Epi LP upgrades

OnTheFritz · Post by **OnTheFritz** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 12:36 am

Going to GC tomorrow to get a few things. Need some new potentiometers mainly, and was even thinking about tuners.
Going to put in an SD '59 I've got on hand, and figured I'd *fix* a couple things while I'm at it.
The volume Pot blows, and I don't know much about guitar electronics.
Is this the logical pot to throw in the Epi?
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-500k ... 1128037.gc

I know most folks here loathe GC, but seems like the only place to go that will have things like this in stock.

Any tips on tuners that would be a drop in replacement and a nice upgrade?
I'm completely uneducated and ignorant when it comes to this stuff.

Thanks for any advice!

Marshall Growl · Post by **Marshall Growl** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 3:47 am

I have the Sperzel tuners in my LP copy which is a Fenix custom. They are locking tuners and have done good by me. The 59' sounds super thick in my LP but maybe it will be perfect for yours. Ive been trying to lock in the right pickup for me and I think Im going to try the custom custom next.

OnTheFritz · Post by **OnTheFritz** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 4:33 am

Thanks for the info.
As far as pick-ups, I was thinking about buying one of those Ibanez 70's clones from the Member posting in the Classifieds.

NY Chief · Post by **NY Chief** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 2:28 pm

I replaced a vintage Dimarzio Super D that I had in my Paul since high school ('77

) with a '59 recently. Was very disappointed. Then I tried a custom custom ok for what it is then WCR Fillmores. Ain't NO going back!

OnTheFritz · Post by **OnTheFritz** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:56 pm

Thanks for the tips fellas.
Never did go to GC today, put it on the back-burner due to confusion.
Been looking at all the pick-ups and descriptions on Musicians Friend, and my head is spinning.

I do want to get something better for the bridge, and a bit more aggressive than the stock Epi pick-up, without going too nuts.
Considering the SD SH-4 or SH-5.

This guitar has a nice balanced weight/feel, great neck and playability, just lacking some refinements.

Edit: WCR Fillmores? Not familiar with those.

fivecoyote · Post by **fivecoyote** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:23 am

I have a LP and also have been debating pickups. I'm looking for a vintage-output pikup that will overcome the lack of upper-mids. I'm either going with the Super 70 clone or a Super Dist with an A5 magnet, with a WCR Darkburst as a possibility.

OnTheFritz · Post by **OnTheFritz** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:34 am

Hmmm.
Bought a SD SH-5, and upgraded the pots to 500k CTS, and have been looking at all the different wiring diagrams.
Tried the SD diagram right off, and it sounded thin and tinny. Wondering what was going on, I just hooked it up direct sans the tone control, and it was much better.

Then I tried the 50's wiring, and I used a Sozo .022, and it seemed pretty good, but still a tad thin with the tone full up. Didn't have that problem before, so I suppose it's the pick-up. (?) I dunno.
I always dimed the tone and forgot about it.

I can honestly say after dicking around with this guitar, I won't ever buy an Epi again.
The fret's have grooves already, and I don't gig and the guitar is only 3 years old.
The wood seemed like shit when I opened it up, had to actually drip epoxy with a toothpik into the holes for the pick-up cover screws cause they were stripped after only removing them the one time. Didn't know that of course till I was installing the new pick-ups.
Huge void of wood under the neck pick-up, not routed nicely like the *real deal*.
I'm hugely unimpressed after gutting this thing.
Hopefully I can get it to sound the way I want it to in my head in the mean time.
Sorry bout the rant!:oops: