I have an 88' Charvel Model 5 and i am thinking about pickup replacement. the body is poplar, rosewood board, maple neck. i am into classic, thrash metal and blues. the amp i am using is Randall Diavlo. currently i really dig the tone of JB in my Jackson Dinky. i am looking into something passive, with strong mids and a bit of agression.. also, if anyone own this guitar, the tremolo is not sitting in the body, it's actualy raised up so there is enough space for floating it back. so i wonder if i should get humbucker or trembucker for the bridge?
Duncans that sounds good with poplar
- Thread starter Lux84
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Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
I had this in the crackle-orange. It's a h/s with the neck-thru actually angled back relative to the body,,,,,,like a gibby or dean.
Actually mine was the model 5fx (only 300ish made)
That jackson trem is narrower string-spacing than an OFR if I'm remembering right.
Probably best to measure the spacing yourself.
The pickup brands have exact mm dimensions on the websites.
The distortion would be a good fit IMO,,,,,,,,or the custom.
Why not another jb if you love it in the dinky?
I had this in the crackle-orange. It's a h/s with the neck-thru actually angled back relative to the body,,,,,,like a gibby or dean.
Actually mine was the model 5fx (only 300ish made)
That jackson trem is narrower string-spacing than an OFR if I'm remembering right.
Probably best to measure the spacing yourself.
The pickup brands have exact mm dimensions on the websites.
The distortion would be a good fit IMO,,,,,,,,or the custom.
Why not another jb if you love it in the dinky?
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Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
Almost certainly a TremBucker, given you have a vibrato bridge.
As far as pickup choices, there's lots of choices that could work, depending on what flavor you want.
For gonzo metal insanity, I always recommend the PATB-2 Parallel Axis Distortion bridge. I generally can't stand ceramic, but it lacks the ugly ceramic presence/treble bite that bothers me in every other pickup [Ceramic TB-5 Custom is probably a distant 2nd for best ceramic as far as I'm concerned]. PATB-2 sounds like the best parts of a Distortion, JB and Invader in one pickup. Only caveat is it might have too thick lower mids for your taste. But for screaming harmonics, reduced string pull, crazy sustain, and just sheer metal madness it's hard to beat if you like a hot compressed pickup. More and broader mids than the Dist/JB/Invader.
If you want something more flexible, a PATB-1b Original Parallel Axis might suit. It's somewhere in between a Custom 5 and a JB in tone, but very dynamic, more high end than the JB but sweeter. Harmonics still wail out, but are broader, rather than the focused scream of the JB. Low string pull, enhanced sustain and very responsive to touch and pick dynamics. Can squish almost like an A2 if you roll off the tone and soften your pick attack.
If you are comfortable with swapping magnets, a TB-5 Custom with an A8 magnet might suit. Has a strangely modern vintage feel, an open roar. Surface54 [Surface-X on soundcloud/youtube] used to have some great demos of it doing thrash metal. It basically rolls off the treble & upper mids from the ceramic, emphasizing the midrange a bit, very slightly softens the deep bass, but keeps most of the punch & output.
Some people argue the Alternative 8 does the same thing, but it's louder and more compressed, and loses some of the qualities I love about the Custom 8. If you aren't put off by a hair of ceramic bite, the TB-5 Custom might do it for you stock, though.
P-Rails [particularly as a set with a matching Triple Shot] is another fun oddball. 4 great sounds in one pickup: Series is a tone zone-ish hot fat humbucker, parallel gets compared to a light bubbly PAF, P-90 and a single coily rail mode. P-90s are highly underrecognized for metal [probably due to fear of noise problems. Noise gates aren't that uncommon now, though...] Not a jack of all trades, master of none, it's great at all of it's modes. Many people "only" like 3 of them, but there's considerable disagreement about which 3 are best.
Or if you want a stock, familiar-looking trembucker, you could look at a Perpetual Burn [underwound JBish, designed for Jason Becker] or Pegasus.
Or just go with another TB-4 JB, and if it is too bright or not punchy enough, look at magnet swapping with an A8 magnet.
Almost certainly a TremBucker, given you have a vibrato bridge.
As far as pickup choices, there's lots of choices that could work, depending on what flavor you want.
For gonzo metal insanity, I always recommend the PATB-2 Parallel Axis Distortion bridge. I generally can't stand ceramic, but it lacks the ugly ceramic presence/treble bite that bothers me in every other pickup [Ceramic TB-5 Custom is probably a distant 2nd for best ceramic as far as I'm concerned]. PATB-2 sounds like the best parts of a Distortion, JB and Invader in one pickup. Only caveat is it might have too thick lower mids for your taste. But for screaming harmonics, reduced string pull, crazy sustain, and just sheer metal madness it's hard to beat if you like a hot compressed pickup. More and broader mids than the Dist/JB/Invader.
