best pickup to help with clarity and definition

L

Lorenzar

New member
Hi guys !

I have an old Jackson JJ made in Japan (LP double cut shape, alder body, maple neck, rosewood board) that used to satisfy me back in the days, but since some years I play on Gibson Les Paul and SG and my Jackson now sounds muddy, muffled and overall lacks clarity, precision and even treble next to my Gibson.

I'm aware the guitar itself is not as good as the Gibson indeed, but as it sounds alright unplugged,I'd still like to give it a chance and I'm not looking to make it "equal", just better than what it is today. I'd say the body is alright,
the neck is weak though.


This guitar had both SH6 and SH5 in it. Nothing wrong with those pickups as I dig them on my Gibsons. Not digging them on the Jackson anymore though.


So would be cool to know what you think could help with bringing some extra treble, some clarity, definition, precision, if that's worth it.

I don't care about the nature/style/output of the pickup. It can be a Pearly Gates, a Dimebucker, a Full Shred, an Alternative 8 or whatever, as long as it helps with what I'm looking for !

And keep in mind Custom and Distorsion are not bringing to the table what I'm looking for (with this guitar)
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

Bill Lawrence pickups are super clear and articulate–the L500s would be a great set. The Dimebucker is slightly hotter and perhaps a tad dirtier, but I would definitely still call it a clear and articulate pickup (and not just for metal, I think the name gives a false impression of what this pickup is capable of.)

Not a fan of actives personally, but perhaps that might be the route to go.
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

What positions are the SH-5 and SH-6 in?

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

bridge !

I have a Jazz in the neck slot.

Would the Dimebucker be much different from Custom and Distorsion ?
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

Yes, the dimebucker or a Lawrence L500L or L500XL will give more treble, presence, and clarity. I have an L500 in a basswood Telecaster copy that sounded muffled and just plain bad with a Dimarzio Super Distortion and it sounds much, much better with the Lawrence.
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

Lorenzar said:
bridge !

I have a Jazz in the neck slot.

Would the Dimebucker be much different from Custom and Distorsion ?
Click to expand...
Confused. Jazz neck with which in the bridge? SH-6 or SH-5?

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

Demanic said:
Confused. Jazz neck with which in the bridge? SH-6 or SH-5?

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Initially it was SH2/SH6.

When I picked up this guitar again, and it sounded now to my ears muffled, too bassy etc...in comparision to my Gibsons.


So I was like "maybe it's the Distorsion I don't like".

I made a swap with the Custom installed in one SG that I like.

So the Jackson became then SH2/SH5.

And I figured I still like the SG with the DD and still have the same complain about the Jackson with the Custom.


I understand Dimebucker is a clear pickup, but I thought Distorsion was very clear as well.

It's weird with this guitar. It's like a lot of treble are gone, like you would turn down your tone pot when you're at max. I actually changed for CTS 500K pots and even with the DD, it sounded very dark, a bit muffled, bassy etc...

On the other hand, there's absolutely no harsh treble at all coming from this axe! !! Ahah!
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

A 1 meg volume pot will solve anything. My friggin bass sounds articulate as heck with a 1 meg.
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

If you want ultimate clarity, get the Dimarzio EJ Custom Bridge. I have one and I can be running an insane amount of distortion and then play an open chord arpeggio and have every note ring out bell clear.
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

The Full Shred set or the Jazz set would be my choices, with the 'more treble' award going to the Full Shred. You will be coming from higher output pickups to lower output ones, so you will gain some touch-sensitivity, too. Active pickups, like the Blackouts, will also do what you are asking.
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

Overall I don't think there is a better pickup then the JB in the bridge. It's the most versatile pickup in my opinion ever made. Everything else I've ever used seemed great at a few thing but wasn't as versatile.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

Mincer said:
The Full Shred set or the Jazz set would be my choices, with the 'more treble' award going to the Full Shred. You will be coming from higher output pickups to lower output ones, so you will gain some touch-sensitivity, too. Active pickups, like the Blackouts, will also do what you are asking.
Click to expand...

Full Shred is definitely something I thought about, but I figured maybe it's not that big of a departure from a Custom.

Maybe I could let the Jazz in the neck first and try the Full Shred bridge first and see what's up.

I also thought about trying some low output humbucker, more opened. Maybe it could help. What about a Pearly Gates ?
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

Or you could stick an A5 magnet in the Custom and make it a Custom 5.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

MkIII Renegade said:
No load tone control first. Then try some bright strings such as NYXLs.
Click to expand...

The NYXL's is all I use now. What great strings they are. They come out of the box with that slightly broken in tone and keep it longer then any other string I've used.
They are totally worth full retail price.
This is a beautiful tonal upgrade


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

Lorenzar said:
Daddario 10-46 nickel wound
Click to expand...

Maybe try NXYL oe Ernie Ball Cobalt 11-52s before you sink a bunch of money into pickups. I was really surprised going from 9s on one of my guitars to 11s how much more clarity I got. Don't know if 10s to 11s will make a huge difference but certainly some.
 
Re: best pickup to help with clarity and definition

EAProwlerB said:
Maybe try NXYL oe Ernie Ball Cobalt 11-52s before you sink a bunch of money into pickups. I was really surprised going from 9s on one of my guitars to 11s how much more clarity I got. Don't know if 10s to 11s will make a huge difference but certainly some.
Click to expand...

I prefer the feel and sound of 10-46 set. It's still light enough where I can bend the hell out of them yet just a tad thicker for a more heavier tone.
It's not night and day or anything I just like how they play and sound over the stock 9-42 most guitars come with. They feel light and thin.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top