Aftermarket Humbuckers Suggestions

[Ebony04Standard]

I've got a 2004 ebony Epi LP standard that still has the original pickups. My rig is usually a Fender Performer 1000 or a Rolland Cube. I play mainly blues/classic/southern rock and love the tones associated with those styles.

Ive been wanting to swap in new pickups and have listened to TONS of you tube vids through my headphones.

I've narrowed it down to the following matching sets:

Seymour Duncan Vintage Blues
Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro 2 (non slash)
Seymour Duncan Hot Rodded
Dimizerio PAF 35th Anniversary
Epiphone Probuckers

The pups above appear to be roughly the same price for a set, but slighly different tones.

I love the Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates, but they're more than i want to spend. However, I have been keeping my eye on the member classifieds for a used set of PGs. I'll be honest though, im pretty handy and can tackle the install, but assessing and buying used electronics isn't my strong suit...just makes me nervous.

I was curious if there were any other units I should toss in the mix that are similarly priced (around 150/set).

Any feedback or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[charlie chitlins]

I know it's not in your list, but I was looking for some budget buckers for an Epiphone, and I settled on Blizzard of 59.
When I put them in, I had a guitar with a Duncan 59 and a pearly, and I like the blizzards as well.
I still gig that guitar when I get the humbucker urge and I'm always surprised by how killer it sounds.

 

[Ebony04Standard]

Thanks for the suggestion Charlie!

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Try Vineham. Custom winds for less than USD$150 a set. Craig's are CDN$170 and he ships worldwide from Newfoundland. I've had two of his pickups and they are excellent for Hard Rock. My favourite is the '6070' which is wound to be a hotter T-Top. Never heard anybody NOT rave about his pups.

Check the link:

Humbucker_pickups

 

[LtKojak]

Try Vineham. Custom winds for less than USD$150 a set. Craig's are CDN$170 and he ships worldwide from Newfoundland.

Humbucker_pickups

+ 1. My favorite set Is the "Vivid's" set. Sound like a million bucks. Tell Craig that Pepe sent you, and you'll get the "Royal treatment".

 

[SWeAT hOg]

+ 1. My favorite set Is the "Vivid's" set. Sound like a million bucks. Tell Craig that Pepe sent you, and you'll get the "Royal treatment".

His pups deserve better than my leading with the excellent price. Most importantly, they SOUND fantastic. I like the 6070 T-top clone better than the real T-Top it replaced. Very punchy, bright, loud and perfect for the sound I want. Plus, he gave me the royal treatment without even mentioning you, Pepe! He's just a talented winder who takes care of his clients. I'm near Toronto and I've got my pups within five days of ordering.

 

[Ebony04Standard]

Thanks Northern! Thanks Pepe! Was taking a listen on you tube! Great options!

 

[Zoobiedood]

The 59s are a big EQ difference from the Alnico IIs, and the Hot Rodded set is a very different EQ and 'feel' due to the high output of the JB. What does your guitar need?

 

[Gtarzan81]

Tell them that Pepe sent you, and you'll get the "Royal treatment".

Last time I did that I got chased down the street with a baseball bat.

 

[Ebony04Standard]

The 59s are a big EQ difference from the Alnico IIs, and the Hot Rodded set is a very different EQ and 'feel' due to the high output of the JB. What does your guitar need?

Currenntly the tone is boomy/muddy. Im looking for more mid/high defination.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Currenntly the tone is boomy/muddy. Im looking for more mid/high defination.

Hmm....the 6070 sounds like a perfect option!

 

[ReWind James]

My rig is usually a Fender Performer 1000 or a Rolland Cube. I play mainly blues/classic/southern rock and love the tones associated with those styles.

Don't waste your money on pickups, now. Put it into saving for an amp.

What pickups will do for you is almost nothing compared to what an amp will do, in your rig.

 

[tjdjr1]

I have run a few sets of humbuckers since I got back into playing. The Mojotone 59 clones are good humbuckers, I have a set of the Vineham Sweet V 59's these are good sounding, but the mojo's seem a bit more sensative, Planet tone set I didn't care for and sold them, and Duncan 59 are still a good example too. I do like the Gibson 61 zebras in my 19 Classic and the 57 classic/+ combo in the 16 Trad. A lot of choices out there and rabbit holes ! Good luck....

 

[ErictheRed]

Honestly many people jump to changing out the pickups when they don't really need to. Have you tried lowering your pickups, especially the neck? What value Volume pot is in there? A very cheap change would be to put in a 500k volume pot if it's a 250k or 300k.

 

[Ebony04Standard]

Honestly many people jump to changing out the pickups when they don't really need to. Have you tried lowering your pickups, especially the neck? What value Volume pot is in there? A very cheap change would be to put in a 500k volume pot if it's a 250k or 300k.

Im not sure waht the volume pot value is. Ill have to do some digging around. As far as lowering the pickups, ill have to give that a shot!

Great suggestion!

 

[Elmore]

Put in 500K pots first. If that does not do it, then change pickups.

 

[CheopisIV]

Put in 500K pots first. If that does not do it, then change pickups.

This is the first step. Before anything!

Quality pots can make even garbage pickups sound better and typically aren't too expensive. If the pickups still sound like trash, at least you'll have a solid base set of electronics to install them into and will never have to worry that your harness is holding you back.

 

[Ebony04Standard]

This is the first step. Before anything!

Quality pots can make even garbage pickups sound better and typically aren't too expensive. If the pickups still sound like trash, at least you'll have a solid base set of electronics to install them into and will never have to worry that your harness is holding you back.

Any suggestions on pot brands?

 

[Elmore]

I used CTS 500K pots. I got the long shaft model and filed down as needed.

 

[CheopisIV]

Years ago I loaded my humbucker guitars with CTS 500k pots. I think they were from Mojotone.