EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II

Alex91 · 02-25-2008, 03:49 AM

Hi. I'm wondering if anyone has tried to assemble EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II? I'm going to buy a pair of the Zakk Wylde EMG Pickups in a few weeks and try it out. But is it even possible with a bit modding with the guitar case ++
And is it possible to use one volume and tone controll on both pickups instead of using 2 for each?

brettk7 · 02-25-2008, 04:53 AM

I wouldn't waste your money on a Special II. For the almost $300 it would cost to get them and installed you could simply have a much nicer guitar.

Alex91 · 02-25-2008, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brettk7

I wouldn't waste your money on a Special II. For the almost $300 it would cost to get them and installed you could simply have a much nicer guitar.

I want to install them myself, and is going to buy them in Bangkok so it's not so expensive. Just wondering if it is possible?

Basher · 02-25-2008, 10:13 AM

Thats what I did. I have the white Special II, and I bought a set of EMG H4's from a friend of mine, who is a guitarist and an electrician! Got the set for $65.00!! He wired 'em in for me, so don't know the schematics, but look at the wiring library thread in the Tonfreaks section of this site. It shows the schematic for master and tone controls like we have.
Here's how it turned out:

WildeStarr · 02-25-2008, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex91

Hi. I'm wondering if anyone has tried to assemble EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II? I'm going to buy a pair of the Zakk Wylde EMG Pickups in a few weeks and try it out. But is it even possible with a bit modding with the guitar case ++
And is it possible to use one volume and tone controll on both pickups instead of using 2 for each?

The EMG wiring diagram that is provided with the pickups will give you instructions on the one volume and one tone set-up. All EMG wiring diagrams are also available online at:

Electric Guitar Pickups & Accessories - EMG Pickups

VictorLazarus · 02-25-2008, 11:05 AM

The Zakk set 'should' come with everything u need; I figure a Special II would be a good guitar to start with and mayb u can take em out' and put em in a standard/custom when/if u get one.

MVL.

Alex91 · 02-25-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basher

Thats what I did. I have the white Special II, and I bought a set of EMG H4's from a friend of mine, who is a guitarist and an electrician! Got the set for $65.00!! He wired 'em in for me, so don't know the schematics, but look at the wiring library thread in the Tonfreaks section of this site. It shows the schematic for master and tone controls like we have.
Here's how it turned out:

Nice! But when i install active pickups i also need to make som more space in the case to get enough space for the 9V battery.. Has anyone tried to do that?

Alex91 · 02-25-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VictorLazarus

The Zakk set 'should' come with everything u need; I figure a Special II would be a good guitar to start with and mayb u can take em out' and put em in a standard/custom when/if u get one.

MVL.

Yes, I'm thinking of using them in a more expensive guitar later. But has just bought a Special so.

WildeStarr · 02-25-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex91

Nice! But when i install active pickups i also need to make som more space in the case to get enough space for the 9V battery.. Has anyone tried to do that?

Do you mean the control compartment?? There will be enough room in there for the battery.

***b-squared*** · 02-25-2008, 11:49 AM

One thing to consider is the knob spacing on the Special II. I recently installed a set of EMGs into an Ibanez (they were previously in my LP Custom), but the presoldered volume/tone pots were not far enough apart. I had to clip the cap, get another from Radio Shack for about $1.50, and re soldered it.

They work great now.

Also plenty of room for the battery.

BB

Alex91 · 02-25-2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildeStarr

Do you mean the control compartment?? There will be enough room in there for the battery.

Okay, great!!

brettk7 · 02-25-2008, 04:01 PM

It's definitely possible to do it, but I would really reccomend having them installed. If you buy the pick-ups from wherever your getting them for cheaper, then it probably won't be too bad on the price.

But, from what I understand installing active pick-ups into anything that didn't normally have them is going to be a pretty in-depth install that is gonna need routing, a good amount of soldering and wiring.

Hope it all works out for you man! If you go thorugh with the pick-ups, next on your list needs to be a set of tuners! I know the ones on my Special II are down right HORRIBLE!

Don't forget to post pics!

***b-squared*** · 02-25-2008, 04:10 PM

EMGs are the same size as a standard PAF-type humbucker. I used the same p/u rings, as well.

The soldering isn't really that complicated, but there are a few extra wires in there because of the 9v battery.

If you have any doubts, by all means get a reputable tech to do it.

BB

ZoomZilla · 02-25-2008, 05:47 PM

What am I missing here? The standard pots in the EPI should be 500K, could be 250K, the actives would need something more like a 25K pot. So a pot change would be needed for actives. Are you telling be B-squared that you wired active pickups to a 500K pot?

