Could It Be That I Just Don't Like Alder? (Thinking About Replacing the RR-1)

[Guitarist]

Re: Could It Be That I Just Don't Like Alder? (Thinking About Replacing the RR-1)

I've never come across a "dud" USA...

But, I quote you, you said that your Schecter "plays just as well" as your RR-1 and even said that the Jackson neck has a "sticky feeling".

Playability is huge. I recall a London Scientific Convention (1998...Novemeber...freezing outside and an odor in the room), here's what they found...

LONDON SCIENTIFIC CONVENTION --1998
>>>We have gathered on this day to announce the following in recent British scientific discoveries...

If two prostitutes are working a corner and one is cheaper, a good chap will pick up the less expensive broad. Now, lets get to those biscuits in the lobby and have a riveting good time! Yes! Yes!

You get the picture.

And, well, I'll tell you this much, the only sticky feeling I want to be experiencing while playing any guitar is in my pants, not on my hands.

 

[Kac]

Re: Could It Be That I Just Don't Like Alder? (Thinking About Replacing the RR-1)

Consider the idea that your Jackson is just not a good sounding specimen. Personally, I think it has less to do with the alder, and more to do with it's body shape and grade of wood used under that paint.

If you plugged 10 versions of your guitar into your amp, you may find that yours is one of the duds, compared to 2 or 3 that are resonant, alive, and toneful. I've found that with many guitars......and some broke my heart because they looked killer, played killer, but just fell flat in the tone dept......even with the best pickups. It happens.

I'll be honest, for humbuckers, I think light resonant mahogany with a maple cap has the very best tone.......which is why so many gravitate toward Gibson, PRS, Schecter, and other Jackson models. I think you should put the stock pups back in, sell it to Kac for $200, and move on. There's no reason to get sentimental about it.....just get something new that has a better sound, and if that one isn't it, move onto something else.

I like GJ's post too :13:

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Could It Be That I Just Don't Like Alder? (Thinking About Replacing the RR-1)

If your heart isn't set on 24 frets and a Floyd, I'd suggest looking at a used USA Hamer.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Could It Be That I Just Don't Like Alder? (Thinking About Replacing the RR-1)

If your heart isn't set on 24 frets and a Floyd, I'd suggest looking at a used USA Hamer.

 

[metallicajs1]

Re: Could It Be That I Just Don't Like Alder? (Thinking About Replacing the RR-1)

Actually Benjy, my heart is essentially set on a floyd. The Schecter (which has an OFR stock) just happens to have 24 frets.

The current plan of action is to sell this sometime in the next coming weeks (did a bunch of testing today with the same results...), use the cash to pickup a Viper 407 (650-700), and stick the rest in the bank, waiting until I hav
-DSS3 on MJ1's accounte enough for the C-1FR (600). If all goes well and the computer repair I've been doing keeps steady, I'll have both in about 2 months. I'll have to run it by my Dad first, though... He'll think I'm insane. It should be easy enough to explain that it just doesn't sound good.


-DSS3 @ MJ1's house

 

[Nite_Maresz_25]

Re: Could It Be That I Just Don't Like Alder? (Thinking About Replacing the RR-1)

-DSS3 @ MJ1's house

Ok. I was starting to think you had to different accounts there Jeff.
BTW, is that against forum pollicy ?

 

[Justice4all]

Re: Could It Be That I Just Don't Like Alder? (Thinking About Replacing the RR-1)

I would have to aggree on the grade of wood and body shape of the "V", not the best for a full sounding beast of a tone, ive always found them a bit on the shrill/bright side of things with not much bottom end fullness, to my ears anyways.
I have a ESP neck thru made from Alder and two heavy as hell mahogany custom shops, and for me alder just hits the tone im after in my head.
I like it alot better.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Could It Be That I Just Don't Like Alder? (Thinking About Replacing the RR-1)

DSS, an interesting thing happened a couple days ago. I was playing around on a Uberschall at The Amp Shop in Studio City, when another guy holding his Jackson RR came up to me and said 'here, play my guitar so I can hear it through that Bogner.'

It was the same model you have, plus he had a Screamin Demon/Jazz along with an active boost. The first thing I noticed was how lifeless and dull it sounded, even with the good pickups. My point of reference is LP's, PRS, and my G&L Legacy Deluxe, and the RR didn't even come close, tonally. Like Hot Grits and Watroba pointed out, it has the most to do with the body shape, since there's almost no mass contributing to it's sustain. After that, I'm convinced that you should move onto another model. Perhaps a Kelly or Soloist would be better? If I were you, I'd get an HH Soloist with a Floyd.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Could It Be That I Just Don't Like Alder? (Thinking About Replacing the RR-1)

Would you like to buy my RR-1, in that case? :laugh2:

It's not that the tone is bad, it's just not 'my' tone. 'My' tone is a fairly crushing one, which, thinking about it, I've never really heard a 'crushing' tone out of an RR. It's always more edgy or high end-based than I'm looking for. Mahogany and EMG's is where it's at for me, right now. I'd like to try a Full Shred set in the C-1FR, though.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Could It Be That I Just Don't Like Alder? (Thinking About Replacing the RR-1)

DSS, an interesting thing happened a couple days ago. I was playing around on a Uberschall at The Amp Shop in Studio City, when another guy holding his Jackson RR came up to me and said 'here, play my guitar so I can hear it through that Bogner.'