If you want something more flexible, a PATB-1b Original Parallel Axis might suit. It's somewhere in between a Custom 5 and a JB in tone, but very dynamic, more high end than the JB but sweeter. Harmonics still wail out, but are broader, rather than the focused scream of the JB. Low string pull, enhanced sustain and very responsive to touch and pick dynamics. Can squish almost like an A2 if you roll off the tone and soften your pick attack.
If you are comfortable with swapping magnets, a TB-5 Custom with an A8 magnet might suit. Has a strangely modern vintage feel, an open roar. Surface54 [Surface-X on soundcloud/youtube] used to have some great demos of it doing thrash metal. It basically rolls off the treble & upper mids from the ceramic, emphasizing the midrange a bit, very slightly softens the deep bass, but keeps most of the punch & output.
Some people argue the Alternative 8 does the same thing, but it's louder and more compressed, and loses some of the qualities I love about the Custom 8. If you aren't put off by a hair of ceramic bite, the TB-5 Custom might do it for you stock, though.
P-Rails [particularly as a set with a matching Triple Shot] is another fun oddball. 4 great sounds in one pickup: Series is a tone zone-ish hot fat humbucker, parallel gets compared to a light bubbly PAF, P-90 and a single coily rail mode. P-90s are highly underrecognized for metal [probably due to fear of noise problems. Noise gates aren't that uncommon now, though...] Not a jack of all trades, master of none, it's great at all of it's modes. Many people "only" like 3 of them, but there's considerable disagreement about which 3 are best.
Or if you want a stock, familiar-looking trembucker, you could look at a Perpetual Burn [underwound JBish, designed for Jason Becker] or Pegasus.
Or just go with another TB-4 JB, and if it is too bright or not punchy enough, look at magnet swapping with an A8 magnet.
Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
dave74 is right, measuring is the most certain option. Usually 50mm or narrower, go for SH, 51MM or larger, go TB. There's a middle ground a very few bridges hit where either is equally wrong and it's personal taste, but those are rare.
dave74 is right, measuring is the most certain option. Usually 50mm or narrower, go for SH, 51MM or larger, go TB. There's a middle ground a very few bridges hit where either is equally wrong and it's personal taste, but those are rare.
Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
The poplar Music Man I have is pretty much the exact same body as my main (alder-bodied) Music Man. The poplar one is all mids, and I have to go with a set of pickups that are clearer and more scooped than I would normally use. The alder one has a Custom Custom and Alnico II Pro. The poplar one has a Custom 5 and Jazz. The poplar one is still mid-heavy comparatively. All poplar might not be the same, but mine is just all mids.
The poplar Music Man I have is pretty much the exact same body as my main (alder-bodied) Music Man. The poplar one is all mids, and I have to go with a set of pickups that are clearer and more scooped than I would normally use. The alder one has a Custom Custom and Alnico II Pro. The poplar one has a Custom 5 and Jazz. The poplar one is still mid-heavy comparatively. All poplar might not be the same, but mine is just all mids.
metalchurch79
New member
Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
My KV2 is Poplar and I had an L500XL in it with great results. I know it isn't a Duncan, but it really shouldn't be over looked honestly.
I also had a Jackson Rhoads with a poplar body and I had a JB in that and it sounded OK, but then I got an older SH-6 (DDJ) and that thing screamed with that in it. I ultimately went to EMGs in both, but when I was using passives, those were some of the ones I tried and liked.
Poplar is actually my fav wood and it responds quite well to most pickups, not to say its a bland in flavored type of wood, just kind of transparent in some respects in the sense that it responds well to all kinds of pickups. A lot of those old Jacksons and Charvels had a poplar body, so that was always a big plus for me considering I'm actually a Jackson guy, despite what my signature line would make you inclined to believe.
All great suggestions by everyone, so you really can't go wrong by any means. I like the Alt-8 suggestion too...never tried one, always wanted to.
I'll also just add that I had a DiMarzio Evolution, and a Breed in poplar bodies with excellent results as well.
My KV2 is Poplar and I had an L500XL in it with great results. I know it isn't a Duncan, but it really shouldn't be over looked honestly.
I also had a Jackson Rhoads with a poplar body and I had a JB in that and it sounded OK, but then I got an older SH-6 (DDJ) and that thing screamed with that in it. I ultimately went to EMGs in both, but when I was using passives, those were some of the ones I tried and liked.
