Extolling the virtues of the Crazy 8

[Binnerscot]

Just spent a good hour tearing up the Mark V with a couple of guitars.

JS1200
The Fred is cool, kind of like the Full Shred without the definition in the low end. Very vocal, fun to play on.

The PAF Joe is my favorite neck pup from DM...probably because is sounds a lot like the '59n.

RG1570
I dropped a DM Evolution in the bridge and a PAF Joe in the neck. The Evolution is my favorite bridge pup from DM (in a tie with the Tone Zone). Lots of oomph like the Distortion, similar clarity also, but a touch vocal mids like a JB. Too much fun ripping up the tiny bit of Vai that I know

Jackson SL2 Soloist
This Soloist has my first Crazy 8 in the bridge and a Crazy 8 "neck" - MJ asked, I said I generally like brighter pups and to surprise me (it came out really well, closest production pup I have heard would be an Air Norton, but better clarity and a bit of single coil twang in the mids)

I have been playing it for a while, but going back and forth between the guitars tonight just reminded me of how much I love this pickup.

Plenty of output, but not over-the-top mush. Extremely defined, very articulate, just the right balance of body and bite. It has a certain snarl that you hear in some PAFs and the '78. It has a bit of the respective characteristics that I like about the JB, Distortion, Full Shred, and the '78, all in one package.

This pup has been very friendly with every amp I have put it through, even the Rectos, which can be a little tempermental with some pups that are heavy in the low mids.

I have one more Crazy 8 in the pickup box, I think it deserves a custom order from Jackson to call home....

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Extolling the virtues of the Crazy 8

The Crazy8 is a superb pickup. I had in in my Soloist as well, before I put in the Crunchlab.
I think the 'Lab is tighter and more modern, less organic with more defnition ( more like a Custom) but they could both do a fantastic job in a metal/shred guitar, casue the Crazy8 has all the bite youd want and stays tight despite its extra girth.
I'd say the Crazy8 would be more versatile, and , kind of like a super pafpro, it'd be hard to find an instance where it wouldn't make any guitar sound good.