PU for Dot to ES-137 upgrade?

[ChrisC]

I'm new but have enjoyed the interaction that all of you have for each other for more than a year. I've learned things I didn't know I needed to know.

I mainly play Blues/ Jazz/ Classical with a healthy dose of Classic and Southern Rock to keep it fresh and fun. If I'm not playing acoustic (30%), I'm on my Epi Dot (40-50%); if I can't find my sound, then I uncork the Strat. I'm thinking about a pickup change (obviously) in my semi-hollow but the thing is, I'll likely by upgrading from my Dot to a Gibson ES-137 within the next 18 months.

So my question is this: which combination (or other) could I use in the Dot that may eventually transfer to the ES-137? I was considering Pearly Gates (B) and the Alnico II (N). I'm concerned that the Pearly Gates neck would leave my neck-only play less articulate/ smooth than I need for Jazz. I think the Pearly Gates (B) might be a good, general-purpose pickup for the Blues. I also think the Jazz set may be way too over the top though I'm sure the clarity of the Jazz (N) would be interesting; the Jazz set may limit my Blues sound. I don't even know how to approach the conversation of a bridge pickup in the neck. Seymour's description of the Seth Lovers (I know most everyone loves them in a semi-hollow) really turns me off.

What do you think? Ok, let me have it!

 

[saladin]

Re: PU for Dot to ES-137 upgrade?

I think the PGn might be THE perfect Jazz pickup. It makes my Strat sound like an ES-175! The PGn is articulate and smooth. I'd go with the matched set but I like my pickups to match.

 

[hamerfan]

Re: PU for Dot to ES-137 upgrade?

I go now with a P90 in the neck and a DiMarzio VVPAF in the bridge for my Korean L-5 copy (all maple plywood). i needed an open, non compressed tone and woody tone for this Plywood thingy. But i could also think of a CC in a acoustically more open guitar like a ES-137.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: PU for Dot to ES-137 upgrade?

I have a Les Paul Supreme with the 490R/498T pickup combination that's in the ES-137 Classic, and I can't wait to get rid of these...a set of Seths is waiting for an RS kit to be installed with the new pickups. The current Gibosn pickups just don't seem to be very well matched, at least for my style. If you don't like the Seths or the Antiquitys, then the PGs or the '59 might be the way to go in a semi-hollow.

I have a set of the Seth 50th Anniversarys in another Les Paul and I like these a LOT! I haven't had a problem with microphonics yet; but I think if I played with a lot more gain, I'd be looking for a potted pickup.

If I were going to get the ES-137 Custom (though I'm not crazy about the Varitone feature), I might leave the pickups as they are--these are the '57 Classics in the Custom, and I like these pickups in the new 335s I've played.

Good Luck.

Bill

 

[ChrisC]

Re: PU for Dot to ES-137 upgrade?

I'll likely get the ES-137 Classic - thinking about installing Stellartones and obviously switching out the pickups. Has anyone had experience with Stellartone? Seen it in action once and was impresed.

 

[ChrisC]

Re: PU for Dot to ES-137 upgrade?

Can someone discuss with me the benefit of a CustomCustom(B) over a 59(B) or a Pearly Gates(B) in a Dot or ES-137? I saw a post somewhere discussing a CustomCustom(B) and a 59 in the neck (neck or bridge pickup in the neck position?) - too much? Remember, most of my jazz playing is from the neck so I need something from the bridge that I can cover my bases for blues/ classic rock. I use a little reverb/ chorus; my Tube Screamer rarely pushes three-quarters when I use it these days (most of the time - medium).

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: PU for Dot to ES-137 upgrade?

If you want to hear the woodiness of your guitar get Phat Cats. I had Seths in my Sheraton and they were great for wooly jazz tones and creamy overdriven leads along with plenty of bite from the bridge unit.

I then switched to PC's when they were released and haven't taken them out. If you know how to use your tone knobs, you can play jazz, country, funk, blues, rock, pop, and even metal with them.