Pickups -- what's stock on an Epi?

[mujlespaul]

Hi, I have a problem: I want to replace the pickups in my Epi Les Paul Standard Plus. I'm looking for a warm, full tone and I think the pickups that will do that for me will be Classic 57s.

But I have to admit, I'm a little afraid of re-buying the same pickups that the guitar came with! As most people who post here will know, those are 'Alnico Classic' pickups. I can't find any more specific information by googling, because every reference basically turns out to be "Epiphone Les Paul with Alnico Classic pickups". The salespeople around here don't seem to know either.

Since 'Classic' and 'Classic 57' don't sound that terribly different, I want to be sure -- am I going to be getting something better if I buy those Classic 57s??

Thanks for any insight anyone can give me.

[Extremerocker827]

Yeah, you'll definetely get something better if you buy the 57 classics, I was gonna get those with my Epi but I think Im gonna get seymour duncans. But if you have the money, go for them! I'm not much of an expert on this, but I do know that 57s are better than just regular Classics.

[Dave67]

Any brand name pickup will sound better that the stock Epi ones, IMO. The SD 57s will be much better than stock, but you should also upgrade the caps to get the most out of the new pickups.
What amp are you using?
The amp, pedal, cables, ect, that are in the signal chain will affect the sound also.

[scud133]

stock Epi pickups:

[KP Willits]

Does anyone know the impedance of stock pups? That may be helpful in making new choices.

[rickym]

Wish I knew what my MIJ came with. They don't have any markings. I do like the sound but my 335 has Classic '57s & I've thought about getting a pair for my LP.

[gravmy0]

I remember hearing that the epiphone stock pickups on the les paul were hot wound and a common complaint seems to be that they're too muddy which makes tone clarity a bit of a problem.

But honestly, it's kind of subjective....if you think your guitar sounds great with the pickups in them, then you might want to ask if changing them is right for you.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by KP Willits

Does anyone know the impedance of stock pups? That may be helpful in making new choices.

YES the neck pickup (Epi) is 8.5k the hot bridge version is 13.85K . made with alnicoV bar magnets , brass covers and baseplate I think.

Not the same pickup that the Gibson 57 classic is at all.

[overdriver]

Originally Posted by gravmy0

I remember hearing that the epiphone stock pickups on the les paul were hot wound and a common complaint seems to be that they're too muddy which makes tone clarity a bit of a problem.

But honestly, it's kind of subjective....if you think your guitar sounds great with the pickups in them, then you might want to ask if changing them is right for you.

All ture also the stock muddiness anyone hears, compared to the Gibson is due to the cover & baseplate material used etc. . And yes some stock epis sound fine , subjective thing. But in most cases more clarity is brought about with better made pups.

[FFXGuitar]

Make sure you play around with your settings and get a tone you like. A lot of times players get all riled up in "needing to replace stock pickups", because they think they will get a better tone out of it. Although upgrading the pickups to Gibsons/Seymours will make a great difference in your sound, try making sure to try all the settings on your amp, play with your EQ, maybe roll your tone knob back a bit more, and you may not even need new pickups.

[mujlespaul]

Thanks for all the input. It's clear the 57's will likely do something for me the stock pair isn't doing. I do have some amp issues to settle, too, but everything one step at a time. First step, pickups, then!

Cheers.

[surfer777]

I don't know if this applies to you, but I think if a lot of people will turn down the gain they'll find they get a better tone. For a while I had the gain turned all the way up (I have a little 15 watt crate practice amp, not tube) and when I turned down to anywhere between 3-5 the tone seemed to really get warm and lovely. Oh yeah---got that tone with the stock Epi pickups, and I also adjusted the tone and volume knobs, when the gain is down those knobs make huge differences.

