Pickups in an Epi Sheraton

[The Dali]

I have a new Epi Sheraton coming my way shortly and I'm planning on upgrading the pickups and adding a wiring system like the Jimmy Page wiring setup. (I will give the stock pups a chance, however)

With that said, I already have a Gibson 498T zebra pup with 4-conductor wiring that I bought a while back for no particular reason. I was thining of using that pickup in the bridge position... what do you all think? Will that be too hot for a semi-hollow? What would you recommend I pair it with?

I was thinking of a '59 in the neck, or possibly a Gibson 57 Classic. Do you think either of those would place nice with the 498t? Maybe I should look for a 490r?

Thanks!

[The Dali]

Also, was looking at Wymore guitars and thinking of possibly going with Alnico Pro II in the neck?

[The Dali]

OK, now leaning toward a Custom Custom in the bridge and an Alnico Pro II in the neck... opinions?

[blueman335]

I have a C8/'59N in my Sheraton, which works very well. Great rich tones. The 498T is similar to a C5 in some aspects (I use the two interchangeably), so it would also work well. If the 498T is a little bright for you, either put in a couple 250K's or an A8 or A4 magnet. Smooth it right out.

For the neck, a 490R is a poor match for the 498T (even though Gibson refuses to fix this). That's probably why you so so many 498T/490R pairs get yanked out of new Gibsons. The bridge is bright & scooped, the neck is dark & muddy. Good luck getting an amp EQ setting that works well for both. Bad pairing that keeps getting perpetuated. No one knows why. However, put an A5 in the 490R, and it becomes a very clear & articulate PU.

So, for your neck, a good PAF, like a '59, PG, or A2P would be ideal. To me, the '57 Classic is too dark and prone to mud with the stock A2 magnet. The JazzN is fairly bland and boring.

BTW, Epi stock PU's are single conductor, so you can't do the JP system with them. You won't get the definition, depth, and clarity with them that you will with an American-made HB.

[The Dali]

Hmm... so the A2P would be a good match with the 498t... sweet.

[super rad stuff]

Hmm... so the A2P would be a good match with the 498t... sweet.

could be. i don't have much experience with either of these pickups, other than knowing that the 498t has got an assload of upper mids and treble, and that in general a2 neck 'buckers are dark. if that turns out to be the case though, you could always switch magnets between the two to get more definition in the neck and more smoothness from the bridge. just a thought

[blueman335]

could be. i don't have much experience with either of these pickups, other than knowing that the 498t has got an assload of upper mids and treble, and that in general a2 neck 'buckers are dark. if that turns out to be the case though, you could always switch magnets between the two to get more definition in the neck and more smoothness from the bridge. just a thought

I tried an A2 in a 498T in an SG, and it took away too much treble and I lost too much bite. I put an A8 in instead, and got both mids and bite. Maybe an A2 498T would work better in a bright wood.

[Markk]

I'm currently sporting Classic 57's in both neck and bridge. Awesome combo. But I recall they don't have enough wires to get the JP wiring (for splitting et al.)

[LtKojak]

I have a new Epi Sheraton coming my way shortly and I'm planning on upgrading the pickups and adding a wiring system like the Jimmy Page wiring setup. (I will give the stock pups a chance, however)

Don't even bother... get a 4-conductor '59n and get an A4 magnet (vintage-y) or an A8 magnet (modern) for that 498T. That'll make a good combo.

Then you've gotta change the harness and put good components, like two 500K CTS pots for the neck p'up and two CTS 300K for the bridge p'up if A4 or two 500K CTS pots if A8, coupled with two .022 600V Orange Drop caps to complete the picture.

That'll make a good instrument.

[The Dali]

I'll be upgrading all the electronics, and maybe the switch as well.

Should get her tonight.

[jake_xms3_punk]

also if you're going to be upgrading the pots/switches etc make sure full size pots and your new switch will fit through the f-holes (my sheraton came with stock mini pots and full size pots and certain switches wouldn't physicly fit through the f-hole)

[blueman335]

also if you're going to be upgrading the pots/switches etc make sure full size pots and your new switch will fit through the f-holes (my sheraton came with stock mini pots and full size pots and certain switches wouldn't physicly fit through the f-hole)

I've get full-size pots & push-pulls thru F holes, although those with bound F holes can be a little snug. You have to turn the pots at various angles and give them a puch, but I've always been able to get them in, and I've rewired many F hole guitars.

[The Dali]

It is a good point. I am expecting to do the Jimmy Page wiring, which only use the push-pull type which should fit.

[blueman335]

It is a good point. I am expecting to do the Jimmy Page wiring, which only use the push-pull type which should fit.

I have the Page system is my Sheraton, and a couple other 335's. It does fit.

[The Dali]

I ended up going with a zebra 498t and a zebra 59'. I will order the pots, etc this week and try to get her wired up by the beginning of next.

