Hey guys. In a bit of a pickle.

While my RG321MH is in the shop trying to find a missing screw, I have no guitar. My Epiphone Les Paul Standard (stock, POS) is out of commission due to broken electronics. I've been meaning to replace them for a long time now, but I just haven't gotten around to it; now, they don't even work.

I'd been using the stock pickups and pots for lack of motivation, knowing they were going to break eventually. In fact, I've only used stock pickups up to this point, so I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to selecting aftermarket pickups. I play everything from ambient post-rock to metal, including djenty prog metal on occasion. However, that excludes traditional, classic metal, so the high-output EMG set is out automatically. This guitar is a bit of a secondary choice next to the RG321MH, but it has its place; the solid mahogany body is big, so it fosters a fat tone well. I'd like something that sounds nice and full through a Tube Screamer and blonde Fender Deluxe, yet can deliver enough attack on the bridge to cut through distortion when the time is right. I like a fat neck pickup with good and fortified high-end, too. I just don't know where to start.

As for the switch, pots, and caps, I think I might be able to find a solid set on guitarfetish.com. Any recommendations?

Thanks,
an LP player gone RG.

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The Hindsight Rig

Some recordings and other stuff.

Lesson on acoustics in amplifiers.

WHOA WHOA WHOA!!!! Don't rule out EMGs just because they are associated with metal.... I've seen many jazz players use EMGs! Look at Tosin Abasi of Animals as Leaders, and tell me you do not see EMGs? They're a great sound none the less, though I would say, the 81 may not be your bag by the list of music you gave. They also make some decent passive pickups as well. Look into them a little more, you'll see Their single coils sound freaken amazing!!! Just ask David Gilmore or Mark Knopfler!

The Seymour Duncan Blackouts are also something on the active side you shouldn't overlook either. Very warm sounding, I've played Charvels with them, and my Les Paul had a set once upon a time, and well. I dug hard. Long story why I switched them out....

Seymour Duncan seems to be the go to, and widely available as well, there's Dimarzio pickups, and so many more like Bill Lawrence or Bareknuckles, it all depends on your pricerange.

Currently, my Les Paul is set up with Gibson pickups and 1 megohm custom pots. Something different, but it all depends on what you're looking for, keep in mind, the tubescreamer, will only enhance it

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ESP Eclipse Limited (3/100) or Gibson Les Paul Standard (97) - Fulltone OCD - H.B.E. Detox EQ - Laney GH50L - 80's Ibanez AD-9 (in loop) - Randall XL 4x12
Tortex "The wedge" picks, Blue Steel strings, Line 6 Moble In, Charvel Model 6 modded to a Model 5FX.... Probly other stuff as well

I do kinda like EMG's solderless electronics. I'll def. give another look. I just want to make sure I'm making the right decision.

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The Hindsight Rig

Some recordings and other stuff.

Lesson on acoustics in amplifiers.

The right decision is based on your ears dude.... The EMG 85 is pretty big sounding on it's own, I prefer it in the bridge postion, too fat for the neck to my ears.... The 60 seems to be the lower output more vintage style, and the 89, just unlocks a lot of possibilities.... Thought of running 89s in my Les Paul, but not my thing, too much for me. Youtube can really help though, look up some of the demos of EMG pickups

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ESP Eclipse Limited (3/100) or Gibson Les Paul Standard (97) - Fulltone OCD - H.B.E. Detox EQ - Laney GH50L - 80's Ibanez AD-9 (in loop) - Randall XL 4x12
Tortex "The wedge" picks, Blue Steel strings, Line 6 Moble In, Charvel Model 6 modded to a Model 5FX.... Probly other stuff as well

Listening to a demo of a Warmoth Mockingbird with EMG Hz H1As in it. Liking it so far.

Know anything about GFS pickups? I heard they made near replicas of old Gibson designs.

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The Hindsight Rig

Some recordings and other stuff.

Lesson on acoustics in amplifiers.

Actually, Gilmour wasn't that into them - it was just that with his Big Muffs and piles of effects combined with Floyd's insane lighting show the buzz was out of control. He's since gone back to his old black strat and he's back to passive Duncans. Just saying

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Crustaceo ergo sum

That.

Batteries belong in flashlights--and pedals, at that. Unless you've got a built-in fuzz or something.

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crew

Selling BOSS FW-3. I live in Brazil, mind you, so prepare yourself for $30-ish for shipping and waiting. Local pickup available, along with beautiful beaches and cheap bitches.

Oh believe me, I'm NOT putting active pickups in anything I own unless all I want to do is melt Misha Mansoor's face off. Which is a far cry from reality.

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The Hindsight Rig

Some recordings and other stuff.

Lesson on acoustics in amplifiers.