Zebra 59's In A Epi. Emperor II Jazz Box, Thoughts???

[Nostalgic Distortion]

I picked up a older Epiphone Emperor II w hard case earlier this week for a song with the intention of reselling it but after some thought I might not be in a hurry to let it go? The guitar was bought, played a few times by someone who had the intention of learning, & then cased for the better part of a decade so it's in really great shape!!! It plays really good with a nice full & resonate sound but like most Epi.'s the pickups in it aren't the greatest. Since I like pretty much everything else about it & I don't own any other full hollow bodies I'd like to get it sounding a little better & keep it...


That said, I'd really avoid spending any more money than I already have if at all possible which means that I've basically got two choices when it comes to humbuckers, I have a brand new uncovered Slash set that I was planning on dropping into my L.P. at some point, & I also have the uncovered Zebra 59's that currently reside in it..

While the Slash humbuckers are already loose I kinda feel like the 59's would be a better choice for this particular guitar so I think I'll pull the L.P.'s pickups tonight & do the ole flip-a-roo? However I was kinda hoping to get some feedback from you guys about putting a Vintage Blues Set into a Archtop before I pull the plug on the project because as I'm sure I don't have to tell you, working on these things can suck & I don't want to have to do it twice!!!

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Zebra 59's In A Epi. Emperor II Jazz Box, Thoughts???

I think it could work. The only recommendation I have is to swap out an A4 in the neck pickup. 59's can get boomy, especially in a big ol hollowbody.

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Zebra 59's In A Epi. Emperor II Jazz Box, Thoughts???

I think it could work. The only recommendation I have is to swap out an A4 in the neck pickup. 59's can get boomy, especially in a big ol hollowbody.

Lol, I was just saying exactly that to my wife....

 

[blueman335]

Re: Zebra 59's In A Epi. Emperor II Jazz Box, Thoughts???

Nice guitar. For a great vintage blues sound, swap magnets in the '59's, with an UOA5 in the bridge and an A4 in the neck.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Zebra 59's In A Epi. Emperor II Jazz Box, Thoughts???

Lol, I was just saying exactly that to my wife....

You're a lucky man, I have never found a woman (my wife or otherwise) that would allow herself into a conversation with me about magnets.

I think the A4n and A5b combo would work well, but I have a ES-175 that has rough cast A4s in both slots, and they are killer. I would definitely consider them as an option.

 

[Discharged]

Re: Zebra 59's In A Epi. Emperor II Jazz Box, Thoughts???

To the OP:

Not so long ago I installed a covered, A3/A2-modded Vintage Blues set (aka '59 set) in an Epi Joe Pass almost identical to that one.

All I can say is that it was just what the doctor ordered for that instrument, so to speak. The owner, a 60-year old Jazz player, was ecstatic with the final tonal outcome resulting of of the modding and the setup.

Food for thought...

/Peter

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Zebra 59's In A Epi. Emperor II Jazz Box, Thoughts???

You're a lucky man, I have never found a woman (my wife or otherwise) that would allow herself into a conversation with me about magnets.

I think the A4n and A5b combo would work well, but I have a ES-175 that has rough cast A4s in both slots, and they are killer. I would definitely consider them as an option.

It's not really much of a conversation. It's more of a "I talk, she smiles and nods" situation but she does put up with me!!!

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: Zebra 59's In A Epi. Emperor II Jazz Box, Thoughts???

Alright, I just ordered a couple humbucker magnets to change out the stock polished A5's in my 59's...

I'm going to try a Orientated Rough Cast A5 in the bridge & a polished A4 in my 59N. Hopefully this will make my bridge pup a little rounder/softer while retaining most of it's original character, & dial out some of the overwhelming bass from the neck pickup....