New pickups - which one to get?

[Axl H]

Hey bros,

I have this Kramer Pacer Deluxe... Awesome old thing, has a JBJ in the bridge and two APS-1 single coils. I think its alder - has a very balanced sound, with some bass, quite a bid of mids and treble.

I really like them, but I want to try something new, as I have a few complaints as well.

I dont use the middle pickup, only neck and bridge. Here is what I am looking for:

Neck APS-1:
Darker and more output.
Fatter sounding, but still Stratty, but not as glassy.

I was thinking the Quarter pound, but I have never tried it - will it fit my needs? I really like the single coil tones of George Lynch and Warren DeMartini for example.

JB:
Similar solo tone.
Tighter bass
More "angry" - growlier or what you will call it.


I was thinking a Distortion, RTM, Fullshred or Screamin Demon. I have plenty of gain in the amp, I just dont want to loose that pushed feel the JB has, hence why I don't want a PAF. The Screamin Demon is lower output, but IIRC when I tried one, it has that kinda feel like a high output pickup.


So, which of the options would fit what I need?


Please no magswaps or hybrids. They are not my thing

Thanks bros

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

The SSL52 will modify the single coil tones the way you're suggesting, though I'm not sure they have any more output than what you have there now - worth a look perhaps.

On the bridge I can't really compare against a JB type sound (never tried one if you can believe that), but I'm wondering what you'd make of the Alt8

 

[darthphineas]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

For the single coil, there are so many options that there are just too many places to start. Personally, I'd start with the time chart.

For the bridge, if you want fatter and angrier for the bridge, there really aren't many options, especially the ones you listed. The DD is angrier but not fatter. The others are neither angrier or fatter, no matter what the Demon fanboys say. I'd agree with the Alt-8, only because it's the only thing that might be in the ballpark, but not because I think it's exactly what is fatter and angrier. If you want to get into custom shop models, I'd suggest the Dokken Humbucker. Unless someone else that has one wants to describe it, you'd need to call the custom shop to learn more.


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[hamerfan]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

Some like an Invader in the strat like Fender Delonge strat.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

Some like an Invader in the strat like Fender Delonge strat.

While the same wind as a JB, the Invader will be fatter but won't have the same solo tone the OP wants. If mag swaps were an option, a small ceramic in a JB might be an option to get an angrier JB...still not fatter.


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[Axl H]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

Perhaps fatter was meant wrong. I want it to be thicker in the bottom

Alt8 is One of my least favorite pickups, sorry :-(

Thanks for the tips. I need all the help i Can get

 

[darthphineas]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

Thicker in the bottom? Too bad they don't make a Kardashian model pickup.

Then yeah, the Alt-8 ought to get you where you want to be. It is like each part of the JB taken up just a smidge, but not all saturated like a JB8 since its built with the alnico 8 in mind. It would also put the RTM back into the equation, which has similar highs but sweeter. That Pacer is alder or poplar, so the RTM would work fine in there...even more do if it's poplar.

Another tasty option is the DMT Blazebucker, designed by Buddy Blaze.


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[Axl H]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

As said, i dislike the alt 8. So that aint an option.

How is the demon compared to Jb?

Maybe i am just bad at explaining, the bass need to be tighter, more focused. I love the Jb, its just very loose

 

[darthphineas]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

Then look at the Distortion. Same wind as the JB, but tighter lows, angrier, and the highs will be similar. I do think a JB with a small ceramic or the Dokken humbucker would be spot on. But as you continue to describe what you want, the DD sounds like the closest production model.


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[Axl H]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

Cool, thanks. How is the demon compared to the Jb? I like that it has lower output more versatility

 

[darthphineas]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

Cool, thanks. How is the demon compared to the Jb? I like that it has lower output more versatility

I'd put it in the opposite direction if where you describe you want to go.


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[Axl H]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

Thanks mate I will look into those

Any other opinions on these pickups?

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

Duncan Custom or PATB-1 are what I'd recommend. The output is similar in the PATB-1, the Duncan Custom is a little hotter, but fairly moderate output for a ceramic pickup in my opinion. The Custom has the attitude if you want it, but it's a pretty versatile pickup for different styles. The PATB-1, my #1 recommendation, has the low mids and bottom end that the JB slightly misses, but it has the perfect amount of mid and treble for cutting through. It has a bit of attitude, but it's relatively controlled if you compare it to a Duncan Distortion. It's capable of doing a lot of things really well. It has a moderately tight sound, but it feels a little loose or pliable which is great for soloing. It's muscular, but not too thick and it doesn't get muddy because they pulled the midrange back just a tiny little bit so that you never feel like your missing midrange, but it's not so out front that it gets muddy or sounds honky. It's a truly fantastic pickup. Unfortunately, it costs nearly $100 and you can't get in any color other than matte black (unless the Duncan Custom Shop offers it, but that's going to cost you unfortunately).

 

[Axl H]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

Duncan Custom or PATB-1 are what I'd recommend. The output is similar in the PATB-1, the Duncan Custom is a little hotter, but fairly moderate output for a ceramic pickup in my opinion. The Custom has the attitude if you want it, but it's a pretty versatile pickup for different styles. The PATB-1, my #1 recommendation, has the low mids and bottom end that the JB slightly misses, but it has the perfect amount of mid and treble for cutting through. It has a bit of attitude, but it's relatively controlled if you compare it to a Duncan Distortion. It's capable of doing a lot of things really well. It has a moderately tight sound, but it feels a little loose or pliable which is great for soloing. It's muscular, but not too thick and it doesn't get muddy because they pulled the midrange back just a tiny little bit so that you never feel like your missing midrange, but it's not so out front that it gets muddy or sounds honky. It's a truly fantastic pickup. Unfortunately, it costs nearly $100 and you can't get in any color other than matte black (unless the Duncan Custom Shop offers it, but that's going to cost you unfortunately).

Thanks for the reply and advice

PATBs are very tough to get in Europe. Its easier for me to get an RTM for instance, and when we are talking that kinda money, I would rather for an RTM for instance, than a Parallel axis.

The Custom I like in Les Paul, but not in Strats.. It just lacks a certain something, that I can't point my finger to. A certain feel so to speak.

I have heard clips all day, and narrowed it down to Screamin Demon, Distortion or RTM.

The pros for the SD are that it is lower output - more versatile, has a cool and slightly thicker rhythm sound than JB. The downside is that I fear that it will be too bright.

Distortion - similar, it sounds quite a bit brighter than the JB, but also has a better bass response IMO.

The RTM just sounds like a JB+ so to speak. I like it, but it's a hell of a lot of money, for a slightly better JB. It is probably worth it, but if not, it will be very difficult I presume, to sell here in Europe.

Damn it - I hate getting new pickups, everything has something I like.. The hard part is the choice. Most of my favorite players are JB players, but I just want to try something else, for a different feel.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

Axl, shoot me a PM and I'll get some RTM samples to you.


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[Jigglyshred]

Re: New pickups - which one to get?

i too am in this boat with you guy. distortion, or rtm.... its for a jackson wr1 though.