in a Strat or SG usually works very well; in an LP or semi-hollow, you may get a lot more bass than you want.

A2's are loved for their rich texture and dynamics; great for blues, jazz, and classic rock. But they also have some characteristics that can work against them. They're low output, so they seem like a questionable choice for a bridge PU. They also have a lot of mids, little treble, and a loose low-end, so they would seem to be an odd choice for the neck slot too. For those reasons, some manufacturers, like Dimarzio, don't use A2's. But, the right wind can bring out the magic and downplay the shortcomings. Seymour understands this and has learned to wind accordingly, and of his many PAF-type PU's, most have A2's, Seth's being the flagship. An A2 PU with the right wind is a thing of sonic beauty, bridge or neck slot.

What I've found is that when most A2 neck PU's are around 7.5K or less, there's often enough clarity in the wind to keep the PU from being too warm or muffled. At 8K, it becomes much harder to preserve treble and clarity. An A5 neck PU can be wound hotter before it loses as much high-end, but you may also get an abundance of bass depending on the wood. Another nice quality of A2's, especially in the neck slot is that all the midrange makes them sound 'big.'

For a more affrodable high quality PAF, Parsons Street are very good. I believe they're wound in the US (unlike their Golden Age line). They also understand how to wind for A2 magnets. I played with some local guys a couple weeks ago, and brought my Epi LP with Parsons Streets in it. They said right off the bat they knew I didn't have the stock PU's in it.
 
Re: Help finding the right pickup for My Epi LP

Never played the Parsons Streets, but I gotta say that Seths are truly awesome. Clarity, balance, just the right amount of presence...they're just so nice. Yes, new ones will probably cost about $100 each, but if you are patient they can be had cheaper. I scoured eBay and craigslist hardcore for a month or two, and I got an unused bridge for $50 and an unused neck for $75. Best of all they were both wound a bit hot...8.4k for the bridge, and upper 7k for the neck.
 
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