I really want to replace the pickups in my Epiphone Les Paul, but I need some help. I heard this forum is great, so I figured I would give it a try. I'm looking for a bright sound with a good amount of highs and lows. The bands I want to base my sound after are Lit, AC/DC, Guns N Roses, Green Day. Pretty much high output, with a feel of 80s shred. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!
Please Help Me Pickout New Pickups!!
- Thread starter lit31686
- Start date
joelap
Red&Goldologist
Re: Please Help Me Pickout New Pickups!!
Everyone is going to suggest different pickups for the bridge position most likely. a JB does the job extremely well, and thats what I will recommend.
I also recommend the '59 in the neck. In other words, I agree with KAC.
Don't be scared if everyone recommends different pickups. And believe me, you can't go wrong with (almost) any Seymour Duncan pickup. Just don't get an invader for what sounds you're looking for.
Everyone is going to suggest different pickups for the bridge position most likely. a JB does the job extremely well, and thats what I will recommend.
I also recommend the '59 in the neck. In other words, I agree with KAC.
Don't be scared if everyone recommends different pickups. And believe me, you can't go wrong with (almost) any Seymour Duncan pickup. Just don't get an invader for what sounds you're looking for.
rspst14
Tone Cat
Re: Please Help Me Pickout New Pickups!!
Somewhere, you'll probably have to sacrifice one tone for another. None of the pickups mentioned will do a real convincing Guns n' Roses tone, and the pickup that will do that (Alnico 2 Pro) won't do a convincing Green Day, Lit, or AC/DC tone. Jeremy Popoff from Lit uses a Parallel Axis Trembucker, Billy Joe Armstrong from Green Day has been using P-90's a lot lately, Slash uses the Alnico 2 Pro, and much of the AC/DC tone on the classic albums were done with vintage output PAF-style pickups. So you can see how there needs to be room for compromise.
I think your best bet is the JB in the bridge and a '59 in the neck. Both pickups have a good amount of lows and highs, and are fairly bright sounding. The JB is high in output, but is versatile enough to handle a wide variety of sounds. The '59 is lower in output, which is generally what you want from a neck pickup in order for it to balance well with the bridge pickup.
Ryan
Somewhere, you'll probably have to sacrifice one tone for another. None of the pickups mentioned will do a real convincing Guns n' Roses tone, and the pickup that will do that (Alnico 2 Pro) won't do a convincing Green Day, Lit, or AC/DC tone. Jeremy Popoff from Lit uses a Parallel Axis Trembucker, Billy Joe Armstrong from Green Day has been using P-90's a lot lately, Slash uses the Alnico 2 Pro, and much of the AC/DC tone on the classic albums were done with vintage output PAF-style pickups. So you can see how there needs to be room for compromise.
I think your best bet is the JB in the bridge and a '59 in the neck. Both pickups have a good amount of lows and highs, and are fairly bright sounding. The JB is high in output, but is versatile enough to handle a wide variety of sounds. The '59 is lower in output, which is generally what you want from a neck pickup in order for it to balance well with the bridge pickup.
Ryan
Re: Please Help Me Pickout New Pickups!!
The Screamin Demon rips!!!!!! I just had it installed in the Bridge and i couldn`t be more happier with it. Sharp slicing tone that cuts right through and at the same time a heavy and tight bottom end crunch! Tone,definition,and outstanding voicing for leads,its all there! Medium output but works like a high output pickup! In fact.....better then alot of so called high output pickups that i`ve tried in the past not named Seymour Duncan!!!!!!
The Screamin Demon rips!!!!!! I just had it installed in the Bridge and i couldn`t be more happier with it. Sharp slicing tone that cuts right through and at the same time a heavy and tight bottom end crunch! Tone,definition,and outstanding voicing for leads,its all there! Medium output but works like a high output pickup! In fact.....better then alot of so called high output pickups that i`ve tried in the past not named Seymour Duncan!!!!!!
.Re: Please Help Me Pickout New Pickups!!
I've read that the JB has a lot of treble. Will that be a problem considering I have a bright amp already (JCM 800 2203)? And, I know guitars made of different woods sound better with different pickups. Is the Epiphone Les Paul really mahogany? Does that make a difference in the pickup choice? Thanks again! This forum rules!!!
