Charvel model 5fx wiring & pickups

[Charvel1975]

Merry Christmas everyone!! So the EMG's in my Charvel right now I'm not digging the sound, tried last week I believe to increase height of bridge 81 and just still sounded thin sounding compared to the other guitars in my signature??

Had an 85 in the bridge before and now playing on the 81, the 85 had more low end it seems than the 81... I can't tell what EMG single coil is in the neck as the color on the logo is worn off, might be an SA and since I've had the guitar, the neck single coil has never been out which I've been told if I ever change the neck single coil, that the wiring has to come out on the treble side of the pickup due to the routing in the guitar.

I'd really like to start using the Charvel again for practices and I just want it to sound great if that's possible! I've posted other threads here and on other forums that I've been debating going to all passive pickups and new output jack 3 way toggle switch (Switchcraft for both) and CTS push/pull tone and volume pots. The EMG-89, 89R and 57TW also peaked my interest on the active side.

 

[jeremy]

cant really help with an active suggestion unless you wanna go duncan blackout, which i think would kick ass.

 

[Charvel1975]

cant really help with an active suggestion unless you wanna go duncan blackout, which i think would kick ass.

What passive pickups would sound good in my Charvel model 5fx if I was to go the passive route?

 

[Mincer]

Well, I'd say something that doesn't sound thin...look at the Black Winter to start. What kind of music are you playing?

 

[Charvel1975]

Well, I'd say something that doesn't sound thin...look at the Black Winter to start. What kind of music are you playing?

I'm in a 70's/80's classic rock/hard rock/hair metal and 90's rock in standard E tuning and are a 2 guitarist band.

 

[Mincer]

I'm in a 70's/80's classic rock/hard rock/hair metal and 90's rock in standard E tuning and are a 2 guitarist band.

Then, I'd suggest a Custom.

 

[Charvel1975]

Then, I'd suggest a Custom.

What would be a good neck single coil, a Cool Rails?

 

[Mincer]

What would be a good neck single coil, a Cool Rails?

Depends on what you want out of a neck pickup. A Cool Rails is similar to a Jazz, so if you want the sound of a clean and clear humbucker with not a lot of bass or mids, then the Cool Rails is fantastic.

 

[Charvel1975]

Depends on what you want out of a neck pickup. A Cool Rails is similar to a Jazz, so if you want the sound of a clean and clear humbucker with not a lot of bass or mids, then the Cool Rails is fantastic.

Mincer thank you Does the Cool Rails sound good split to single coil mode?

 

[Mincer]

Mincer thank you Does the Cool Rails sound good split to single coil mode?

I don't think any of the small humbuckers sound good split. I think the higher output ones (like Hot Rails) sound good in parallel, though.