OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

Easy fix. Just remove the maple cap, the ebony fretboard, the maple neck, and the Floyd bridge, and your overly bright Jackson will be cured. Kidding.

My best guesses: Parallel axis, Dimarzio Breed bridge, or Cusom-Custom. You could also try some of those brighter pickups with a 300k volume pot.
 
Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

So I further adjusted the pole pieces on the super d. When I hit a chord it sounds nice...but as soon as I start playing leads on the d, g , b strings it sounds too round. Like not enough SIZZLE. too much smooth harsh attack. This has happened with the tone zone too. Too tight. JB was a bit better but also suffered a bit in that because of the guitar. My other guitars with the jb did not have this issue.

I guess I need more distortion /breakup and a pickup voiced kinda like a super d. I'm definitely going to try something else. Maybe I just need something crazy hot to add enough sizzle to my liking. It's like the guitar repels sizzle. Lmao. I've lost my mind. Hah.
 
Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

There are soooooooo many good suggestions here.

First off, the livewires (or any actives) would be a good jump until you make your decision. Because of the highly eq'd nature of active pickups, the wood isn't so much of an issue.

Secondly....DEFINITELY pay attention to the guys asking you about pot values. This could change everything for you.

If you can get to know a local tech...maybe buy the dude a pizza if you have to...develop a relationship where you can maybe have him do the work with you there and try a few things.
It's hard to find that kind of shop but if you can, it's worth it. Never underestimate the power of buying a dude lunch.

That's all I want to add. The list provided here from our brothers is great.

Actives will get you in the right zip code until you can make a better decision.

Good luck,

~LD
 
Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

I've completely rewired guitars. Installed numerous pickups. For me the cap just brightens or darkens a sound. The guitar is bright yes, but the problem is it seems it won't resonate well. It won't give me enough of the "raspy" sound for lack of a better term. JBS to me have a nice raspy distortion about them that I attribute to the a5 magnet. I have had a distortion in same guitars and notice it's a bit more harsh. Not as mushy. I love mushy distortion. Early vh, rhoads live, there is plenty of sizzle. Today's metal is very very tight. I don't care for it. This jackson somehow tightens up pickups to my ears. The jb sizzles in it yes but it sounds really really weak. No punch. Thanks for the advice but I think the best advice so far has been the patb w an A5 or possibly a8. I'm not sure it's necessary to go active. Plus I'm not sure I will like the sound. Custom is Def on radar too. I'm tired of swapping pickups. I may try one or two more, after that I'm just going to sell it.
 
Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

I would try a custom custom. The Invader might work, but it sounds like you want something very specific that I am not certain exists. Your "bright" will give you the sizzle so I can't quite figure out if you want more or less from your posts. One pickup that comes to mind for you maybe that hasn't been mentioned is the DD. Lots of sizzle, lots of low mids.
 
Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

I tried a duncan distortion in it. It sounded weak too. I think the pickup doesn't exist because nothing will fix that guitar unless it completely overruns it. Like an active. Yeah, maybe I should just sell it.
 
Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

Dan186 said:
I tried a duncan distortion in it. It sounded weak too. I think the pickup doesn't exist because nothing will fix that guitar unless it completely overruns it. Like an active. Yeah, maybe I should just sell it.
Click to expand...

Personally, that is the vibe I am getting from you because it seems like it makes you want opposing things from the pickup, which just might be impossible. I might try an invader in it though. (I mean used invaders are cheap, and it is something completely different which adds a lot of lows and mids.)
 
Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

I'm still thinking PATB-1, maybe JB with an A8, and one I forgot about earlier that was mentioned above, the Custom Custom. The pups in the Custom line are all the same pickup, but with different magnets. CC is A2, C5 is A5 and the Custom is a Ceramic. I have heard the Duncan Distortion is a Custom with a double thick Ceramic magnet, but I do not know for sure that it's true.

The CC is very warm, nice squishy mids. My only concern would be if the highs will cut enough for you. Also, sizzle is not associated with the CC, but your guitar may provide its own sizzle. I certainly don't think it's time to ditch the guitar.
 
Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

I kinda wish I had that problem with my Soloist, it's a little on the muddy side, and has a JB in it.

So anyway, I guess before I bought any more pickups, I would try different magnets in the JB. An A2 or A8 will take off some of the highs, and will add some midrange grunt. The A2 will be a little looser and more vintage sounding and the A8 will sound tighter and a little more modern without the extended highs of a Ceramic 8, almost like if you could take the lows and mids of the C8 and trade the top end for that of the A2. I would also try 250K pots and a .022uf cap, this will also shave off some highs.
 
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Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

Mincer said:
I'd go with a Custom Custom with a Alnico II Pro in the neck. You would get your mids back, and everything should sound more balanced.
Click to expand...

I've researched and listened quite a bit. And I really like the what people are getting out of the custom custom. Need to think about that and how it would apply to my situation. Along with Alt8 I think. It's difficult finding a good sample size for the PA-TBs. Not much out there.

I'm going to try the JB again with the fat brass trem block once it shows up. and if that doesn't work I think I'll try the custom custom or alt8. or both.
 
