Bridge pickup for an ESP Jake E. Lee signature model

[misterwhizzy]

It feels like the only correct answer is the JB in the bridge.

 

[Despised]

You say the guitar is coming. Do you not have the guitar in hand yet? If not, are you absolutely certain you need to replace pickups? It may sound great as is.

Nope, not yet. It's due to arrive tomorrow. And your right that it might sound great as it is, but I want a different pickguard on it and I have 2 of the 3 new pickups in a parts guitar already. I was asking about the other 4 I am considering because it's something different than the JB that gets stuck into almost every guitar out there... and since it's been forever since I tried anything from Duncan, I figured why not try something else, something new...

 

[Despised]

It feels like the only correct answer is the JB in the bridge.

I know, right?!?!?! It's like what I just replied to Bogner in that I get and know the JB is a good and versatile pickup, but I am looking for something new and different for this one. It already has a JB & 2x SSL-2's in the original pickguard, but I'm looking for something else - equally as versatile & dynamic and maybe a bit hotter.

This is why I'm considering the Alternative 8, Distortion or the Omega to pair with the RWRP SSL-5 & Hot Rails neck, or try running a DiMarzio Super 3 & 2x SDS-1's. And since a few have brought up the SDS-1's, it's now definitely on the radar... Im just trying to decide what route I really wanna go and how's much I really wanna spend - either between $80-140 for the singke Duncan, or $200 on a new set of DiMarzio's...

 

[Mincer]

The Alt 8 or even the Pegasus would be noticeably different than the JB, and also a lot more modern. Both are tighter than the JB without that upper mid thing. Or just add a ton more mids, and get an Invader!

 

[Despised]

So after getting the guitar and trying it out, I am definitely putting new pickups in it... The JB and the Vintage Flats are wicked ice pick-ish and shrill AF!!!

I'm starting to wonder if the Alternative 8 is gonna be the ticket to taming the excessive high end, and if the SSL-5 & Hot Rails will be equally as effective... Im also curious now of the Invader might be more the ticket... Im gonna go back and re-listen to the 6-string pickup comparison video and reassess my pick...

 

[AdrianSD]

So after getting the guitar and trying it out, I am definitely putting new pickups in it... The JB and the Vintage Flats are wicked ice pick-ish and shrill AF!!!

I'm starting to wonder if the Alternative 8 is gonna be the ticket to taming the excessive high end, and if the SSL-5 & Hot Rails will be equally as effective... Im also curious now of the Invader might be more the ticket... Im gonna go back and re-listen to the 6-string pickup comparison video and reassess my pick...

Try a 250K volume pot first, or a cap, or both. Also, if you're keen to open up a humbucker, try an A8 magnet in the JB. I dig both my JB 8 an Custom 8.

 

[ErikH]

First thing I'd do is open it up and check the wiring. Make sure everything is good there. Maybe increase the tone cap to a .047uf. Adjust the screw coil poles, the pickup height, etc. Maybe even change the tone pot to a 250K if you have one laying around. Those little things can make a big difference so try those before swapping.

 

[Despised]

First thing I'd do is open it up and check the wiring. Make sure everything is good there. Maybe increase the tone cap to a .047uf. Adjust the screw coil poles, the pickup height, etc. Maybe even change the tone pot to a 250K if you have one laying around. Those little things can make a big difference so try those before swapping.

And AdrianSD as well since you mentioned the 250K pot...

Absolutely about pulling the pickguard off and checking the wiring... With knowing that these pickups weren't stock and that they were added in afterwards could very well mean and be why this sounds so shrill, especially if the wiring isn't right... I've played JB's before (hell, the '20 ESP LTD SC-20 Sonic Blue I bought had one in it stock...) and they sounded waaaaaay better than this one... And I know this may not matter, but wouldn't you normally want a RWRP middle SC? This has a normal wound SSL-2 on the middle...

But on the topic of the 250K pots: I should change the Volume to a 250K first, no??? Since the signal path is: Pickups -> switch -> volume (which feeds the tone pot...)... I DO have a 250K volume and tone that came out of another guitar so that's not an issue... But again, this all boils back to pulling this stock W/B/W pickguard - with these pickups - off, and doing a B/W/B pickguard with a new set of pickups in it...

But checking the wiring will be my first priority. Since I have to take the PG off to get a tracing for the new one anyhow, it will be prime time to do and check it... I'll report back what I find...

Thanks guys!

 

[Slartibartfarst]

If you want the Jake E. Lee tone, the JB is what you're after.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

+1 on 250K pots. JBs like a 250K volume pot, especially in a 25½" scale guitar.
Don't give upon it yet.

 

[Mincer]

A Black Winter in the bridge would tame the high end, for sure.

 

[AdrianSD]

A Black Winter in the bridge would tame the high end, for sure.

BW convert here, got the neck one few days back and installed it along the bridge one in my Jackson DK2. I'm not good at putting what I hear and feel when I play on paper, but these pickups can cover a lot of styles. Hate to use and abuse the "versatile" word, but they really can do everything rock. And the neck split sounds unbelievable for cleans.

 

[ErikH]

And AdrianSD as well since you mentioned the 250K pot...

Absolutely about pulling the pickguard off and checking the wiring... With knowing that these pickups weren't stock and that they were added in afterwards could very well mean and be why this sounds so shrill, especially if the wiring isn't right... I've played JB's before (hell, the '20 ESP LTD SC-20 Sonic Blue I bought had one in it stock...) and they sounded waaaaaay better than this one... And I know this may not matter, but wouldn't you normally want a RWRP middle SC? This has a normal wound SSL-2 on the middle...

