Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

[rocket_X]

Hello all,

Ok my delima is that I get to much bass out of my low E string. The other 5 strings play fine( or maybe the other 5 strings play heavy to just not as noticible as the low E). I was hopeing to get some advice with this problem. I'm in a hard rock band that plays original stuff with a few copies thrown in. We have a very 80's sound. The drummer has the most talent of us all and always complains that we already have a bass player get somemore treble into that guitar. Ive lowered the pickups under the low E. Helped some. And I did play a friends American strat with a few mods that did take the heavy bass out quite a bit.

When playing with some friends in a different band that likes the new rock sound the amp is fine. I've messed around with tones and have gotten some of the bass sound from the low E down a little, but overall I'm not happy with the tones.

10 gauge strings, ( always seem to break my high E string with 8's ) lol
Epiphone Les Paul Custom ( SG body style ) triple humbuckers adjusted for most treble possible.

So my Question is what would you suggest for a eightys hard rock metel sound that wont be to bassy? I will probably just go with 2 pickups leaving the middle 1 out. But suggestion for a middle pickup are welcome. If I go with 3 pickups I need to get a 5 way switch. 3 pickups and a 3 way switch doesnt seem right?

Reading the forum here since last night it looks like the JM and jazz might work good?

Thank you for your time cheching this problem out.

TK :smack:

 

[tone4days]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

i was thinking Pearly Gates neck (or maybe an AIIP) and JB bridge ... no idea for the middle ... the Jazz neck certainly would be excellent as well ...

you dont say what kind of amp you use and what, if any, pedals ... the amp might be a good place to improve as well ...

good luck
t4d

 

[rocket_X]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

Ok hopefully you all don't laugh. But I'm using a Line 6 AX2 212 and have a Pevey XXL solid state as a back up. When we play live with a big enough venue I use a full stack of Marshalls.

The more I think about it the more I'd like to possibly get 3 pickups with a 5 way switch. Getting a good not to bassy hardrock heavy metel from the 80's to a current ballsy new rock, metel sound.

I would still like to heard good suggestions for a 2 pickup setup for a 80's hardrock metal sound thats not to bassy though.

Thanks again

TK

 

[tone4days]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

ok - those amps sound more than adequate - spend the time to dial them in carefully and i'm sure you can get a useful tone ... remember that the tone you dial in when playing alone isnt likely to be a good tone for blending in / cutting through with the full band ... you'll need to account for the sonic contributions of all the other instruments to the overall sound of the band

so you are right to be looking at pickup changes ... someone else will be able to help with a middle humbucker (as well as more opinions on the neck and bridge) ... definitely look into a 5 way switch if you get three pups .. heck, i'd recommend the 5 way (with the PRS wiring) with TWO humbuckers

good luck,
t4d

 

[rocket_X]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

Thanks Tone4days. Ya I dial in my tones with a full live volume to make sure the tone is right for playing with the band. But I have tweek this amp a lot and still cant get the heavy bass out without sounding to hollow or thin sounding.

New pickups with less bass would be a great start. Then I can tweek from there.

 

[scooter]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

Definitely the JB for the bridge. It is the 80's metal pickup but is also very versitle. Covers just about everything. One of my favorite neck pups is the full shred. Very clean and defined for soloing in the neck position. Nice cleans too and has a lower bass response. For the middle I'd try a A2P. You could even switch the full shred and AP2 to see which one you like better in the neck. Both are great in the neck position. I'd definitely add a 5-way switch and combine coils of the bridge/middle in pos. 2 and middle/neck in pos. 4. You would get a nice variety of tones with the 5-way.

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

The JB, Pearly Gates, Screamin' Demon, Full Shred and Dimebucker are all relatively top end friendly pickups.

Bee

 

[dd12939]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

JOLLY (a member here) has a pair of AX2-212's (if i recall right) and gets some KILLER tones out of them. Maybe he'll pop in or you could PM him about his amps.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

I use a JB in the bridge of my Jackson DK2 superstrat. It sounds great for 80's rock and metal, but I'm afraid it could be too bassy for you in your LP, I'm not sure. I could put it in a SG or LP anyday, but you say there's already too much bass that can't be dialed out, so I don't know. I find the JB perfect in my guitar. It's got a maple neck, rosewood fretboard and a poplar body, so it's quite bright.

