tt Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 howdy I am an happy fresh owner of an Epi Dot , the only HB instrument in my fleet ( -1- , -2- ) Everything otherwise perfect but i just cannot get anyhow used to the fact of the epi dot having not enough clearness to me in cleaner settings. Am I misleaded and under the influence of single coil clearness ( the teles ) ( since the HB cannot ever produce that SC glass-like clearness if desired) or is there a possibility to improve the clearness of epi dot pickups ( the tone control knobs of dot really seem pretty unefficient comparing to teles ones ) ? How are the Epi Dot stock pickups rated in general ( on the factor of HB clearness) ? :- rgds, TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 The stock Epi humbuckers have always been really muddy IMHO. I always changed them to Gibsons. Not sure if that answers your question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 They're not that bad, but most people here, seem to change the pickups. Some go to P-93 or similar, other just put in "better" Humbuckers (Gibson 57's, Burstbuckers, etc.) . Some, that want the best of both worlds have gone to TV Jones Filtertron or Filtertron Plus. Has a bit of the Gretsch Twang/clarity, and can still get "down and dirty," when pushed, or used with Tube overdrive, or a pedal(s). GFS has versions, that are inexpensive (by comparison) and do an excellent job, according to all that have tried them. There will (no doubt) be a wide variety of recommendations, from others. But, those are few... CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostindesert Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Use your amp controls to tweak the sound, more highs and lower the mids and bass. If your amp has a presence control wind that up to. You could also use a EQ pedal. Btw i've been playing single coil guitars all my life so it took a while to get used to the sound of my Epiphone B.B.King Lucille. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tt Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 thanks for the anwers so far do you think/confirm that the legendary 57 classics are f a r clearer (specially on cleans) than dot´s stock pickups? the Dot´s tone controls would achieve a reason to exist ? ( I am 100% agreed that the the amp settins and the re.adjust compairing to SC ( tele) is important. My daily tube amp is Laney VC-15-110, which can sound really "boutique" with any good-quality-pickuped-Tele . However, it is almost unachievable to achieve the similar quality sound with muy otherwise very playable and gorgeous Epi Dot :-( . (My most powerful amp is PV C 50-410 (not tried it yet with the Dot as it is being under rebuild - thin OD channel cure mods) ) So, in general - Dot stock HB pups ARE muddy and the best/most practiced ( most cost effective) replacement for CLEARNESS ON CLEANER SETTINGS is to go to PAF copies ( the 57 classics) , which would really bring the sence to the TONE knobs of being existing? Or there are any other better and more costeffective idease to offer+ bst rgds, TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 TT, you may also want to consider humbucker-sized P90s, like Duncan Phat Cats, GFS Mean 90s, etc.. Very un-muddy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tt Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 Thanks for the answers, again so, what would be the clearest and most cost effective and most practiced way to achieve clearer sound in cleaner settings Epi Dot ( could loose some drive ability potential in the name of clearness) ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 TT' date=' you may also want to consider humbucker-sized P90s, like Duncan Phat Cats, GFS Mean 90s, etc..Very un-muddy.[/quote'] I put SD PhatCats in my Dot and the difference was like night and day. No more muddy low end and real clear and crisp mid's/high's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tt Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 so which ones would be the better bet ? http://www.thomann.de/gb/seymour_duncan_ssph901b_chrom.htm http://www.thomann.de/gb/gibson_p57_classic.htm which one would you buy ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EL-KABONG! Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Telbert Before you run out and buy new pu's - make sure that your string height is as close to the polepieces as plyability will allow you can get a fair amount of treble and clarity that way. I have a 6120 gretsch that suffered from severe mud-it is. I did end up replacing the pu's but t is worth a try first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EL-KABONG! Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 BTW There may not be as much height adj. on your dot...but worth telling you about. Also: Eastwood makes a saucy single coil hum retrofit pu that is based on airline single coils (ie...trebly as hell) I bought a set but haven't installed them yet (in epi wilshire) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EL-KABONG! Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Also: understand that NO pickups on earth will make that semi-hollow dot sound like a tele- so consider mods carefully. There are effects that can boost treble and emulate single coils too....think 'er thru and be happy w/ the results! good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gashole Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Gibson '57 Classics are definitely going to be clearer. Really, just about any good Seymor or Gibson HB is gonna be an improvement. One of the reason's the Dot is so affordable is the realtaively low quality of the stock PU's. My Sheraton was in the same boat till upgraded. Ron is definitely right too-check out P90 alternatives. You can get Fenderesque and Gibsonesque tones out of those. They are very versatile, though better in a solidbody for heavier music...but you are talking clean tones, so that isn't a concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Before you go and tear the stock pu's out, try lowering them as far as possible. This in most cases will bring out the true tone from the pu. The closer to the strings they are, the more output, the more overdriving of the tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamablues Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I am experiencing the same thing.I replaced th pu's in my Epi Lp with a 57 classic and a 57 classic plus.I really like the sound of those but I want something different for my Dot.I'm considering Gibson 490's and SD Vintage 59's. JLHooker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EL-KABONG! Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Goldie Don't confuse output with muddiness or clarity. if you drop the pickup, the sound gets muddier, less trebly....no two ways about it. Try it and see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewy1281734128 Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 the epiphone stock HB's are pretty crap when played as clean. they sound like their lacking some bite, a bit of treble. my sheraton was 'muddy'....as they are and i put a gibson p-94 in. looks great, but still not the clarity i was after. better though, and really loud. my band mate plays a dot, and i love these guitars but the epi HBs (same on my SG as well) arent the best. im gonna get '57s and or SD next... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vomer Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Muddy Sheraton too. Went with GFS Vintage 59's. I can now actually play the guitar through my Valve Jr. GFS are cheap but useable. I'm into good tone but couldn't afford Gibson/SD for the Sheri, GFS are a good compromise. Ron G and Dennis G also suggested humbucker-sized P90's. If I were a humbucker fan I'd stick with my install of the GFS Vintage 59's, but I ain't so I've got a set of GFS Mean 90's waiting to go in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tt Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 Have been playing it for some time now - i turn to love it more and more every day , what a flawless finish , nice looks, etc, really cool guitar! However, about the pickups... They still could be a little clearer and more tone defying ... Hence the following questions(sorry, but I really havent found info about it) - Can anybody tell what is the resistance of the (later, made in China) Epi Dot pickups? What alnico magnets used? rgds, Telbert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarpBoy Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I just bought the Valensi Riviera P94 a few days ago and am very impressed with these pickups. If you like P90s (single coil), you'll love these. They are basically P90s designed to replace humbuckers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEPI Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Just curious. Is this the pup that everyone is changing out of their DOT's? I'm usually the 'odd man out' on the pickup controversy but these are stock in my '05 EE and I think they sound good. 'Course, I'm not doing any stage or recording work. Maybe if I was, I would need to change them out?? I play the DOT thru a '60's Magnavox Estey tube amp with one twelve and its sweet.....................J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Summerisle Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I think Epi p'ups are often subjected to rather harsh criticism. I have the stock Epi Alnico Vs in my G-400. I think they're fine. If I were to change them out it would probably be for Stew-Mac Golden Ages, but I'm in no hurry... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 The majority of Epis have that pickup at both positions (Dot, Sheraton) or that pickup at the neck and the HOTCH at the bridge (LP, Dot Studio, G400) - so chances are, the answer to your question is "yes". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEPI Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 The majority of Epis have that pickup at both positions (Dot' date=' Sheraton) or that pickupat the neck and the HOTCH at the bridge (LP, Dot Studio, G400) - so chances are, the answer to your question is "yes".[/quote'] Thanks Ron - I just checked and the sticker on both have the sticker that reads "57CH (G) DOT-NECK BRIDGE etc. but the pup casing itself is stamped F Epiphone H for the neck pup and R Epiphone H for the bridge pup. You can barely see the F just left of Epiphone in the pic that I posted which is the neck pup and the other is stamped R. Still in all they are the stock 'cheapo, faunky, undsireable' blah, blah... lol..............J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Thanks Ron - I just checked and the sticker on both have the sticker that reads "57CH (G) DOT-NECK BRIDGE etc. but the pup casing itself is stamped F Epiphone H for the neck pup and R Epiphone H for the bridge pup. You can barely see the F just left of Epiphone in the pic that I posted which is the neck pup and the other is stamped R. Still in all they are the stock 'cheapo' date=' faunky, undsireable' blah, blah... lol..............J[/quote']I believe the "F" and "R" refer to position: F=Front=Neck R=Rear=Bridge - probably refers to pole piece spacing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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