New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

[Duke of Metal]

hey guys,
I just baught an Epiphone Lespaul Custom in Wine "Quilted" red type colored body.

Here are some pics if anybody is interested:
- Epiphone Lespaul Custom Pic 1
- Epiphone Lespaul Custom Pic 2
- Epiphone Lespaul Custom Pic 3
- Epiphone Lespaul Custom Pic 4

I've had it for 2 days and I am loving it. It plays awsome and I'd definitly say it sounds awsome. The only thing I want more is more pickup output. I have the bridge pickup higher now but not touching the strings. I tried to use my MXR Microamp clean booster and when i get the perfect gain setting, i start to get squeals and too much hum.

As you see, the pickups on the guitar have the covers on them. Which I'd like to keep cause it gives the guitar this "complete" look.

I do have a Duncan Distortion in my other Lespaul but not sure if i want to put the DD in this one. Reason being is because I've heard when the DD has the cover on it, it starts to squeal pretty bad. Now anybody can back that up?

Another thing i was looking into was the EMG Afterburn 20db boost knob.

any suggestions you may can give me? I am happy with the neck pickup at the moment. Just looking for other options for the bridge pickup.

EDIT - another pickup i was looking into is the SD Demon. I am just not sure if it can provide enough output for highgain distortion or if i can put the metal cover on it.

Thanks

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

It's probably squealing because it's not properly wax potted, which wouldn't surprise me in a cheap stock pickup. I'd wax pot the current one first, and then try another pickup. The DD won't sqeal while under a cover, though. I used to have one on my old DD, worked fine.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

But hot damn, that is one GORGEOUS LP!

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

It's probably squealing because it's not properly wax potted, which wouldn't surprise me in a cheap stock pickup. I'd wax pot the current one first, and then try another pickup. The DD won't sqeal while under a cover, though. I used to have one on my old DD, worked fine.

Ok cool!! now how does the cover mount over the pickup? does it get attached to it with screws?

DD wont sqeal while under cover? hmm.. interesting!

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

But hot damn, that is one GORGEOUS LP!

Thanks bud!

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

Ok cool!! now how does the cover mount over the pickup? does it get attached to it with screws?

DD wont sqeal while under cover? hmm.. interesting!

It just sits on the pickup, but gets soldered in two spots to the base of the pickup.

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

It just sits on the pickup, but gets soldered in two spots to the base of the pickup.

oh ok.. so i guess I just remove the one from this Lespaul's bridge pickup and solder it on the new pickup i get. right?

Also, do these covers have any affect on the tone? response of the pickup? etc..?

thanks!

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

hey guys,
what tonal different would there be between a Duncan Distortion and Duncan Demon in a Lespaul bridge position?

Would the Demon be able to provide output enough for highgain heavy metal distortion?

Any info would help!


Thanks

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

Yes, you can use the existing covers. They'll work fine, and no, covers don't affect the sound at all.

I don't think the Demon would be hot enough for what you want, and from the clips and conversations I've heard/had with you before, it definitely wouldn't be hot enough. It's a 12k pickup wit an A5 mag, so it'll be less agressive than a C5 (IIRC, you had the Custom before, and didn't like it. Otherwise, I'd recommend that or EMG's).

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

hey DeadSkin... I think I am gonna go with the Duncan Distortion again, but add the covers to it. I am just waiting for a guy to reply who was selling one.

Thanks

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

I'd just get the DD covered from the factory, that way you know the noise will be minimal and the cover will have the least amount of sonic impact as possible.

I say this because cheaper covers sometimes are made from brass or are overly thick, in which case the tone will be affected.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

Not all covers fit on all humbuckers. I woundn't be suprised if the Epi cover does not fit on a SD pickup.

Get a covered DD from the factory, that way you don't have to mess with wax potting it.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

Very pretty guitar. That color isn't what Gibson/Epi usually calls wine. It's closr to a trans red.

And it has a very nice flame top, not a quilt.

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

I'd just get the DD covered from the factory, that way you know the noise will be minimal and the cover will have the least amount of sonic impact as possible.

I say this because cheaper covers sometimes are made from brass or are overly thick, in which case the tone will be affected.

Not all covers fit on all humbuckers. I woundn't be suprised if the Epi cover does not fit on a SD pickup.

Get a covered DD from the factory, that way you don't have to mess with wax potting it.

Hey guys!! hmm.. i didnt know I could do that!

Thats an excellent idea though. How much would that cost me?


Thanks

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

Very pretty guitar. That color isn't what Gibson/Epi usually calls wine. It's closr to a trans red.

And it has a very nice flame top, not a quilt.

Thanks! yeah, its a pretty i guess you could say "rare" or not very made often on Gibson/Epiphone guitars. I love it though

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

Wow that guitar looks fabulous! I'd put black hardware on it but that's just me, I can't stand shiny crap...haha

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

Wow that guitar looks fabulous! I'd put black hardware on it but that's just me, I can't stand shiny crap...haha

hahaha.. thanks man! i dont know, i kinda like the gold hardware on it. it sorta matches the color of the body and neck.

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

Robert.. any idea how much those Covered Duncan Distortions will cost me from the factory for each?


Thanks

 

[ErikH]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

That is one sweet looking LP. I couldn't find a Custom that looked that good so I settled for a Standard Plus. Has the flame top and in transparent amber. It sure looks like you found a winner. My stock pickups never squealed no matter how much gain I had going though. I actually like how the sound but wanted something a little more so in went a Custom Custom. A2P or Jazz is going in the neck.

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: New guitar = new bridge pickup (possibly)

That is one sweet looking LP. I couldn't find a Custom that looked that good so I settled for a Standard Plus. Has the flame top and in transparent amber. It sure looks like you found a winner. My stock pickups never squealed no matter how much gain I had going though. I actually like how the sound but wanted something a little more so in went a Custom Custom. A2P or Jazz is going in the neck.

Hey Erik,
Thanks! yeah, it is a pretty sweet guitar. I did find a winner. I had a jam session today with some friends and I gotta say, this guitar plays and sounds awsome. I like the way the bridge pickup sounds, its just that it doesnt have enough output for the heavy metal type stuff. I'd have to use my MXR Clean booster for more gain but it gets soo noisey with hum. I usually like to go either straight into my rig or sometimes a wah in there for fun or whenever needed.

I am definitly considering a Duncan Distortion pickup for bridge. If i can only find a place that sells it with the cover mounted on it already (preferebly golden color).

Thanks