All guitar modifications are inherently imperfect, and unexpected issues can crop up. Please do your own research and/or consult help from a local guitar repair shop if you aren't sure about the parts you want to install. You can also feel free to ask questions in the comments section below.
Epiphone Les Paul Classic Pickup Upgrade Suggestions
Compatibility Notes: Most Epiphone Les Pauls, including the Classic, use an HH pickup configuration, meaning two humbuckers - one each at the bridge and neck positions. Also note, the Fishman Fluence Modern pickup pairing is an active set, which means it needs a 9V batter to operate. This is connected (and swapped) within the body of the guitar where the rest of the electronics are installed.
The Epiphone Les Paul Classic is a very beginner/intermediate-friendly guitar that gets a major value boost with a pickup upgrade. The all-Mahogany design and Gibson aesthetics make it worth some additional investing. These are the three pickups we'd recommend, depending on your playing style and musical leanings. Leave questions, or your own recommendations, in the comments section below.
All Mahogany and cheap stock pickups make the LP Classic a good upgrade candidate.
Fishman Fluence Modern (or classic)
This is the only active pickup set we'll recommend, but they're one of the nicest available. Fishman's technology gives you the thickness and modern aggression of active pickups, along with the subtlety and nuance of single coil pickups. It's a great option for almost any humbucker upgrade, but especially ideal for the Epiphone Les Paul Classic.
Important note: Active pickups require a 9V batter to work, which will need to be considered during the installation process.
Seymour Duncan Saturday Night Special
The Seymour Duncan Saturday Night Special set is a 1970s model pickup, but with an injection of modern low-end. I put a set in my really old PRS SE Santana, with baritone strings and used it for a few Korn cover song videos. They can sort of do everything.
Hard to see the pickups, but this is the Saturday Night Special set installed in my old PRS SE Santana.
Seymour Duncan Slash 2.0 Signature
I figured a Slash Signature pair would be a logical landing spot for the Les Paul Classic. His 2.0 Seymour Duncan set puts some emphasis on high-end attack, and produces a lot of sustain. This should pair well with the Mahogany body that'll round out the low-end and thicken everything up.
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Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Electrics & Upgrades
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Electrics & Reviews
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