WildeStarr · 02-25-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoomZilla

What am I missing here? The standard pots in the EPI should be 500K, could be 250K, the actives would need something more like a 25K pot. So a pot change would be needed for actives. Are you telling be B-squared that you wired active pickups to a 500K pot?

When you buy the EMG's, they will have the 25k pots and all the parts that you will need!

Alex91 · 02-26-2008, 04:33 PM

Now i have talked with a local Guitar Store that could install the pickups for about 80 $

Anyone know how the prices are in Singapore compared to Bangkok for Guitar stuff like pickups?

***b-squared*** · 02-26-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoomZilla

What am I missing here? The standard pots in the EPI should be 500K, could be 250K, the actives would need something more like a 25K pot. So a pot change would be needed for actives. Are you telling be B-squared that you wired active pickups to a 500K pot?

No, not at all--sorry if my ramblings were confusing.

I bought my EMGs in a LP kit. The Ibanez I installed them into had 1 tone, 1 volume, and they were spaced farther apart than the LP specs.

The pots were 25K.

BB

brettk7 · 02-26-2008, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex91

Now i have talked with a local Guitar Store that could install the pickups for about 80 $

Anyone know how the prices are in Singapore compared to Bangkok for Guitar stuff like pickups?

I honestly have no clue what the differences would be. I know I was quoted at $260 for an 81/60 set, that included installation. This was on my EC-1000.

Yes, I know my guitar had the option to get them stock. But, I wanted the amber sunburst! Plus, idk if I am going down the EMG route, I might get another JB for the bridge and call it a day.

***b-squared*** · 02-26-2008, 05:45 PM

I gave my buddy a good deal; $100 for the set, installed.

He's the guitar player in our church youth band. That guitar is totally B.A. now.

(Bad Ass)

BB

PS--He's totally into Avenged Sevenfold, and that metally stuff.

Alex91 · 03-02-2008, 12:23 PM

Is it any difference between buying the EMG-ZW 81/85 set and buying EMG 81/85 seperately? Other then the zakk signature pick and a poster?

WildeStarr · 03-02-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex91

Is it any difference between buying the EMG-ZW 81/85 set and buying EMG 81/85 seperately? Other then the zakk signature pick and a poster?

Other then the fancy packaging.... No, it is the same thing.

Alex91 · 03-02-2008, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildeStarr

Other then the fancy packaging.... No, it is the same thing.

Okay, good. Because the guitar shop in Bangkok was out of stock on the EMG-ZW set. So I propably have to buy the 81/85 seperately. Then i guess that shouldn't be a problem.

WildeStarr · 03-02-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex91

Okay, good. Because the guitar shop in Bangkok was out of stock on the EMG-ZW set. So I propably have to buy the 81/85 seperately. Then i guess that shouldn't be a problem.

One more thing, the ZW set comes with both the long and short shaft pots (see pic). The standard EMG pickups only come with short shaft. The long shaft are usually needed for LP guitars because of the thick tops. Check with your guitar shop to see if they sell the EMG long shaft pots. They are available separately from the pickups. If you need them, I probably have some here I can sell you.

Alex91 · 03-02-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildeStarr

One more thing, the ZW set comes with both the long and short shaft pots (see pic). The standard EMG pickups only come with short shaft. The long shaft are usually needed for LP guitars because of the thick tops. Check with your guitar shop to see if they sell the EMG long shaft pots. They are available separately from the pickups. If you need them, I probably have some here I can sell you.

I have talked with a guitar shop near where I live and they said that the long shaft pots weren't nescessery on the Special II model, only on the Les Paul Standard.

Alex91 · 04-02-2008, 12:08 PM

Okay, now I have bought the EMG 81 & 85, but i got problems with the Volume and the Tone control. Is it possible to make the wires long enough without buying longer shaft pots? Because no local guitar store sells this, and I don't want to import anything.

Alex91 · 04-02-2008, 02:33 PM

I tried to use some longer wires and I hope it will work. I am now going to make some more space in the body for the battery, can post some picture later.

inxs996 · 04-02-2008, 08:40 PM

Hey WildeStarr,

I was thinking about buying the Zakk Wylde Bullseye Epiphone LP, i know the pups that come in the Epi version isn't the same that come in the Gibson version, i intend on buying the ZW signature set, just was curious how big of a difference is the Epi version pups compared to the Gibson version pups...

thanks

Eric

Alex91 · 04-04-2008, 03:01 AM

Now I have installed the pickups but the sound is kind of crappy, and the three-way switch doesn't work probably, when its on treble, only the 81 pickup is on very low sound, when in the middle both pickups are on, and the same on Rhytm, and very high sound. And when I adjust the Volume there is a fuzzy sound. Anyone knows what the problem could be? I used the wiring diagram that came with the Pickups.

