Pickup suggestions for an Epi LP Studio?

[Kess.V]

So I've had my Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Studio Deluxe for a few years now, and I love it to death, but I think it's time for an upgrade. What kind of pickups would be a good fit for it? (I play anything from blues to hard rock/metal and like a chimey clean tone, and yes, I know I need to change the pots and other hardware stuffs, too). Here's a list I put together (all Seymour Duncans) from other online sources and from the Seymour Duncan website. If there are any combinations that you fancy that aren't on the list, feel free to suggest them, but keep it under or around $200 (they don't have to be Seymour Duncans)! Thanks!
Specs:
- Mahogany body
- Set mahogany neck
- Rosewood fingerboard
Here's the list:
Neck Bridge
SH-55 (Seth Lover) ----- TB-16 ('59 Custom Hybrid)
SH-55 (Seth Lover) ----- SH-4 (JB)
P-Rails ------------------- P-Rails
SH-2N (Jazz) ------------ SH-4 (JB)
Sh-1N (’59) -------------- SH-16 ('59/Custom Hybrid)
SH-2N (Jazz) ------------- SH-8 (Invader)

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an Epi LP Studio?

Welcome to the forum

What is it you don't like in the sound you are trying to fix?
Too bright?
Too dark?
Doesn't clean up with volume knb?
Noisy?
Don't like one pickup position or the other?
What kind of music are you trying to make with it, and what kind of amp are you using?

I've used almost all those combos (except the Invader and PRail set) and they sound great. I couldn't recommend one over another without some details of what problem you are trying to solve. Another couple I'd add to the list are Pearly Gates and a '78 model bridge with a Jazz or Seth neck. But which depends on what problem(s) you are trying to solve.

 

[Kess.V]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an Epi LP Studio?

Welcome to the forum

What is it you don't like in the sound you are trying to fix?
Too bright?
Too dark?
Doesn't clean up with volume knb?
Noisy?
Don't like one pickup position or the other?
What kind of music are you trying to make with it, and what kind of amp are you using?

I've used almost all those combos (except the Invader and PRail set) and they sound great. I couldn't recommend one over another without some details of what problem you are trying to solve. Another couple I'd add to the list are Pearly Gates and a '78 model bridge with a Jazz or Seth neck. But which depends on what problem(s) you are trying to solve.

Thanks for the welcome! Right now I'm playing through a Vox AC15C1. I'm not really thinking of the current pickups as having any of the problems you've stated above (maybe a tad muddy), I just don't think my guitar sounds as good as it could. The music I try to make is anything from echo-y ambient stuff to Jimmy Page inspired riffage to funky to heavy metal licks.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an Epi LP Studio?

Sounds like you need clearer pickups. Vox ACs have some chime but are actually dark on the very top. (I have 2 AC30s and have played through a friend AC15 live regularly.) My comparison point for the guitar is I have a Gibson Les Paul Studio (Satin) which is right in the same line as an Epiphone construction-wise, it just had slightly better pickups out of the box; which I have now swapped numerous times.

I'd recommend
Seth neck / 59/Custom Hybrid bridge
Jazz neck / Pearly Gates bridge
Whole Lotta Humbucker set


NECK
1. SH-55 (Seth Lover) [most even and clear]
2. SH-2N (Jazz) [brighter, chimey, but also has some low-end thump to it]
3. Whole Lotta Humbucker [very smooth, can be chimey or mellow with roll of the knobs]

BRIDGE
1. 59/Custom Hybrid [clear, versatile]
2. Pearly Gates [matches the brightness and low-end thump of the Jazz, great all around pickup]
3. Whole Lotta Humbucker [versatile, very smooth, does bright or dark with roll of the knobs and still sounds good]

For anything you think is out of your budget, just look for used, good condition. It's possible to find any Duncan for $70 or less in very good condition.

 

[RogerMexiko]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an Epi LP Studio?

Whole Lotta Humbuckers sound great in a friends Epi Les Paul. He can make it sound EXACTLY like Jimmy Page Stairway to Heaven...get the exact tone.
Just discovered and switched to Fishman modern humbuckers in my Les Paul and after being happy with Seth Lover's like forever think the Fishmans do a better overall job, read all about them. The 2 voice and coil tap wiring is easy to do and gives like 32 tone options although use about only 6 of them on a regular basis myself.
Play mostly blusey jazz tunes.

