A quick rundown. JCM2000 TSL100 amp, chain is a Morley Vai II, Maxon OD808, Digitech delay, Boss HF-3, BBE Sonic Stomp and an MXR EQ pedal.
Guitar is a Jackson SL2H from 2005 ish tuned D-D with Ernie Ball 10-52.
It previously had EMGs which I was getting pretty tired of. I found that I was struggling to get the dynamics out on any higher gain settings (i.e. picking hard and soft) found the tone knob pretty useless and overall the highs were icepicky unless I took them out with the EQ.
I installed a Seymour Duncan JB and Jazz initially. A much better improvement, immediately found the Jazz especially a major improvement. The JB I didn't like so much. It solved the icepick problem, but just sounded way too bland. I swapped the JB for a Seymour Duncan Distortion. I prefer the distortion in this guitar and with the Marshall it sounds right. I think for the Peavey 6505+ it may be a bit too hot, but for the band this set up is for, this works fine for me. I may reinvestigate the bridge model on this guitar later, but for now it can sit.
Next up:
ESP MII with rosewood fretboard
Again it has EMGs, using this through the same Marshall TSL100, using E standard tuning, Ernie Ball 9-42. Similar sorts of problems, just a bit too brash.
I fitted it with a DiMarzio super distortion and a gravity storm in the neck. Thankfully, I think I struck gold first time. The super d just really suits this guitar and the thicker neck of the MII lets the low end flow a little more freely. The Gravity Storm is probably the best neck pickup I've tried so far. The clean sounds are seriously good and I bet would sound really good with a nice slow phaser effect. The DiMarzio Super Distortion is the right flavor of hotness with the TSL100.
Crucially, with both guitars, I have found I can use my Maxon again as my solo boost. This was really what I was missing. This, with the TSL100 lead channel and the delay in the loop is the type of tone I think most players cream over.
I did originally use the Gravity Storm bridge pickup that came in the set. I felt it too low output and the bottom end just wasn't there. I can't rate this bridge pickup at all.
I have yet to try either of these guitars with the 6505+, but we'll see.
Guitar is a Jackson SL2H from 2005 ish tuned D-D with Ernie Ball 10-52.
It previously had EMGs which I was getting pretty tired of. I found that I was struggling to get the dynamics out on any higher gain settings (i.e. picking hard and soft) found the tone knob pretty useless and overall the highs were icepicky unless I took them out with the EQ.
I installed a Seymour Duncan JB and Jazz initially. A much better improvement, immediately found the Jazz especially a major improvement. The JB I didn't like so much. It solved the icepick problem, but just sounded way too bland. I swapped the JB for a Seymour Duncan Distortion. I prefer the distortion in this guitar and with the Marshall it sounds right. I think for the Peavey 6505+ it may be a bit too hot, but for the band this set up is for, this works fine for me. I may reinvestigate the bridge model on this guitar later, but for now it can sit.
Next up:
ESP MII with rosewood fretboard
Again it has EMGs, using this through the same Marshall TSL100, using E standard tuning, Ernie Ball 9-42. Similar sorts of problems, just a bit too brash.
I fitted it with a DiMarzio super distortion and a gravity storm in the neck. Thankfully, I think I struck gold first time. The super d just really suits this guitar and the thicker neck of the MII lets the low end flow a little more freely. The Gravity Storm is probably the best neck pickup I've tried so far. The clean sounds are seriously good and I bet would sound really good with a nice slow phaser effect. The DiMarzio Super Distortion is the right flavor of hotness with the TSL100.
Crucially, with both guitars, I have found I can use my Maxon again as my solo boost. This was really what I was missing. This, with the TSL100 lead channel and the delay in the loop is the type of tone I think most players cream over.
I did originally use the Gravity Storm bridge pickup that came in the set. I felt it too low output and the bottom end just wasn't there. I can't rate this bridge pickup at all.
I have yet to try either of these guitars with the 6505+, but we'll see.
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