Pickup for a Kramer Baretta.

[pkailas]

Has anyone had any experience with the Custom Shop Frankenstein, Frankenstein Plus, or the Frankenstein Custom Shop? Yes, the Custom Shop has three different listings of Frankenstein pickups. I've tried the "tone samples" they have on the website, but I'm not convinced they have any value. Each one is the same riff! I don't know anyone that is that consistent!

I could use their 21-day trial and spend months trying out pickups.

Perhaps I'll try the magnet switch for the Kramer Baretta Special and decide what to put in the new build later. It'll be a few months before I'm ready to assemble it. I need to paint it first.

 

[NotDemanic]

Before we change out the JB - are you playing in the bedroom, or in a band/mix. JB can be notoriously ice-picky in mahogany and on it's own. Try it in the mix before you hate on it.

Next, before we lose the JB, I'm gonna suggest trying a mag swap to an A8 or an A2. Super easy, and cheap. Either will do what you want, just warmer/rounder/Evener etc. A8 keeps the hotness in better.

Then, after that, I'll suggest a Custom Custom. That's EVH circa 1984 style. Works great with a Floyd.

Then I might go to a Super Distortion...

After that...you are on your own.

Instead of A8 or A2, try UOA5.

 

[Aceman]

Instead of A8 or A2, try UOA5.

Also not a bad idea. Wouldn't be my first choice, but that's me. For a buck-twenty-eight or so, why not?

 

[pkailas]

Before we change out the JB - are you playing in the bedroom, or in a band/mix. JB can be notoriously ice-picky in mahogany and on it's own. Try it in the mix before you hate on it.

Next, before we lose the JB, I'm gonna suggest trying a mag swap to an A8 or an A2. Super easy, and cheap. Either will do what you want, just warmer/rounder/Evener etc. A8 keeps the hotness in better.

Then, after that, I'll suggest a Custom Custom. That's EVH circa 1984 style. Works great with a Floyd.

Then I might go to a Super Distortion...

After that...you are on your own.

I finally finished polishing the original Kramer special body and reassembled it. I did put an A8 magnet in the JB. Wow, what a difference! Thanks for the tip. It's still hot, but not the nasally honk that it was.

I'm going to start the finishing process on the new body this week—lots of sanding and polishing to go. I have not yet decided what to put in that one. I'm leaning on the Antiquity JB, but the '78 has caught my attention. Has anyone tried one of those?

 

[Aceman]

A8 add a little bass, tightens it a bit, brings down the mids a touch, smooths the bite on the highs just a little, and thickens it up a touch. It just seems to even out all the rough spots...

I think it puts a JB somewhere between a Duncan Distortion and a Super Distortion.

I believe the JB Antiquity is gonna be a JB with an A2...just something to consider.

 

[pkailas]

A8 add a little bass, tightens it a bit, brings down the mids a touch, smooths the bite on the highs just a little, and thickens it up a touch. It just seems to even out all the rough spots...

I think it puts a JB somewhere between a Duncan Distortion and a Super Distortion.

I believe the JB Antiquity is gonna be a JB with an A2...just something to consider.

Actually, it's an aged A5 according to SD.

The Antiquity JB delivers rich harmonics, and a balance of sustain, distortion, and clarity, sweetened by the mellowing effect of a custom aged alnico 5 bar magnet and years of simulated sweat, dust, and oxidation. Wound to the original spec of 16.4k, that familiar JB upper midrange is all there, but the overall tonal character feels smoother because of the way the treble attack is softened by the aging process.

Having said that, has anyone tried the SD 78?

 

[jeremy]

the 78 is pretty bright in most guitars, but into the right amp, it sounds great. much lower output than a jb

 

[pkailas]

I ended up buying a 78 reverse zebra for the new Baretta clone. I decided I didn't need or prefer a high-output pickup with the rig I use (EVH 5150III 50-watt 1x12 combo). I have all the gain I need. The clarity of the 78 is great, and I can get all the tones I want with great harmonics. This guitar, which has a mahogany body, isn't excessively bright. It just has a great all-around tone.

 

[hamerfan]

I always think of Parallel Axis when I see a Floyd Rose or any kind of Superstrats. The PATB Crazy8 might be your ticket.

 

[larryguitar]

First thing to try with a harsh/too bright JB is a 250K volume pot, assuming you (like most of us) have several just lying around. Works great in superstrats.


Larry