 

[Kess.V]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an Epi LP Studio?

Sounds like you need clearer pickups. Vox ACs have some chime but are actually dark on the very top. (I have 2 AC30s and have played through a friend AC15 live regularly.) My comparison point for the guitar is I have a Gibson Les Paul Studio (Satin) which is right in the same line as an Epiphone construction-wise, it just had slightly better pickups out of the box; which I have now swapped numerous times.

I'd recommend
Seth neck / 59/Custom Hybrid bridge
Jazz neck / Pearly Gates bridge
Whole Lotta Humbucker set


NECK
1. SH-55 (Seth Lover) [most even and clear]
2. SH-2N (Jazz) [brighter, chimey, but also has some low-end thump to it]
3. Whole Lotta Humbucker [very smooth, can be chimey or mellow with roll of the knobs]

BRIDGE
1. 59/Custom Hybrid [clear, versatile]
2. Pearly Gates [matches the brightness and low-end thump of the Jazz, great all around pickup]
3. Whole Lotta Humbucker [versatile, very smooth, does bright or dark with roll of the knobs and still sounds good]

For anything you think is out of your budget, just look for used, good condition. It's possible to find any Duncan for $70 or less in very good condition.

Reverb is a musician's best friend! Thanks for the help!

 

[Kess.V]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an Epi LP Studio?

Sounds like you need clearer pickups. Vox ACs have some chime but are actually dark on the very top. (I have 2 AC30s and have played through a friend AC15 live regularly.) My comparison point for the guitar is I have a Gibson Les Paul Studio (Satin) which is right in the same line as an Epiphone construction-wise, it just had slightly better pickups out of the box; which I have now swapped numerous times.

I'd recommend
Seth neck / 59/Custom Hybrid bridge
Jazz neck / Pearly Gates bridge
Whole Lotta Humbucker set


NECK
1. SH-55 (Seth Lover) [most even and clear]
2. SH-2N (Jazz) [brighter, chimey, but also has some low-end thump to it]
3. Whole Lotta Humbucker [very smooth, can be chimey or mellow with roll of the knobs]

BRIDGE
1. 59/Custom Hybrid [clear, versatile]
2. Pearly Gates [matches the brightness and low-end thump of the Jazz, great all around pickup]
3. Whole Lotta Humbucker [versatile, very smooth, does bright or dark with roll of the knobs and still sounds good]

For anything you think is out of your budget, just look for used, good condition. It's possible to find any Duncan for $70 or less in very good condition.

Sorry, one more thing. Out of those three combinations, which one would you be most inclined to use?

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an Epi LP Studio?

Sorry, one more thing. Out of those three combinations, which one would you be most inclined to use?

I listed in order of my preference. But any of them will work excellent. The Pearly/Jazz would give a wider range of tone; can do heavy music and cleans very well, has some bass thump and bright treble (which you can always roll off with the tone control.)

But there are other combos I haven't tried that would be excellent as well - for example RogerMexiko recommended the Fluences. I've heard great things but never tried them myself, so I can speak to all the other combos out there.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an Epi LP Studio?

Jazz neck with a 59/Custom Hybrid bridge. You get clarity out of all that mahogany, along with enough power to play heavier styles. I'd add a switch somewhere to split them for a different tone, as well.

 

[Kess.V]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an Epi LP Studio?

Jazz neck with a 59/Custom Hybrid bridge. You get clarity out of all that mahogany, along with enough power to play heavier styles. I'd add a switch somewhere to split them for a different tone, as well.

Thanks!

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an Epi LP Studio?

put in a set of 59s. You can't go wrong. Nice clear top end.
Have a think about swapping your speaker for a celestion blue later on when you are feeling rich.

 

[Archer250]

Re: Pickup suggestions for an Epi LP Studio?

Without reading anything much, I can tell you that ANY of the pickups on that list will be an improvement. Epiphone pickups are muddy and lifeless.

I'd recommend a 59/custom with a Jazz neck. You can't ever go wrong with a Jazz neck for cleans.