Anybody tried the Alex Skolnick sig pups?

[Rex_Rocker]

Has anyone? What are they like?

I would assume based on the specs they're sorta like an overwound JB/'59 with RCA5? So that means more mid-forward? Fatter? Smoother?

Who has first-hand experience?

 

[Masta' C]

Haven't tried them myself, but according to the specs and Alex' own accounts, it's basically what you said...a slightly overwound JB and '59 designed to juice up the mids slightly (shifting the JB's hump lower), but with a roughcast mag to retain clarity and dynamics.

Probably a nice set, but I can't see spending that kind of money for something I could probably achieve with a small EQ and gain adjustment on the amp with a regular JB/59 set.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Probably a nice set, but I can't see spending that kind of money for something I could probably achieve with a small EQ and gain adjustment on the amp with a regular JB/59 set.

Yeah, probably an EQ pedal pre-distortion would be more appropriate for that, but I still find it fun to experiment with pickups.

I'm JB-obsessed right now, and I wouldn't mind finding a slightly beefed up JB soundalike for my Gibson. Now that these are not CS kinda money, maybe I'll give the bridge pickup a try in the near future if I confirm it's what I want.

 

[Masta' C]

Yeah, probably an EQ pedal pre-distortion would be more appropriate for that, but I still find it fun to experiment with pickups.

Yes, this is probably a better approach.

I was just thinking that adjusting the EQ (somewhere in the chain) is pretty easy to do and a better alternative than paying a premium for pickups that are 95% the same as a stock JB/59.

FYI...the best "beefed up JB" option from Duncan without a premium price tag is the Alternative 8.

 

[Securb]

When I saw this post I was wondering if they were his Jazz or Thrash pickups. I guess I have my answer.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

When I saw this post I was wondering if they were his Jazz or Thrash pickups. I guess I have my answer.

I thought he only had one set and he uses them for both Jazz and Thrash?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

FYI...the best "beefed up JB" option from Duncan without a premium price tag is the Alternative 8.

I always wondered what an Alt 8 would sound like with A5.

 

[soulforger]

I have always loved the JB...and the '59 for that matter, but especially the JB. Any variation is something I will want to try sometime, (including other companies takes on it!) so I look forward to hearing more about these as well. Never tried an Alt 8 but the Seymour demo video sounds killer to me.

 

[Mincer]

He makes them sound pretty good, though.

 

[Masta' C]

I always wondered what an Alt 8 would sound like with A5.

Probably not too far off from what a JB sounds like with an A8, LOL!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Probably not too far off from what a JB sounds like with an A8, LOL!

Probably not a bad idea to try an Alt 8 with A5. I do have some A5 magnets to drop in, but I kinda don't love the idea of getting a pickup with the intention of swapping the magnet. But maybe I'd like it stock if it's not too hot and fat! I do want slightly hotter and fatter, but not a whole lot more like an Invader, for example.

 

[Securb]

I thought he only had one set and he uses them for both Jazz and Thrash?

I have seen him play Heritage LPs for rock, Heritage L5s, and a couple of other jazz boxes for his trio gig. I can't imagine that set in an L5. The 59 would be fine for jazz, but I don't see an overwound JB in that guitar.

 

[Mincer]

I would think he goes for a more trad sound with the jazz gig, no?

 

[Masta' C]

Probably not a bad idea to try an Alt 8 with A5. I do have some A5 magnets to drop in, but I kinda don't love the idea of getting a pickup with the intention of swapping the magnet. But maybe I'd like it stock if it's not too hot and fat! I do want slightly hotter and fatter, but not a whole lot more like an Invader, for example.

Have you tried an A8 in a JB? Might start there...probably give you exactly what you're after!

I wouldn't buy the Alt 8 with the intention of swapping the mag right out the gate. It's hot, but more on par with something like the Black Winter, and not at all boomy/muddy like the Invader can be on the low end.

 

[orpheo]

The Alternative 8 really needs the alnico8 because the a8 bumps the midrange a lot; the alt8 is not a mag-swapped JB at all, it is a beat designed around the alnico8.

I find the midrange of the alt8 too tiring. It is cool for a while and then it starts to annoy me a lot. The JB on the other hand has so much brightness and clarity; use the tone pot to sweeten the tone if you want but even when then the tone gets too middy, open the tone and back to the sound I know and love.

 

[Securb]

I would think he goes for a more trad sound with the jazz gig, no?

I would think so. I could pull off Jazz with a 59n rolled back a bit, but it would not be my go-to. From what I found it seems he uses "Seymour Duncan Seth Lover (Neck & Bridge)" for jazz.

 

[Mincer]

I would think so. I could pull off Jazz with a 59n rolled back a bit, but it would not be my go-to. From what I found it seems he uses "Seymour Duncan Seth Lover (Neck & Bridge)" for jazz.

I use Antiquities in my semi hollow, and they do jazz super well.