The JB isn't generally thought to be a bass heavy pup, but like I said, I don't know about you. Are your amps combos or do you use external speakers? I have to keep my bass really low with my Marshall JCM-800, but I'm sure it's the ****ty Behringer Cab I'm forced to use. So JB's almost too bass heavy for me, and my guitar is quite bright, as I said. But i don't think that it's the pup's fault.

I'm a little inclined to think that your problem doesn't lie in your guitar, but the amp and cab. The pup is of course a cheaper alternative to try than a new cab or amp, and I'm quite sure of nearly any SD pup being an improvement for your guitar in any case, even if it doesn't solve this specific problem of yours. (That said assuming you're using Epiphone stock pickups)

If you'd like to ask more, do, I'm happy to help. I haven't tried any other SD pups than the JB, but from the tone charts and tone clips, I think the Full Shred could be good for you. Don't be bothered by it's name.

 

[rocket_X]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

Ok now I'm a little confused what to try. I was thinking JB bridge Full Shred neck and if I do 3 pickups A2P (is the A2P the Alnico2 Pro?) But now when I look at the tone charts the JB does have a little more bass than the Full Shred. I dont no maybe I want the Full Shred in the bridge? Either way I would think that this would be a huge improvement over the stock pup.

I've been trying to find out exactly what stock pickups I have right now that might give a better insite of where to go with new pup. And after some searching the internet I havnt found anything.

That would be great to here from Jolly about tones. I really dig the amp and it's plenty loud when needed. We have a cheap PA and only run vocals and drums through it. I'm sure getting some better speaker in there would help, but even playing through a full stack I'm bass heavy.

I did notice that the 3 way switch plays in position 1 bridge and middle 2 bridge, middle and neck 3 neck and middle. I would think that having a 5 way switch that split the pickups better so I could just play 1 specific pup would help a little? But new pickups will still be a great improvement.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

I don't have the experience from the pickups, but according to the tone chart, the full shred does seem to be the least bass heavy choice. You can have the full shred in all the positions if you like, but I can't guarantee the results. But I'm pretty sure it won't be bass heavy!

I think your pups are just standard epiphone stock pickups. It's a shame when you can't find good info about their pickups from a guitar companys site.

I have a Line6 PODxt, maybe I can help you with the tones? Both are modeling amps, I think mine is a bit newer than yours, but maybe there isn't much of a difference? What are you looking for, you never know if I can help?

I'm not sure about the switch thing, I like 3 way switches because they seem faster than 5 ways to me. I'd personally use a three way switch with push-pull pots for a three-hum guitar. What ever rocks your boat, of course.

 

[rocket_X]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

Ya even on the Gibson Epi site i do not find any ifo on the pickup unless i missed something. I'm not familuar with push and pull nobs but a three hum guitar your not getting to use all the pup to the full extent with a 3 way switch. I dont think working together with 2 different Line 6 products on tones will work. But thanks for the offer.

I'm still a little confused whether the JB might be to bassy in the bridge with this guitar and or if the Full Shred might be better. I would think it will still be a big improvement either way for loosing some of the heavy bass I get now.

 

[rocket_X]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

Final opinions would be great before I buy new Pup's. I'm very inexperence here with this stuff. So right now I guess I'm leaning tords the JB bridge, Full Shred neck and AP2 middle. (is the AP2 the Alnico2 Pro?) This choice is because of other suggestions you all have given me.

I deffenitly will be upgrading to a 5 way switch and PRS wiring. Not sure if new volume and tone nobs would be needed. And if I should replace the nobs what to get. I will deffenitly be spending more than the guitar is worth. But I like the feel of the guitar and this will be cheaper to do these upgrades than buying a high end guitar.

About how much money am I looking at here $400.00 to $450.00

 

[heavydutysg135]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

I think that a JB bridge and a splitting jazz or 59 would be your best combination. The JB will NOT be too basy in the bridge, many people find it bright. The jazz has a little less bass than the 59 neck but both sound amazing. The JB bridge with 59 or jazz neck are probably the most popular combinations. The 4 conductor neck will allow you to get single coil tones in the neck as well. I don't have any experience with duncan humbuckers in the middle position so I cannot give you any advice in that area.

