I recently acquired an Epi Goth Les Paul Studio, full mahogany body and neck. I am looking for some good pickups for recording (using a vox adio gt). I like to play quite a few different styles ranging from things like ZZ top and Alice in Chains and then some punk and thrash metal on the side. For the Bridge I'm torn between the Custom, Thrash Factor, and Black Winter and the neck I'm considering a Screamin Demon, Black Winter, or A2pro. Has anyone used these for similar tastes, or are there other recommendations?
New pups for an Epi LP
- Thread starter CvNelson
- Start date
EmiAba
Active member
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
Hard to match zz top with AIC tone wise. Cantrell is pure JB sound to my ears. And I think, but it is only my opinion, I will never put a pearly gates and a JB in the same guitar, expecially a les paulish one. But if you stay much more near AIC sound my suggestion is jazz/JB (thrash factor)
Hard to match zz top with AIC tone wise. Cantrell is pure JB sound to my ears. And I think, but it is only my opinion, I will never put a pearly gates and a JB in the same guitar, expecially a les paulish one. But if you stay much more near AIC sound my suggestion is jazz/JB (thrash factor)
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
I think I'd go with the Demon neck, and Distortion or Black Winter bridge. Never played a Black winter - but from all accounts it is a more flexible Distortion. I defer to those with experience.
The PG / Custom is also a great all around combo!
I went Dist/BW because you said punk/thrash etc....
I think I'd go with the Demon neck, and Distortion or Black Winter bridge. Never played a Black winter - but from all accounts it is a more flexible Distortion. I defer to those with experience.
The PG / Custom is also a great all around combo!
I went Dist/BW because you said punk/thrash etc....
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
I second Demon neck, Black Winter bridge.
I second Demon neck, Black Winter bridge.
OsvyRock
New member
weepingminotaur
Well-known member
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
As others have said, you've got a wide range of styles you want to play here. Going from ZZ Top to AIC to thrash and punk is going to be challenging.
Custom bridge / Pearly Gates neck is a good choice. You might even consider Custom 5 for the bridge.
My own rec would be a Black Winter set (bridge and neck). I have them in an Epi LP and they are insanely versatile, beyond the metal spectrum to boot. They clean up great and split very well. I think they'd do especially well with the AIC you want to play.
As others have said, you've got a wide range of styles you want to play here. Going from ZZ Top to AIC to thrash and punk is going to be challenging.
Custom bridge / Pearly Gates neck is a good choice. You might even consider Custom 5 for the bridge.
My own rec would be a Black Winter set (bridge and neck). I have them in an Epi LP and they are insanely versatile, beyond the metal spectrum to boot. They clean up great and split very well. I think they'd do especially well with the AIC you want to play.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
But then you get into the issue of the bridge being too dark and the neck being too bright. That's offen referred to as "490R/498T syndrome" and happens when you pair a dark pickup in the neck and a bright pickup in the bridge so that you can't dial a good tone in from one without ruining the tone of the other.
But then you get into the issue of the bridge being too dark and the neck being too bright. That's offen referred to as "490R/498T syndrome" and happens when you pair a dark pickup in the neck and a bright pickup in the bridge so that you can't dial a good tone in from one without ruining the tone of the other.
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
Thanks for the input everyone. I realize the ground I am trying to cover is a bit rough for one guitar, I'd say my priorities would probably lean mostly towards AiC type tone with the ability to do some convincing metal and decent punk ala Bad Religion, I may have to narrow my focus a bit and use another guitar for the bluesier stuff.
Thanks for the input everyone. I realize the ground I am trying to cover is a bit rough for one guitar, I'd say my priorities would probably lean mostly towards AiC type tone with the ability to do some convincing metal and decent punk ala Bad Religion, I may have to narrow my focus a bit and use another guitar for the bluesier stuff.
OsvyRock
New member
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
Believe it or not, the Seymour Duncan JB may be the way to go.
Yes! I read that it has mixed reviews on LP, but it may do the trick for you!
Distortion may be a 2nd choice...
Believe it or not, the Seymour Duncan JB may be the way to go.
Yes! I read that it has mixed reviews on LP, but it may do the trick for you!
Distortion may be a 2nd choice...
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
Nobody has asked yet... what kind of amp and FX are you using?
It seems to me like dropping $200 on pickups for a $399 guitar is like putting spinners on a $800 Chevy. Despite changing out the pickups, you still have a guitar that may or may not have the natural sound you seek.
