Stop being a pussy jew and save up for a Gibson. I did, and I've never been happier.
I am the proud owner of an Epiphone Zakk Wylde Bullseye Custom Les Paul, thank you very much.
I would suggest buying a new guitar altogether, because I was thinking of doing the same to my guitar. My dad told me something that changed my mind. "You aren't planning to play that guitar forever are you?" If answer is no, then don't waste your time on the parts and paying to have it installed on your guitar.
Also, the pickups are a huge part of the sound. EMGs, nigga. You can have a shit guitar with good pickups and strings and it'll be good.
That is one Epi worth having. I put one burstbucker in my les paul. But you are wrong by saying a shit guitar with good strings and pickups will be good. It will be mediocre at best. Pickups play a huge part in the sound, but so does the material the guitar is made out of. My gibson is solid mahogany and you can tell it apart from a normal gibson.