 

[heavydutysg135]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

Oh and these pickups should not be more than about 70 dollars each if you buy new.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

The general opinion truly is that JB needs more bass than it has, but it always depends on your other gear. I also think that the JB should be a good pup for the bridge. The neck is the bassiest position on the guitar, and I do NOT recommend the '59 there. The Jazz or full shred should do nicely there. I haven't tested the '59 personally, but I have heard lots of stuff about it's bass heaviness from other folks, who generally don't mind about such so much. The middle pickup I really don't know about, as I've never had a middle hum on my guitars. On my SC guitars I have the same pickups in the neck and middle, and I will continue that way.

The pots do not need to be changed if they are not working properly, IMO. Some people talk about quality differences between manufacturers, but I don't believe it. BUT you can change your guitars tone brighter if you change your pots in to higher value, for example from 250k pots to 500 or 1000k pots. This could particularly be in order if you choose the JB. You can try it even now with your stock pickups.

If I were you I'd get the JB and Jazz, and later change the pots if necessary. If you want to be absolutely sure about not being bass heavy, get the full shred, maybe on all positions. Some people like them very much, but I've heard more good feedback from the Jazz.

You also should take up the chance of coil splitting the pups, if you want maximum versatility.

I think you can return your pickups for other pickups there in the USA. So if you're not against returning, you shouldn't have any worries choosing. Just try something and change if you don't like it.

Hope that helped, do tell us the results if you go for a change!

 

[rocket_X]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

Well first thing is having a 80's rock/metel sound which I'm probably going to get a JB bridge and Full shred neck or Jazz neck. Then having more bass in the middle for a modern rock/metal sound to cover all my basis. Not sure what to do in the middle.

Is the A2P the Alnico Pro 2 I see on the spec chart? That pup has a lower output, will it work good?

Not to sure what coil splitting the pups means, but i do plan on getting a 5 way switch for the best versatility with 3 pups.

Also will be changing to PSR wiring.

I would think that these changes will be a huge improvement and I guess I will stick with the stock pods to see what kind of tone I get. But new pods might be a good Idea to to compleat the upgrades. One thing that is strange is that when controlling the 3 volume nobs they dont seem very sensitive. I dont seem to get much of a volume difference from adjusting the volume down then all of a sudden it cuts out. My buddys Amarican Strat is way more sensitive and responsive to volume adjustments up and dow.

Anyways thanks for all the input so far.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

Splitting means grounding out one of the two coils of a humbucking pickup thereby producing a single coil sound (straight from the SD glossary). You can get a working man's SC sound from a hum by splitting it. I'm getting new pickups soon, and I'm going to have them wired for such.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

Get a Pearly Gates in the neck, 59n in the middle, and Custom for the bridge. Also, buy some CTS pots and a Switchcraft switch. there is a schematic in Dan Erlewine's (sp?) book for 3 humbucker SG's that shows how to have regular 3 way switching and a volume pot for the middle pickup only, so you can blend it with the others or have it solo'd.

As far as my pickup recommendations, you'll have more clarity in the neck and mid with the PG and 59 (as opposed to Full Shred/APH), and have a great bridge humbucker sound that will cover 80's metal, Nu-metal AND classic rock/blues more readily than the JB, which in my opinion, has a very distinctive voicing.

 

[rocket_X]

Re: Stock pickup problem? Need some advice

Hmm interesting Benjy. Now Im compleatly confused because most of the other suggestions were for JB Pearly Gates/bridge, A2P/middle and Full Shred or Jazz/neck. Even though the final tone is is to the users ear. I came to this board for suggestions and I figured everyone wouldnt have the same opinion. But I could narrow it down from all your suggestion.

I lean tords the JB/bridge, Full Shred/neck and middle I havnt gotten to many comments. It looks like a A2P maybe. My choices here is from your suggestions and looking at the tone chart. These bridge and neck pups have less bass than some of the other suggestions.

A couple things I havnt mintioned is I play mostly rythem and I do need a good clean sound for a couple clean parts in some songs, I am working on getting better at leads all though I dont have or share any lead parts yet.

I'm pretty convinced no matter what I buy I will be compleatly satisfied.