Wylie Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 I recently bought an Epi 339 from an online dealer and was disappointed with the sound of its humbuckers, esp. the neck pickup, which has no distinctive qualities--none. I was hoping for a softer, rounder tone reflecting the higher placement. Now, I realize buying online was a mistake, but I did it after scouring the countryside here in Vermont for a jazz-type guitar. My question: Should I replace the pickup? Can I expect it to make a substantial difference, or is the 339 limited in ways that would make a replacement superfluous? I have in mind the Duncan SH1-b '59 model. Sells for $99, which I would gladly pay if improvement was substantial. I should add, I tried changing to flatwounds, and this also failed to help. My experience till now has been with acoustic guitars and the bass I currently play with a jazz trio, so I need your help! Thanks. Wylie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted September 27, 2019 Share Posted September 27, 2019 A pickup replacement/upgrade is always worth it IMO, it’s the one biggest change you can make. I’ve done this many times and only once did I not notice an appreciable difference (a PRS SE Singlecut). If you like the way the 339 plays, I say go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wylie Posted September 28, 2019 Author Share Posted September 28, 2019 19 hours ago, ezbass said: A pickup replacement/upgrade is always worth it IMO, it’s the one biggest change you can make. I’ve done this many times and only once did I not notice an appreciable difference (a PRS SE Singlecut). If you like the way the 339 plays, I say go for it. Thanks, EZ. I do like the way it plays, so I will go for the upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 27 minutes ago, Wylie said: Thanks, EZ. I do like the way it plays, so I will go for the upgrade. Cheaper than buying the Gibson version. Keep us posted on the outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wylie Posted September 28, 2019 Author Share Posted September 28, 2019 1 hour ago, ezbass said: Cheaper than buying the Gibson version. Keep us posted on the outcome. Will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman210 Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 Look on the creamery website. Jaime makes amazing handwound pickups. My jazzmaster cij replacements are second to non. Turned an average sounding guitar into the nicest jazzmaster I've ever heard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wylie Posted September 30, 2019 Author Share Posted September 30, 2019 41 minutes ago, Musicman210 said: Look on the creamery website. Jaime makes amazing handwound pickups. My jazzmaster cij replacements are second to non. Turned an average sounding guitar into the nicest jazzmaster I've ever heard Thanks, man! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wylie Posted October 19, 2019 Author Share Posted October 19, 2019 On 28/09/2019 at 09:06, ezbass said: Cheaper than buying the Gibson version. Keep us posted on the outcome. The outcome was--zilch. Replaced the crap pickup with a Seymour Duncan and the outcome was a barely marginal improvement. Never again will I buy a cheap guitar and expect it to do what it isn't designed to do, so it is my fault. I expected some mellowness in the neck PU and got nothing, even with the new SD. Total waste of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 17 hours ago, Wylie said: The outcome was--zilch. Replaced the crap pickup with a Seymour Duncan and the outcome was a barely marginal improvement. Never again will I buy a cheap guitar and expect it to do what it isn't designed to do, so it is my fault. I expected some mellowness in the neck PU and got nothing, even with the new SD. Total waste of money. Well that’s annoying. Maybe the loom and its switching pots are robbing it of tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wylie Posted October 20, 2019 Author Share Posted October 20, 2019 19 hours ago, ezbass said: Well that’s annoying. Maybe the loom and its switching pots are robbing it of tone. Don't know; but the work was done by a luthier I've known for years, and trust. So I think I will just live with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Which SD pickups did you install, am intrigued as usually in guitars SD are a real improvement on stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wylie Posted October 23, 2019 Author Share Posted October 23, 2019 Pickup was an SD '59 model SH1-b. Just the neck pickup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 On 23/10/2019 at 21:34, Wylie said: Pickup was an SD '59 model SH1-b. Just the neck pickup. What were you looking to achieve? If you want a woodier tone, a PAF might have been a better option. I have Armstrong PAFs in my Yammie MSG and they are great - 80 quid a pop too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