ninny404 · 04-04-2008, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex91

Now I have installed the pickups but the sound is kind of crappy, and the three-way switch doesn't work probably, when its on treble, only the 81 pickup is on very low sound, when in the middle both pickups are on, and the same on Rhytm, and very high sound. And when I adjust the Volume there is a fuzzy sound. Anyone knows what the problem could be? I used the wiring diagram that came with the Pickups.

wiring issues. my volume knob was fuzzy when i'd adjust the volume, wires needed some resoldering. since you're having issues then i recommend taking it to a professional

Alex91 · 04-04-2008, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninny404

wiring issues. my volume knob was fuzzy when i'd adjust the volume, wires needed some resoldering. since you're having issues then i recommend taking it to a professional

Okay, I will try to resolder the wires today. You think that's the only problem?

02-25-2008, 03:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
Alex91 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II Hi. I'm wondering if anyone has tried to assemble EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II? I'm going to buy a pair of the Zakk Wylde EMG Pickups in a few weeks and try it out. But is it even possible with a bit modding with the guitar case ++ And is it possible to use one volume and tone controll on both pickups instead of using 2 for each?

02-25-2008, 04:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
brettk7 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nellyville Posts: 4,829 Thanks: 49 Thanked 91 Times in 32 Posts	Re: EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II I wouldn't waste your money on a Special II. For the almost $300 it would cost to get them and installed you could simply have a much nicer guitar. __________________ You can visit me @ Hit me up with any and all gear questions. I'd be happy to help! You can reach me on here or at brett@eddiesguitars.com Rig!: 72' Fender Tele Deluxe RI/ 93' Epi LP Custom/Xotic Ep-Booster/Boss TU2.RV3.DD6/Orange Rocker 30/Orange 4x12

02-25-2008, 10:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
Basher Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 34 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II Thats what I did. I have the white Special II, and I bought a set of EMG H4's from a friend of mine, who is a guitarist and an electrician! Got the set for $65.00!! He wired 'em in for me, so don't know the schematics, but look at the wiring library thread in the Tonfreaks section of this site. It shows the schematic for master and tone controls like we have. Here's how it turned out:

02-25-2008, 11:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
VictorLazarus Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cornwall, England Posts: 1,214 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II The Zakk set 'should' come with everything u need; I figure a Special II would be a good guitar to start with and mayb u can take em out' and put em in a standard/custom when/if u get one. MVL. __________________ www.weepingstrings.co.uk My music: www.myspace.com/weepingstrings My vids: www.youtube.com/victorlazarus Thank you.

02-25-2008, 11:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
*b-squared* 'MLP Mid-West' Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: About 15 minutes from the LOU...(STL) Posts: 12,157 Thanks: 270 Thanked 187 Times in 28 Posts	Re: EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II One thing to consider is the knob spacing on the Special II. I recently installed a set of EMGs into an Ibanez (they were previously in my LP Custom), but the presoldered volume/tone pots were not far enough apart. I had to clip the cap, get another from Radio Shack for about $1.50, and re soldered it. They work great now. Also plenty of room for the battery. BB __________________ I use: WB Custom Pickups--6707 VTP/VTPH, 5707 Prototypes, Habaneros, Firewaters DeTemple 'Sweet Spot' Pickups (Strat) RS Guitarworks Electronics Jonesy's Caps

Today
Les Paul	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on My Les Paul Forums

02-25-2008, 04:01 PM	#12 (permalink)
brettk7 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nellyville Posts: 4,829 Thanks: 49 Thanked 91 Times in 32 Posts	Re: EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II It's definitely possible to do it, but I would really reccomend having them installed. If you buy the pick-ups from wherever your getting them for cheaper, then it probably won't be too bad on the price. But, from what I understand installing active pick-ups into anything that didn't normally have them is going to be a pretty in-depth install that is gonna need routing, a good amount of soldering and wiring. Hope it all works out for you man! If you go thorugh with the pick-ups, next on your list needs to be a set of tuners! I know the ones on my Special II are down right HORRIBLE! Don't forget to post pics! __________________ You can visit me @ Hit me up with any and all gear questions. I'd be happy to help! You can reach me on here or at brett@eddiesguitars.com Rig!: 72' Fender Tele Deluxe RI/ 93' Epi LP Custom/Xotic Ep-Booster/Boss TU2.RV3.DD6/Orange Rocker 30/Orange 4x12

