New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

[Mayhem]

Hi

I have this Japan made Jackson KE3 Kelly... and I ain't 100% happy with the sound of it.

First of all, I would like to know if the guitar is good enough for better picups. Will it help, or is the tone and wood in the guitar to bad to get decent sound at all?
I am not expecting the "cheap" Jackson to sound like a qualety guitar, but I got to say that Duncan dessigned suck, and if better picups is worth it, I will get it because I like the look of the guitar, and its nice to have a decent sounding guitar who can get scratshes without beeing the end of the world. I have some friends playing on really expensive Les Pauls, they take of their belts and ****.. :smack:

And to the next topic on my agenda...
What picups?
I am thinking about getting the Duncan JB and a JAZZ. This is considered to be good picups, and a great combo.

I will use the guitar to play Black metal, trash, death.

I would like to get something second hand though, because I don't have mutch money at the moment.. And no stores in Norway has the Jazz.

I think I can get a pair of good old Gibson LP picups fthrough a guy I know for a quite lower price than new Duncans. Some people consider Gibson mics to be better than Duncans too. But are they better for my guitar?
If I can get gibsons for a third if the price of new Duncans, It would be smart to go for it if they are good enough.

Is the guitars so bad that the sterile EMG's I don't whant is the only way?

I hope there is sombody out there who can help me. Maybe someone who has upgraded their Jackson KE3 Kelly?

 

[Robert S.]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

The vast majority of people that replace pickups in Gibsons take the Gibsons out of their guitars and replace them with something else. Very rarely (like almost never) do I ever hear someone raving about how great their guitar sounds after installing a production set of Gibson pickups. The cheap price is only a good deal on those if you end up liking the tone. I would suggest passing on the Gibson pickups if you are looking for significantly better tone from that guitar.

A used JB and a 59 neck model would be a far better upgrade.

Almost any guitars tone can be improved with a set of SD pickups, and yours is no exception. I'd keep looking for a set of SD pickups. If you could find a used Duncan Distortion, Dimebucker or Invader you'd still be better off for what you want to do than getting the Gibsons.

 

[Neeradj]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

I never really thought the KE3 was that good of an axe, but that had much to do with the construction of their bolt on necks, pared with bright woods (not necessarilly cheap), but I can assure you Duncans can help you improve your tone dramatically. With an alder body, bolt on maple neck, and rosewood fretboard you've got yourself a bright guitar (is it sustaining well enough?). So I think you'd like to balance that out, not only for the heavier sounding stuff, but for the overall sound. I suggest a Custom for the bridge and a Jazz for neck. The Custom is well known for balancing out in practically every guitar, it's high output, lots of harmonics, with just about enough of everything. And you already chose the Jazz yourself, which is kind of a self explaining pup.

 

[Davey]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

well... what about a JB with a 250k tone pot? it will darken the pup a bit and you wont get cut by those heights it'll produce.. the C5 or the custom is the secondary choice =) and for the neck.. definately a 59 hehe

 

[Mayhem]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

Hmmm... The 59 would be easyer to get, because they are sold in the Norwegian stores(Jazz isn't)

I agree about the light colour on the neck, I would like it a litle darker, but it has goten darker and smoother after some playing actualy.

The sustain is good enough, not the best, but not the worst either.

 

[TheMist]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

I like Gibson pickups. Years ago I had a pair in a old Ibanez RG and they where sweet.


But if I were you I would buy 2 DiMarzio PAF Pros.

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

for the black, death metal, thrash stuff...... i say Invader for bridge and a 59 neck.

 

[Mayhem]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

Invader, thats the picups Blink182 uses lol.
I'll have a look at it.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

As far as the Axe Goes: the ke-3 is a fine guitar, definitely worth its street price.

Jackson does it a bit differently than most on the imports. Where other companies take the red marker to more or less everything evenly, Jackson puts the emphasis on the craftsmanship and raw materials.

The details like Neck pocket, hardware fit, fretwork (!), which make all the difference, seem to be of higher standards than on moist others. For example, I´ve never seen a New jackson that needed a Fretjob, and I´ve sold and played literally hundreds (used to be a dealer in the late 90´s). There are occasional oddballs, but they are few and far between. And every Jackson I´ve EVER tried that was in decent playing condition had the "quality" of tone I expect from a guitar made of decent wood. There are NO plywood Jacksons, nor were there ever any. At least AFAIK (which isn´t much). The JS series are made of Indian Cedro, which is a member of teh mahogany family. 10x better IMO than agathis or chesswood (IbeenHad, BC Rich, occasionally LTD IIRC), I personally even prefer it to basswood as a Guitar wood, but that´s me.