Poplar is actually my fav wood and it responds quite well to most pickups, not to say its a bland in flavored type of wood, just kind of transparent in some respects in the sense that it responds well to all kinds of pickups. A lot of those old Jacksons and Charvels had a poplar body, so that was always a big plus for me considering I'm actually a Jackson guy, despite what my signature line would make you inclined to believe.
All great suggestions by everyone, so you really can't go wrong by any means. I like the Alt-8 suggestion too...never tried one, always wanted to.
I'll also just add that I had a DiMarzio Evolution, and a Breed in poplar bodies with excellent results as well.
Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
I am probably gonna go with something used, something that it will be available at the time on the market..
So Distortion would get well with poplar body? i am torn between Distortion and JB, i like the fact that Distortion is strong, punchy and that it has a bit agressive character. but i remember that i really liked Custom in my ex les paul copy guitar, but i had different kind of amp back then, it was JCM 800 clone. Now that i have Randall Diavlo, i would like to brighten the tone a bit, cause the character of the amp can be a bit on the dark sound tonewise.
For the neck i will definately go with the standard 59 or Jazz. I even don't really know if i am gonna change the stock Jackson pups, but it looks like the bridge pickup has some kind of defect and owerall i realy dig the guitar so it might be worth it.
What i don't like about this Jacksons is that splitable positions don't sound that good, they sound a bit muffled. Also i don't know if i found mid boost function really usable, so i might get rid of it, if i would change the pups. These Jacksons have crazy amount of output when the mid boost function is on. the mid boost function also adds some low end to the sound. I am still getting used to them.
I am probably gonna go with something used, something that it will be available at the time on the market..
So Distortion would get well with poplar body? i am torn between Distortion and JB, i like the fact that Distortion is strong, punchy and that it has a bit agressive character. but i remember that i really liked Custom in my ex les paul copy guitar, but i had different kind of amp back then, it was JCM 800 clone. Now that i have Randall Diavlo, i would like to brighten the tone a bit, cause the character of the amp can be a bit on the dark sound tonewise.
For the neck i will definately go with the standard 59 or Jazz. I even don't really know if i am gonna change the stock Jackson pups, but it looks like the bridge pickup has some kind of defect and owerall i realy dig the guitar so it might be worth it.
What i don't like about this Jacksons is that splitable positions don't sound that good, they sound a bit muffled. Also i don't know if i found mid boost function really usable, so i might get rid of it, if i would change the pups. These Jacksons have crazy amount of output when the mid boost function is on. the mid boost function also adds some low end to the sound. I am still getting used to them.
Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
My choice would be to ditch the built-in boost.
I'd rather run a pedal-boost for the sake of being adjustable,,,,and probably better sound quality.
For more in-your-face aggressive mids; Distortion
The custom would balance the guitar's natural tone better IMO, if that's what you were going for.
My choice would be to ditch the built-in boost.
I'd rather run a pedal-boost for the sake of being adjustable,,,,and probably better sound quality.
For more in-your-face aggressive mids; Distortion
The custom would balance the guitar's natural tone better IMO, if that's what you were going for.
STLMTLHD79
Active member
Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
err, if i am not mistaken, aren't all the 80s Charvel Model series made of Basswood?
err, if i am not mistaken, aren't all the 80s Charvel Model series made of Basswood?
Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
Some might be, but these were definitely poplar wings.
Some might be, but these were definitely poplar wings.
BriGuy1968
New member
Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
There are all sorts of Duncan's that sound good and are popular.
Oh wait… didn't read the title close enough. My bad!
There are all sorts of Duncan's that sound good and are popular.
Oh wait… didn't read the title close enough. My bad!
Falloffthebonetone
New member
Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
I got a 59/Custom hybrid and a Jazz in my poplar rosewood board maple neck super strat and floyd style bridge and I love it. Not the hottest thing, but if you use a Diavolo and maybe a boost, you'd probably be really well off for thrash stuff..
I got a 59/Custom hybrid and a Jazz in my poplar rosewood board maple neck super strat and floyd style bridge and I love it. Not the hottest thing, but if you use a Diavolo and maybe a boost, you'd probably be really well off for thrash stuff..
Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
getting something that works for thrash AND blues is more of a problem than the body wood, though. A high output pickup like the Distortion probably won't have the dynamics or clean tone for the blues. The best compromise is a medium output pickup, like a 59/Custom Hybrid. It is still dynamic, but is great with tight distortion.
getting something that works for thrash AND blues is more of a problem than the body wood, though. A high output pickup like the Distortion probably won't have the dynamics or clean tone for the blues. The best compromise is a medium output pickup, like a 59/Custom Hybrid. It is still dynamic, but is great with tight distortion.
