TheBolivianSniper
New member
Hi everyone,
it's pretty much my first post around here but I've been doing a lot of browsing and you guys seem to really be the expert on all things pickups. I have a solid tube amp I like (Blackstar HT Stage 60) and 3 guitars that I've picked up at questionably low prices (filled with blemishes and scratches). The problem is, I'd like a lot different tone out of them than what I've been getting and I don't want to shoot in the dark with returns and such since I don't have a ton of time.
First guitar is my pretty much main instrument, an Ibanez RGIX9DLB, bolt on, ash body and maple neck with an Edge trem. It currently has Dimarzio Fusion Edges and I think they're a little too low output for my taste, and a little thin. I use this one for anything from hard rock to jazz to heavier thrash but it's always in E standard. I was thinking maybe EMG 57/66 but I wasn't totally sure.
Second is a pawn shop treasure, a Schecter Blackjack Avenger, set mahogany neck in a mahogany body, floyd, sustainiac, and a killswitch (not added by me). I was unsure about changing the bridge on this one because the tone right now is pretty much what I like, but it's been changed from the stock SD Nazgul to a Lace Deathbucker. It sounds good, very dark and tight, but I don't know if something is up with the wiring since it buzzes a ton with the tone pot open, picks up a lot of radio signals, and sometimes sounds really middy and twangy. It's good but I don't know if I should replace it, and the sustainiac wiring is a little intimidating. This one is for all downtuned metal and stays in drop C.
Last is my project guitar, a Jackson SL4X, basswood body, maple neck-through, floyd. Currently has 3 Duncan designed hot rails and they're way too bassy and muddy. It's my classic rock and 80s hair metal guitar, stays in D standard. Maybe I'll play something like Death on it but almost always moderate gain sounds. I was thinking a Super Distortion S, Fast Track, and a Chopper in the neck, but I don't know how well that combo would work.
Any input? I haven't done pickup swaps yet (that's what the Jackson is for) but I've done my fair bit of soldering. I haven't really gotten into anything outside of a few Dimarzios so if anyone has any ideas please throw me some tips. Thanks a ton!
it's pretty much my first post around here but I've been doing a lot of browsing and you guys seem to really be the expert on all things pickups. I have a solid tube amp I like (Blackstar HT Stage 60) and 3 guitars that I've picked up at questionably low prices (filled with blemishes and scratches). The problem is, I'd like a lot different tone out of them than what I've been getting and I don't want to shoot in the dark with returns and such since I don't have a ton of time.
First guitar is my pretty much main instrument, an Ibanez RGIX9DLB, bolt on, ash body and maple neck with an Edge trem. It currently has Dimarzio Fusion Edges and I think they're a little too low output for my taste, and a little thin. I use this one for anything from hard rock to jazz to heavier thrash but it's always in E standard. I was thinking maybe EMG 57/66 but I wasn't totally sure.
Second is a pawn shop treasure, a Schecter Blackjack Avenger, set mahogany neck in a mahogany body, floyd, sustainiac, and a killswitch (not added by me). I was unsure about changing the bridge on this one because the tone right now is pretty much what I like, but it's been changed from the stock SD Nazgul to a Lace Deathbucker. It sounds good, very dark and tight, but I don't know if something is up with the wiring since it buzzes a ton with the tone pot open, picks up a lot of radio signals, and sometimes sounds really middy and twangy. It's good but I don't know if I should replace it, and the sustainiac wiring is a little intimidating. This one is for all downtuned metal and stays in drop C.
Last is my project guitar, a Jackson SL4X, basswood body, maple neck-through, floyd. Currently has 3 Duncan designed hot rails and they're way too bassy and muddy. It's my classic rock and 80s hair metal guitar, stays in D standard. Maybe I'll play something like Death on it but almost always moderate gain sounds. I was thinking a Super Distortion S, Fast Track, and a Chopper in the neck, but I don't know how well that combo would work.
Any input? I haven't done pickup swaps yet (that's what the Jackson is for) but I've done my fair bit of soldering. I haven't really gotten into anything outside of a few Dimarzios so if anyone has any ideas please throw me some tips. Thanks a ton!