[mujlespaul]

Thanks, yeah I've played around with the knobs quite a bit. I too am working right now with a practice amp -- that's the amp "issue" I was referring to above. So on the one hand maybe it's silly for me to invest in the pickups first when I can't properly hear what they'll sound like but I'm moving from one end of Europe to another right now, so the amp purchase is going to have be on the other end... Thanks for your input (forgive the pun!).

[Benniator]

According to WB Custom Pickups: guitar pickups wound by hand, you could get a set of WB pickups for roughly the same price of a set of Gibson pickups. I've heard nothing but good things about WB's. I'm guessing there's a wait, but it might be worth it.

[Rock City Novi Sad]

Hey guys!
I live in Serbia where almost everything is messed up. Guitar customer support also. And fake guitars and other gear with high prices are usual.
So I have a question to you since I can't find answers where I live:
I have Epi LP standard made in Samick factory (Korea) 1993. It has two original open coil pickups which I would like to replace. I play rock and roll through my oldschool Ibanez EQ GE-10 and Marshall JCM800 2203 from 1984. (customized to 50 watts) on new chinese 2x12" box. I would like to improve the sound since Epi is very playable and nice and I think the wood is good. I have 4 pickups on my mind:
1. Seymour Duncan Seth Lover SH-55 (109$)
2. Seymour Duncan alnico II pro APH-1 (83$)
3. Gibson 490R (109$)
4. Gibson 498T (110$)
(prices are per 1 pickup in Austria where I could order from).
I need healthy sound of wood and a bit more of sustain. If you have any expirience, good advice or maybe some other suggestion I would be most gratefull.
Cheers and thanx!

[mujlespaul]

Originally Posted by scud133

stock Epi pickups:

Thanks for this pic -- somehow I passed over it reading through the posts the first time. I notice it says "57CH" on the back, which worries me a little. But everyone tells me they're not the same as Classic 57s, so I guess that must be true.

But with that info, maybe I can track down what the difference is on the web. Thanks for your help!

[GrouchyDog]

Originally Posted by surfer777

I don't know if this applies to you, but I think if a lot of people will turn down the gain they'll find they get a better tone. For a while I had the gain turned all the way up (I have a little 15 watt crate practice amp, not tube) and when I turned down to anywhere between 3-5 the tone seemed to really get warm and lovely. Oh yeah---got that tone with the stock Epi pickups, and I also adjusted the tone and volume knobs, when the gain is down those knobs make huge differences.

I absolutely agree with this; it's a lesson that took me years and years to learn. IMO it's hard to find depth or expression in a really high-gain sound unless you work at it very hard (my flame-suit is on). If you listen to some of the most powerful guitar sounds - Angus Young in particular, also Page, Clapton, etc. - you'll hear that they are not playing with a ton of gain. Angus in particular on the earlier AC/DC albums had a rather clean tone that just rocked for days.

[Dave67]

Originally Posted by Rock City Novi Sad

Hey guys!
I live in Serbia where almost everything is messed up. Guitar customer support also. And fake guitars and other gear with high prices are usual.
So I have a question to you since I can't find answers where I live:
I have Epi LP standard made in Samick factory (Korea) 1993. It has two original open coil pickups which I would like to replace. I play rock and roll through my oldschool Ibanez EQ GE-10 and Marshall JCM800 2203 from 1984. (customized to 50 watts) on new chinese 2x12" box. I would like to improve the sound since Epi is very playable and nice and I think the wood is good. I have 4 pickups on my mind:
1. Seymour Duncan Seth Lover SH-55 (109$)
2. Seymour Duncan alnico II pro APH-1 (83$)
3. Gibson 490R (109$)
4. Gibson 498T (110$)
(prices are per 1 pickup in Austria where I could order from).
I need healthy sound of wood and a bit more of sustain. If you have any expirience, good advice or maybe some other suggestion I would be most gratefull.
Cheers and thanx!

I have a set of Gibson and would not use them again, a little to harsh for me. The Seth Lover is not great for modern r&r, it is better at classic and southern rock, the Alnicos would be a better pick.
I would also suggest the JB/Jazz or Custom Custom/ Pearly Gate. My favorite setup is the DiMarzio Super Distortion/ PAF.

