Looking for advice on pickup choice for Epi Elitist Dot...

[StewartB]

I posted previously about my acquiring an excellent Epi Elitist Dot (picture below). It has Seymour Duncan Jazz Neck and JB bridge, both coil-tapped. Great range of sounds.

 

My problem is that I don't really like the Seymour Duncan pups on this type of guitar. They sound too bright and although the EQ can control this issue I'm not entirely happy doing that. My options as I see it are : -

 

1. to perhaps change the tone pot caps to a higher value (0.47) and / or change the tone pots down to 250k

2. replace the pickups altogether.

 

I can experiment easily with the first option and it may be that the answer will lie there. If not, my real question to the forum is suggest which pickup, from your own experience, would best suit a 335? The obvious choice is the Gibson 57 Classic, and other possibilities are SD 59s or Dimarzio Air Nortons.

 

Any info from personal experience would be appreciated and help me decide. Thanks one and all.

 

Stewart B

 

 

[Hungrycat]

Out of the ones you mention, I would think that the '57 Classics would be the closest to the stock pups. I really like the stock pickups in mine.

[GuitarFanatic3]

just wanted to say, LOVE THE DOT!!!!!

[Darren W]

Stew B

 

I love the 57's in my SG

 

I just checked mine and they are 4 conductor. so you can coil tap. BUT the Gibson website has them listed as two conductor. Maybe a change there???

 

[StewartB]

Stew B

 

I love the 57's in my SG

 

I just checked mine and they are 4 conductor. so you can coil tap. BUT the Gibson website has them listed as two conductor. Maybe a change there???

 

 

Thanks Darren. I am leaning towards the 57 Classics if the capacitor mods don't satisfy me.Seymours are good pups, just maybe not right for a semi hollow?

 

Not sure about the four conductor wiring but I think that Gibson does make "after market" models of many of their pups. The after market models feature 4 conductor wiring.

 

Your SG looks brilliant by the way.

 

Stewart B

[StewartB]

just wanted to say' date=' LOVE THE DOT!!!!![/quote']

 

Thanks mate. looks like you have a Dot as well in your Avatar photo? What model is the Fender Strat?

 

Stewart

[StewartB]

just wanted to say' date=' LOVE THE DOT!!!!![/quote']

 

Thanks mate. looks like you have a Dot as well in your Avatar photo? What model is the Fender Strat?

 

Stewart

[Darren W]

Stew B.

 

Maybe it is the aftermarket bit, its just that I know they used to be listed as 4 conductor.

 

Your right though all as fitted pickups are 2 conductor, except obviously geets with coil tap etc.

[StewartB]

Out of the ones you mention' date=' I would think that the '57 Classics would be the closest to the stock pups. I really like the stock pickups in mine.[/quote']

 

Thanks Hungrycat. I might try to locate some EPI USA pups - I think the model came with 50SR / 50ST.

 

Stewart

[Swoop]

You could always send the Dot to me. Save you the hassle of making a decision!

 

That said, I'd agree with you about SDs, or at least the SD's that you've got in it at the moment, being not quite right for a semi hollow. The JB especially. Isn't that wound to something like 14K? That's a pretty hot pickup. I know there are no hard and fast rules about what pickup you can put in any guitar, but something a bit more traditional would surely suit the Dot better. Like the '57s.

 

As for caps, I'm not sure a simple change in value will make you like the SDs if you're not happy with their tone in general. If it's just an issue of being too bright, then maybe. I'm actually thinking the opposite for my Casino, which I'd like to have reqired at some point. The stock electronics are performing great, and the guitar as a whole is great. I just wonder if I can get a bit more out of it. If not, I've not lost anything by upgrading the parts anyway. I like the stock pickups, but the neck pickup is just a little muddy for me, so I was thinking of going for a .015 cap for the neck pickup, and leaving the stock value of .022 for the bridge. Should brighten up the neck to my liking, and make it a bit more useable.

[StewartB]

You could always send the Dot to me. Save you the hassle of making a decision!

 

That said' date=' I'd agree with you about SDs, or at least the SD's that you've got in it at the moment, being not quite right for a semi hollow. The JB especially. Isn't that wound to something like 14K? That's a pretty hot pickup. I know there are no hard and fast rules about what pickup you can put in any guitar, but something a bit more traditional would surely suit the Dot better. Like the '57s.

