Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup :(

[Pierre]

I have a Kramer Stagemaster (maple neck through, alder wings, ebony fingerboard, single slanted bucker and OFR) which is THE best guitar I have ever played (take that custom shop ESP and USA Jackson!).

But finding THE right pickup is tough.

The guitar is surprisingly warm sounding. Really not that bright at all. I have a very high action so sustain is not a problem at all, and it sounds beautiful, with little hints of Les Paul at times. Very smooth too, but not in an overly thin way. REALLY gorgeous tone. I love it for Blues, weirdly enough

It came with a DiMarzio AirZone which was very fat but didn't suit me. For a while it had DiMarzio Megadrive which sounded really good, but a little too bland for me. I was looking for more flavor. Kinda like a gourmet meal which needs more salt
Right now it's got a SD Screaming Deamon, with only hex screws on the bass and screws on the treble

x x x - - -
x x x - - -

it sounds good but again, not what I'm looking for. Not enough harmonics, not enough output, not enough aggression.

To be honest, output in itself isn't all THAT important. But I don't have mega gain stuff, so it matters. Let's just say the SD isn't powerful enough, but not by that much.
A tight low end is needed but not necessarily Full Shred tight. Something good enough for rythm, but not overwhelming with leads.
It needs to have a thick midrange which drives an amp hard, but never obstructing the sound of the guitar itself.
And the treble need to have a certain aggression to it, to counter the guitar's smoothness and make it brighter.

Any idea, or am I too picky?

Please help and thanks!

 

[metlking]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

Once again, it must be a JB!

 

[Loserchief]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

Evolution!
More output, more harmonics, more aggression

 

[sosomething]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

Maybe you should try the "78"

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

JB'd be too loose and it covers up way too much of a guitar's natural tone, in my experience.

give the PATB-3 a try. I'm sure either that or a PATB-1 will do the trick.

 

[mustaine-who?]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

I have a PATB-1 and a Distortion you can try out if you'd like. Which ever one you like, you can keep and pay me then.

BTW...I'd go Distortion for your rig. I had one in my Epi Jackson clone (Ebony board, neck thru) and it was chugga chugga riffic!!!

PM if you're interested...

 

[JeffB]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

Choice

1) DiMarzio Virtual HOT PAF : thick mids, tight bass, great clarity and "airy-ness", not super high output, but still quite aggressive

2) DiMarzio Super Distortion: it will give you the thick lows and mids, but is not over the top in treble..it has a presence "cut" though that will help a warmer/darker guitar..its crunchier, cuts better and is more aggressive than the AZ.

3) Duncan Custom: thick mids, good treble response (good cut), agressive sounding without being over the top.

 

[Brow]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

I'd try a Bareknuckle Cold Sweat in that guitar

A vintage sounding pickup but with a modern edge

 

[madguitar26]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

nothing like a tom anderson h3+

 

[stangme01]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

I was gonna say JB until you said you wanted a pickup that doesn't color the sound of the guitar too much. Duncan Custom is for you my friend!

The sh-6 distortion does NOT let your tone come through from the guitar either and its really compressed IMO.

Also i'd have to say lower your action, high action can lead to a very unaggressive sound and low crunchin. Yes sustain is awesome with high action, but the sound is only really great for cleans and light bluesy stuff. For aggressiveness IMO you need lower action just try it.

 

[paytojt]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

Custom is good, or try different magnets. I suggest a ceramic or A8, but A8 might be overkill (it was in my Custom).

 

[Freeman]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

My friend has a custom Tele that he had made. He put Kinnman single coil pus on it and it is great. Have you considered Kinnman?

Dan

 

[C-Martin]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

Maybe you should try the "78"

+1, more agression, more harmonics, not realy higher output but it cuts

Choice

3) Duncan Custom: thick mids, good treble response (good cut), agressive sounding without being over the top.

+2! my first and favorite pickup, maybe i got lucky on my first pick? i dunno.. but the sound of the custom in the bridge of a strat or strat style gutiar is stamped in my brain like the PAF with an agressive edge. You get great harmonics and output without being a distortion wich i find bit too harsh... not too bright, nice and thick, great for palm muting, and cuts trough the mix very well... its a paf with more balls :headbang:

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

Your description screams EMG 89/85. Great thick midrange, outstanding clarity and a nice bite to the highs. And a real volume pot too!

 

[Fritz6]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

Custom is good, or try different magnets. I suggest a ceramic or A8, but A8 might be overkill (it was in my Custom).

Too many mids with a C8?

 

[Pierre]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

mhmm I'll try lowering the action... I can't play low action anymore though now :laugh2: I'm just not used to it

The Evo, I played and hated it. Shrill, thin sounding. Though again it was in a JEM555...


Custom is a great choice actually :s I had one at some point but never put it into the Kramer...
I LOVE the Distortion but I wouldn't use it for that guitar. Probably just... 'too much'.

PATB1 is first on the list, then Custom, then hot PAF.


Thanks for the offer Mustainewho! Right now it's more speculating than anything else though

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

If you want the natural sound of the guitar to come through, try Bill Lawrence pickups from the man himself, www.billlawrence.com. Full spectrum pups.

 

[disturb]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

Sounds like a Pearly Gates to me

 

[fullfistrock21]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

actually i would totally recommend the 78.....slanted bridge, kramer style this is its "element" totally it would probably be the best choice...everything seems to be too distinctive and would take away from the natural sound of the guitar

 

[fab.regnaut]

Re: Gaaah I have the best guitar in the world and I can't find its pickup

I have a Kramer Stagemaster (maple neck through, alder wings, ebony fingerboard, single slanted bucker and OFR) which is THE best guitar I have ever played (take that custom shop ESP and USA Jackson!).

But finding THE right pickup is tough.

The guitar is surprisingly warm sounding. Really not that bright at all. I have a very high action so sustain is not a problem at all, and it sounds beautiful, with little hints of Les Paul at times. Very smooth too, but not in an overly thin way. REALLY gorgeous tone. I love it for Blues, weirdly enough

It came with a DiMarzio AirZone which was very fat but didn't suit me. For a while it had DiMarzio Megadrive which sounded really good, but a little too bland for me. I was looking for more flavor. Kinda like a gourmet meal which needs more salt
Right now it's got a SD Screaming Deamon, with only hex screws on the bass and screws on the treble

x x x - - -
x x x - - -

it sounds good but again, not what I'm looking for. Not enough harmonics, not enough output, not enough aggression.

To be honest, output in itself isn't all THAT important. But I don't have mega gain stuff, so it matters. Let's just say the SD isn't powerful enough, but not by that much.
A tight low end is needed but not necessarily Full Shred tight. Something good enough for rythm, but not overwhelming with leads.
It needs to have a thick midrange which drives an amp hard, but never obstructing the sound of the guitar itself.
And the treble need to have a certain aggression to it, to counter the guitar's smoothness and make it brighter.

Any idea, or am I too picky?

Please help and thanks!

I have a TB4 with alnico 8 in to sell , like a JB with more punch , rounder and more low mids ...