Regular Spaced Air Norton or Duncan TB-5 for Epiphone Sheraton II

[martilloseductor]

Hi,

Thank you for validating my account! My name is Kevin.

Anyway, I recently bought a used Epiphone Sheraton II from a Jazz player. He told me he installed a Kent Amstrong PAF style humbucker in the neck (he's not sure if it's the 6 shooter model or the vintage 57, though). I haven't opened the guitar to verify this, but it does sound like PAF and the sound quality is miles away from the bridge position humbucker.

I have two Humbuckers laying around. A TB-5 (which i haven't tried in any guitar yet) and a regular spaced Dimarzio Air Norton that is currently in my Tele's neck position. I guess the Air Norton would be the obvious choice, but the Dimarzio website claims Epiphones need f-spaced humbuckers. I'm also a huge Josh Homme fan and the Duncan Custom might be the sound I'm looking for (even though I haven't tried the AN in the bridge position yet). I'm selling my tele soon, so that's why i'm in this dilema.

 

[martilloseductor]

Re: Regular Spaced Air Norton or Duncan TB-5 for Epiphone Sheraton II

Bump

 

[OsvyRock]

Re: Regular Spaced Air Norton or Duncan TB-5 for Epiphone Sheraton II

Hi,

Thank you for validating my account! My name is Kevin.

Anyway, I recently bought a used Epiphone Sheraton II from a Jazz player. He told me he installed a Kent Amstrong PAF style humbucker in the neck (he's not sure if it's the 6 shooter model or the vintage 57, though). I haven't opened the guitar to verify this, but it does sound like PAF and the sound quality is miles away from the bridge position humbucker.

I have two Humbuckers laying around. A TB-5 (which i haven't tried in any guitar yet) and a regular spaced Dimarzio Air Norton that is currently in my Tele's neck position. I guess the Air Norton would be the obvious choice, but the Dimarzio website claims Epiphones need f-spaced humbuckers. I'm also a huge Josh Homme fan and the Duncan Custom might be the sound I'm looking for (even though I haven't tried the AN in the bridge position yet). I'm selling my tele soon, so that's why i'm in this dilema.

It all depends on what you want out of that guitar. I got a friend with an Air Norton on the neck and a Super 3 in the bridge. Don't be afraid of higher output! That Epiphone Sheraton II rocks!

I would put the Norton in the neck, the TB-5 in the bridge, and sell the Ken Armstrong pickup. Of course! If you really like the Ken Armstrong, keep it there, and experiment. Imagine higher output = TB-5, more ''tamed'' but still full and great = Air Norton.

You can't go wrong with any decision!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Regular Spaced Air Norton or Duncan TB-5 for Epiphone Sheraton II

Welcome to the forum!

I'd say if you already have the TB-5, go ahead and try it. You will know right away if it gets the sound you are after (it should with no problem). Then you could start the search for a neck pickup if the one in there isn't doing it for you.

 

[martilloseductor]

Re: Regular Spaced Air Norton or Duncan TB-5 for Epiphone Sheraton II

I think I'm going to install the TB-5. Not so sure about the neck position. Might even be a SH-6n!

Just another question: I want to buy a gold metal cover for it. Do you think it's going to fit in the stock mounting rings with it?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Regular Spaced Air Norton or Duncan TB-5 for Epiphone Sheraton II

I've done this, but it is tight. You might have to sand the ring just a bit.

 

[martilloseductor]

Re: Regular Spaced Air Norton or Duncan TB-5 for Epiphone Sheraton II

I ended up liking the Air Norton better! The poles are not perfectly aligned with the strings, but it's no biggie. The Custom was great, but it ended up sounding a bit... sterile. I like the Air Norton much better in the bridge position than in the neck position. It's not dark at all! I could use a bit more output, but it can be fixed that with a gain pedal.

The Kent Armstrong in the neck is a six shooter, so both of the pickups in this guitar have Alnico 5 magnets. Compared to the Duncan '59 I have in my Schecter's neck position, the Kent is warmer, while the Duncan is brighter. Other than that, they're pretty similar. I don't think most people would hear a difference.

Thank you all for your input!