New Epi HB's?

[blueman335]

I just picked up an ebony Epi LP Std Royale (mfg 2nd) for a great price, and much to my surprise, the PU's sound pretty good. When I changed strings I flipped them over to see if they were aftermarket, and the stickers say 'LPA210-N1' and 'ROHS' on the baseplate. Are these the new Epi stock PU's? If so, they're a big improvement over what they've used in the past. I'm assuming the 'A2' in the name refers to the magnet, and that maybe these are 'Probuckers' which I've heard good things about They also came with 4-wire leads, although the guitar doesn't have push-pulls. I have a box of aftermarket PU's, but I see no pressing need to change what's in the guitar now. It has the usual 500K's all around, but turning down the bridge tone knob slightly gives me nice warm tones. No need to put in my usual 250K's for the bridge, or upgrade the PU's. Did a quick set-up and it's ready to go in record time.

Very pleased with both the guitar and PU's. Feels good, sounds good. Definitely going to gig with it.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: New Epi HB's?

Those are made by Artec (designed in Korea, usually made in China). AxesRUs sells them as their "Hot Iron" set (LINK) and several other online/ebay companies sell the exact same pickups under various other brand names, as well. I posted some info in another thread recently. As for the sticker, "A" means Alnico, but these are Alnico 5, and the "210" is the model number.

 

[blueman335]

Re: New Epi HB's?

The bridge PU is surprisingly warm, which is why I thought it had an A2, or even a 250K pot or two.

 

[jeremy]

Re: New Epi HB's?

at 15k it should be pretty warm lol

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: New Epi HB's?

I've also heard good things about the newer Epi pups although I haven't actually played them myself to know firsthand. The last Epi I bought a year or so ago had pretty decent pups, (but I changed them for SDs anyway, which are even better). I can imagine that the newer Epi pups would be even better. I'm sure Epi has had many complaints about their pups, and they're just trying to keep their customers happy.

IMO, Epi makes some pretty good stuff for a reasonable price (even though I've never been totally satisfied with the electronics). Maybe even that is going to change now.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: New Epi HB's?

The last few epis Ive bought have actually had decent pups. Starting with my 08 Trans black one. The ones that came in my SG were very good too.. I know they have improved them even more now and are making them as dirivatives of the Gibson models

 

[blueman335]

Re: New Epi HB's?

Probuckers have roughcast A2's, unbalanced coils, silver/nickel covers, and have the same polepieces/slugs and wire as Gibsons. That's a big step up from what Epi was using a couple years ago. I haven't heard their recent 'Alnico Classics', but hopefully they're better then the old '57 Classics. They also have a new ceramic set the 700T/650R, I assume similar to the 500T/496R. With many new Epi's having push-pulls for coil cut, and an increasing number of models with Probuckers or American-made PU's, they're getting a lot of variety tone-wise.

Paticularly appealing to me is their 1959 Les Pauls, which have Gibson Burstbuckers (2 and 3), long tenon neck, CTS pots, Switchcraft toggle, Mallory caps, and a brown hard case with a pink interior (like the original 1950's LP's). It's out of production now, but I think they sold new for around $600. That's a pretty nice guitar for the money. They've taken some positive steps due to the weak economy and stiff competition; got to give them credit for that.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: New Epi HB's?

I don't think those p'ups are used stock in Epis.

And those are not Probuckers.

HTH,

 

[blueman335]

Re: New Epi HB's?

I don't think those p'ups are used stock in Epis.

HTH,

Which ones are you referring to? Looking at a new American Musical Supply Catalog, here's what they list for Epi PU's:

Probuckers - LP Custom, LP Ultra, LP Std Plus, & G400 (SG Std) - all of these have push-pulls
Alnico Classics - LP Std, Dot, 339, Sheraton, & Faded G-400
Gibsons - Les Paul LP Tribute ('57 Classics), Prophecy LP (498T/490R), & Tom DeLong 333 (Dirty Fingers)
P-90's - Casino, '61 SG Special, WildKat, and the Lennon Casino has Gibson P-90's

This is much more than they had 5 years ago.

 

[formula73]

Re: New Epi HB's?

What I'm picking up from this thread is that Epi has some new pickups in some models that are ok and you're desperate for them to be in your Epi so it doesn't look like you hear with your eyes.