But on the topic of the 250K pots: I should change the Volume to a 250K first, no??? Since the signal path is: Pickups -> switch -> volume (which feeds the tone pot...)... I DO have a 250K volume and tone that came out of another guitar so that's not an issue... But again, this all boils back to pulling this stock W/B/W pickguard - with these pickups - off, and doing a B/W/B pickguard with a new set of pickups in it...

But checking the wiring will be my first priority. Since I have to take the PG off to get a tracing for the new one anyhow, it will be prime time to do and check it... I'll report back what I find...

Thanks guys!

I actually prefer to change the tone pot to 250K with the same value cap first, then change the tone cap value to something bigger before changing the volume pot. I like the taper of a 500K volume with humbuckers vs. 250k and a tone pot on 10 still shaves a little bit of high end off. Just the other day I swapped the tone cap in my Squier Classic Vibe from .022 to .047 and I can immediately hear the difference with the same value pots and them all on 10. .022 let too much highs through with these singles. So, with your HSS setup, try a larger tone cap or the tone pot first, then go from, there as long as the rest of the wiring looks good. If it's still too bright, swap the volume for a 250k.

 

[Despised]

If you want the Jake E. Lee tone, the JB is what you're after.

As I replied to you PM, I'm not after a Jake E. Lee tone specifically... I'm looking for more of a Steve Lukather & Toto/Mudvayne/early Dream Theater - where the tone is well balanced with a full, yet not muddy low end, enough high end bite to still cut through the mix and compliment the low end, and a mid range that brings enough presence to help define the clarity without sounding mid-heavy...

The one thing I don't wanna have to do is totally re-tweak my rig for this one guitar, when all my others are minor tweaks of the high and presence control to add and reduce high end. The 6505MH & 6505+ have plenty of it on tap if and when i want it...

 

[Despised]

+1 on 250K pots. JBs like a 250K volume pot, especially in a 25½" scale guitar.
Don't give upon it yet.

Definitely not! I think the wiring is not correct, because the JB usually sounds waaaaaaay better and more full sounding than this one does. Plus with the single coils having the same amount of high end bite is extremely unusual, even with the reverse angled they are positioned in, I think indicates an issue wiring wise... So when I get the pickguard off I will double check it and see for sure.

Thanks again brother, will keep you posted!

 

[Despised]

Duplicate post/reply... Edited reply below...

 

[Despised]

QUOTE=Mincer;n6085712]A Black Winter in the bridge would tame the high end, for sure. [/QUOTE]

And AdrianSD regarding the Black Winter...

How different are the 6-string BW compared to the 7-string one??? I ask because I just out a BW set in a '00 Jackson DR7T Dinky 7-string, and am not happy with the main series tones... They sound almost muddy like the Invader can sometimes tend to be, which I am really shocked at... The split coil and parallel tones are awesome, but the main std humbucker tone I'm not sold on.

So with this being the case, I'm kinda if-fy on the BW... But yet in the 6-string pickup comparison video that Keith Merrow did when he was with Duncan, the BW seems to be closer to the Distortion, with the Nazgul having the most high end bite between the 3. In the initial comparison videos when the BW came out, I was always under the impression that it was the Distortion -> Nazgul -> Black Winter in terms of high end spike...

And Mincer , that is IF my current situation isn't due to a wiring error, which I'm starting to think it is and may be...

So since I'm still not 100% on which way I wanna go yet, I'm keeping my ears and options open. And am using the 6-string model comparison video the biggest reference at the moment.

Greatly value and appreciate the help and suggestions guys, thank you. Keep it coming because I love being able to bounce things like this off others!

 

[Despised]

***MAJOR UPDATE!!!***

So it turns out that the guitar WAS wired wrong!!! I rewired it correctly and did the auto split function on position 2 (where it splits the JB with the middle single coil) and I now have a TRUE idea of how this thing sounds!! My discovery...

*The JB: It sounds good, but I think a tad bit more high-end would be the key to waking this thing up. It has a nice tight attack, not at all muddy, and the tight mids I like. So with this being said, I am now starting to consider the Distortion & the Alternative 8 as the main contenders. Might try the Distortion first as I think the ceramic is what will be the trick, and exchange it for an Alternative 8 if it's a tad too much highs...

*The Vintage Flats: Definitely live up to their name with the true vintage Strat-like tones they have. But not hot enough for what I would use them for... I definitely think the Hot Rails in the neck and the RWRP SSL-5 Custom Staggered are gonna be the trick for those two spots, and pair well with either the SH-6 or the SH-15 in the bridge.

Plus with the addition of the mini toggle for the outer coil splits of either humbucker I decide for the bridge and the Hot Rails in the neck, will be the perfect key to tonal versatility in this guitar!!

And of course, I also now think that the DiMarzio Super 3 and the 2x SDS-1's would be an equally great alternative set...

 

[Despised]

So I did an A/B comparison... my '14 LTD ST-213 with a Hot Rails in the bridge (alder body, bolt-on maple neck & FB, vintage trem...) to the Jake E. Lee with the JB (and same specs, only with a hardtail fixed bridge...). And here is what I found:

The JB sounds good, but I see what people are saying about it having that midrange honk to it... The HR - to me anyway - has the right amount of highs and lows, with the perfect midrange, for the perfect crunch, growl and articulation...

So I know a lot of people have swapped magnets in the JB to an A8 or an A2 for a variety of different tonal results... my NEW question regarding that is this:

Which magnet should I swap in the JB to keep the high and lows the same, but get rid of that midrange honk it tends to have normally??? A2 or A8???

 

[Adieu]

Thick ceramic? Turn it into a homemade Distortion