Epi Zakk Wylde Les Paul

[I_M_Ken]

Hey guys,
My friend just bought a Zakk Wylde Les Paul.
he wants to swap out the stocks (which i tried and heard and are horrrrible!)

He plays lots of hard rock like skid row, gnr as well as old skool metal like Iron Maiden, Megadeth, etc.. however he wants his cleans to sound chimey and nice as well

what would be good pups to recommend? he asked me to choose for him, but i wanna see wat are people's responses and opinion.


I recommended Custom 5 and jazz.

what do u guys say?

[80s]

Why not just get the pickups that Zakk uses, EMG 81 and 85, They wont dispoint !

As for clean sounds, I have no trouble getting good clean sounds, just dont over use the Gain on your amp, I run mine at 2.

As for Seymours, Never heard a Custom 5 so cant comment, Jazz is a good choice of Neck pickup in my eyes.

[Mike D]

When I first read this I thought you were gonna say he was replacing the HZ's for active EMGs (81/85) like Zakk! I really like the JB (splits nicely too), but the Custom may be an alternative. In the neck, the Jazz will give you more clarity than the '59. There are quite a few sweet neck pups... the Alnico II Pro and the Seths are really sweet! And I've heard nothing but great things about the Pearly Gates (especially in the neck position of a Les Paul)! Maybe a Custom/Pearly Gates!

[I_M_Ken]

ok, i forgot to add in these things: he doesnt want active pups. and in this country its hard to get a PG or seth, so those are out.

but would the custom work on a LP? i tried a custom in my alder jackson and it was really flat sounding IMO. hmmm. and i think for the neck probably the jazz or a2p

[The JEM Ghost]

ok, i forgot to add in these things: he doesnt want active pups. and in this country its hard to get a PG or seth, so those are out.

but would the custom work on a LP? i tried a custom in my alder jackson and it was really flat sounding IMO. hmmm. and i think for the neck probably the jazz or a2p

Custom would be a good choice for the bridge spot.
For the neck a Jazz should fit the bill, especialy when the PG is out.
I don't think of the Custom as a flat-sounding pickup mysel, but then again tastes differ.

[Mike D]

See if Lew or someone can have one shipped to you (PG, Seth...), if you think that's what you want. Get what you want, man!

[I_M_Ken]

very well then my forum bros! it shall be the Custom/Jazz combo for him.

thanks for the opinions. Plus if he doesnt like the custom, we can always do magnet swaps to get a C5 or CC as well.

[I_M_Ken]

See if Lew or someone can have one shipped to you (PG, Seth...), if you think that's what you want. Get what you want, man!

well, i never tried either before so i dont know if thats what we want. haha. plus hes on a tight budget since he just paid about $580USD for the zakk.

and because the stock HZs are horrible..so much worse than duncna designs even., he really wanted them changed.

duncans here go for about $57USD a piece so its pretty good price compared to getting them from the US + shipping costs.

[Mike D]

well, i never tried either before so i dont know if thats what we want. haha. plus hes on a tight budget since he just paid about $580USD for the zakk.

and because the stock HZs are horrible..so much worse than duncna designs even., he really wanted them changed.

duncans here go for about $57USD a piece so its pretty good price compared to getting them from the US + shipping costs.

I hear ya. Rock on!

[Gearjoneser]

Your friend will be very happy if you install a Custom/Jazz bridge in the neck.
He did say he wants tone that's BETTER than Zakk's didn't he?

Custom/Jazz B. It's just a Jazz N with a tiny bit more oomph.

[MartinSixStringCustoms]

duncans here go for about $57USD a piece so its pretty good price compared to getting them from the US + shipping costs.

New? Thats less than the USA where they are made!

[I_M_Ken]

New? Thats less than the USA where they are made!

yup, brand new. well, probably the price here is cheaper than the US because of the exchange rate, due to the Singapore Dollar getting strong.

it used to be 1USD = 1.7+SGD
now its 1USD = 1.5+SGD

so based on the 1.5 its cheaper, based on high 1.7x its slightly more expensive

[rayrgdx]

Old school metal? Well the sh-6 would be great(best IMO),the sh-4 would be good too but to (boomy),the sh-5 to(weak)..
I would recommend EMG 81/85,but I see your friend doesn't want actives.