 

As for caps, I'm not sure a simple change in value will make you like the SDs if you're not happy with their tone in general. If it's just an issue of being too bright, then maybe. I'm actually thinking the opposite for my Casino, which I'd like to have reqired at some point. The stock electronics are performing great, and the guitar as a whole is great. I just wonder if I can get a bit more out of it. If not, I've not lost anything by upgrading the parts anyway. I like the stock pickups, but the neck pickup is just a little muddy for me, so I was thinking of going for a .015 cap for the neck pickup, and leaving the stock value of .022 for the bridge. Should brighten up the neck to my liking, and make it a bit more useable.[/quote']

 

No worries Swoop, the Dot is in the mail....not.

 

Yes, the JB bridge is actually around 16k which is too hot for this type of guitar. They work well in solids like the Epi LP. I am going to do a cap change this weekend to a higher value and then make a decision. The Jazz neck pup is ok actually, so the answer might be to change the bridge pup only.

 

Stewart

[Gunner]

Of the pickups you mentioned, I would say the 57 Classics. I have them in a Gibson 355 and they sound great. That said, I have the stock pickups in my Elitist 335 Dot and don't feel any need to change them. They are frequently available on eBay. Good luck with your decision!

[StewartB]

Of the pickups you mentioned' date=' I would say the 57 Classics. I have them in a Gibson 355 and they sound great. That said, I have the stock pickups in my Elitist 335 Dot and don't feel any need to change them. They are frequently available on eBay. Good luck with your decision![/quote']

 

Thanks Gunner. Hungrycat said much the same and I am leaning towards your idea.

 

Stewart B

[Caramello Koala]

I have 57 classics in my both my dot and my 61 Reissue Gibson SG, I wouldn't have it any other way.

[mbberry]

i put '57 classics in my lester custom and couldnt be happier!!!

i think most gibby 335s come stock with 57s

[StewartB]

i put '57 classics in my lester custom and couldnt be happier!!!

i think most gibby 335s come stock with 57s

 

 

The "ayes" have it. Gibson 57 Classics it will be! Will source them on evilbay ove the next couple of months.

 

Stewart

[mbberry]

be careful on the bay!! the reason my custom has 57s in it is because i bought a "mint condition" lp and the bridge pup was dead.

just a word of warning!

[AlanH]

SD JB and Jazz are great for heavier styles and Jazz, both of which require a lot of clarity.

I've fitted them in my LP Standard plus and, IMO, they suit the darker tone of that

particular guitar. Do you like to play rock and blues? This could be why you want something

different with keep having to turn the pots down.

 

Anyway, I've just finished having a blast on my SG which has 490R and 490T pickups.

According to the Gibson website, these were made as modernised versions of the original

PAFs in response to a need to eliminate squeal with increased gain (by wax potting) and to

enable flexibility to switch to single coil (by using 4 conductors). So, to me, they are made

like classic '57s but with 4 conductors. Both are takes on the original PAFs, both have alnico

II magnets and both are wax potted, although you can also get the classic plus which is slightly

hotter.

 

Anyway, I really like the 490s on my SG as you get great PAF tones from both neck and

bridge with low to moderate gain. Interestingly, the 490T also handles metal type settings

really well which you wouldn't think, with them not being overly 'hot'. In fact, I'm getting

a nicer metal tone with the 490T in my SG than with the JB in my LP, although the

differences in woods could be the reason. I personally can't undertand why people rip

these out of faded SGs and replace them with '57 classics. Maybe it's because they want the

chrome covers to make them look more like an old SG standard. Anyway, 490s with covers

are really quite reasonably priced (even new) and, as you already have push pull pots, you

could still retain a single coil functionality with your guitar if you choose them over '57s. So,

don't rule 490s out of the equation. I may well get some for my LP studio because I like 'em

so much.

 

Alan

[StewartB]

. So' date='

don't rule 490s out of the equation. I may well get some for my LP studio because I like 'em

so much.

 

Alan[/quote']

 

Actually Alan I already have the 490R / 490T combo in my Epi LP and they sound great. I do like the 490T and agree that the sound is as good as the JB for rock/metal.

 

On the weekend I changed the tone capacitor on the JB in my Epi 335 to a higher value and it has taken some edge off the sound making it closer to my ideal.

 

Thanks for the comments.

 

Stewart

[AlanH]

Actually Alan I already have the 490R / 490T combo in my Epi LP and they sound great. I do like the 490T and agree that the sound is as good as the JB for rock/metal.

 

 

Stewart

 

Yes' date=' it's not that the 490T [i']is[/i] a high gain pickup but the fact that it really does take high gain

very well that surprised me. Yet, with the gain turned down you still get all those nice

PAF tones you'd expect. Good to hear that they sound nice in a LP too. I think I've made my mind up

as to what I want when I do upgrade.

 

BTW, Stewart. Forgot to say - very nice Dot!

 

Alan