[tintin]

Agree with amp settings manipulations. Most times, I can find satisfying tone with almost any guitar with enough fiddling with amp settings. Nevertheless, I still lust for WBs.....

[davehall]

Before you buy pick-ups try this pedal.I play alot of AC/DC,ZZ Top,and other Blues stuff like John Lee Hooker.This pedal has TONE out the a**.
Buy ISP Technologies Totally Blues Pedal online at Musician's Friend

[Rock City Novi Sad]

Originally Posted by Dave67

I have a set of Gibson and would not use them again, a little to harsh for me. The Seth Lover is not great for modern r&r, it is better at classic and southern rock, the Alnicos would be a better pick.
I would also suggest the JB/Jazz or Custom Custom/ Pearly Gate. My favorite setup is the DiMarzio Super Distortion/ PAF.

Well I really hoped you would write so since I kind off cheer up Seymour Duncans for my style of playing. I forgot to write I had a R'N'R band; power trio where I play rhytm and solo so I expect some nice juicy tone from my future p'up. I also don't want to press any pedal, just plug and play. I love fat Marshall volume and preamp on 3-4 where I could get sweet warm but power tone. So I really expect some power rock (but not high gain like EMGs) p'ups. Thanx for narrowing my choice!

[Rock City Novi Sad]

Originally Posted by davehall

Before you buy pick-ups try this pedal.I play alot of AC/DC,ZZ Top,and other Blues stuff like John Lee Hooker.This pedal has TONE out the a**.
Buy ISP Technologies Totally Blues Pedal online at Musician's Friend

That blues pedal looks nice and very interesting to press and turn up the volume. Unfortunately I can not find such in my country so I can't test it before I decide to buy a pickup. It is very difficult to get visa to get out off this country and I think I will have to risk ordering and putting p'up in. Also think I will not make such miss or some damage getting myself Seymour Duncan or even a Di Marzio. Thank you all for your advices!

[surfer777]

Originally Posted by GrouchyDog

I absolutely agree with this; it's a lesson that took me years and years to learn. IMO it's hard to find depth or expression in a really high-gain sound unless you work at it very hard (my flame-suit is on). If you listen to some of the most powerful guitar sounds - Angus Young in particular, also Page, Clapton, etc. - you'll hear that they are not playing with a ton of gain. Angus in particular on the earlier AC/DC albums had a rather clean tone that just rocked for days.

For sure, Jimmy Page stands out to me like Angus does for you. I've seen live videos where he can strum a little lighter and get a clean tone but then he gets agressive and he got some real crunch. It may be a little tougher to play some songs and solos but that is only going to give you more depth to your playing and more expression (not to mention TECHNIQUE!!). I always thought the amp I'm using was kinda crappy, but its not half bad when you turn the gain down and let the emotions come through!

[Christmas]

Originally Posted by mujlespaul

Thanks for this pic -- somehow I passed over it reading through the posts the first time. I notice it says "57CH" on the back, which worries me a little. But everyone tells me they're not the same as Classic 57s, so I guess that must be true.

As mentioned earlier in the thread, you can be sure that the stock Epi pickups (57CH) are not Gibson Classic 57s nor are they sonically similar. It appears, however, that Epi's marketing technique (i.e. putting the number "57" in their pickup model name) is actually working.

[MesaBoogie]

I've recently installed a Gibson Classic '57 and a '57 Plus in my Epi and the tone opened up so much (the new bone nut plays its part as well I guess), and they're nothing like the stock epi's, although I liked those as well...

This is a very personal thing, you could try some combo's of pickup's and see what works best for you?

I really like the gibby pick ups and they respond really really well to your playing dynamics (the lighter your touch, the cleaner your tone and once you dig in it bites the *ss of a donkey)

Good luck

Mesa.