Joey Voltage
New member
Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
Seeing as you liked the jb my vote would go towards the alt8. The big maple slab through the body is probably more dominant over the poplar wings, so I'm assuming that guitar is fairly bright as is. I have a brighter hard ash guitar with an alt8 and it works really well in that one. You could go with something a little darker as well. Are you sold on Duncan's only? A dimarzio breed might sound pretty good in a neck through soloist type guitar.
Seeing as you liked the jb my vote would go towards the alt8. The big maple slab through the body is probably more dominant over the poplar wings, so I'm assuming that guitar is fairly bright as is. I have a brighter hard ash guitar with an alt8 and it works really well in that one. You could go with something a little darker as well. Are you sold on Duncan's only? A dimarzio breed might sound pretty good in a neck through soloist type guitar.
Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
Yea, i thought about that. But since i would go with split function i can have an option for more bluesy sounds with Distortion too. I want to keep an agressive character with that guitar. JB or Distortion, or maybe even that mentioned Custom 5, i will see what will be available at used market. I play mainly metal, but sometimes also blues and hard rock.
Yea, i thought about that. But since i would go with split function i can have an option for more bluesy sounds with Distortion too. I want to keep an agressive character with that guitar. JB or Distortion, or maybe even that mentioned Custom 5, i will see what will be available at used market. I play mainly metal, but sometimes also blues and hard rock.
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
Neckthroughs had alder or poplar wings, while the bolt-ons were basswood.
The pickup isn't going to do as much here for three different-but-similar styles/tones as your pedal collection will. You're not going to get 3 distinct and effective tones out of the amp alone without a lot of knob-twisting, and unless it's programmable, that's going to get old really fast.
It also depends on what exactly you mean by "thrash, hard rock, and blues".
If you're playing early-80s Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, and Slayer, and AC/DC is your Hard Rock of choice, and SRV is your Blues target, a single pickup alone isn't going to clone those tones, even if it does split. You're going to need EQ and drive pedals dedicated to each style if you really want to get their tones.
A medium-output pickup can only be boosted so far, but a high-output pickup can be cut down farther. Ceramic will have more of an edge, but can also get fizzy and grainy in a bad way if you take it too far.
If you just want something that will get you close enough to work and aren't concerned with copping those exact tones, then go with a Distortion, either SH-6, TB-6, or PATB-2.
As for the on-board circuit, those thin wires they used for the control connections to the board can only take so much voltage over the years before they just get too brittle to be of use. 9v isn't much, but after 30 years, and the wire wasn't that high-quality to begin with, I've found they're easy to twist apart, and nearly impossible to re-solder because they crumble to dust.
Either remove it entirely or replace it with a more modern update. GFS makes them, as does EMG, and Duncan has the Blackouts modular preamp, and those all work with anything, passive or active, though I don't know how they compare to each other in terms of boost. Should be the same +20 -20 dB of clean boost between them.
Neckthroughs had alder or poplar wings, while the bolt-ons were basswood.
The pickup isn't going to do as much here for three different-but-similar styles/tones as your pedal collection will. You're not going to get 3 distinct and effective tones out of the amp alone without a lot of knob-twisting, and unless it's programmable, that's going to get old really fast.
It also depends on what exactly you mean by "thrash, hard rock, and blues".
If you're playing early-80s Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, and Slayer, and AC/DC is your Hard Rock of choice, and SRV is your Blues target, a single pickup alone isn't going to clone those tones, even if it does split. You're going to need EQ and drive pedals dedicated to each style if you really want to get their tones.
A medium-output pickup can only be boosted so far, but a high-output pickup can be cut down farther. Ceramic will have more of an edge, but can also get fizzy and grainy in a bad way if you take it too far.
If you just want something that will get you close enough to work and aren't concerned with copping those exact tones, then go with a Distortion, either SH-6, TB-6, or PATB-2.
As for the on-board circuit, those thin wires they used for the control connections to the board can only take so much voltage over the years before they just get too brittle to be of use. 9v isn't much, but after 30 years, and the wire wasn't that high-quality to begin with, I've found they're easy to twist apart, and nearly impossible to re-solder because they crumble to dust.
Either remove it entirely or replace it with a more modern update. GFS makes them, as does EMG, and Duncan has the Blackouts modular preamp, and those all work with anything, passive or active, though I don't know how they compare to each other in terms of boost. Should be the same +20 -20 dB of clean boost between them.
metalchurch79
New member
Re: Duncans that sounds good with poplar
The bolt on King V and Rhoads were Poplar and Alder, but those are obviously not whats being talked about here. Thats what I was referring to in my post from my experience though.
The bolt on King V and Rhoads were Poplar and Alder, but those are obviously not whats being talked about here. Thats what I was referring to in my post from my experience though.
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