I've read that the JB has a lot of treble. Will that be a problem considering I have a bright amp already (JCM 800 2203)? And, I know guitars made of different woods sound better with different pickups. Is the Epiphone Les Paul really mahogany? Does that make a difference in the pickup choice? Thanks again! This forum rules!!!
rspst14
Tone Cat
Re: Please Help Me Pickout New Pickups!!
Here's a tip...Use a 250k volume pot with the JB instead of a 500k. That'll prevent you from having too much treble. It's a very common mod for JB users, it's one of the few humbuckers that works better with a 250k pot than a 500k pot.
Ryan
Here's a tip...Use a 250k volume pot with the JB instead of a 500k. That'll prevent you from having too much treble. It's a very common mod for JB users, it's one of the few humbuckers that works better with a 250k pot than a 500k pot.
Ryan
Ironjose
New member
Re: Please Help Me Pickout New Pickups!!
ok i've read the thread and here are my two cents and some questions too.
i would have to say custom bridge and 59 neck.
but recently i bought a custom trembucker and a distortion for the neck...
but also i notice that my pots are 500 each, volume and tone.
and how can i align the neck pup with the strings.
cheers
ok i've read the thread and here are my two cents and some questions too.
i would have to say custom bridge and 59 neck.
but recently i bought a custom trembucker and a distortion for the neck...
but also i notice that my pots are 500 each, volume and tone.
and how can i align the neck pup with the strings.
cheers
Re: Please Help Me Pickout New Pickups!!
I wish people would consider the Screamin Demon more!!! It really is an awesome pickup especially for metal! For some reason people seemed to be turned off by it,my guess is that its a medium output pickup but i had a JB before and the Demon is more violent and wicked sounding if you will!!! In fact,the Demon has become my favorite bridge pickup for rhythm and especially leads and i`ve had ALOT of different pickups in my time! Either way Seymour Duncans rule!!!!!!!
I wish people would consider the Screamin Demon more!!! It really is an awesome pickup especially for metal! For some reason people seemed to be turned off by it,my guess is that its a medium output pickup but i had a JB before and the Demon is more violent and wicked sounding if you will!!! In fact,the Demon has become my favorite bridge pickup for rhythm and especially leads and i`ve had ALOT of different pickups in my time! Either way Seymour Duncans rule!!!!!!!
NathanCahill
New member
Re: Please Help Me Pickout New Pickups!!
I currently have have a 59N and a Custom Bridge in my Epi. I love the sound and the versitility. Haven't used the JB in this axe but either way I would recommend a 59 or a seth for the neck.
I currently have have a 59N and a Custom Bridge in my Epi. I love the sound and the versitility. Haven't used the JB in this axe but either way I would recommend a 59 or a seth for the neck.
rspst14
Tone Cat
Re: Please Help Me Pickout New Pickups!!
The JB has a bit more output than the Custom (At least to my ears,) and it uses an alnico 5 magnet. The Custom uses a ceramic magnet, which I've never been a big fan of. For the sounds you're after, I really think the JB is a much better choice.
Ryan
The JB has a bit more output than the Custom (At least to my ears,) and it uses an alnico 5 magnet. The Custom uses a ceramic magnet, which I've never been a big fan of. For the sounds you're after, I really think the JB is a much better choice.
Ryan
Luke Duke
PRSlustologist
Re: Please Help Me Pickout New Pickups!!
I would also recommend the JB for the bridge even though I didn't like it with my setup. Don't worry about it with your JCM 800 b/c that was the pup amp choice for tons of folks in the 80's and 90's.
For the neck I'd suggest a jazz. It is very clear, and articulate. Somewhat brighter than other neck pups, but in a good way. The 59 neck, though a great pup, has too much bass for me for the neck position.
Luke
I would also recommend the JB for the bridge even though I didn't like it with my setup. Don't worry about it with your JCM 800 b/c that was the pup amp choice for tons of folks in the 80's and 90's.
For the neck I'd suggest a jazz. It is very clear, and articulate. Somewhat brighter than other neck pups, but in a good way. The 59 neck, though a great pup, has too much bass for me for the neck position.
Luke
