Noobie Question(s) for pickup swapping

[jl_killer]

Hi guys

Sorry in advance i know you probably hate these types of threads. Im seeking any assistance / suggestions and I am new to learning about this stuff, i've been researching a lot but still feel i need direct advise from people who know what they're talking about, as i have an idea of what i want but a lot of questions before i go buying the wrong stuff.

I have a Jackson performer ps-2 six string guitar that is a bit of a junker guitar, hasn't been used for a while but i would like to get it into nice shape as it has sentimental value. The pickup configuration is bridge humbucker/ single middle/ single neck - all passives. These stock pickups are complete garbage. I play high gain rythem metal tones on bridge pu and would also like a nice full neck clean sound.

I hear amazing things about the blackouts and i definately want a blackout in the bridge. I never used the middle pu too much at all and want a nice tone for the neck, should these singles be blackouts too or another type better suited to non distorted tones? Are there packages available for this configuration of pickups or do you have to purchase them individually?

My guitar has one vol. , one tone, . and a 5 way blade selector, do all these hardware types come with the pickups? Do i completely pull out all the electronics and hardware existing and use all new stuff? Also is there a certain blackout that i need to order to fit the routings for the passives i have?

I realize the pickups will probably cost more than the guitar is worth but that doesnt really bother me, i want it to sound great, and i would greatly appreciate any feedback on this.

Thanks!!!! :1:

 

[jeremy]

Re: Noobie Question(s) for pickup swapping

welcome to the forum!

if you want tight bright metal rhythm tones then maybe the blackout emty with a pair of blackout singles. the single coils have two output levels so you can pick the one that works best for you.

the blackouts use different pot values than passive pups but they come with the controls. you can use the same 5 way switch

 

[dvadneau]

Re: Noobie Question(s) for pickup swapping

Seymour Duncan sells an HSS Blackouts set, where the H is a Blackouts Humbucker (AHB-1) and the S's are Blackouts Singles necks (AS-1n).

The singles have an extra connector on the bottom. If you short it the gain of the pickup will increase. They include a shunt that lets you short the pickup "permanently" (until you remove the pickup and remove it), but you can also wire it to a switch to give that pickup a boost.

The Blackouts AHB-1 doesn't have a boost option, but it's got plenty of gain.

There's also the Blackouts Metal (AHB-2), and now the Emty Blackouts (AHB-3). The Blackouts Metal does have the boost option, although for the life of me I don't know why ... so much gain already. I haven't tried the Emty.

I have an old Ibanez Basswood-bodied guitar that has some similarities to yours: Floyd Rose bridge, Maple/Rosewood neck, 1 Vol, 1 Tone, 5-way switch.

I didn't like the Blackouts, Blackouts Metal, or the Blackouts Singles in that guitar. I really tried to, but it wasn't for me. The Blackouts were good, just not the sound I wanted. The Blackouts Metal emphasizes the mids WAY too much. I created some patches on my Digitech 1101 to accommodate the higher output and massive mid spike, but I couldn't get rid of the nasty mids.

The Blackouts come with pots (25k), stereo jack, 9V snap, quick-connects, caps, and extra wire.

The 5-way switch you have should be fine to work with. I'd recommend a super-switch or push/pulls if you want to play with the boost feature of the pickups.

Edit: I took so long to post that some of what I said was already said by jeremy.

Btw, if you're not completely sold on actives/Blackouts, I'd recommend the Seymour Duncan Parallel Axis Distortion (PATB-2). It thickens/warms up a guitar like mine (Basswood, bolt-on Maple, and Floyd). I've come to think of it as a warmer, clearer Duncan Distortion. For metal rhythm it's awesome.

 

[jl_killer]

Re: Noobie Question(s) for pickup swapping

Thanks for the great replies guys.

I'll have to look into comparing the blackouts and the PATB-2. The PATB2 are passive? Yeah i believe this guitar is an alder body if you think that will make any difference. The sound has always been very thin and i basically faulted the pickups, as i would often get way better tones on this old old old guitar vs. my jackson haha. I don't think its necessary to make use of gain boost switching and super switches, I think i'll have a difficult enough time wiring it the simple way heh, i'm anxious to learn though. Just wanted to see if i buy the pickups will i get all the necessary accessories, looks like that shouldnt be a problem.

So i guess the quick connect parts are on the pickup end only or do they quick-connect to the pots as well?

Thanks again for the help.... any other suggestions are warmly welcomed!

 

[Terpdudematt]

Re: Noobie Question(s) for pickup swapping

The quick connect system only works if your guitar is already wired for active pickups. Once you re-wire the guitar for active pickups, then you can use the quick connect system to swap out new pickups with ease.

From what I hear the EMTY Blackouts are very heavy on the bass. I have the AHB1's, and they do the trick for me.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Noobie Question(s) for pickup swapping

the emty are tigher and more focused than the ah1 from what ive heard but i dont own either so...