Pickups for Epiphone LP?

Ninja Monkey

Ninja Monkey

New member
I have an epi lp that has an AWFUL bridge pickup, I would like your help on my decision. Dislikes with current pup: Muddy low end, especially when drop tuned.
Output isn't high enough, doesn't pickup smaller dynamics. clarity is not there whatsoever, even with single notes. I like the neck pickup, just wondering what you guys would choose. In a new pup I need: Clarity, single notes should be able to picked out of a chord. Higher output, not rediculous, comparable to a JB. Tight bass, no flub on palm muted power chords. My epi LP is an all mahogany studio, (which i suspect may be part of the reason it's muddy.)completely stock, aside from strap locks. I use .11 gauge D'addario nickel wound strings, tuned to Hendrix or drop Db. Whaddya think? Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
Re: Pickups for Epiphone LP?

I feel maybe a Jazz bridge? perhaps a Full shred. Tough call. I don't like this question.

Let's start over. Go get a maple/mahog LP, tune it to at least Eb. Get a duncan Custom.
- see, wasn't that easy?
 
Re: Pickups for Epiphone LP?

When I want high output in a bridge PU for a mahogany guitar, a C5 or C8 is the way I go. Clarity & definition, good cleans, & great with overdrive. For the neck, a '59N never lets me down.

For a PAF pair, the '59's are ideal. Tight lows, & sparkling highs.
 
Re: Pickups for Epiphone LP?

blueman335 said:
When I want high output in a bridge PU for a mahogany guitar, a C5 or C8 is the way I go. Clarity & definition, good cleans, & great with overdrive. For the neck, a '59N never lets me down.

For a PAF pair, the '59's are ideal. Tight lows, & sparkling highs.
Click to expand...

I love the 59's. I have a set in my Epi SG, and it's a tone monster. It's cleans are really sweet, and the drive tones just roar.
 
Re: Pickups for Epiphone LP?

OK, first, let's start with the basics. The stock Epi pots, jack and switch need to go. NOW.

Throw a Switchcraft jack and switch in the place of the stock components, then use a quad of 500k CTS pots wired to a pair of Orange Drop .022mfd caps following the "50's style" of wiring. Once that's done, re-evaluate what you want from the guitar.

If you still feel the same way about the bridge pickup, I'd recommend the SH-5 Custom. It hits the front end of an amp about as hard as a JB, has a tight low end chunk that works well for downtuned power chords and riffs, and has enough top end to not mud out and slice through a band mix. It does have a fizzy-ness to it when run through light or medium OD, but if hard rock and metal is your thing, there's no better match for aLester than the Custom.
 
Re: Pickups for Epiphone LP?

Benjy_26 said:
OK, first, let's start with the basics. The stock Epi pots, jack and switch need to go. NOW.

Throw a Switchcraft jack and switch in the place of the stock components, then use a quad of 500k CTS pots wired to a pair of Orange Drop .022mfd caps following the "50's style" of wiring. Once that's done, re-evaluate what you want from the guitar.
Click to expand...

+1

500K CTS pots are about the only way to go here.
 
Re: Pickups for Epiphone LP?

I have a JB / 59N in one of my EPI Pauls and it works great for me. Key difference is I play in standard tuning and do mostly classic 80's metal / Hard Rock.
 
Re: Pickups for Epiphone LP?

I'm in the middle of rewiring my own Epi LP. I decided to go with the jazz/n and demon/b. I've heard that the demon is good for drop tunings, although I don't tune down myself. I do use dAddario jazz chrome 11s. I've got a set of triple shot rings on back order, so I'm waiting to try out the pickups until after they arrive. That will probably be 2 - 3 weeks. I'll let you know how it all works out.
 
Re: Pickups for Epiphone LP?

Benjy_26 said:
OK, first, let's start with the basics. The stock Epi pots, jack and switch need to go. NOW.

Throw a Switchcraft jack and switch in the place of the stock components, then use a quad of 500k CTS pots wired to a pair of Orange Drop .022mfd caps following the "50's style" of wiring. Once that's done, re-evaluate what you want from the guitar.

If you still feel the same way about the bridge pickup, I'd recommend the SH-5 Custom. It hits the front end of an amp about as hard as a JB, has a tight low end chunk that works well for downtuned power chords and riffs, and has enough top end to not mud out and slice through a band mix. It does have a fizzy-ness to it when run through light or medium OD, but if hard rock and metal is your thing, there's no better match for aLester than the Custom.
Click to expand...

Right on!! The electrics need to be upgraded in the Epi's for sure!!
 
Re: Pickups for Epiphone LP?

Wymore Guitars said:
Right on!! The electrics need to be upgraded in the Epi's for sure!!
Click to expand...

another +1 for cts pots and sprague orange drop caps. however, cts pots have a larger diameter(3/8" U.S.) than the current metric pots you have, so you will have to drill larger holes. it's definitely worth it though:)

as for a bridge pickup, either a duncan custom, as others have mentioned, or a screamin' demon would be good for what you're doing, in the guitar it's being done on:)

btw all that stuff is available on wymore's website;)
 
Re: Pickups for Epiphone LP?

I wouldn't go with the Demon for what the OP wants. It's definatley not up to par with the JB as far as output goes. Definately has a tight, thumping low end though.
 
Re: Pickups for Epiphone LP?

I'm wondering if I might as well go blackouts, I can always roll volume down a little. How good are blackouts in LPs?
 
Re: Pickups for Epiphone LP?

finger-tight is probably all you'll need with the nuts etc on selector switches.

for the clarity and particularly for the muted chjug-chjug thing the demon is very good, but like benjy said it definitely isn't up to the JB output-wise; that said, if you wanted the higher output so as to pick up more picking harmonics the demon does that reasonably well anyway.

custom will probably sound great but may not be as clear as you want IMO, ie the chords will sound awesome but you may not hear the individual notes wthin...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top