I have an epiphone LP custom pro that is characteristically dark/muddy. I currently have a JB in the bridge and I would like to get some recommendations on another humbucker that could help to brighten my tone and make it less muddy. Should I go with a ceramic magnet? Any advice is appreciated. The guitar has stainless steel jumbo frets which I love so I hope another pickup can help decrease the muddiness, then I'll be happy.
What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
- Thread starter oohwee
- Start date
STLMTLHD79
Active member
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
You may want to check your pots as well. They maybe cheap Asian ones. I would go with a Duncan Custom/Custom5/ or 59/Custom hybrid. You may also like the Full Shred-it will definitely brighten a dull guitar.
You may want to check your pots as well. They maybe cheap Asian ones. I would go with a Duncan Custom/Custom5/ or 59/Custom hybrid. You may also like the Full Shred-it will definitely brighten a dull guitar.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
Perpetual Burn is worth checking out as an alternative. Tighter, brighter, and less compressed than the JB but not entirely removed from a JB-type tone and feel. Excellent choice for a darker sounding guitar. And unlike the JB it cleans up well with the guitar's volume knob. The PB is an underappreciated pickup IMO.
In ceramics, the SH-5 Custom could be a really good choice; it's big in the low end but not as loose as the JB. Less JB-like in feel than the Perpetual Burn I think, but a great pickup in its own right. Famously good in Les Pauls. It will likely be very fat in a dark one.
You might also think about a Screamin Demon: it's even tighter and brighter, though also lower output. Won't drive your amp as hard, but the flipside is that it's much less compressed than hotter pickups.
EDIT: 59/Custom Hybrid is a great recommendation too; it's good and bright yet still strong enough to give you singing lead tones.
Perpetual Burn is worth checking out as an alternative. Tighter, brighter, and less compressed than the JB but not entirely removed from a JB-type tone and feel. Excellent choice for a darker sounding guitar. And unlike the JB it cleans up well with the guitar's volume knob. The PB is an underappreciated pickup IMO.
In ceramics, the SH-5 Custom could be a really good choice; it's big in the low end but not as loose as the JB. Less JB-like in feel than the Perpetual Burn I think, but a great pickup in its own right. Famously good in Les Pauls. It will likely be very fat in a dark one.
You might also think about a Screamin Demon: it's even tighter and brighter, though also lower output. Won't drive your amp as hard, but the flipside is that it's much less compressed than hotter pickups.
EDIT: 59/Custom Hybrid is a great recommendation too; it's good and bright yet still strong enough to give you singing lead tones.
Last edited:
Blille
Well-known member
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
Great recommendations.
Also worth lowering the pickup.
Great recommendations.
Also worth lowering the pickup.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
Let's not lose our heads about naming the brightest pickups we can think of, as that might not be the issue. JBs are pretty dark pickups in a Gibson, on account of the upper mid spike being pushed a bit closer to the lower mids.
I'd say the SH-5 Custom, as mentioned before, would be a pretty good decision. It's described as having a PAF on steroids tone and I feel this is the most accurate way to describe it. It's still decently bright, which is nice in a Les Paul, but it's got thick lower mids and fat bass that most PAFs don't have.
Another alternative if you are fine with swapping out magnets is to try a ceramic magnet in the JB and see if you like it. This will make it more akin to a Duncan Distortion, and is much cheaper than buying a whole 'nother pickup.
Let's not lose our heads about naming the brightest pickups we can think of, as that might not be the issue. JBs are pretty dark pickups in a Gibson, on account of the upper mid spike being pushed a bit closer to the lower mids.
I'd say the SH-5 Custom, as mentioned before, would be a pretty good decision. It's described as having a PAF on steroids tone and I feel this is the most accurate way to describe it. It's still decently bright, which is nice in a Les Paul, but it's got thick lower mids and fat bass that most PAFs don't have.
Another alternative if you are fine with swapping out magnets is to try a ceramic magnet in the JB and see if you like it. This will make it more akin to a Duncan Distortion, and is much cheaper than buying a whole 'nother pickup.
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
I'd like to first thank all of you guys for the helpful advice I really appreciate it. Secondly, I am intersted in the sh5 custom but if changing the alnico 5 magnet to ceramic is much cheaper than buying a new pickup I wouldn't mind giving it a try. How do I go about getting a ceramic magnet to fit my JB and how do I swap it out? Thanks again!
I'd like to first thank all of you guys for the helpful advice I really appreciate it. Secondly, I am intersted in the sh5 custom but if changing the alnico 5 magnet to ceramic is much cheaper than buying a new pickup I wouldn't mind giving it a try. How do I go about getting a ceramic magnet to fit my JB and how do I swap it out? Thanks again!
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
Someone on this forum might sell you one fairly cheap in the trading post. Axesrus also sells them (and I just found out they sell A6 now as well, for all interested parties. A6 has little use for your applications, though) Then just unscrew the four screws on the baseplate, pull away the bobbins a little bit, and pull out the rectangular magnet and replace it with the ceramic, making sure that you have the polarity correct. If the new magnet repels the old one, you have the polarity correct.
Someone on this forum might sell you one fairly cheap in the trading post. Axesrus also sells them (and I just found out they sell A6 now as well, for all interested parties. A6 has little use for your applications, though) Then just unscrew the four screws on the baseplate, pull away the bobbins a little bit, and pull out the rectangular magnet and replace it with the ceramic, making sure that you have the polarity correct. If the new magnet repels the old one, you have the polarity correct.
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
I am seeing many different types/sizes of ceramic magnets for sale. Which size should I get to replace the magnet in my JB? Thanks!
I am seeing many different types/sizes of ceramic magnets for sale. Which size should I get to replace the magnet in my JB? Thanks!
