What pickups for a Joe Pass Emperor?

[AprioriMark]

So, I've got this first generation Joe Pass Emperor (hollow, MiJ, pickup switch on lower bout), and I love how it plays and sounds acoustically, but I *hate* the stock Epiphone pickups.  I'm hoping for some suggestions about what pickups might look appropriate (the look is why I'm going to be using the guitar) and sound good.  Yes, I know that good is relative, but anything is better than these stock... things.  Some criteria and questions:

1) I don't want to drill new holes of any sort.
2) Should I also replace the pots and wiring while I'm in there?
3) I tend to prefer higher output (but not so hot that it sounds weird clean) pickups.  I'm ok with lower output pickups if they sound clean, clear and balanced.
4) I'll be playing through an *amazing* silverface Super Reverb; mostly clean tones.
5) Pics to come when my buddy is done molesting it.

-Mark

 

[kboman]

Well I'll be first to ask I guess - what kind of music will you be playing with it?

 

[AprioriMark]

This particular project is a roots rock/soul kinda thing, but I am the true eclectic musician.  I play nearly every style imaginable, with the exception of pewp metal.  I define that as any metal that only appeals to me on a level that it inspires a bowel movement.

-Mark

 

[jackthehack]

You have pics? Never saw one with 3 way toggle on lower bout, always on upper? How old is the guitar?

An obvious choice would be an SD Jazz or '59 set; I put a set of '59s in my Epiphone ES-335, sounds great through a Super Reverb...

As to installation, if it's an older Epiphone, the existing electronics MIGHT be OK (new ones, even the more expensive models are junk and would need replacement.

If that's the case, you can simply remove the pickups, snip the leads and solder/shrink wrap the leads for the new pickups and reinstall. YOu can try that first anyway and see how it sounds.

If you need to replace the electronics, get some light (8-10 lb. test) monofiliment fishing line and tie a length down to each pot knob post, 3-way toggle and the output jack; you'll need to fish the whole shebang out through one of the pickup holes and the line attached makes it pretty easy to fish the components back into place.

 

[Mor Paul]

I'm just going to second the recommendation of PAF style pickups.

 

[MUYFUE]

Way out of left field for me...I'm sorry... :doh:

I have heard really good things from some of the Jazz guitar players I went to college with about the Benedetto PAFs and a set of Custom 5's from Duncan. One guy I knew got a set of custom 5s with chrome covers and man they sunded sweet, strong, but not overpowering, kind of a soft high end in the neck. 

 

[kboman]

I'd go with PAF/Jazzy pickups too. That's what the guitar is made for and more powerful pickups will probably just turn it into a feedback machine...

 

[jerryjg]

Super Distortion neck and Invader Bridge :headbang1:

 

[NLD09]

the SD seth lover pickups would probably be good.

 

[jerryjg]

the SD seth lover pickups would probably be good.

Ya think?  how about a set of Antiquities? :icon_biggrin:

 

[NLD09]

the SD seth lover pickups would probably be good.

Ya think? :icon_biggrin:

I try not to.  :glasses9:

 

[AprioriMark]

Thanks guys, especially Jerry for making me spit diet coke out my nose.  I will post pics once I get it back from my buddy who's playing with it; he'd never seen one like it either.  It's (guessing) an early 90s Epi that was MiJ.  The neck is amazing.

I'm really just unsure if I *should* replace the electronics, since I'll be having a luthier replace the pickups anyway.  Normally, I'd do it myself, but I want to have someone to take it to if I have issues.  If I frak it up, I don't want to be calling myself about the shoddy job I did.

-Mark

 

[tfarny]

Lollar makes a set of 'low wind' buckers that are meant for jazz boxes, you should check those out too.

 

[Rouse]

the SD seth lover pickups would probably be good.

+1

 

[jackthehack]

Just out of curiousity, I wound up finding this Wiki page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphone

You can use the info there to nail down year and place of manufacture for your axe...

 

[Who?]

I have a Joe Pass I bought used 10 years ago.  Mine was made in Korea.  I replaced the pickups with Dimarzio PAFs.  I don't remember the number now, but they were the lowest output ones they made at the time, and I could get them with gold covers that matched the rest of the hardware.  I replaced all of the electronics while I was at it, and since it was my first experience with a hollow body there was a lot of cussing trying to put everything back.  Through my Super Reverb it sounds surprisingly nice for a $500 guitar.