Sputnik1

Currently I am looking to upgrade my pickups in my Epiphone Les Paul Custom. It came stock with EMG81s and I added the 18v mod and also eventually replaced the neck with an EMG 60x. Recently I bought for my Ibanez lawsuit LP BKPs, Painkiller in the neck and ceramic Nailbomb for the bridge. Since then I don’t play the Epiphone because it just sounds too bright and brittle in comparison to the smoother tones from the BKPs. I have been trying to find new passive pickups to replace them and would like to hear some of your guys’ opinions. I would like to keep the budget under new pair of BKP or WCR prices which is why I have been considering Dimarzios although budget isn't too much of a concern. I would be open to any other makers like Motor City, Suhr, etc especially if you have experience with Les Pauls.

I predominantly play thrash (Iced Earth, Anthrax) but I will play just about anything and love a great clean tone. I play through a Peavey XXX combo.

How about say a Super Distortion or CrunchLab in the bridge and a Liquidfire in the neck?

Any other ideas?

Also does anyone have experience with the kits from RSGuitarworks? I figured I might give them a go to replace the electronics

R45VT

Dont get a dimebucker. (Free bump)

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Sputnik1

I don't know Jon Schaffer says he uses one on one of his guitars! LOL!

R45VT

Sorry I can't help much. I don't own any LPs and all my passives are Seymour Duncan. Double negative for advice.

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Blktiger0

Personally, in my Epi Les Paul, I have Seymour Duncan's: Pearly Gates in the Bridge and AlNiCo II Pro in the neck. I have an easy time getting Thrash tones with the Pearly Gates, due to it basically being a PAF that's a bit overwound. It's got the typical scooped sound of Thrash, plenty of high end without being harsh, and pretty good harmonics. It's something to consider for sure.

If you're looking for more output than that, the JB is always a good option, especially for Thrash. I would throw a '59 in the neck with that.

Dave Mustain uses Livewires now, and all of Metallica uses EMG's, I believe. Zakk Wylde, while not quite Thrash, uses an 81/85 combo. I don't see where you should be having issues with getting a good Thrash tone out of your current set. If it's just warmer you want, The CrunchLab/LiquiFire combo is great for just about anything, especially Modern Metal. The Super Distortion, AT-1, or maybe the X2N would be other good options for the bridge, and the Breed, Gravity Storm, D Activator, or Air Classic would be other good choices for the Neck. The Humbucker from Hell apparently has some interesting clean tones, although I have yet to try one.

Hope this helps

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My Rig:
Moser Bastard V
- Pups: Bridge
Epi Les Paul Standard
- Pups: Bridge Neck
Egnater Vengeance
- JCA24S w/WGS Retro 30s
- ZW-45 Crybaby
- MXR 10-Band EQ
- ISP Decimator
(^Those are links^ )

Sputnik1

Thanks Blktiger! Yeah the 81 is the quintessential thrash pickup, it just could be much warmer like you said. I was looking to see how many say that a lesser output pickup would be better. Yeah the JB/59 combo always seems to be a go to set. Will add that into consideration.

Dunkelheit-164

Dimarzio Crunch lab/Liquifire combo works great in my epi Lp

guy_tebache

I dont know man... since i put BKPs in my LP I dont like ANYTHING else haha. good luck though.

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marianoarnaiz

A bit out side the box I have a Steve morse in the bridge and a Air Norton in the Neck, killer set and works great in splits and pararells!!

Kikuta

Duncan SH-6 Distortion. Makes everything else sound like shit.

Sputnik1

any other opinions?

travs2448

just a thought, the brittle sound you describe could be more from your amp, i know the xxx is one of the most shrill and treblly high gain amps out there. im thinking that mixed with the sterility of the emg's is making things worse

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Sputnik1

So instead of recommending new pickups you recommend buying a new amp. Yeah that seems like the most logical option!

travs2448

not really? like i said just a thought. The xxx is a very bright a britle amp, just like how you describe your tone is now.

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Sputnik1

Except I don't have that issue with my other guitar. Huh I wonder why?

CodeMonk

For an EPI, try some Guitarfetish.
If you don't like them, you only wasted like $30.
And some of them are actually pretty nice.
I put some GFS FAT PATS is my EPI LP.
But I'm mainly a classic rock,blues,some alternative rock type stuff guy though.

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