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Rio Grande pups for dot?


verhfrank

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Hi everyone... I have a natural blond Dot that I absolutely love. I changed out the stock pups with SD '59 and am pleased overall. I would like a bit more gain out of the bridge pup and considered changing that pickup for a Rio Grande BBQ that I have laying around. Anyone have any experience with these? Any thoughts? Thanks very much.

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Thanks Blueman. I do believe I'll give the Rio Grands pickups a try. I was afraid that that particular set (BBQ bridge and Texas neck) may be too hot. I love the '59's but I play in a cover band and need something a bit more versatile. What do you think about my switching out the stock pickups on my Epi 175 and replacing them with the SD '59's? That guitar is completely stock and I have been thinking about an upgrade (pups, bridge, tuners). Maybe now is a good time to start. Any suggestions on any of the upgrades? Thanks again for your reply.

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Thanks Blueman. I do believe I'll give the Rio Grands pickups a try. I was afraid that that particular set (BBQ bridge and Texas neck) may be too hot. I love the '59's but I play in a cover band and need something a bit more versatile. What do you think about my switching out the stock pickups on my Epi 175 and replacing them with the SD '59's? That guitar is completely stock and I have been thinking about an upgrade (pups, bridge, tuners). Maybe now is a good time to start. Any suggestions on any of the upgrades? Thanks again for your reply.

 

Good idea. PAF's, like '59's are what you want in hollow bodies; low ouput PU's allow more harmonics and wood tones to come through, and are less prone to feedback.

 

Rio Grande's are wound so that they're both warm and clear, without being muddy. I think the bridge is 10K, which isn't that hot; some original PAF's were close to that (they were all over the map). Something like a Duncan JB(16K) or Custom (14K) are much hotter, more than what you want. I have two sets of BBQ's and love them.

 

I don't replace anything on my Epi's except the PU's. That will do more to improve your tone than everything else put together. Grover Rotomatics are very good, rugged tuners; why not keep them? If you have money to spare, you could replace the bridge and stop bar, but don't get something cheap or it won't be an upgrade. Unless the pots and toggle are shorting out, there's no need to replace them either; all they do is let a signal pass thru and the brand name doesn't make much difference. Keep your guitars in cases or gig bags, and they won't get the dust and dirt in them that cause shorts. Keep the toggle in the middle position when you're not plugged in, and it will last a long time.

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Good idea. PAF's, like '59's are what you want in hollow bodies; low ouput PU's allow more harmonics and wood tones to come through, and are less prone to feedback.

 

Rio Grande's are wound so that they're both warm and clear, without being muddy. I think the bridge is 10K, which isn't that hot; some original PAF's were close to that (they were all over the map). Something like a Duncan JB(16K) or Custom (14K) are much hotter, more than what you want. I have two sets of BBQ's and love them.

 

I don't replace anything on my Epi's except the PU's. That will do more to improve your tone than everything else put together. Grover Rotomatics are very good, rugged tuners; why not keep them? If you have money to spare, you could replace the bridge and stop bar, but don't get something cheap or it won't be an upgrade. Unless the pots and toggle are shorting out, there's no need to replace them either; all they do is let a signal pass thru and the brand name doesn't make much difference. Keep your guitars in cases or gig bags, and they won't get the dust and dirt in them that cause shorts. Keep the toggle in the middle position when you're not plugged in, and it will last a long time.

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Good idea. PAF's, like '59's are what you want in hollow bodies; low ouput PU's allow more harmonics and wood tones to come through, and are less prone to feedback.

 

Rio Grande's are wound so that they're both warm and clear, without being muddy. I think the bridge is 10K, which isn't that hot; some original PAF's were close to that (they were all over the map). Something like a Duncan JB(16K) or Custom (14K) are much hotter, more than what you want. I have two sets of BBQ's and love them.

 

I don't replace anything on my Epi's except the PU's. That will do more to improve your tone than everything else put together. Grover Rotomatics are very good, rugged tuners; why not keep them? If you have money to spare, you could replace the bridge and stop bar, but don't get something cheap or it won't be an upgrade. Unless the pots and toggle are shorting out, there's no need to replace them either; all they do is let a signal pass thru and the brand name doesn't make much difference. Keep your guitars in cases or gig bags, and they won't get the dust and dirt in them that cause shorts. Keep the toggle in the middle position when you're not plugged in, and it will last a long time.

 

 

I appreciate your input Blueman. I've done some research on the Rio Grande pups and they seem to be popular, though I admid I'd never heard of them until recently. And I agree with you: 'upgrading' guitars can easily get out of hand. I speak from experience with numerouis Strats I've owned in the past LOL! Thanks again

 

 

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One more question, Blueman335... Do you think the SD '59's may be a good upgrade for my ES 175 Epi? I really do like the pick ups. They are just not quite hot enough for most of the stuff I'm involved with right now. The 175 has the stock pups in it. Thanks again.

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One more question, Blueman335... Do you think the SD '59's may be a good upgrade for my ES 175 Epi? I really do like the pick ups. They are just not quite hot enough for most of the stuff I'm involved with right now. The 175 has the stock pups in it. Thanks again.

 

Yes. '59's are very good PU's. I have a couple sets of them, including in a full hollowbody. Nice clear vintage tones. They're fairly popular so you should be able to get them for a good price.

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