02-25-2008, 04:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
*b-squared* 'MLP Mid-West' Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: About 15 minutes from the LOU...(STL) Posts: 12,157 Thanks: 270 Thanked 187 Times in 28 Posts	Re: EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II EMGs are the same size as a standard PAF-type humbucker. I used the same p/u rings, as well. The soldering isn't really that complicated, but there are a few extra wires in there because of the 9v battery. If you have any doubts, by all means get a reputable tech to do it. BB __________________ I use: WB Custom Pickups--6707 VTP/VTPH, 5707 Prototypes, Habaneros, Firewaters DeTemple 'Sweet Spot' Pickups (Strat) RS Guitarworks Electronics Jonesy's Caps

02-25-2008, 05:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
ZoomZilla V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The OB Posts: 2,573 Thanks: 38 Thanked 38 Times in 9 Posts	Re: EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II What am I missing here? The standard pots in the EPI should be 500K, could be 250K, the actives would need something more like a 25K pot. So a pot change would be needed for actives. Are you telling be B-squared that you wired active pickups to a 500K pot?

02-26-2008, 04:33 PM	#16 (permalink)
Alex91 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II Now i have talked with a local Guitar Store that could install the pickups for about 80 $ Anyone know how the prices are in Singapore compared to Bangkok for Guitar stuff like pickups?

02-26-2008, 05:45 PM	#19 (permalink)
*b-squared* 'MLP Mid-West' Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: About 15 minutes from the LOU...(STL) Posts: 12,157 Thanks: 270 Thanked 187 Times in 28 Posts	Re: EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II I gave my buddy a good deal; $100 for the set, installed. He's the guitar player in our church youth band. That guitar is totally B.A. now. (Bad Ass) BB PS--He's totally into Avenged Sevenfold, and that metally stuff. __________________ I use: WB Custom Pickups--6707 VTP/VTPH, 5707 Prototypes, Habaneros, Firewaters DeTemple 'Sweet Spot' Pickups (Strat) RS Guitarworks Electronics Jonesy's Caps

03-02-2008, 12:23 PM	#20 (permalink)
Alex91 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II Is it any difference between buying the EMG-ZW 81/85 set and buying EMG 81/85 seperately? Other then the zakk signature pick and a poster?

04-02-2008, 02:33 PM	#26 (permalink)
Alex91 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II I tried to use some longer wires and I hope it will work. I am now going to make some more space in the body for the battery, can post some picture later.

04-02-2008, 08:40 PM	#27 (permalink)
inxs996 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 1313 Mockingbird Lane, Mockingbird Heights Posts: 980 Thanks: 7 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	Re: EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II Hey WildeStarr, I was thinking about buying the Zakk Wylde Bullseye Epiphone LP, i know the pups that come in the Epi version isn't the same that come in the Gibson version, i intend on buying the ZW signature set, just was curious how big of a difference is the Epi version pups compared to the Gibson version pups... thanks Eric __________________ -Epiphone Les Paul Custom, 07 -Epiphone Zakk Wylde Bullseye LP, 08 -Epiphone Zakk Wylde Buzzsaw LP, 05 -Epiphone Zakk Wylde Bullseye ZV, 08 -Epiphone Zakk Wylde Camo LP, 09 Amp: -Marshall Zakk Wylde 2203ZW -VOX - AD100VT-XL Pedals: -Boss TU-2 -MXR M108 -MXR ZW44 -Dunlop ZW45 Wah -Dunlop JD-4S Rotovibe -Dunlop DC Brick Equipment Wishlist: -Epiphone Graveyard Disciple *THE "OTHER" MLPF MEMBER WHO WILL NEVER BE BESTOWED V.I.P STATUS, HOW WILL I GO ON...*

04-04-2008, 03:01 AM	#28 (permalink)
Alex91 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: EMG Pickups in a Epiphone Les Paul Special II Now I have installed the pickups but the sound is kind of crappy, and the three-way switch doesn't work probably, when its on treble, only the 81 pickup is on very low sound, when in the middle both pickups are on, and the same on Rhytm, and very high sound. And when I adjust the Volume there is a fuzzy sound. Anyone knows what the problem could be? I used the wiring diagram that came with the Pickups.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Epiphone Les Paul Special II	dc81	Epiphone Les Pauls	30	08-21-2009 07:35 PM
New Pickups on an Epiphone Les Paul Custom?	Kipling241	Epiphone Les Pauls	4	03-01-2008 12:10 PM
Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus or just upgrade pickups??	JKSteger	Epiphone Les Pauls	8	01-05-2008 02:49 PM
SEYMOUR DUNCAN PICKUPS - Epiphone Les Paul Special II	exile666	Epiphone Les Pauls	2	12-09-2007 10:33 AM
pickups for my epiphone les paul special II	tattoodane	Epiphone Les Pauls	17	10-17-2007 12:55 PM