Full Shred Mini-review

[mustaine-who?]

O-k...I just installed a Full Shred set that I picked up from a fellow-boardmember. Replaced a SD Distortion in the bridge and the stock (ewwww) Jackson neck Pup. Guitar is alder, maple neck/rosewood fretboard. Typical Jackson stuff. Oh...the guitar has a OFR.

First impressions:

Less bass and fizz than the Distortion. The D sounds full and "angry", but lacks low end definition. Good lord the FS has definition in spaded! Its not as angry sounding, but it has a nice upper mid attack that really gives clarity without being harsh. I turned my bass setting from 5 to 6, and got a little bottom back. But back to the definition. As I pedal back and forth from the low strings to 2 or 3 note chords, I finally have the seperation I've been craving for all these years! Very nice. "Skin o my Teeth" never sounded so good! And "Hanger 18" finally sounds like it should.

The neck Pup to me only sounds good above the 12th fret, but hey...I'm not really a neck Pup guy. I'd almost rather turn the tone down a 1/4 to give me a differant sound than flip to the neck. Haven't tried it yet for any clean settings.

So there you go. I'm def happier.

Oh...the FS sounds more modern as well.

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: Full Shred Mini-review

how do you feel the output compares?..to like an EMG 81?

 

[Farkus]

Re: Full Shred Mini-review

Without a doubt the bridge FS sounds more modern; I have no experience with the neck model. When I'm playing hard rock, I use the neck pickup to solo most of the time...I find most pickups too flubby for the application. Think the FS is tight in the neck?

 

[mustaine-who?]

Re: Full Shred Mini-review

how do you feel the output compares?..to like an EMG 81?

Never played an EMG 81, but its not as hot as the Steve's Special in my Charvel. Just a little less output...not a huge amount. But it makes up for it in a good way. Doesn't feel wimpy...probably because of the upper mid cut. But its not Honky either. I run my Jackson into a 808 modded TS-9, then into my amp, and changing back and forth between guitars, the Shred held up fine.

The neck is very articulate. Started getting some of that singing quality I've heard about. Nice and bubbly on the faster pieces...

 

[stangme01]

Re: Full Shred Mini-review

so wait there was no low end definition but you pedaled back and forth and then the definition was there? Not sure exactly what you were saying here can you clarify?

 

[mustaine-who?]

Re: Full Shred Mini-review

so wait there was no low end definition but you pedaled back and forth and then the definition was there? Not sure exactly what you were saying here can you clarify?

No...didn't say that. Go back and read it again. The Distortion didn't have the definition I wanted on the low string. The Full Shred Does. It has less low-end emphasis (read the SD charts), but its not shallow or lifeless.

When you first put in the Distortion, its huge and loud and angry. You can immediatly start banging all the 80's hair metal tunes. But as you up the pace, and start going more modern, the D can't keep up (to me), probably because those big low end frequencies start to run all together. The Shred takes away some of the low end, and gives you nice tight chugging that is flabless!

Just my $.02 I think a lot of people are "afraid" of the Full Shred because it doesn't get a lot of ink, but for faster thrash type metal, I find it great.

 

[stangme01]

Re: Full Shred Mini-review

ah i see, when you said "distortion" i thought you meant when you laid distortion on the full shred it didn't have enough definition.

I will eventually get around to checking this sucker out I really don't like how compressed and grainy the distortion (or the JB!!!!) is. Is the full shred hotter than the customs?

 

[teflondog]

Re: Full Shred Mini-review

I really like the Full Shred for classic and hard rock, but I find it too bright for Death Metal. But it's great for leads once the tone is turned back some.

 

[ksmith63]

Re: Full Shred Mini-review

how do you feel the output compares?..to like an EMG 81?

full shred puts the 81 to shame. more output, less sterile, same amount of definition. full shreds also have a good upper mid sound to them as well.

 

[stangme01]

Re: Full Shred Mini-review

full shred puts the 81 to shame. more output, less sterile, same amount of definition. full shreds also have a good upper mid sound to them as well.

are you positive? I can't imagine the FS has more output than an 81. THe 81 certainly isn't the hottest pickup out there but I'm pretty sure the only duncans that are hotter than the 81 are the live wires and the invader.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Full Shred Mini-review

The Full Shred is not higher output than the EMG 81, but has more clarity and may be a bit more dynamic.

The Distortion is close to the output of the 81, the Invader is a bit more output....the 81 is afraid of the Heavy Metal Live Wire.

 

[fullfistrock21]

Re: Full Shred Mini-review

is the fullshed just like a JB tightned up? I heard it has some JB elements but has the tightness of a custom

 

[stangme01]

Re: Full Shred Mini-review

i've heard people say its a custom 5 with the allen head screws.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Full Shred Mini-review

The C5 is a bit brighter and a little looser than the FS. The FS has more mids to it and a very distinct tight low end. The FS is closer in sound relationship to a JB than a C5. I would be very surprised if it was C5 with different pole pieces.