It was the same model you have, plus he had a Screamin Demon/Jazz along with an active boost. The first thing I noticed was how lifeless and dull it sounded, even with the good pickups. My point of reference is LP's, PRS, and my G&L Legacy Deluxe, and the RR didn't even come close, tonally. Like Hot Grits and Watroba pointed out, it has the most to do with the body shape, since there's almost no mass contributing to it's sustain. After that, I'm convinced that you should move onto another model. Perhaps a Kelly or Soloist would be better? If I were you, I'd get an HH Soloist with a Floyd.

Haha what a weird coincidence, eh?

I actually plan to cash in the RR-1 for two axes; one nice 7 string that I've been GAS'ing on for a while now (6+ months), and another Floyd'ed axe. Getting the 7 string doesn't leave me with quite enough cash for an SL2H, and my Schecter right now is essentially perfect for me, so I was planning on that model with an FR, as it's an OFR stock.

But, who know's. I'll be getting the 7 first. Maybe I'll love it so much that I want another one, and get another one with a Floyd? Maybe I'll hate it and return in, and have enough for an SL2H? Maybe I'll go for an SL-3 or SL-4, maybe even a Dk-1 instead of the Schecter?

Hell, maybe I won't miss the Floyd at all, and get another hardtail.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Could It Be That I Just Don't Like Alder? (Thinking About Replacing the RR-1)

I just can't seem to find a tone I truely like out of this guitar; and had the same issue with my alder Dinky import. Between the two of them, I've tried JB's, DD's, Custom's, Invader's, 85's (giving this and an 81 another shot in the RR soon though), and 500T's. None of them have really given me a spectacular tone.....

On the other hand, the JB, Custom, C5, and 85 have all given me great tones in my mahogany Schecter. Granted, the 85 sounds better than the others, I still could've lived with the rest.

I haven't read all the replies yet..so excuse me if some of this has been repeated.

This is precisely the issue I've always had with Jackson neck thoughs. I just have never been able to get *great* tone out of them. Good, yes. But no magic.

That said, I've owned plenty of other Alder bodied guitars that had killer tone. But they were all bolt ons. I just don't like alder in neck through...in combo with an all maple neck, it's just a thin sound w/ no "snap" or punch to my ears.

On top of that, to my ears, Floyd's rob tone too. I know some people swear they do not, but they sound different. Maybe some people *prefer* that sound, but I don't. I LOVE the sound of a fender bridge, but floyds just don't sound right.

I would give one more pup a try before ya give up. PAF. A "real" PAF...not a C-5. But a 59, or BB, or Seth or something. It may jes give you the thickness you desire.

If not, then I wouldn't hesitate to find a new axe. It's no fun to play a guitar that doesn't inspire you.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Could It Be That I Just Don't Like Alder? (Thinking About Replacing the RR-1)

Alright, took a ton of pictures today; could very well be on the chopping block on Saturday.

http://photobucket.com/albums/v356/DeadSkinSlayer36/RR-1/?sc=2

 

[ranalli]

Re: Could It Be That I Just Don't Like Alder? (Thinking About Replacing the RR-1)

Ah, hey Ranalli. Sounds like the same thought.

At least it isn't a question about cleaning the snow off the top of your car, huh?


Inside joke, nothing to do with anyone on here.

Oh....winter isn't that far away anymore is it??? LOL....


Back on the subject of the guitar.....I've always found the USA Jackson stuff to be very bright....ebony fingerboard, alder body, maple neck, and JB bridge pickup...never liked that pickup in that guitar.


When I had my RR1 and I actually do this for every guitar I get....I try a fairly bright pickup, a fairly dark pickup, and a fairly middle of the road pickup...then work from there. I give all that a shot because a guitar playability is more important to me than it's inherent tone. I can change the tone for the better...but if it doesn't feel good in my hands then I can't really change that.


With that being said, I don't think the shape of the guitar is the problem. Strats have about the same wood as an RR1 and nobody complains about tone with strats.


Like I said, the guitar may be a dud, or you just might not like the tone of it when all is said and done.

I was able to get the sound I wanted with a darker pickup on my RR1 and SL1 when I had them....glad I didn't give up after the JB and Distortion...I felt they were way to bright.