I'm new, and could use some help!

[MBreinin]

Hello guys and girls, my name is Mike...new to the forum. Active on the JCF forum.

Just got a Jackson DK2 with stock Duncan Designed pickups. It has the HB-102 in the bridge, which is based on the JB...of course. I find this pickup is really nice for lead work, but it is too muddy and undefined on heavily distorted chords. I find the ToneZone that I put in my Charvel Predator to be much more expressive, especially for chords. However, I would like to try something different. Body on the DK2 is Alder, maple neck with rosewood board. I don't use the bridge position for cleans, ever, and mostly use the "Modern High Gain" setting on my V-Amp Pro for distorted tones. I am looking for a pickup that will tighten up the distorted chords, but still sing on leads. Also something that is not too directed to the highs as I prefer a smoother lead tone. I don't have any brand loyalty, although I have used mostly DiMarzios in the past.

Any suggestions? A good Duncan suggestion?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: I'm new, and could use some help!

Welcome to the forum! I think that a JB/Jazz combo would work really, really well for a more modern tightly focused gain and clean. Another one to look at to cut the highs a bit and retain the mids and lows would be the Custom Custom.

 

[Nite_Maresz_25]

Re: I'm new, and could use some help!

jb or distortion in bridge. jazz or 59 in neck.

 

[MBreinin]

Re: I'm new, and could use some help!

By the way, it has a H-S-S layout. I will be looking to change the single coils soon as well. With those, I am looking for something FAT and not brittle. Something to give it a more strat tone. Basically, I want the guitar to have a screaming '80s metal tone on the bridge, and a fat mellow tone on the 1 and 2 positions.

Mike

 

[Nite_Maresz_25]

Re: I'm new, and could use some help!

By the way, it has a H-S-S layout. I will be looking to change the single coils soon as well. With those, I am looking for something FAT and not brittle. Something to give it a more strat tone. Basically, I want the guitar to have a screaming '80s metal tone on the bridge, and a fat mellow tone on the 1 and 2 positions.

Mike

(trem spaced) jb of duncan distortion in bridge, classic stack in neck and middle; would be my suggestion(but then again, i dont really know a heck of a lot about single's....)

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: I'm new, and could use some help!

In that case for singles you may want to look at SSL-3's for hot vintage output and tone or for humcanceling a STKS2 Hot Stack.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: I'm new, and could use some help!

Hey Mike, WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!

I'll first of all warm you that this is one hard addiction to kick, lots of great guys in here

As far as your question....your gear list, and preset mentions really help hone in on what to recommend.

But this statement...

Basically, I want the guitar to have a screaming '80s metal tone on the bridge, and a fat mellow tone on the 1 and 2 positions.

Mike

...really narrows down the search. I'd suggest the JB, Distortion, or CC for the bridge.

The JB is the quintessential 80's pup. It has an upper mids spike that makes for a very cutting tone so your solos stay on top. It sounds great distorted or clean, it's very versatile as well. Think Megadeth, and any hair metal band.

Distortion---think early George Lynch. Horton uses one too the SD catalog says.

CC---a high output pup with a low mids spike. It will warm up any guitar and sounds good for metal, but the low end CAN be loose, depending on the amp. JacksonMIA (D!ck) has a V-amp and a guitar with a CC you might want to shoot him a pm.

Neck and middle, three pups I'd look at there. Since you're focusing on 80's metal type sound I suggest flat magnets, they are more focused sounding than the staggered magnets.

APS flat---smoother sound, very OD Dist. friendly, think with good mids rounded treble and smooth bass

Hot Flat---An overwound vintage pup

Custom Flat---In between the Hot and vintage, it has more of a vintage EQ.

Hope that helps man!

Luke

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: I'm new, and could use some help!

JacksonMIA (D!ck) has a V-amp and a guitar with a CC you might want to shoot him a pm.

I also have a JB in my soloist, so just let me know if you want to hear something and I'll try to get a clip posted within a day or two. BTW, welcome to the forum, man.

 

[MBreinin]

Re: I'm new, and could use some help!

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have gotten a bunch of suggestions for the Distortion, which seems to certainly be a classic choice.

Basically, I play two things....'80s Hair Metal style...lots of distortion. I am a Lynch nut.

Blues. I am also a total SRV nut, so I play alot of mildly distorted blues on the front and middle positions with single coils. That is why I wanted something really mellow on the front positions, but fat. I was playing a Road House special before this DK2, but I just tired of Strats. So, I am trying to make what is essentially an all out metal guitar have a split personality....a blues and metal machine.

And, yeah, I know about the addiction. I have been playing these stupid things for almost 20 years!!! I've had everything from Pre-CBS strats and teles to Charvels.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Mike