Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

Nacho8807

Nacho8807

New member
I have an Epiphone Dot that I want to replace the pickups in. I am not sure what's in it now, but I know they are stock, and predate the newer "upgraded" Epi pickups that they started using 10 or so years ago. They are not terrible, but they do seem very bland, and the high end is harsh, where I would like something a bit sweeter in the neck and maybe more honky in the bridge. I love that semi hollow blues sound, and these do a weak job of it.

I'm going to aim for a pretty "typical" vintage-output, PAF style thing to play blues-rock type stuff with through a Marshall DSL combo. I'm not really in the market for boutique stuff for this guitar. I'm thinking a set under $150 USD is the goal. What have you guys used and recommend for this?
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

I think some used Alnico II Pro's would do the trick.

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Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

I have Alnico II Pro's in my 335, they're great for jazz, blues, rock, just about anything I do.
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

I'm sure you've got the cheapo 57 classic copies they used to use. You'll probably want to drop in a complete harness while you're at it, since you don't want to change these more than once.

I put 59s in mine with a good 50s wiring harness. I was moderately happy with them stock, but I really like them with A4 and A2 magnets. With A2s they're not quite on par with my Gibson + antiquities, but they're not as far off as you'd think.
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

I have Antiquities in my Ibanez AS-73 - totally sweet, but pricy. A set of 59's would be nice, too.
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

Had 59s in my 335; neck sounded decent but the bridge was bright and thin. Have a WLH set in there now and they're amazing. The neck pickup will do the Slash thing under gain without mushing out, and the bridge is just the right amount fatter and less bright than the 59B it replaced.
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

A modded A3n/A2b '59 set is what you want.

I currently have that very modded set in my ES-339 and it sounds wonderful.

PG set and Alnico II set are also good, but nowhere as good the modded '59 set, if you ask me.

The Seth Lover set and the Antiquity set are top tier, with of course a price tag to match.

/Peter
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think the most accessible and cost effective choice for me is going to be a used set of Dimarzio 36th Anniversary PAFs or a pair of used Seths. I feel like those are plenty of bang for the buck if I can find a good deal. Hopefully I can update on what I think of one or the other soon!
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

I've got a Seth bridge and '59 neck in my Epi Dot, and they're both excellent in the guitar.
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

Nacho8807 said:
Thanks for the advice everyone. I think the most accessible and cost effective choice for me is going to be a used set of Dimarzio 36th Anniversary PAFs or a pair of used Seths. I feel like those are plenty of bang for the buck if I can find a good deal. Hopefully I can update on what I think of one or the other soon!
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I've had both of those in the same Les Paul, and Seth's won, no contest. I'd assume they'd win in a 335 type, though you never know.
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

robo said:
I have Seth Lovers in my Epiphone Sheraton 335. Works like a charm!
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Well, I think Seths or Antiquites will be exactly what you want, but it might bring you over budget unless you find a sale, a deal, or a used set. But either of those are really the best choices for your description.
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

I have to agree with the Seth choice. I have them in my Epi Sheraton and they are fantastic in that guitar.
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

I had Epi Dot and Duncans that worked for me were A2Pro bridge and Jazz neck. That was after using '59 set.
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

A couple of comments about Seth's high price, at Sweetwater Seth's are $219/set, PG's are $239, and for me Seth's sound much better.
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

Someday I'll get around to trying Seth's. Until then, I've been pretty happy with APH1, APH2 and the Saturday Night Specials are growing on my in my PRS S2 semi hollow.
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

I put a JB/JAZZ set in everything
Sounds great in my semihollow guitars

I have the newer Probucker set in my semihollow Florentine Epiphone
They are great sounding
Over on Aliexpress you can get a covered set with a complete wiring harness for around $50
 
Re: Semi-Hollow Humbucker Recommendations

I thin a JB/Jazz would take all the groovy stuff that maes a semi-hollow sound like it does, and homogenize it. It would really depend on if your style depends on dynamics and touch-sensitivity or not, and what levels of distortion you use.
 
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