Humbucker replacement--worth the cost?

[Wylie]

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

[ezbass]

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.

[Wylie]

  On 27/09/2019 at 17:06, 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.

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Thanks, EZ. I do like the way it plays, so I will go for the upgrade.

[ezbass]

  On 28/09/2019 at 12:38, Wylie said:

Thanks, EZ. I do like the way it plays, so I will go for the upgrade.

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Cheaper than buying the Gibson version. Keep us posted on the outcome.

[Wylie]

  On 28/09/2019 at 13:06, ezbass said:

Cheaper than buying the Gibson version. Keep us posted on the outcome.

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Will do.

[Musicman210]

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

[Wylie]

  On 30/09/2019 at 12:21, 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

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Thanks, man!

[Wylie]

  On 28/09/2019 at 13:06, ezbass said:

Cheaper than buying the Gibson version. Keep us posted on the outcome.

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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.

[ezbass]

  On 19/10/2019 at 00:43, 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.

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Well that’s annoying. Maybe the loom and its switching pots are robbing it of tone.

[Wylie]

  On 19/10/2019 at 18:44, ezbass said:

Well that’s annoying. Maybe the loom and its switching pots are robbing it of tone.

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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.

[Lozz196]

Which SD pickups did you install, am intrigued as usually in guitars SD are a real improvement on stock.

[Wylie]

Pickup was an SD '59 model SH1-b. Just the neck pickup.

[Kiwi]

  On 23/10/2019 at 13:34, Wylie said:

Pickup was an SD '59 model SH1-b. Just the neck pickup.

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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.