My vote is in for a Custom in the bridge and Pearly Gates neck. But, I would also consider the Custom 5 for the bridge... it is my preferred bridge pickup. The C5 is very dynamic and open. A full Pearly Gates set is an awesome combo too - amazing clarity, tons of crunch and attitude. You can likely tell I prefer A5/A2 pickups over ceramic magnets.
TLDR; is the amp good? Does the guitar sound good unplugged? If the answers are yes, then maybe a pickup swap is the next thing to do.
Nobody has asked yet... what kind of amp and FX are you using?
It seems to me like dropping $200 on pickups for a $399 guitar is like putting spinners on a $800 Chevy. Despite changing out the pickups, you still have a guitar that may or may not have the natural sound you seek.
My vote is in for a Custom in the bridge and Pearly Gates neck. But, I would also consider the Custom 5 for the bridge... it is my preferred bridge pickup. The C5 is very dynamic and open. A full Pearly Gates set is an awesome combo too - amazing clarity, tons of crunch and attitude. You can likely tell I prefer A5/A2 pickups over ceramic magnets.
TLDR; is the amp good? Does the guitar sound good unplugged? If the answers are yes, then maybe a pickup swap is the next thing to do.
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
After a bit more research, I think I'm leaning towards either a JB(thrash factor) or Black winter to pair with a Demon neck. The stock pickups in it are incredibly drak/muddy and I find the current neck completely unusable, and it looks like the demon is pretty bright. The Thrash factor is supposedly a jb with slightly tamed mids and tighter bass so this sounds like it should work. Essentially a varied jb/'59 combo no?
After a bit more research, I think I'm leaning towards either a JB(thrash factor) or Black winter to pair with a Demon neck. The stock pickups in it are incredibly drak/muddy and I find the current neck completely unusable, and it looks like the demon is pretty bright. The Thrash factor is supposedly a jb with slightly tamed mids and tighter bass so this sounds like it should work. Essentially a varied jb/'59 combo no?
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
Currently I am using a Vox adio gt(next step is an Orange rocker 15 in the next few months), the guitar is naturally fun to play and sounds great unplugged I had a similar LP studio a few years ago that I had ok results with using Dimarzio super distortions in.
Currently I am using a Vox adio gt(next step is an Orange rocker 15 in the next few months), the guitar is naturally fun to play and sounds great unplugged I had a similar LP studio a few years ago that I had ok results with using Dimarzio super distortions in.
weepingminotaur
Well-known member
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
You won't regret the BW bridge if you go that way, particularly because it gives you great blues tones too (split particularly). But I also think a Custom 5 wouldn't be a bad choice at all for the bridge.
You won't regret the BW bridge if you go that way, particularly because it gives you great blues tones too (split particularly). But I also think a Custom 5 wouldn't be a bad choice at all for the bridge.
Gtrjunior
Well-known member
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
I haven’t tried it but what do you think might be the outcome of the pickups I mentioned using a 250k pot for the bridge and 500k neck?
I know I’m in the minority but I like a 250k bridge pot.
I haven’t tried it but what do you think might be the outcome of the pickups I mentioned using a 250k pot for the bridge and 500k neck?
I know I’m in the minority but I like a 250k bridge pot.
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
With all that said, I stick my Custom 5 recommendation. Great pickup for mahogany guitars and sound that covers a lot of ground in rock music. The neck pickup is more dependent on your favorite, but I am partial to the buttery goodness of the PGn still, as others suggested, a Jazz is always a solid choice too.
With all that said, I stick my Custom 5 recommendation. Great pickup for mahogany guitars and sound that covers a lot of ground in rock music. The neck pickup is more dependent on your favorite, but I am partial to the buttery goodness of the PGn still, as others suggested, a Jazz is always a solid choice too.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
I think that could work, but just switching the magnets between the neck and bridge could work a lot better.
I think that could work, but just switching the magnets between the neck and bridge could work a lot better.
OsvyRock
New member
Re: New pups for an Epi LP
Exactly! Go with the Thrash Factor set aka ''Mustaine's JB + 59' in the neck''.
I used a JB once in a full mahogany PRS. it definitely ''killed'' my Gibson 498t pickup. Really rocking!
We play similar genres. That's why I make the JB suggestion. If you want something higher output, go for it!
Exactly! Go with the Thrash Factor set aka ''Mustaine's JB + 59' in the neck''.
I used a JB once in a full mahogany PRS. it definitely ''killed'' my Gibson 498t pickup. Really rocking!
We play similar genres. That's why I make the JB suggestion. If you want something higher output, go for it!
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