Suggestions for Humbucker Set Up

**kataphraktoi** · 01-07-2007, 06:20

After blowing money on a Maton Acoustic EM325, I don't have money to afford something nice like a Gibson Les Paul Standard, let alone a Les Paul Black Beauty!!

SO I decided to opt for either a 2 HUmbucker Epiphone Les Paul Custom (Ebony finish) or a Epiphone 3 Humbucker Les Paul Black Beauty. I can buy either at the same price.

I've heard the stock pickups on these Epiphones and to be honest when playing it through a decent Marshall amp, the sound comes off crisp, bright, definitive and flexible enough to get a heavy distorted sound that once again comes off clean, crisp, warm and rich.

But at the same time, I could do one better and install Seymour Duncan pickups.

My quandry is if I opt for a 3 Humbucker Black Beauty, what should me set up be.

It would heck of a lot easier if I had a 2 Humbucker Custom, but I'm thinking perhaps I can get more options from a third Humbucker, the question is what sort of Humbucker should I get for the Middle?

I like all kinds of music from blues to heavy rock, but not too sure about the Middle Pickup?

Suggestions as to what would be the best Seymour Duncan setup that can handle all heavy distortion to bright tones?

Cheers.

**KukriKhan** · 01-07-2007, 06:53

So, if I read right, you seek versatility, through a 'decent Marshall amp', on a Chet Atkins-esque raw guitar.

Ya gotta ask y'self: "How often, in a number, do I wanna switch between 'raw', 'sweet', and 'distorted'?"

If the answer is: "often", then you want that 3rd humbucker, so you can switch on-the-fly, on the board.

If the answer is "only from one number to the next" , switching at the amp is your friend.

IMHO.

Your mileage may differ. I envy that you can afford the choice.

**kataphraktoi** · 01-08-2007, 03:22

My options are now even harder, I saw a bargain price for a PRS Custom SE in the paper, its a low end of PRS but its got a Mahogany with a Maple top.

After listening to some favaourite tunes, I realised that a lot of them use Archtops guitars rather than a Les Paul. But at the same a lot of faovurite heavier tracks have a Les Paul grunt and sound.

I do intend on getting several guitars over the next few years ( I don't mind getting mid-range guitars as long as they have tonewoods that suit me and I can customise the pickups with no problems). But at the moment, I'd just like to get one electric guitar to tie me over.

Here are my options

1. Epiphone 56 Goldtop reissue p90s
2. Epiphone BB3
3. Epiphone Casino p90s maple top
4. PRS Custom SE

**IrishArmenian** · 01-09-2007, 02:56

I love the sound of P90's. I also try to go as simple as possible. What kind of music are you mostly going to play?

**naut** · 01-09-2007, 10:07

Originally Posted by kataphraktoi

[...] a heavy distorted sound that once again comes off clean, crisp, warm and rich [...]

I've never heard anyone describe distortion like that before, seems sort of paradoxical.

**IrishArmenian** · 01-10-2007, 00:32

Agreed. Could you be more puzzling?
Really though, narrow it down, please? That would help all of us help you out.

**kataphraktoi** · 01-11-2007, 17:35

It seems Im likely to buy two guitars after all hehe

What I meant about the distorted sound is how clean it was, not muddy because of the quality of the amp or the pickups.

I talked to a friend's friend who works at a guitar store.

He recommended the Epiphone Casino over the Sheraton and the Noel Gallagher Supernova despite, the latter being more or expensive than the Casino.

I gotta admit, I love the sound of the P90s! Those archtops are awesome!!

At the same time, I love the aggressiveness and grunt of the Humbuckers in the Customs and even though they are not as bright as the P90s have their interesting Blues sound. And besides, I'm a sucker for inlays and the sexy look of the of the Customs with Gold hardware (soon to fade)

I like all kinds of music which makes the selection hard, even though I'll get both, it won't be at once. Ive even sorted a playlist labelled "archtop songs" and "les paul" songs to help me decide.

Stuff I like:
u2
Smashing Pumpkins
Jimi Hendrix
Some Led Zeppelin
Some Rage Against the Machine
Project 86
New Order

What guitars you guys got?

**IrishArmenian** · 01-12-2007, 00:47

I know that the Edge (of U2) uses a Casino from time to time. Also the Hook (John Lee that is) used one for shows where he was forced to play loud.
For acoustics, I play small, small delta model. No brand name. I got it from my brother when I was 12, when he came back from his first trip to America. It looks and sounds just like Robert Johnson's guitar.
I play an old Jazzmaster for my punk and ska. It has two P90's instead of the Fender pickups. The Bridge had some troubles, so I added a Bigsby solid body bridge.
I play an Ibanez AFS7ST for my rockabilly and psycobilly. The only things still stock on this are the neck and the body. I repainted it (Went from Blue to Brown/Gold), electronics (moved switch), pickups (two TV Jones Nashville pickups), Bridge (Bridge was damage in shipping, so I had to replace it) and Tuning heads (I couldn't pull them as much, so I just added Spade Tuning Heads (Large like a bass, yes, shaped like the card suite Spades).
Keep in mind, these are good stock guitars, I just like to modify the hell out of them. It is great fun knowing your guitar is unique, and when you play a Pschobilly show with a guitar that, to you at least, defines Psychobilly, it is really a great feeling.