starrbow Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 I have a Epipie les paul custom that I want to upgrade to Gibson Burstbuker Pros pickups, is there any issues I need to do know about or is it a straight swapout? The pickups from the custom will go into a Epipie Les Paul studio 2005 model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antwhi2001 Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 It's straightforward. All I'd say is, if you're going to spend that much money on pups, it's worth spending another 10% to upgrade the pots to CTS 500Ks and fit Sprague .022 orange caps at the same time. That would bring your controls up to "Gibson USA" quality, so you get the best out of the pups. The pups in the Custom are probably the same spec as any you already have in the Studio... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcwillow777 Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 And get a Switchcraft 1/4" jack and switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthemBassMan Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 -Another one here for a definite upgrade of the rest of the electronics. You can order a matched set of CTS pots and Orange Drop caps from this site. I ordered mine about 5 years ago before they were bought by this company. Then it was called Black Rose Customs. Including shipping, I think it came out to around $27. All four pots are matched within 10k of each other. I think mine all measured between 510k and 515k. And you get to choose which values you want for the caps. The stock pots in my Epi measured anywhere from 394k to 501k I think. I know I still have it written down somewhere, but I'll have to look just to make sure. Don't go putting something nice like Burtsbuckers in your guitar if you're going to leave the stock electronics in it. It just doesn't make sense! http://www.wymoreguitars.com/Les-Paul-Upgrade-Kit-Short-Shaft-Orange-Drop-Caps_p_339.html L8R, Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starrbow Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 I will change all the switches and pots to the "Good" ones, now how about capacitors? which ones are the "Best" ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carverman Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 I will change all the switches and pots to the "Good" ones' date=' now how about capacitors? which ones are the "Best" ?[/quote'] Well, if you are going to invest in Burstbuckers, then why not spend a little bit more and get the PIO (paper in oil) Sprague Black Beautys..better know as "Bumblebees" due to their yellow striping colour codes. :P I'm sure we will hear from those that argue that that's nothing but "horsefeathers".. as all tone caps are basically the same when used in the tone control of the guitar....but.... maybe there is something to them..as the '59 Les Pauls that had these are in great demand and go for a pretty price.... if you can find one. You can always use the Sprague orange drops..Gibson has used them for years. Most people who have them, like them enough to leave them in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthemBassMan Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 -There is no "best" in caps. It's what you like when you hear it. I have Orange Drops in mine. But I could have gone with Mallory 150's or Sprague Vitamin Q's too. Bumblebees I won't buy just because of the outrageous price tag. But pretty much anything is better than stock. L8R, Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrysrq Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Only other quirk, and it's a small one, is that the Gibson pickups' "feet" are deeper than Epi pickups (at least mine). They fit just fine, but the Epi height adjustment screws are shorter, my Gibson pickups sat too high, running out of adjustment just before they hit the spot. Your guitar may vary. A new set of adjustment screws with springs is an easy fix. Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starrbow Posted December 23, 2009 Author Share Posted December 23, 2009 I will try some Jupiter Vintage Tone Caps and see where that leads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeper Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 A cap is a cap of course of course,... I have tried them all, and had many a late night discussion with a very talented EE about this subject. It all comes down to value and tolerance. The reason some old bumble bees sounded better is they are not spec'd as closely as modern caps. One .020 uf cap will sound the same as the next, as long as they both are actually .020. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill67 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Does it make much difference if you just change the pots on a Dot. For a cleaner sound not so muddy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeper Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Maybe a little, but you should change the entire wiring harness, output jack, switch, and at least put new leads on the pickups. You are only as good as your weakest link in the chain. Potting pickups is also recommended if you ever play on stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 And get a Switchcraft 1/4" jack and switch. Three years ago, when I bought my first Epi, I picked up a Gibson (switchcraft) 3 position switch just in case my epi switch failed. The Gibson switch is still in the box in a drawer. If you use the guitar at least weekly and switch the pickups here and there, the wiping action keeps the contacts clean. I did replace the plastic jack plate with a gold plated metal plate from Stewmac and have never had any problems with the stock jack, either. The pickup replacement I did right away and installed SD Pearly Gates humbuckers. That was a great mod that made the Epi sing like a bird. I get crystal clear cleans and down and dirty distortion. Sustain is better than any guitar I've ever owned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthemBassMan Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 -The switch on mine died within 6 months of buying the guitar. Happy to hear yours is still going strong. Most of us aren't that lucky. Those Pearly Gates p'ups are pretty sweet ones. I was kind of thinking of the PG - PG Plus for mine before I got the DiMarzios, along with a few other sets. Gotta love when you "Get that tone." L8R, Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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