pickup; to change or not to change???

Talk about musical equipment, guitars, drums, bass, synths anything.

Moderators: Randy Perry, The Flying Dutchman, Stiltzkin, skezza, Trigger

Post Reply
rice_pudding
Mass Poster
Posts: 1734
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:49 pm
Location: UK

pickup; to change or not to change???

Post by rice_pudding »

*this question goes out to anyone who's changed their pickups before*

i've been thinking about switching out the bridge pickup on my epiphone LP for a while now but im just not sure what to do... so i thought id ask all of you :wink:

im a great believer of "if its not broken dont fix it" and as it happens i really like the sound of my LP. But at the same time the possibility of making it sound better is naturally very tempting.

im tight for cash at the moment so i'd only make the switch if i was certain it was a good idea. So what would i gain from making the switch, a fuller tone, more clarity etc.??? is it really worth it?
Cpt Matt Sparrow
Mass Poster
Posts: 3565
Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2007 8:57 am

Post by Cpt Matt Sparrow »

It can make a world of difference.

I have 2 Gibson 57 Classics in my Epiphone Sheraton and compared to identical models I have tried it really has improved the clarity.

What kind of sound are you looking for?

Matt
Having a break from online activity for a while to concentrate on music. Please email if you need to get in touch. Matt
Stiltzkin
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 2079
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:29 am
Location: Sweden

Post by Stiltzkin »

if you can't change sound by EQing amp, change pickup ;)

what is it with your current pickup that you're not satisfied with ?
rice_pudding
Mass Poster
Posts: 1734
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:49 pm
Location: UK

Post by rice_pudding »

Stiltzkin wrote:if you can't change sound by EQing amp, change pickup ;)

what is it with your current pickup that you're not satisfied with ?
theres nothing in particular thats wrong with the stock pickups but i would like more clarity.

For example if i crank up the gain it sounds great playing powerchords or lead lines but as soon as i play something like crazy train (the verse) the chords lose their clarity and character.

so i guess maybe id like more clarity from my guitar

aside from that i suppose having a fuller spectrum of tones available would be nice
rice_pudding
Mass Poster
Posts: 1734
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:49 pm
Location: UK

Post by rice_pudding »

Matthew wrote:It can make a world of difference.

I have 2 Gibson 57 Classics in my Epiphone Sheraton and compared to identical models I have tried it really has improved the clarity.

What kind of sound are you looking for?

Matt
i tend to go for a late 70s marshal kinda tone when playing rock, a mix between michael shenker era UFO and randys live tone, or thereabouts

one of the things i've always liked about randys tone is that even though its vicious and in your face its still surprisingly clean. this is a balance i cant quite find. :?

i know thats a lot to do with randys technique but i wonder if my pickups arnt helping matters.

i think id use a seymour duncan pearly gates. I know its not very high gain but i dont need that also ive compared its eq to many other Seymour's using the soundbites and i the eq of the pearly gates is closest to what i want.
Stiltzkin
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 2079
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:29 am
Location: Sweden

Post by Stiltzkin »

you could check out the Seymour Duncan forum.

They tend to be very helpful about these kinda things :)
rice_pudding
Mass Poster
Posts: 1734
Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:49 pm
Location: UK

Post by rice_pudding »

i checked out the seymour duncan forum and refreshed my pickup knowledge. 8)

i've decided to just go for it. Im gonna put a 'pearly gates' SD in the bridge. I will be very surprised if it doesnt sound at least a bit better :?
and if i really dont like it i can always change it back.

b.t.w. this is a bit random but what kind of eq did hendrix use? cos the neck pickup on my LP has a bizzare tendancy to give me a hendrix esque tone all the time :lol:
Stiltzkin
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 2079
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:29 am
Location: Sweden

Post by Stiltzkin »

rice_pudding wrote: b.t.w. this is a bit random but what kind of eq did hendrix use? cos the neck pickup on my LP has a bizzare tendancy to give me a hendrix esque tone all the time :lol:

don't think Hendrix used anymore than a fuzz, a wah and some sort of
octave divider and then straight into the Marshall :wink:
Post Reply