What do you lose for that extra build quality? Even the most expensive Jackson Imports (SL-3, DK-2) have relatively mediocre trems, the JT580 series isn´t notably better than the Ibanez TRS-series (it figures, same Manufacturer, Takeuchi). And you´re getting Duncan Designed Pickups or EMG-HZs on almost all High end Imports (RR-5 with Duncans being a notable exception). The Graphic paintjobs arent as intricate, not sure if they´re being airbrushed again, and Inlays are usually Mother-Of-Toilet-Seat instead of real pearl.

But what do most people do to Imports? Tear out the Trem and/or Pickups. In your case the Pickups.

The JB /Jazz would sound great in that axe, but for death/Black you´ll probably want more output and either a more scooped or generally fatter tone, or brighter for more thrash. I would suggest the Dimebucker (Scooped, nice fat bass and cutting not screeching highs), Invader (think Ultra-fat, like a ton ton hammer) or Distortion (Think early Megadeth or Metallica, this is one for us Thrashers :headbang: ) and go from there.

But A Duncan Custom (My preference) almost always sounds great in a Jackson, bridges almost all of those gaps with ease if you can. Definitely one of the most versatile pickups Duncan makes along with the JB and ´59

 

[Mayhem]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

Thanks for the help Zerberus and all you other guys.

I will now have a watch over the second hand marked and see what I can get.

 

[aiko1aiko]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

JB/Jazz. Great combo. Ask Seymour himself...or in your case ask Dave Mustaine!

 

[Xeromus]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

I vote for '59 neck and Distortion bridge for what you're playing. It's what I use and it's great.

 

[Mayhem]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

I like the sound clips of the JB best...
I think I may try that one.

If i have it in the bridge, will I get bassy enough tone? I do not wan't to sound punk.. I have read that it has bass indeed and good for metal, but I have allso read that it is used in american fat-strats...(May I have a JB in my mexican fat-strat?)



I did not like the invader much... sounded like what I allready have(I have the detonators, cheap copy of invader). Muddy and toneless.

But the soundclips may be missleading. They do not sound like anything I will play.

I think I actualy have the chance to try the picups in the store, in a demo guitar they change the pu's fast and let the customer try. I know they have one in at least one store in my town. An Les Paul loking thing without paint.

 

[RACER X]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

Dave Mustaine uses a JB/JB combo in alot of his axes. Mayhem, DD/59 for most metal tones but for death, black, etc., you might try a Invader/Full Shred combo.

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

Unholy Black/Death/Thrash/Fusion Metal hails forever Mayhem.
i ´m from brazil and my speciallity is Those styles you mentioned.
a thing that all guys here forget to ask you is...
What Bands/Cd do you would like to sound similar or get Near ITS Distortion?
Another thing to be know... What is the tuning on the Jackson you want to swap the pups(pups=pickups)?

i HAVE a charvel fusion deluxe. the guitar is ****ing awesome... but recently i´ve noticed that the floyd rose is detuning oa lot.. and i´m worry about that. Q:/
well......... let´s get back with your topic...
i will suggest 2 companies ...
Dimarzio and seymour duncan.
what solo techniques will you use in the neck?
if you will use 2 hands and/or SWEEPING Arpeggios like moyses kolesne from krisiun, i recommend you to install a one of this 6 options from dimarzio in teh neck : Paf, Paf pro, Paf joe, Humbucker form hell , Fred, Air Norton.
Since your guitar is a bright one, like mine. maybe you will need a little fat pickup like teh paf...... while the paf pro, fred and HFH are a little hot and mid/high pickups(i guess teh paf pro isnt, i never played it in teh neck, only in teh bridge). you must decide that. but keep in min that HFH really destroys it with ditortion. excellent for 2 hands and sweeping techniques. Paf pro too.

For Seymour Duncan Ones... i suggest the following : Duncan Custom bridge, Custom Custom BRIDGE(Maybe in your guitar it will be a little bright, but , since you use marshall amps, i doubt it will be brighty. since i use one in my guitar and , together with a marshall valvestate 60 watts, it is not Bighty, it is crunchy and loud. lots of mids and highs, and moderated Bass. not muddy at all.) or Original Parallel Axis humbucker.

for the neck, SD options.....
Full Shred neck, and Jazz model neck.

for dimarzio bridge options : Super Distortion, PAF PRO(killer sound), Drop Sonic, X2N.
it will get an UNHOLY Sound to yoru guitar
a good balanced tone... good bass, good highs and good midds at all.
if i am wrong, please someone correct me.

