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I've just bought a 2002 Epiphone Les Paul Studio for dirt cheap. I had planned right away to change the tuners and the pickups so i made sure the price was a bargan. Anyway I am having one heck of a time choosing pickups for it. There are soo many options. I figured people on this forum could help me out a little, so here it goes. I play everything, jazz to hard rock. This guitar is said to be mahogony/alder. Its got a transparent finish and looking at the back of the guitar the grain is definatly mahogony. The top is different though, and judging by the weight of the guitar (very light) i assume its mostly alder. Rosewood finger board aswell. I am pretty much looking for versitality. I've seen alot of users liking the SH-2n and JB combo, and i think i might be leaning this way. I hate guitars with ear piercing treble, and I have read that the JB can be quite trebly, which concerns me. I also want a bridge pickup that will give me a nice full blues sound, and also be clear at the same time. I've read amazing things about the Jazz pickup, but I am concerned with a lack of lower end. So I was thinking of putting the 59 in the neck position instead. I want a bridge pickup with a full and powerful sound, clean and distorted. For the neck pickup I am just not sure. There is the JB, SH-5, SH-14 i've been thinking of. I want a pickup that distorts well, but still allows all strings to be heard, not all muffled together. Again a versatile pickup, something capable of a lot. I want a matched set, so getting a hot pickup might not work with the Jazz, or 59. So those are my thoughts for pickups. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I love the gibson, prs sound. Mix that with what i've written about and thats what i'm looking for!!! thanks for your help.

Welcome to the forum.

Your Epi LP body is actually made from mahogany or alder, not both. The tops of the studios are alder though rather than maple. Not bad guitars for the money. I love my Standard Plus.

Choosing pickups can be confusing. I'm sure I won't be the only one to chime in here so be ready for lots opinions. My favorite set right now is the Custom Custom / Jazz neck. The CC cuts right through no problem and sounds wonderful. I can't say enough good about it. The Jazz, with the A5 magnet, really has a nice chime to it when clean and adds just enough brightness to the neck slot without being too bright. There's enough low end from it, don't worry. It won't be boomy though. I feel the two pickups balance really well.

Other neck options to go with the CC are the Alnico II Pro or Pearly Gates neck. The Alnico II Pro having more rounded highs than the PGn.

Since you don't want a trebly pickup, the JB may not be for you. It's high mids are a love/hate thing that I've learned. That's what some complain about for it when they say it is piercing. I really don't hear it but then again, I have a 500k pot and a .047uf tone cap so that is probably taming it.

I hope this helps.

welcome

for what you play, in that guitar, erikh has alot of good suggestions .. i'd suggest the AIIPn and CC bridge ... i was playing around with my AIIPn wednesday night, and i was getting a VERY convincing jazz tone (think George Benson, 'breezin') ... kickin over to the gain channel, and it just sings for 'santana-esque' soloing ... the Jazz is also sweet in the neck ...

for the bridge, another AIIP would give nice clarity .. a CC would give you an extra kick for hard rock, for sure ...

god lcuk
t4d


Originally Posted by ErikHSince you don't want a trebly pickup, the JB may not be for you. It's high mids are a love/hate thing that I've learned.

Very good advice!!!!!!!

1,000,000

My personal choice is the SH-5 Custom and the Pearly gates neck.

The Custom Custom and Alnico II pro neck is also a decent choice!

I had an Epi LP and went with a C5/59', and found it to be too bright for that guitar. I don't have it any longer, but if I were to do it again, I would go CC at the bridge, and either Jazz or APH in the neck.

My brother. Check out some Duncan Seth Lovers.


Originally Posted by theodieVery good advice!!!!!!!

1,000,000

How'd I know you were going to chime in on that comment...LOL. I still like the JB though.

custom jazz MIGHT cut it for you

Hey, Ginger. Welcome to the board.

My first thought while reading your post was a Jazz neck and a CC bridge. It seems that I'm not alone in that thought. Check the Tone Wizard and see what you think.

Since you requested string definition and clarity I would say a Jazz neck and Demon bridge. Both are low output with a full open tone. And 500k pots.

Thanks for the help!! I read what you suggested did some listening on the web site and have come to some conclusions.

Right now I think that I want the APH-1 Alnico Pro in the neck position. The jazz sounds awesome, but the pro has a really sweet clear and warm sound. Thats what I want out of the Neck. An amazing warm clean tone that never gets muddy, and that can distort also!! As for the Bridge I think i like the sounds of the Custom Custom. I was listening to the SH-5 Duncan Custom aswell and liked what it had to offer. My only concern with the Custom Custom is that I will have a really warm dark sounding guitar. I love the clear warm sound, but I don't want it too warm. I really like the Custom Custom but I thought I would ask what the main differences are between the Custom Custom and the SH-5? I've also read that the Custom Custom can be noisy when used with heavier distortion?? is that true? I can't stand noisy pickups, completely hate them.

Another question too, if I were to match the Alnico II Pro with the Custom Custom would it bea balances set, or am i dealing with different output levels when I switch? Same with the Alnico and the SH-5 combo??

Thanks guys, your advise really helps!!

CC in the bridge, deffinatly. Jazz or APH in the neck.
answering these questions might help too:
What amp are you using? Do you use any other effects?

I have a Boss ME-50 for my effects. Usually use the Rat distortion on it, also I use the Tubescreamer. For an amp I have a Fender Bassman Blackface head with a Mesa 1x12 3/4 back extension cabinet! Thanks for your help.