Pimping my Epi Black Beauty

[Forrrest]

I got this guitar as a graduating gift about a dozen years ago. I'm embarrassed to say it's been gathering dust for a couple years and I want to breath a new life into it! probably easier to just flip and and get something new, but as it was a gift it's gonna stick around.

any suggestions?

pickups? (I think all three humbuckers have gone microphonic.) any suggestions? something heavy, & some variety?
bigsby? (this might be fun! tell me about VIBRAMATE)
tuners? (the guitar always had problems staying in tune, what are good tuning keys)

any other ideas?
I want to start tuning it AEADGb (like a baritone)

[AxAxSxS]

I'm enjoying these.

[Jeff-7]

Knowing your spending limits will help the search quite a bit. Also your definition of "heavy" like 70s hard rock, 80s metal etc. I'll assume you'll want to stick with passives. Bigsbys are cool for some wobble, a lot of users shy away from the vibramate as they think they lose sustain with it. They make it pretty nice to take it off and put it on but I personally prefer just mounting it straight to the guitar. For aftermarket tuners, Grovers make a pretty good replacement.

[foomanfat]

Maybe you could get some EGC humbuckers in there.
I had a Vibramate on a tele for all of an evening before I just installed it for reals. Didn't care much for the device.

[Forrrest]

Knowing your spending limits will help the search quite a bit. Also your definition of "heavy" like 70s hard rock, 80s metal etc. I'll assume you'll want to stick with passives.

budget... 300$ - 700$
heavy like downtuned Isis & Old Man Gloom
I'll stick with passive pups.

where can I get EGC pups? can't find anything on the site http://www.electricalguitarcompany.com/

the tuners on there are currently Grovers, i don't know if something is particularly wrong with them. i've tightened them over the years but the problem keeps coming back.

& thanks for the info about the vibramate. I don't really mind drilling new holes, it's an epi player, not an art piece collection.
any options for changing the bridge? is this something people do?

[hbombgraphics]

I have an LP copy and have a duncan distortion and EMG HZ in it and I flipping love it sounds beast
The best mod I did was getting rid of the second volume and tone really opened it up although I can't do trem effects

as far as the tuning grovers are usually pretty solid
the ones on my epi dot deluxe lock it in just fine
may want to lube the nut and get a good setup before you spend money on tuners

[julius_deane]

One thing I did to my bandmate's BB back when I was using it was get it modded so any pickup configuration is possible. The tech turned the 4 knobs into 1 master tone and one vol for each pu. The middle is always on, and the switch became: neck, both, bridge.

I'm not sure this is super practical or useful, but it wasn't very expensive, and I preferred it to the stock setup.

[crohny]

Lace pickups are worth looking into. Bunch of options for high output pups that sound killer. Tuners you can look into Grover Gotoh and Sperzel. Did you have your nut slots widened for the heavier strings? If not that could also be a reason you are having tuning instability. Bigsby could be rad,.

[Forrrest]

I've always had tuning problems with this guitar, even with regular strings. I've got the nut filed for the bigger strings.

lace pickups... those sound tasty. I wonder if they do red/blue/gold in duals like the single coils. i'm gonna go look at that right now,

changing the knobs around to 3 volumes, 1 tone would be cool too. the pup selector switch is currently wired to Bridge/bridge&middle/neck. I'd much rather it simply bridge/middle/neck.
hmm.

ok, gonna order a bigsby, tuners & pups on ebay.

edit: oh what about 1/4" jakcs. do they sell jacks that don't get loose washers? (are loose 1/4" a common thing for everyone?

[Jeff-7]

You could always get a switchcraft 1/4" jack, if I remember correctly most epiphones have a kinda crappy jack. I've seen lace sensors mounted in duals like with the telecaster standard plus so you might be able to find something that works. Don't know much about Isis but looks like Aaron Turner uses humbucker teles and an LP right? I'd think something along the lines of some used Gibson classic 57s would get you there possibly.