PUPs for my epiphone dot DMZ VHPAF and VPAF

[htwheelz67]

Since this forum is more lively than DMZ, I picked up a cherry MIK Epiphone Dot 2 weeks ago and the stock pups sound pretty darn good (57 epis) after adjusting with some good gain this thing rocks hard, I have some duncans JB,Custom,old early 59 bridge (2 cond) custom custom which are not quite what I want. I have a rather large stash of Dimarzio VHPAF bridge, VPAF bridge, Vpaf neck and a set of 36th anniversary. Since I have many more of the VHPAF and VPAF's I was thinking of trying those along with a set of triple shots so I only have to do the ***** wiring to the pots once.

The stock pups read 8.78 bridge and 7.8 neck, my VHPAFS run around 9.2k reg spaced and 10.2 F spaced, VPAF bridge 8.68 and the necks are right in the 7.8k also have that 36th set. Should the VHPAF/VPAF set work in this guitar? Pots are full sized alpha 500k. I'm looking for just a bit more clarity and sparkle. I don't want to loose tone by too hot of pup. I will also be adding DMZ gold covers to match the rest of the hardware to keep the look. I am blown away at how good a semi hollow guitar sounds playing hard rock, it looks strange but sounds killer.

 

[blueman335]

Re: PUPs for my epiphone dot DMZ VHPAF and VPAF

PAF's are great in 335's, I'd definitely go with the VPAF set. They'll have better tone quality and definition than the stock PU's.

Swapping PU's in a 335 is easy, anyone who tells you it's difficult doesn't know what they're doing.

- Remove the knobs by lifting them with an old wash cloth.
- Take the pots out and lay them on a towel on top of the guitar. You may or may not have to take out the toggle. The jack can stay in place.
- Test thru an amp after you solder the new PU's.
- Put the electronics back in the F hole carefully.
- For the neck tone pot I use a stiff plastic coated wire (some guys use aquarium tubing), putting it thru the empty hole, inside the guitar and up thru the F hole, and attach it to the pot stem; that way I can pull it back inside and into position.
- For the other 3 pots I use a 6" forceps in the F hole to lift them into place.
- For all 4 pots I push the stems up into place, and hold them with the forceps while I put the washers and nuts on.
- Don't force or tug anything, as that can pull wires loose.
- I use T-nut drivers to avoid damaging the finish (don't use pliers!). You should use nut drivers with solid bodies, BTW.
- I test again thru an amp, before I pot the knobs back on.

Takes me 5 or 10 minutes to get all the pots back in and tightened up.

 

[htwheelz67]

Re: PUPs for my epiphone dot DMZ VHPAF and VPAF

I've done it before on one I sold, not quite as easy as say a Les Paul why I am installing triple shots so PUP changes will be easy from that point on. I used string and heat shring tubing on my last one replacing tone controls and jack were the most difficult part. What about the VHPAF in the bridge? too much? I have them in a few other guitars and they are KILLER I will have the series/parallel and split options available.

 

[Demanic]

Re: PUPs for my epiphone dot DMZ VHPAF and VPAF

I say go for it.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[htwheelz67]

Re: PUPs for my epiphone dot DMZ VHPAF and VPAF

my triple shots will be here tomorrow..........I've been tempted to just install them the cheating way just to try them. I just found this.........pretty cool on a semi hollow body...my guitar growls kinda like P90's but with massive balls,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXAiPicKZ4M I Imagine a 335 guitar with a Floyd Rose what would that be like?

 

[Demanic]

Re: PUPs for my epiphone dot DMZ VHPAF and VPAF

Be careful with them. The joint that holds the wires for the micro switches doesn't like to be bent back and forth.

 

[Aceman]

Re: PUPs for my epiphone dot DMZ VHPAF and VPAF

Sounds good to me.


I'll go say that on the DMZ forum too.

 

[htwheelz67]

Re: PUPs for my epiphone dot DMZ VHPAF and VPAF

Done deal,
I just left the chrome poles in since I didn't have any gold ones to match the covers. Verdict, I like it and love the switching options sounds a lot like a P90, I lost a bit of low end though (where the stockers shined) but gained mids and highs, I put the lowest output F spaced VHPAF bridge I had in it 9.5k. It looks purdy and stock.

 

[Demanic]

Re: PUPs for my epiphone dot DMZ VHPAF and VPAF

Try running the neck in parallel with the bridge in series. Or split the neck and bridge to the screw coils.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[blueman335]

Re: PUPs for my epiphone dot DMZ VHPAF and VPAF

It looks purdy

That's a beautiful guitar.

 

[htwheelz67]

Re: PUPs for my epiphone dot DMZ VHPAF and VPAF

Ya know how tubes and speakers break in and sound better afterwards, I have had that happen with pickups. I wasn't sure if I liked this swap completely and now all of a sudden its like it never sounded so good. I think brand new pups have a break in period too, or maybe its the strings?

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: PUPs for my epiphone dot DMZ VHPAF and VPAF

Nice!

 

[htwheelz67]

Re: PUPs for my epiphone dot DMZ VHPAF and VPAF

Update, one of the best sounding guitars I own (38 and counting) Huge,fat,clear and crunch and massive sustain. The triple shots add so much versitality and you can really hear the difference on each setting. I think once the dap/silicone dabs dried I used on installing the covers changed what I was hearing. I let a few guitar player buddies play it and they were equally blown away.

 

[Leon Of Late]

Re: PUPs for my epiphone dot DMZ VHPAF and VPAF

That's a great looking guitar. Glad to hear you're happy with the tone as well. Even though this is the Duncan website, great tone doesn't mean you have to use Duncan pickups. Whatever gets you to the tone you want is great. I also think pickups have a break in period, although I'm not sure what it is. Years of playing and road wear do make them sound different though.