Pickup Recommendation

[glaswerks]

I purchased an Epiphone Sheraton II a while back and it is a pretty nice guitar, good fretwork, playability etc. But I would like to upgrade the pickups in the guitar. I have been thinking along the lines of the Gibson Classic 57 pickups or maybe Seth Lovers. Looking for a full range, balanced pickup. The stock pickups are a little murky.

Wondering what others have tried in this style of guitar.

Thanks,
Gary

[PeeWee]

Check out a set of J.M. Rolph "Pretenders", but specifically his '58 PAF wind. I replaced the stock '57 Classics in my 2001 Murphy R9/brazilian and the improvement was astounding. I have to say that I've never been a big fan of humbucking pups having been a P90 and single coil enthusiast, but these are far and away the best sounding PAF clone I've ever heard and I can tell you that I won't be swapping them out.

The winds I have are a bit underwound - 7.85K for the bridge and 7.5K for the neck - but they produce a warm and woody tone. I actually got to A/B my guitar with a 1960 'burst 2 weeks ago and most folks thought that mine sounded far better than the original. These pups are sweet, clear, offer great note definition and don't have that icepick spike in the treble end that most 'buckers do. I'd have to think in a semi-hollow guitar, they'd kill!

A matched set will set you back about $425 and the turnaround time is about 3-4 weeks max. Jim bases his winds on 3 different sets of original PAFs that he personally owns and the '58s are the best sounding to his ears - I'd have to agree 100%....I'm a picky bastid! :D

[Leftee]

Drop a line to this guy.

http://www.highorderpickups.com/

He winds great pickups to your specs/desires.

[glaswerks]

Thanks for the ideas. I will check out the recommendations.

Gary

[1959burst]

seymour duncan jazz in the neck and custom for the bridge, great pickups that won't break the bank.

[Boogieman]

I had the same problem with the stock Schaller pickups that came in my Heritage 535. I replaced them with Seymour Duncsn 59's and the difference was night and day, great improvement, and well worth the money.

[JofZ]

I am a huge fan of TimBuckers!
RS Fralins are great as well!

[PeeWee]

I've heard great things from a lot of different players regarding Tim White's pickups. I got on the waiting list back in February of '05 and just got word from Tim today that there are only 40 ahead of me at this point. Should only have to wait another 2-3 months according to him. I'm pretty jacked about getting a set of these at last.

As for the Fralin pickups, I met Lindy a number of years ago when I was working with a band based in Richmond. I don't think he knows how to make a shitty pickup! His single coils, especially his Tele pups, are fantastic and his P90s are some of the best aftermarket pups I've ever heard. The winds in his personal ES-125 just kill! Great guy and easy to talk with.

[Jono L]

The Bare Knuckle Mules are starting to get quite the following... check them out if you havn't made a call already. :)

Best,
Jono

[K-man]

Don't forget WCR. Jim winds fantastic pickups.

[cvansickle]

Yeah, I'm enjoying my new WCRs on my SG.

[K-man]

Yeah, I'm enjoying my new WCRs on my SG.

Which kind did you get?

[cvansickle]

I got the WCR Darkburst neck and Fillmore bridge. At first, I had the Goodwood bridge, but I wasn't feeling I was getting enough output from it. The Fillmore is closer to what I had in mind all along. But that Darkburst neck is killer!

[BJF]

Hi,

Hm, well I have had good luck at mounting WCR's- not too heavy just balance- in a Gibson ES335. not quite sheraton but close ?

Does your Sheraton have a middy voice?
Have fun
BJ

[K-man]

I got the WCR Darkburst neck and Fillmore bridge. At first, I had the Goodwood bridge, but I wasn't feeling I was getting enough output from it. The Fillmore is closer to what I had in mind all along. But that Darkburst neck is killer!

I hear ya. I have Darkbursts in my Hamer Studio. They are glorious!