Well.. thee´s another option here....
Bill Lawrence L500XL.
this pickups is awesome. the more distortion you dial , the more definition it becomes.
lots of mids and highs, a little less bass if you will use it with low tuned guitars, but with D and e tuned guitars it rules.
Q

****ing haisl and i hope i helped you
it is always a pleasure to help any friend of teh forum,m specially a extreme metal one.
i love coroner , darkthrone, eucharist, morbdi angel, destruction, Ophthalamia, Etc.
black/death/thrash/fusion metal forever guys.
J.P

 

[BornToShred]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

There are NO plywood Jacksons, nor were there ever any. At least AFAIK (which isn´t much). The JS series are made of Indian Cedro, which is a member of teh mahogany family. 10x better IMO than agathis or chesswood (IbeenHad, BC Rich, occasionally LTD IIRC), I personally even prefer it to basswood as a Guitar wood, but that´s me.

Agathis is pretty ****ing horrible, i've heard lots of horror stories about cheap-ass B.C.Riches breaking in half and stuff...
Basswood isn't that great either, the tone is (to my ears) a bit weak and muddy. I own a basswood LTD guitar at the moment.

Jackson also uses poplar in some of the cheaper models. A good cheaper alternative to alder IMHO.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

...Jackson also uses poplar in some of the cheaper models. A good cheaper alternative to alder IMHO.

Jackson USA Neck thrus were actually ALL Maple-neck/poplar wings (on non custom orders) from 1981 (Original Rhoads) to approx. 1995

I find Poplar a smidge brrighter than alder, and it´s generally a tad heavier, mass AND tone-wise. IMO just as good a wood as Alder

 

[Mayhem]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

Unholy Black/Death/Thrash/Fusion Metal hails forever Mayhem.
i ´m from brazil and my speciallity is Those styles you mentioned.
a thing that all guys here forget to ask you is...
What Bands/Cd do you would like to sound similar or get Near ITS Distortion?
Another thing to be know... What is the tuning on the Jackson you want to swap the pups(pups=pickups)?

Mmm yeah. did not bother with that because I thought no one would know about what I talk about.
I play ugly black metal like Darkthrone, Gorgoroth, Burzum, Mayhem, Immortal, Khold.
Buy saying Trash, I talk about the oldschool stuff like Celtic Frost and Holy Moses. I have also begun playing some Slayer lately.
Saying Deathmetal I talk about old things like Death(scream blood gore), (early)Darkthone, Old Funeral, Morbid. Primitive Death metal. I don't like technical metal.

I don't play a lot of solos, because they are not that important in my vision of metal. But the things I do are slower and melodic, or just a short and fast 80's metal solo.

I play normal tune. got a (licensed)floyd, and all the good Black metal is, or can be played E tuned(acording to tabs and what I learn from lisening). Im an E man...


My amp is brighter than average Marhsall I think. maybe thats because I don't use the marhall cabinet? I have a Peavy 4x12 cab from the 70's, but the elements is changed since then. It's supposed to be better than Marhall.
I use a Bass amp actualy, because the best sound comes from good effects(not the one I have but I think it's better that the one from a marshall top).

I think I can get a Custom Custom in Norway... I'll se what I can get to try at the store.

I don't know who Dave Mustain is, but if he is playing metal and using JB, it should be possbile for me to do it to... The important thing is getting good sound who has the potential to sound metal. It is my playing who is a lot of the importance.
Having a picup named schredd may sound strange to me because I don't schredd at all, but whe hva the Jazz which I am thinking about, and I will not play Jazz at all

What Black metal I like on CD sounds to ugly to be fun to play with :laugh2:

I think I may start with buying the pic up I liked the best after trying it in the store, and see what result I get in my Jackson. If it is good, I will buy a seckond pic up. Good solution with my amount of money at the moment too

All the new tips have helped.
Also desicovered some good taste of metal over in Brazil :cool3:

 

[Davey]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

Zerb, i thought the JS series was made of alder... whats your take on the new JS30 models (the kelly in peticular) worth it or save the money for something else? (the only thing i regret is that it doesnt have a trem .. ) and the ke3 doesnt have two pots (for a bridge volume/neck volume push-pull setup)

 

[Zerberus]

Re: New picups for Jackson KE3 Kelly...?

Zerb, i thought the JS series was made of alder... whats your take on the new JS30 models (the kelly in peticular) worth it or save the money for something else? (the only thing i regret is that it doesnt have a trem .. ) and the ke3 doesnt have two pots (for a bridge volume/neck volume push-pull setup)

JS1 and JS 20 are Cedro, JS 30 series is alder

I can´t say anything about the new JS-30s (Kelly, Warrior and Rhoads IIRC), because they´re not on the market yet. How am I supposed to have an opinion on something I can´t have played or heard yet