My dad got me this ancient Epiphone Les Paul a few years ago for Christmas, and even though it was my first guitar I could obviously tell no took care of the thing since they got rid of it (I think it was an early '80s model or somewhere around there). Even though I shined it up and got it looking pretty (the guy who sold it said it was a custom job and it looks like it), it just don't "sound" like it looks.
I mean, it has fantastic action that just melts in my fingers and I love how it looks, but the tuners can turn just by you breathing on them and I think the bridge pick-up went out, cause I don't get any sound on the lower or middle selection. I have no idea what kinda pick-ups they are (other than that they're humbuckers obviously).

My friend just replaced the bridge pick-up in his Jackson (Randy Rhodes style) with a Seymore Duncan and it really improved his guitar by 100%, it has so much ass behind it and is much more tighter. The guy that sold it said it works best in letting you get the full sound out of a chord, which is realy appealing. I may try it. But I sometimes don't trust those @#$%& at Guitar Center.

But I really know nothing about pick-ups so I come to the REAL experts. What are your guys's personal favorites (humbucker wise)? Obviously my favorite guitarist is Keef, what does he like? I've been listening to a lot of Santana lately and I also love that bite that his guitar produces (he usus PRS mainly, doesn't he?).

Advice would really be appreciated. I aint really concerned about price. My friends Seymore Duncan was $100 I think and I can afford something like that- nothing really rediculous though.

Ironically, I'm going through the same thing! I've got an Epi Les Paul, it's a beautiful guitar but the bridge pickup sounds like crap. After reading reviews and hearing opinions, I think I'm going to go with a pair of Gibson Burstbuckers. They're the ones they stock in the upper priced Gibson Les Pauls, and get a really good sound. The #3 is supposed to sound pretty close to a vintage PAF, which I think is the humbucker Keith keeps in at least some of his Teles.

The Gibson Burstbucker range are fine pickups, no doubt about that.
Arguably a bit overpriced though when compared to some of the Seymour Duncan or other aftermarket brands.
If you want a big improvement without breaking the bank, look at some of the "vintage PAF" type models from GFS, or Wilkinson. The Wilkinson nickel covered vintage style humbucker is a well kept secret and an absolute bargain!

Some of these pickups will deliver performance within gnat's of the premium brands at a fraction of the price...which in the context of an Epiphone LP has to make sense. The stock bridge pickup in the Epiphone is just too hot for folks [like me] with a taste for the more traditional "vintage" sound. They often find it muddy, bland and muddled.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-10-11 10:37 by Spud.

You should have a look at some Bare Knuckle Pickups. In particular the warpigs.

Check out harmony central for user reviews. I bought a set of piledrivers for my tele and they are fantastic. The pickups are handwound and the service from bare knuckle is great. You can pick up the phone to them and ask questions etc.

NickB

You can't always get what you want.....

www.myspace.com/thesonkings

I like Seymour Duncan Seth Lovers

also check out Lollar Imperials (you find Keith on his customer list)

[www.lollarguitars.com]

or the WCR's

I have some Crossroads in a 335 which I like a lot

[www.wcrguitar.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-10-11 15:31 by jabhead.

>>it just don't "sound" like it looks....

...and I think the bridge pick-up went out, cause I don't get any sound on the lower or middle selection.<<

Before you change pickups you should check the wiring.
a pick-up can go dead, but more likely there's a loose wire or a cold soldering joint responsable for that.
I mean how can you tell it doesn't sound good when one pup is not working?

if you get it working again, it will be a better comparison to a new pickup.

This might be a helpful site
[www.gibson.com]

Spud Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Some of these pickups will deliver performance
> within gnat's of the premium brands at a fraction
> of the price...which in the context of an Epiphone
> LP has to make sense.

I agree. The stock Epiphone pickups are very mediocre, and an upgrade is worthwhile. But, the Epiphone isn't of such quality that I wouldn't put in one of the very expensive PAF clones like SD Antiquity's, Tim's or Lollar. Wilkinson and the cheaper SD's are good enough in my opinion.

Mathijs