ESP LTD EC-1000 upgrades advice

[stm113]

I know this may be an odd place for this kind of question but I usually get great answers out of this forum so here goes. I love my 4 LTD EC`s (3 are 1000`s 1 is a Red Burn). they have the LP look but play so much better than my Gibsons. But I have to say... I do not like the hardware very much and I am definately not a fan of EMG`s. Other than a couple of pickup changes I am unexperienced in the world of guitar upgrades. I am looking to change the pick ups, the 3 way toggle and the volume/tone knobs as well as the saddles on the bridge. Any one have any suggestions? I`m not looking to break the bank on parts but I do want to upgrade. As far as pickups I wanna stick with either Seymour Duncans or Dimarzio`s.2 of the guitars are tunes 1/2 step down and the other 2 are 1 1/2 step down. I want a very vintage LP sound for 1 in each tuning (with more output) and a more modern sound in each tuning. So what bridge saddles, 3 way switch, Volume/tone knob, Jack and Pick ups would anyone suggest?

 

[Mattfig]

I don't know....I have an EC-1000 Deluxe that I love but I got it because I wanted the locking tuners and EMGs...It can get very pricey, very fast if you want to change the tuners, pickups, and other hardware - especially if a tech has to do the work....You might want to see if someone will trade you for the one EC-1000 that comes with Seymours...What don't you like about the locking tuners out of curiosity? I find them to be top notch...

If you really want that great Les Paul tone, look into buying a set of Gibson classic '57 pickups...They are outstanding for the price...If you want to spend the extra coin, Lollar Imperials give a beautiful full tone...

Good luck....www.stewmac.com is a good place to look for replacement parts....

 

[Mister Joshua]

I have a great many EC-1000's and love them. I like you was very disappointing with the EMG's simply because they are the crappiest pickups in the world. I did try using Duncan Blackouts which are about 50,000 times better than the EMG's but in the end i went all passive. One thing to be aware of is that some of the guitars do not have a ground wire put in. So be prepared to cut a ground channel if you go passive. One of mine had it, 2 did not so you have to get inside and look to make sure. As far as pots and jacks and switches go i use www.guitarelectronics.com for my stuff. They have a great selection of what you need. Be aware again that you need bigger holes to get some hardware to fit. So either be good with a drill or be mindful of the advertised diameters for your replacement stuff. As far as hardware you can swap it out but be sure you use Gotoh (which is who makes the tonepros stuff) and make sure you use metric. For good replacement hardware go to www.gbpdusa.com since they carry a lot of stuff from ESP and from other manufacturers and will help you make sure everything fits. (I LOVE GPD) So i hope my little primer helped there. I'd be glad to talk more if you have any further questions.

Peace, Joshua

 

[Daryl]

If you really want to step outside of the box on one of your EC's you could try a set of Lace Alumitone pickups.
http://www.lacemusic.com/soundbites/sound_bites_details.php?userID=1
http://www.lacemusic.com/electric_pickups/alumitone/alumitone_article.php
I use a set on my US Masters guitar with a Stellartone Tonestyler and an Alessandro volume pot.
http://www.stellartone.com/index.asp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv875xEVKdA
http://www.alessandro-products.com/main.php?p=parts
It really kills and it's passive electronics. For the bridge on the EC I would try KTS titanium bridge saddles. Or go the full monty with a tune-o-matic from Tisonix.
http://www.kts-america.com/
http://www.tisonix.com/shopping/main/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_75&products_id=205
Titanium is a far superior metal to the usual cast zinc that manufacturers use and the tonal characteristics are impressive. More articulate mids and highs, crisp lows, more sustain, and more harmonic character. The link is for an ABR replacement, but I have contacted them and they make them to fit the Tone Pros bridges.
Crazy? yeah I'm certifiable, but these links will take you to some serious high-end upgrades.
Ride the snake.... :shock: :twisted: :shock:

 

[disk11]

I have a cheaper model of your guitar, and if I went passive would get a SD JB and a 59/Jazz. That would probably be a modern setup

 

[Mattfig]

Well all this kinda takes this discussion in a different direction...I don't know anything past EMGs as far as the pickup world is concerned...I have every kinda passive out there - but simply never dove into active...What's the best active to replace EMGs 85/81? What's the best deal? I will spend as little as possible but as much as it takes...I really don't like the sound of my EMGs lately...Except strangely, I LOVE their clean tone....Maybe it's just how I have my modules dialed in...They have nice bite but no balls on high gain...Even with a bunch of bass it's like a huge but sadly, empty scrotum...And the mids just kinda sound fake - perhaps like poor silicone implants that are obvious and possibly painful...

Enjoy that visual free of charge... :lol:

 

[disk11]

Well all this kinda takes this discussion in a different direction...I don't know anything past EMGs as far as the pickup world is concerned...I have every kinda passive out there - but simply never dove into active...What's the best active to replace EMGs 85/81? What's the best deal? I will spend as little as possible but as much as it takes...I really don't like the sound of my EMGs lately...Except strangely, I LOVE their clean tone....Maybe it's just how I have my modules dialed in...They have nice bite but no balls on high gain...Even with a bunch of bass it's like a huge but sadly, empty scrotum...And the mids just kinda sound fake - perhaps like poor silicone implants that are obvious and possibly painful...

Enjoy that visual free of charge... :lol:

Only ones I've read about are Seymour Duncan Blackouts, though the new -X EMGs are supposed to be like 18v modded regular EMGs without the extra wiring and battery.

Have you tried the 85 in the bridge? I think it has more mids than the 81. But I didn't like the 81 as a neck pickup.

 

[Daryl]

I have every kinda passive out there - but simply never dove into active...What's the best active to replace EMGs 85/81? What's the best deal? I will spend as little as possible but as much as it takes...:

Well Mr. Fig...
Have you tried the Alumitone pickups yet? They are passive and they sound great. They almost have the output of actives, but with full, broadband frequency response. They pick up a lot of the inherent resonant properties of the guitar you put them in. You can also get a good acoutic tone by running them into an acoustic amp.
The best replacement for a metal pickup like EMG 85/81's are going to have to be the Seymour Duncan Blackouts. Guitar World Platinum award winner, if that means anything to you. Please consult the links below.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/humbucker/blackouts_metal/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR5hmJhpJoo
FYI: That is Micheal J Fox's kid. :lol:

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Bare Knuckles

 

[Daryl]

Bare Knuckles-Nailbomb pickups are interesting.

 

[Julia]

You know unless you're going to do all this yourself, you might be better off just buying another EC. Get the one with the Seymour Duncans this time. They make one with the JB/59 combo. They make one in the 400 series and 1000 series. I think it's the aged honey burst finish. Pickup swaps can get very expensive. It's not the cost of the pickups, it's the labor.

NOTE: I've done the EMG actives > passive swap before. It required building a ground and routing for the passive pickups which are a little larger.

 

[Shinozoku]

Duncan JB/59

DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniversary set

TDM Customs (very reasonably priced)

Gibson 498T/Duncan 59.

 

[speedemon]

I had an EC400 and put Gibson 500T/496R, which was a big improvement. If you are doing metal, a hi output ceramic pickup may work well, as the EC is very light variety of Mahogany.

FYI, Ozzy's new guitar player uses Blackouts in his Eclipse, after being a passive guy with his signature ESP...


Good luck and have fun!