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
2.5" × .5" × .125"
Here's a link to a nonaffiliated Ebay auction that sells what you need for fairly cheap.
2.5" × .5" × .125"
Here's a link to a nonaffiliated Ebay auction that sells what you need for fairly cheap.
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
You might try a Custom 5, with an A5 magnet. It is pretty scooped, and it really helped EQ a very muddy Music Man I have (I put a Jazz in the neck).
You might try a Custom 5, with an A5 magnet. It is pretty scooped, and it really helped EQ a very muddy Music Man I have (I put a Jazz in the neck).
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
Thank you! I just ordered one. Hopefully this will be a cost effective solution. I appreciate the link and the correct size!
Thank you! I just ordered one. Hopefully this will be a cost effective solution. I appreciate the link and the correct size!
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
How bright do you want to go? You can find an OEM Gibson 57 set on the secondary market very cheap. Most people pull them because the find them very bright. If you are looking for more balanced I would suggest the SD WLH set. They make a Les Paul sound like you imagine a Les Paul should.
How bright do you want to go? You can find an OEM Gibson 57 set on the secondary market very cheap. Most people pull them because the find them very bright. If you are looking for more balanced I would suggest the SD WLH set. They make a Les Paul sound like you imagine a Les Paul should.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
I might go with 500k pots first - never a bad idea.
However - there are a number of pickups that can address this issue.
To de-mud, either go with a low bass eq or a ceramic pup.
To un-dark, either go with a bright eq pup
Jazz Bridge, Screamin Demon, Custom, Full Shred, and Distortion all have potential.
However - one thing to remember is that if the sound isn't there in the first place, you can never add it. You can only allow what is there to get out, or quiet things you don't like. The acoustic tone is what will tell you the most about the real sound of the instrument.
I might go with 500k pots first - never a bad idea.
However - there are a number of pickups that can address this issue.
To de-mud, either go with a low bass eq or a ceramic pup.
To un-dark, either go with a bright eq pup
Jazz Bridge, Screamin Demon, Custom, Full Shred, and Distortion all have potential.
However - one thing to remember is that if the sound isn't there in the first place, you can never add it. You can only allow what is there to get out, or quiet things you don't like. The acoustic tone is what will tell you the most about the real sound of the instrument.
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
Best thing to start with IMO. (ordering the ceramic mag)
I think that's close to what was called the dokkenbucker.
Crisper highs and lows is what I'm guessing you need, and that should do the trick.
Best thing to start with IMO. (ordering the ceramic mag)
I think that's close to what was called the dokkenbucker.
Crisper highs and lows is what I'm guessing you need, and that should do the trick.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
The JB can be a real muddy pickup through an amp that doesn't have a lot of headroom.
The pots, and the entire wiring, actually, can probably use to be upgraded as well.
If you want something with a healthy amount of output, but less muddy, try a DiMarzio Super Distortion or a S.D. Custom.
If you want to tame the output due to a low headroom amp that is contributing to the muddiness, try a Screaming' Demon, '59/C Hybrid, or something else along those lines.
The JB can be a real muddy pickup through an amp that doesn't have a lot of headroom.
The pots, and the entire wiring, actually, can probably use to be upgraded as well.
If you want something with a healthy amount of output, but less muddy, try a DiMarzio Super Distortion or a S.D. Custom.
If you want to tame the output due to a low headroom amp that is contributing to the muddiness, try a Screaming' Demon, '59/C Hybrid, or something else along those lines.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
You need 500k pots first, 50's wiring and a .022uf cap for the bridge and a .015uf cap for the neck. Do that and if it's still to dark then you can look at pickup or magnet changes. Until you make these changes you're just putting lipstick on a pig.
You need 500k pots first, 50's wiring and a .022uf cap for the bridge and a .015uf cap for the neck. Do that and if it's still to dark then you can look at pickup or magnet changes. Until you make these changes you're just putting lipstick on a pig.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
Epi LP Custom Pros come with full sized 500k pickups, so I doubt that is the issue. If I was doing a full rewire, I'd use a .018uf for both neck and bridge, but if the tone controls are on 10 that won't make a difference. Same as with 50s wiring, it won't make a difference with the knobs on 10. I'm also pretty certain if the previous owner replaced the pickups and the frets, they probably replaced the pots as well.
I'm still 99.5% certain the issue is the JB. Mahogany and the Gibson scale length tend to make a JB sound dark and muddy. The ceramic should remedy this problem, making it more akin to a Distortion.
Epi LP Custom Pros come with full sized 500k pickups, so I doubt that is the issue. If I was doing a full rewire, I'd use a .018uf for both neck and bridge, but if the tone controls are on 10 that won't make a difference. Same as with 50s wiring, it won't make a difference with the knobs on 10. I'm also pretty certain if the previous owner replaced the pickups and the frets, they probably replaced the pots as well.
I'm still 99.5% certain the issue is the JB. Mahogany and the Gibson scale length tend to make a JB sound dark and muddy. The ceramic should remedy this problem, making it more akin to a Distortion.
Re: What pickup will help brighten a dark/muddy epiphone LP custom pro?
I noticed the link on ebay was for 2 ceramic magnets and I saw another seller with just one magnet so I bought that one but now I am noticing that you can get rough or smooth magnets. The one i orderer says it is smooth. Is there a difference in tone and was I supposed to get 2 magnets? Thanks again to all for the helpful info!
I noticed the link on ebay was for 2 ceramic magnets and I saw another seller with just one magnet so I bought that one but now I am noticing that you can get rough or smooth magnets. The one i orderer says it is smooth. Is there a difference in tone and was I supposed to get 2 magnets? Thanks again to all for the helpful info!
Similar threads
