Pikcups for Epi Sheraton II

[revelation2012]

I have an Epiphone Sheraton II that I did some upgrades to a while back. I really like this guitar for what it is. At the time for pickups I kind of went with the best that I could afford after I did other work on the guitar and put Tonerider AC2s in there. While these are good for the price, I think I can do better so I may next month put some better pickups in there.

I play mostly clean to slightly overdirven on this guitar. I know the 335s come with 57 classics (will consider these if there is a strong argument over what I list below). But am looking at Seth Lovers for this guitar. I wants something that has articulation to it but a humbucker. It needs to take some overdrive and retain clarity. So I suppose I am looking at the following pickups:

SD Seth Lovers
SD 59s
SD Anitquities

My instinct says to go with Seth Lovers. But wondering what you all might suggest. I want to stick with something readily available also.

[spauldingrules]

Dimarzio PAF 36th Anniversary. Cheap, and the best sounding vintage humbucker I've ever heard. I have them in my Agile LP and bridge position of my Warmoth Jazzmaster and they are AWESOME.

[uriah1]

I think Heritage or Hamer did the (seth Lover/JB) combo

[revelation2012]

Originally Posted by uriah1

I think Heritage or Hamer did the (seth Lover/JB) combo

I have had the JB in another guitar and it is too hot in my opinion.

[Bartholomew3]

Originally Posted by revelation2012

I have had the JB in another guitar and it is too hot in my opinion.

I have a 74 LP Custom - SD Jazz neck & JB bridge.

On that guitar the JB is not really hot enough or could be louder so I guess it depends on the axe. I do Rock & Roll, Jazz Standards, Classic-Rock, Blues.

Lowering the neck p/u doesn't really help so I keep the volume turned down on the jazz-neck.

[9irontele]

Lollar Imperials are great

[rolling56]

Did you even mess with the pole pieces on the as you call them pikcups that came on it originally?

[revelation2012]

If you are referring to the OP, no I did not. The Bridge pickup was cutting out on it and wiring was in terrible shape. the guitar is a 1993 model. I fugured since they were such a pain to do that I would do the pickups and the wiring.

[elelpe]

'59 in the bridge is too bright for your Sheraton (great in the neck though). A2Pro in the bridge is better choice (but too round in the neck). I think your guitar will have great benefit from vintage voiced pickup that has A2 magnet. Among SD's A2 pickups, Antiquity is la crème de la crème. Or go with Wolfetone Dr. Vintage. My friend has a set in his 335 and they're awesome.

[revelation2012]

Originally Posted by elelpe

'59 in the bridge is too bright for your Sheraton (great in the neck though). A2Pro in the bridge is better choice (but too round in the neck). I think your guitar will have great benefit from vintage voiced pickup that has A2 magnet. Among SD's A2 pickups, Antiquity is la crème de la crème. Or go with Wolfetone Dr. Vintage. My friend has a set in his 335 and they're awesome.

Thanks for the advice. I do too think AC2s would be good in this guitar. I will look at the Wolfetons. Which set did your friend get. I see they make two different neck pickups.

[rolling56]

Originally Posted by revelation2012

If you are referring to the OP, no I did not. The Bridge pickup was cutting out on it and wiring was in terrible shape. the guitar is a 1993 model. I fugured since they were such a pain to do that I would do the pickups and the wiring.

yes was typing to you.

If i go for new pickups in mine i'll probably change the wiring for independent volume/tone controls.

[revelation2012]

Originally Posted by rolling56

yes was typing to you.

If i go for new pickups in mine i'll probably change the wiring for independent volume/tone controls.

Yes as i stated since there was a short somewhere I figured I would do the pickups too as I was having a luthier do the work. Nice guitar for the money.

[mad dog]

A buddy of mine just put vintage Guild humbuckers in his early 90s Epi Sheraton. Great sounds. If it were mine, I would try another set of Ian Anderson's A2 humbuckers. The pair I have in a Les Paul are some of the best humbuckers I've ever heard. Have a feeling the SD Antiquities would be very good too, and maybe cheaper.
MD

[elelpe]

Originally Posted by revelation2012

I will look at the Wolfetons. Which set did your friend get. I see they make two different neck pickups.

He got the normal one. His 335 has mahogany neck as opposed to your Sheraton's maple neck so I guess he has relatively darker sound to begin with. Goodluck on your tone quest!

[Scotland]

I have Toneriders in my Epi Dot and that's where they are staying.

[revelation2012]

Originally Posted by Scotland

I have Toneriders in my Epi Dot and that's where they are staying.

Which model to you have in there? I currently have the Tonerider AC2s right now. They are very good for what they are. The neck is good and the bridge, depending on the tone control and some OD, I swear has some of the tonal frequency of a sax or trumpet or somewhere between. I may be wrong in my description but it is what I get in my mind when it is dialed in just so.

Dont get me wrong I like the Tonerider AC2s but I thought perhaps I could push it up even further in tone. Hard to leave stuff alone.

[mechanicdave]

I have the 57/57+ in my Dot, perfect for me. Clean to lite grit, and some twang too.

[johmica]

I had an Epi Sheraton once. Replaced the stock pickups with '57 classics. The guitar just growled with those in it. A bit too much for my taste, in fact. I've got a set of Seth Lovers in my Epi Joe Pass Emperor. I LOVE the tone those pickups have. Much less grittier than the '57's. More mids. Plenty of aggressive humbucker sound for me. The '57's were just a bit too aggressive sounding for my tastes. I've got a factory-matched set of Antiquities on order for my Paulie, so no verdict in on those just yet. Can't wait to hear them, though . . .

[dusty tolex]

I have a Korean-made Sheraton II. I put a Burstbucker I in the bridge and a Seth Lover in the neck. These two balance very well, output wise. Both use A2 magnets and both are unpotted. I think they are great. They have less of that thick sheen that potted pups, like 57 Classics, have (at least IMO). I haven't tried any other PAF-type humbuckers, though.

dt

[eggman]

Howdy,

Duncan '59s proved too bright in the bridge and too "boomy" in the neck of my Maple necked ES-335, especially after I acquired a Dr.Z Carmen Ghia amp. Seeking affordable vintagey tone, I settled on DiMarzio.

In the neck went an Air Classic and the bridge a 36th Anni PAF. I needed to lower the 36th Anni PAF as it overpowered the lower octane Air Classic. All is well and I've got a smoooth, middy bridge P/U and a sweet, touch-sensitive neck P/U. This combination can do very good British Invasion clean tones and is perfect for 70s classic rock.
Another possiblity is an Air Classic set for maximum touch-sensitivity and a touch less mids than the 36th. Good luck!