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Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

If you still have the duncan distortion, I you can try a magnet swap in it. I have an alternate 8 in the bridge of my Explorer and a Duncan distortion in the neck (they were also in my les paul at one point in time). The distortion model seemed out of place and i did not care for it, until i swapped the ceramic magnet for an alnico 5. I could not have asked for a better neck pickup. It kept some of the highs, but it really warmed it up without getting muddy. Only a few buck to get a few magnets to try out.
 
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Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

Bohemian Physicist said:
If you still have the duncan distortion, I you can try a magnet swap in it. I have an alternate 8 in the bridge of my Explorer and a Duncan distortion in the neck (they were also in my les paul at one point in time). The distortion model seemed out of place and i did not care for it, until i swapped the ceramic magnet for an alnico 5. I could not have asked for a better neck pickup. It kept some of the highs, but it really warmed it up without getting muddy. Only a few buck to get a few magnets to try out.
Click to expand...

as far as experimentation, yes this sounds like a really cool idea. I love tinkering and swapping stuff with my guitars. Its just this guitar has always left me wanting more. Like I just can't figure out what I need to do with it. I'm thinking Custom Custom. I got a good feeling on that one. But Ive felt that way before lol.

As far as swapping mags, I need to play with that too. Sounds like fun. Just need to research how to do...and where to buy the magnets. Hey thanks man!
 
Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

Dan186 said:
as far as experimentation, yes this sounds like a really cool idea. I love tinkering and swapping stuff with my guitars. Its just this guitar has always left me wanting more. Like I just can't figure out what I need to do with it. I'm thinking Custom Custom. I got a good feeling on that one. But Ive felt that way before lol.

As far as swapping mags, I need to play with that too. Sounds like fun. Just need to research how to do...and where to buy the magnets. Hey thanks man!
Click to expand...

http://www.mojotone.com/guitar-parts/Bar-Magnets

They have different types and size magnets to choose from. There is a lot of information out there on magnet types will do to a humbucker, but it is only a general (loosely used) guide.

The great thing about a the custom custom is you can put in an alnico 5 magnet and it turns into a Custom 5. I would be intrigued by putting an alnico 8 magnet in there and creating a Custom 8.
 
Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

Bohemian Physicist said:
http://www.mojotone.com/guitar-parts/Bar-Magnets

They have different types and size magnets to choose from. There is a lot of information out there on magnet types will do to a humbucker, but it is only a general (loosely used) guide.

The great thing about a the custom custom is you can put in an alnico 5 magnet and it turns into a Custom 5. I would be intrigued by putting an alnico 8 magnet in there and creating a Custom 8.
Click to expand...

I usually get my magnets from Addiction-fx.

http://www.addiction-fx.com/gallery1.htm
 
Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

Dan186 said:
So I further adjusted the pole pieces on the super d. When I hit a chord it sounds nice...but as soon as I start playing leads on the d, g , b strings it sounds too round. Like not enough SIZZLE. too much smooth harsh attack. This has happened with the tone zone too. Too tight. JB was a bit better but also suffered a bit in that because of the guitar. My other guitars with the jb did not have this issue.

I guess I need more distortion /breakup and a pickup voiced kinda like a super d. I'm definitely going to try something else. Maybe I just need something crazy hot to add enough sizzle to my liking. It's like the guitar repels sizzle. Lmao. I've lost my mind. Hah.
Click to expand...

Hmm kinda sounds like what I went through with a couple of the old all maple with a ebony board Carvins have I owned.
Have 2 suggestions both Dimarzios + trying the Alt 8 is not a bad plan.
The 2 Dimarzios are the Super 3 which is a thicker rounder Super D and the old virtual HOT PAF.
On the Alt 8 it's thicker rounder and bigger sounding than the JB and it just might be a winner in that guitar.
Been there man good luck.
 
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Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

Reading your complaints and having personally struggled with a finicky Jackson in a manner very similar to this, I strongly believe you'd be best served by a hotter wind designed around an A2 magnet.

Prime examples: The EVH "Frankenstein" (these are actually wound by Seymour Duncan for EVH), the SD Custom Shop "RTM" and/or the '78.

Barring that, the Suhr Aldrich and Alt 8 have some very JB-like characteristics, but deliver noticeably more output and overall thickness.

Normally I would agree on the PATB-1 suggestion for a Floyded guitar, but, to be totally honest, it may be a little too tame and balanced for your liking based on some of your statements.
 
Re: OMG This guitar is killing me. Need pickup advice!

If it is a Floyd and it already sounded too thin with multiple pickups you need to take a step back and look at what the guitar itself does.

There are two ways to go:
  • Mess with the floyd or possibly other parts such as the nut
  • Admit that it isn't the right guitar for you and flip it

If you want to mess with it here are some things to do:
  • Investigate what the floyd is, exactly. Don't rely on "it must be top quality because the axe was expensive". Be specific. Find out who made it. Post detailed pictures for us to tell you if it isn't obvious
  • Determine what kind of block you have. If it looks silverish, test whether it is magnetic. If it is not magnetic it is not steel. Try steel, but only after the following...
  • ... if a floyd guitar sounds too thin and doesn't have a brass block yet then try a brass block. It only costs $20 or so. But you need to do that after doing the initial step of determining what Floyd base you have. It it's crap a new block doesn't help.
  • Are the bridge posts sitting properly? Are they looking bad? Are they magnetic? What about the blades on the floyd?

The nut is easier. Is it magnetic? Does it sit on a shim? Anything else looking odd up there?
 
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