Pick Up Suggestions

LiveeviL2000

LiveeviL2000

Ambassador of Pentagonal Pentatonics
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I've got an Epi Explorer GT coming in and I want to know if any of you have any suggestions on a pup set for it.

Its a used Epi, I am assuming its still loaded with the original pups.
According to what I've read it should have 700T & 650R.

My idea is to tune down and use it for some doomy playing.
 
LiveeviL2000 said:
I've got an Epi Explorer GT coming in and I want to know if any of you have any suggestions on a pup set for it.

Its a used Epi, I am assuming its still loaded with the original pups.
According to what I've read it should have 700T & 650R.

My idea is to tune down and use it for some doomy playing.
Click to expand...
I Think you might need to change the PU mount frames from Epi to Gibson.
I think the standard Gibson size is a bit different from Epi .......and the Epi sometimes uses 3 screws instead of the usual standard 2, attaching the PU to the frame.
In any case the wood screws to attach the Gibson frame to the Epi guitar are in slightly different place compared to original. The screw holes need to be moved over to adapt a standard size PU and standard frame to an EPI guitar.
Not very difficult to do this but you do need new frames.
 
LiveeviL2000 said:
I've got an Epi Explorer GT coming in and I want to know if any of you have any suggestions on a pup set for it.

Its a used Epi, I am assuming its still loaded with the original pups.
According to what I've read it should have 700T & 650R.

My idea is to tune down and use it for some doomy playing.
Click to expand...

Pickups are so subjective.

I'd shoot Jose at Planet Tone in Colorado. I'll wager he'll suggest the Afterburner and a Full Throttle....
 
Not 100% sure, but AFAIK the Epi mounting rings will fit most standard humbuckers just fine.
If you have a trem-spaced bridge hum it could be a tighter fit, but it still should work okay.

Normally an alnico fan myself, but I've recently fallen back in love with the Duncan Distortion set.
Loud, chunky, rich, and plenty of sizzle up top (actually had doublethick A8s in mine for awhile to smooth the rage, but they're back to stock now).
A great set for heavy rock. Plus, these often can be found used.
One of my korina Explorers has BKP Rebel Yells: crisp, singing and nicely dynamic, straddling line between modern & vintage tone & feel.
I like 'em, a lot. But for drop tuned doom they're probably not the ticket

Duncan Black Winters might be a good option.
Or the Gibson 496R/500T which also can be had used, well below Gibson's ridiculous list prices.
 
The 500T /496R was mentioned by @eclecticsynergy is an amazing and unsung ceramic set. That is what I use stock in my Explorer and they can cover a massive array of sounds.
But if you are after a 3rd party brand thats affordable and great? Hard to beat Dimarzio and Seymour Duncans for simplicity but effectiveness. Namely, the venerable Dimarzio Super Distortion or you can go balls out with the X2N, that I'd stack against any boutique brand for sheer bombastic power.

But in the Seymour Range, the damn JB is a legendary for do-it-all that's a tough act to follow. Invader is a legendary heavy pickup while newer Nazgul, Mayhem and Black Winters are big enhancements of that.
 
Clockworkmike said:
The 500T /496R was mentioned by @eclecticsynergy is an amazing and unsung ceramic set. That is what I use stock in my Explorer and they can cover a massive array of sounds.
But if you are after a 3rd party brand thats affordable and great? Hard to beat Dimarzio and Seymour Duncans for simplicity but effectiveness. Namely, the venerable Dimarzio Super Distortion or you can go balls out with the X2N, that I'd stack against any boutique brand for sheer bombastic power.

But in the Seymour Range, the damn JB is a legendary for do-it-all that's a tough act to follow. Invader is a legendary heavy pickup while newer Nazgul, Mayhem and Black Winters are big enhancements of that.
Click to expand...
Great info. Thank you!
 
eclecticsynergy said:
Not 100% sure, but AFAIK the Epi mounting rings will fit most standard humbuckers just fine.
If you have a trem-spaced bridge hum it could be a tighter fit, but it still should work okay.

Normally an alnico fan myself, but I've recently fallen back in love with the Duncan Distortion set.
Loud, chunky, rich, and plenty of sizzle up top (actually had doublethick A8s in mine for awhile to smooth the rage, but they're back to stock now).
A great set for heavy rock. Plus, these often can be found used.
One of my korina Explorers has BKP Rebel Yells: crisp, singing and nicely dynamic, straddling line between modern & vintage tone & feel.
I like 'em, a lot. But for drop tuned doom they're probably not the ticket

Duncan Black Winters might be a good option.
Or the Gibson 496R/500T which also can be had used, well below Gibson's ridiculous list prices.
Click to expand...
The last Epi LP I had, it didn't fit.
 
I dont know about pickups for doom, but I will add some fitment experience here.

When I swapped the stock Epi pickups from my 2014 , 15? G400 to Gibson 490R/T, the legs of the 490R / neck were longer and did not fit deeply enough into the cavity. A little white knuckler routering set things right.
 
jtcnj said:
I dont know about pickups for doom, but I will add some fitment experience here.

When I swapped the stock Epi pickups from my 2014 , 15? G400 to Gibson 490R/T, the legs of the 490R / neck were longer and did not fit deeply enough into the cavity. A little white knuckler routering set things right.
Click to expand...

Correct...

Short and long leg pickups.
 
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