Need advice on switching pick-ups and possiby the covers too

[bornagainplayer]

Hello all - I have a 2008 Epiphone Les Paul Custom coming to me in the mail. Should be here in a few days. I'm pretty sure it has the stock Epiphone pickups in it now. It has gold hardware which includes gold pickup covers. I have a pair of SD 59s (SH-1s) and am thinking about replacing the stock Epi pickups with them. The problem is my 59s have nickel/chrome covers instead of gold. So I'm thinking of doing one of three things:

1. Remove both Epis, buy new Seymour Duncan gold covers, remove the nickel/chrome covers from the 59s and replace with the gold SD covers. Is removing and installing covers a tricky thing? I'm not going to risk it if it's easy to screw it up.
2. Sell the 59s and buy one new pick-up for the bridge with a gold cover and leave the Epi in the neck.
3. Sell the 59s, take out the Epis, and buy two new pick-ups with gold covers or no covers

I've done my own pick-up replacements, pots, and other basic wiring work. I play only rhythm guitar and mainly use only the bridge pick-up. I play mostly classic rock, e.g., Bad Company, Thin Lizzy, Pink Floyd, Foreigner, Led Zeplin, Journey, Styx, and AC/DC. I'd love to be able to do option #1, but I'll need some advice on what to do to remove the covers from the Epis and install them on the 59s. So I'm leaning toward option #2. Would a Seth Lover in the bridge be good for the classic rock band tones I mentioned? From the sound samples I've heard, they're very cool. Are there others that would be better for the bridge?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Need advice on switching pick-ups and possiby the covers too

Unless you are confident about removing one set of metal covers and soldering on the new covers, do not attempt the task. Buy additional pickups for your Epiphone. Save the nickel plated Duncans for a future guitar purchase.

 

[orpheo]

Re: Need advice on switching pick-ups and possiby the covers too

I disagree. Removing covers and replacing them with others is an easy job. I would go for option 1.

Don't try to solder the cover loose. In stead break it with a screwdriver and caution. Then solder the break clean so when you lift the cover no solder remains can cut through the wires. Just use common sense.

You can also cut through the solder with a dremel or sharp scalpel. You can try it on your epi pickups. Take them out of the guitar first of course.. if you want to know if you screwed up or not just measure the dc resistance of the pickup when you're done. if it is anything but 0, you're fine.

- - - Updated - - -

Ps. To save yourself a lot of hassle, by original duncan covers. Most after market covers don't fit.

 

[Grenade]

Re: Need advice on switching pick-ups and possiby the covers too

Does the bridge pickup have trem-spacing? If so the cover won't fit an SH model. Don't cut wires, unsolder everything, take your time and be neat. What color is your axe? What color are the bobbins in the 59's? What year is your axe? What model pickups are in it now? Some Epi's bennefit the most by installing CTS or Bourns pots and a high quality switch and jack. The 59's or the Seth should sound great in your axe but I would start with the electronics. MJ told me that Duncan Designed covers will fit there USA model pickups, but the bridge is trem-spaced on the DD models. American switch knobs will not interchange with import knobs. Happy new guitar day, we need some pics.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Need advice on switching pick-ups and possiby the covers too

Epi LP Classics don't have gold hardware, they're a cheaper version of a Standard; did the prvious owner change it?

With covers, there's a few different spacings for pole piece holes, odds are one of your PU's won't line up right with them. Sometimes you can widen holes slightly with a 1/4" drill bit. '59's are good PU's, however in the neck slot can be bassy in LP's, but that can be moderated by lowering the neck PU and raising the pole pieces. To offset the '59B's bright, thin tone, I put in a warmer magnet, like an UOA5. An A4 or A3 in the '59N will take out the bassiness.

I have all of Duncan's PAF's, and if you decide to sell the '59's, I would stromgly recommend either Seth's or A2P's. Both have A2 magnets which are warmer and have a bigger sound from the extra mids.

 

[925SS]

Re: Need advice on switching pick-ups and possiby the covers too

If you decide to remove the covers, i recommens thisA 29 cent razor scraper, just rock it back & forth across the solder joint.
The blade doesn't stick out far enough to reach any wire, so the risk of hurting anything is nill, & there is no chance of distorting the cover

 

[kook]

Re: Need advice on switching pick-ups and possiby the covers too

i did this to a couple pickups...im no pro but i can tell you a couple things i ran into....where your going to solder the cover to the back plate i really had to scuff up good i used the tip of an exacto scatching in criss/cross pattern, then i used some really good flux, you really gotta get it hot to get correct bond,,,once i was done i tried it...howled really bad i then had to disassemble and i had to put some caulk on top of the pickup between cover and pickup...im not sure if caulk would be the right product to use longevity wise but it did stop the pickup howl the pickup works fine now

 

[GregJr]

Re: Need advice on switching pick-ups and possiby the covers too

Tried to do the same thing with my 2008 Epi LP and A2P set. Holes did not align with cover. Had to install without. Better shell out a few $$ more and get new pu's with covers.
Duncan Custom should fit your bridge needs.

 

[Grenade]

Re: Need advice on switching pick-ups and possiby the covers too

I believe if you want 59's your going to need a TB59-1b so the Gold cover will fit but I would measure the spread on the screw poles when the guitar arrives and then make a decision.

 

[bornagainplayer]

Re: Need advice on switching pick-ups and possiby the covers too

This is all great information. Thank you all very much! I've decided to leave the 59s as is with the nickel covers and save them. I just think there's unnecessary risk trying to swap the gold and nickel covers, for me anyway. Now I just need to decide what to get for the bridge and neck. For my style of playing as described in the initial posting (classic rock, rhythm only), I'm thinking about either Seth Lover, AP2, or Custom in the bridge. I'm not really sure about the neck though. Should I get the same as the bridge? I know it often makes sense to mix them. I want to be sure the neck pup isn't too muddy and compliments the bridge well. What do you suggest for the neck (assuming I have the right choices for the bridge)?

 

[bornagainplayer]

Re: Need advice on switching pick-ups and possiby the covers too

I actually named the model incorrectly in the posting. It's actually a Les Paul Custom. Thanks for catching that! I edited the original posting to state the correct model.

 

[tubecrunch]

Re: Need advice on switching pick-ups and possiby the covers too

Pearly gates bridge is my favorite for a drop-in-and-rock p'up. Splits nice too. If you're primarily a strummer, I've had good luck with dimarzios humbucker from hell in the neck. Happy holidays!

 

[kook]

Re: Need advice on switching pick-ups and possiby the covers too

i think the seth lover would be great in the neck or bridge...i currently use the duncan 59(neck) i love it, seems to have a mid scoop in my opinion i think the seth is a little more flat in the eq with less mud