Fixing/Modding my new Epiphone LP with BKP's!

[jonthomas83]

Hi guys,

First timer, but good to be here... I need a bit of help, basically a guy did me over on eBay and I bought a "brand new" Epi, thing is it needs a good service to correct the dire intonation/action issues, no problem, I'm going to get him back by getting some of my money back.

So as I'll be taking it to the shop for a good setup, I decided that while it's there, I may as well replace the stock pickups.

I run through a Fender '94 Twin Amp, and a Mesa Single Rec Solo 50 for my lead and dirty sounds, sometimes use it for clean too.

I like to play blues/heavy rock/close-to-metal/alternative type stuff (influenced heavily by Dave Gilmour/Porcupuine Tree/Clapton and Dream Theater) and initially I was thinking about SD '59 and JB. But now I've been swayed to think more outside of the 'generic' box and have turned my attentions to maybe loading it a pair of Bare Knuckle Cold Sweat humbuckers recommended to me when I spoke to Tim and what he thought was best set for the sound i want to get.

Thing is, I would like to know your opinions on those pickups and if you think I should consider others in the BKP range (I know Tim's probably the guy with the best perception but some more opinions would be of value). Secondly, while it's getting a service, and new pickups, is there anything else that comes stock in Epi LP's that you think I should consider replacing at the same time.

E.g. I read somewhere that there's no point in putting good pickups in if I'm using cr@ppy pots etc. It must be said, I have absolutely no idea about quality components, indeed what components are what and what needs to be considered, ALL of this is completely new to me and I'd appreciate a bit of advice to get everything right for when my guitar lands back in my lap after a good old makeover! ;)

Many thanks and sorry for the long post!

[Twinfan]

Welcome!  :)

I would replace the standard pots and capacitors while you're having it rewired.  There are two sizes of pot and you'll need the import or Alpha size.  The other slightly larger size is the USA or CTS size and you'd need to enlarge the holes in your guitar and buy new knobs if you fit those.  I've used both types and a good quality Alpha pot will be fine for you.  Orange drop capacitors are a good choice to replace the ceramic disc ones your guitar will have currently.

On the pickup front, Cold Sweats have a ceramic magnet in the bridge which makes them a bit colder and more clinical sounding.  I found they sounded best with tons of gain and not so great without it, but you may think differently of course!

If you were interested in the JB / Jazz combo, and use a variety of gain levels, I would take a look at the Holydivers.  They are the same ballpark spec of the JB / Jazz and would be a good choice for a range of tones.  I have a set in a PRS and I've been impressed with them.

[jonthomas83]

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.

Would you say that those components are expensive to replace? I'd like to take this to a local technician, should I provide these parts for him or are they things that he would usually stock? I know you can't answer for him really, but in general is that the case? If not, where's the best place for me to look so I can start ordering them in?

Wow, loadsa questions, sorry!

Problem is, this is a completely new ballgame to me, I'm so used to gear in view of amps and effects, guitars even, but the inside of a guitar scares me and I have no idea about pickups whatsoever. I know I want something that will get me a really heavy for DT and PT type alt rock/metal but also clear, crisp and somewhat bright tone for classic 80's hair metal (stryper/ bloodgood) and metallica at the same time. Pinch harmonics need to be easy! I just want my Mesa to sing basically, but at the same time I want to go to the neck and be able to knock out a full blooded blues solo which sounds warm and immense. Asking too much? :)

I always assumed that pickups had to be hot in order to get metal and heavy tones out of them? If that is the case, then maybe the cold sweats aren't for me.

[Twinfan]

Pickups don't HAVE to be hot as a lot of metal and rock tones are driven by the amp, not the guitar.  It can help by having a stronger signal, but you can use a Tubescreamer pedal to boost the amp instead.

The 4 pots and two capacitors four your guitar should cost you around £20.  Here's a good source, and you want the "Import Les Paul style Wiring Kit" with long shaft pots:  http://www.axesrus.com/axeknobs.htm#Kits

I would supply the pickups and the wiring kit to the tech, and get them to fit everything  :)

[jonthomas83]

Awesome that's exactly what I wanted, a "one-purchase-fixes-all" type thing, great stuff. Thanks so much for your help mate.

EDIT: There's a couple of options on there, i.e. caps and split shaft pots etc, any ideas which I should go for?

[Twinfan]

You want split shaft pots, and 0.022uf caps  :)

[jonthomas83]

Thank you mate, much appreciated!

[Twinfan]

Not a problem!