[blueman335]

I ended up going with a zebra 498t and a zebra 59'. I will order the pots, etc this week and try to get her wired up by the beginning of next.

We'll be waiting patiently.

[The Dali]

Ok... so I decided to wire up the Epi with the Jimmy Page wiring... what a disaster. Yes, I was able to actually JAM the pots into the f-hole of the Sheraton, but good Lord! It took me 20 minutes to locate the pots inside the guitar and fish them into their specific holes.

This was due, in part, to the bird's nest of wiring that I ended up with from the JP wiring scheme. Holy Christ! I had wires coming and going! I was in pretty good shape (used a cardboard template to pre-mount the pots) at first, but soon the wiring got out of control. Those push-pull pots have small terminals to begin with, and then you start wiring 2 or 3 wires to the same terminal and you essentially end up with mass choas. Let's keep in mind that this was at 11:30 at night as well.

So... I had it all wired up and I shoved everything inside and eventually got everything where it was supposed to go (using wire, tape, screw drivers, a toothbrush, my fingers, pliers, and this thing I made that we'll just call "the hook") and plugged her in.

The good new - I produced sound from the guitar. I was able to tune the guitar. I could get 10 of the 20 combinations to work.

The bad news - lots of static and buzz. 10 of the 20 combinations didn't work; in fact 3 or 4 produced no sound at all (even though both pickups worked in other combinations). In fact, at one point I pulled up on one of the switches and my TV turned off. Not sure how that happened, but I'll let you know if I figure out that wiring issue.

So... my guess is that with all my "man-handling" to get the pots and switches into the right places in the body I must have damaged a few solder joints. I also suspect that I have a ground wire or two laying on some metal which is creating my buzzing. I am going to "withdraw" my work from the guitar tonight and inspect. I may end up simply re-wiring with a master coil-split and three standard pots.

The good news is that the pickups sounded REALLY nice in a few of the positions, and I really like the way this guitar plays. I am excited to get her really up and running.

[LtKojak]

Ok... so I decided to wire up the Epi with the Jimmy Page wiring... what a disaster. Yes, I was able to actually JAM the pots into the f-hole of the Sheraton, but good Lord! It took me 20 minutes to locate the pots inside the guitar and fish them into their specific holes.

This was due, in part, to the bird's nest of wiring that I ended up with from the JP wiring scheme. Holy Christ! I had wires coming and going! I was in pretty good shape (used a cardboard template to pre-mount the pots) at first, but soon the wiring got out of control. Those push-pull pots have small terminals to begin with, and then you start wiring 2 or 3 wires to the same terminal and you essentially end up with mass choas. Let's keep in mind that this was at 11:30 at night as well.

So... I had it all wired up and I shoved everything inside and eventually got everything where it was supposed to go (using wire, tape, screw drivers, a toothbrush, my fingers, pliers, and this thing I made that we'll just call "the hook") and plugged her in.

The good new - I produced sound from the guitar. I was able to tune the guitar. I could get 10 of the 20 combinations to work.

The bad news - lots of static and buzz. 10 of the 20 combinations didn't work; in fact 3 or 4 produced no sound at all (even though both pickups worked in other combinations). In fact, at one point I pulled up on one of the switches and my TV turned off. Not sure how that happened, but I'll let you know if I figure out that wiring issue.

So... my guess is that with all my "man-handling" to get the pots and switches into the right places in the body I must have damaged a few solder joints. I also suspect that I have a ground wire or two laying on some metal which is creating my buzzing. I am going to "withdraw" my work from the guitar tonight and inspect. I may end up simply re-wiring with a master coil-split and three standard pots.

The good news is that the pickups sounded REALLY nice in a few of the positions, and I really like the way this guitar plays. I am excited to get her really up and running.

Looks like you didn't watch any of the many videos there are on building AND installing a harness in to a 335-styled guitar... if that wasn't difficult enough to begin with, you chose to go with the Jimmy Page system. I'd be surprised if the doggone thing worked at all!

You're a corageous man; I tip my hat towards you for the interprise taken. BREAK A LEG!

[jake_xms3_punk]

ye semi hollows can be a bit tricky to wireup, esp with the jp wiring (i wouldn't even attempt that) it will get easier the more you do though! i have no patience and i was getting really stressed last one i did, best to have a lil break before going back to it.

did you pull the ground wire from the bridge? maybe thats where the buzzing is coming from?

In fact, at one point I pulled up on one of the switches and my TV turned off

i literally LOLed at this! that really happen? what the? lol

[Benjy_26]

I'm amazed no one here mentioned this, but you're really not supposed to wire a 335 type through the f hole. There's a cut out on the center block in the bridge pickup cavity that will allow you to fit all the pieces inside the guitar without damaging the wiring.

Tie fishing line on the pots and switch BEFORE disassembly so that you can just pull them all back into their proper positions once your wiring is done.