[ericsabbath]

I know I want something that will get me a really heavy for DT and PT type alt rock/metal but also clear, crisp and somewhat bright tone for classic 80's hair metal (stryper/ bloodgood) and metallica at the same time. Pinch harmonics need to be easy! I just want my Mesa to sing basically, but at the same time I want to go to the neck and be able to knock out a full blooded blues solo which sounds warm and immense. Asking too much? :)

I always assumed that pickups had to be hot in order to get metal and heavy tones out of them? If that is the case, then maybe the cold sweats aren't for me.

believe me, cold sweats are for you
I had a Single Rectifier and it didn't work well with alnico bridge pickups
ceramics definitely work better for that, specially with a Recto
the cold sweat bridge is far from smooth, but very organic and crunchy
it really brings out that sparkle from a les paul and crunches the midrange without scooping/adding mids and bass
it makes a rocker les paul sound like a rocker les paul should sound
and believe me, I tried 15 pups in that guitar looking for that
and the neck pickup is brilliant for EVERYTHING

try them along with a mild and middy booster, like a tube screamer or SD-1 for the Recto and use the Vintage mode
I also recommend celestion greenbacks over V30's for that amp

[jonthomas83]

Thanks for the advice, it's good to have someone with experience of the pups with a single rec.

I love the amp, just need to get going with it all now, I've only had it for three weeks so it's all a learning process. Any particular tube screamer you prefered with yours?

[ericsabbath]

Thanks for the advice, it's good to have someone with experience of the pups with a single rec.

I love the amp, just need to get going with it all now, I've only had it for three weeks so it's all a learning process. Any particular tube screamer you prefered with yours?

I liked the extra output and harmonic layer of the MXR wylde overdrive
but the TS9 worked fine too, just less powerful and a bit thinner on the low end
a good EQ before the amp will do the job too, but they usually add a lot of noise (now I use a vintage Maxon 6 band EQ and a Rocktron Hush right after the EQ)

the reason I liked greenbacks better is because it made the Recto sound more organic, cleaner/clearer on the mids, smoother on the top and the low end got tighter, more concise (compared to the V30)
the cab probably had some influence too (it's a front loaded framus cobra cab)

[jonthomas83]

I liked the extra output and harmonic layer of the MXR wylde overdrive
but the TS9 worked fine too, just less powerful and a bit thinner on the low end
a good EQ before the amp will do the job too, but they usually add a lot of noise (now I use a vintage Maxon 6 band EQ and a Rocktron Hush right after the EQ)

the reason I liked greenbacks better is because it made the Recto sound more organic, cleaner/clearer on the mids, smoother on the top and the low end got tighter, more concise (compared to the V30)
the cab probably had some influence too (it's a front loaded framus cobra cab)

Excellent I'll check out those pedals. As for the cab, I saved a long time to get the mesa 2x12, both that and the head are very expensive here in the U.K. so I'm pleased with both really. I'll bear in mind what you said about the speakers though, I may need to change them in the future at some point so I'll give the greenbacks a thought! :)

E.Q. is a good idea too, do you mind me asking what shape you went for when you set it up? I mean it's a bit of a minefield as the possibilities are endless with an E.Q. pedal. What is your opinion on the Boss GE-7 and how does it compare to the maxon (if you've experienced both of course)?

Many thanks and apologies for going off topic.

[ericsabbath]

E.Q. is a good idea too, do you mind me asking what shape you went for when you set it up? I mean it's a bit of a minefield as the possibilities are endless with an E.Q. pedal. What is your opinion on the Boss GE-7 and how does it compare to the maxon (if you've experienced both of course)?

the boss is excellent for the loop, but doesn't work well in the front
it has way less output than the maxon, sounds thinner, a bit more noisy and adds an annoying treble spike when you have mids or highs boosted
you can try MXR or Ibanez old EQ's
overdrives are a bit easier to deal with

[Mr. Air]

Thanks for the advice, it's good to have someone with experience of the pups with a single rec.

I love the amp, just need to get going with it all now, I've only had it for three weeks so it's all a learning process. Any particular tube screamer you prefered with yours?

I got a T-rex Alberta tube screamer pedal and it's really good. A bit pricey though. One of my friends who playes metal uses it in front of his 5150 and he's extremely satisfied as well. Check it out in the following link.

http://trexengineering.net.dynamicweb.dk/Default.aspx?ID=2&ProductID=PROD30&VariantID=

[Mr.Coneman]

Welcome to the board dude.  :D

Firstly I can say, good choice! I upgraded my Epi Les Paul, with a Cold Sweat in the bridge, and it's the exact sound I wanted in the position, can't go wrong with these things!