Marshall SL-X Crunch
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I just got a PJ Marx Brad Gillis Model Humbucker. I was wanting to know if anyone here ever had one or ever used one?
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PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
- Thread starter Marshall SL-X Crunch
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Marshall SL-X Crunch
New member
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
I attached pics to this reply.
They are indeed of a different nature as far as looks. Each one I have seen looks different with splattered paint or wax. This red pickup has black splatter markings, one coil is 5.1k and the other is 7.8k, total using both is 12.9k. The other pickup is different colors just dumped on it and has the PJ Marx logo on it. Both are Brad Gillis models.
I attached pics to this reply.
They are indeed of a different nature as far as looks. Each one I have seen looks different with splattered paint or wax. This red pickup has black splatter markings, one coil is 5.1k and the other is 7.8k, total using both is 12.9k. The other pickup is different colors just dumped on it and has the PJ Marx logo on it. Both are Brad Gillis models.
Reckless Abandon
New member
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
Looks neat. From the DC resistence and the mismatched coils I would say it is close to the hybrid
Looks neat. From the DC resistence and the mismatched coils I would say it is close to the hybrid
Marshall SL-X Crunch
New member
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
I have never tried a Hybrid pickup.
I guess I don't know what to expect. I use a Duncan 59 at the bridge, it's a nice tone with the Marshall and I have gotten used to it over the years, maybe it is time to listen to other pickups? I wouldn't mind something with just a bit more edge.
I have never tried a Hybrid pickup.
I guess I don't know what to expect. I use a Duncan 59 at the bridge, it's a nice tone with the Marshall and I have gotten used to it over the years, maybe it is time to listen to other pickups? I wouldn't mind something with just a bit more edge.
Reckless Abandon
New member
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
by the way welcome to the forum
by the way welcome to the forum
Mr 9finger
Digitally Challenged
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
Rumor has it that Bill Lawrence designed and made all of the PJ Marx pickups. I have no proof of this, just what I hear.
Rumor has it that Bill Lawrence designed and made all of the PJ Marx pickups. I have no proof of this, just what I hear.
frankfalbo
In Fluence Y'all
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
The ones I've seen (not BG models) have had insanely strong magnets. Don't get too close to the refridgerator while playing or "BONK!"
I don't know if the BG is like that, but he showed me his main guitar once (some strat) and he had sanded the top of the pickup off in an attempt to get his pickup to "go to eleven" and I think I remember two big bar magnets. Maybe they were skinny bars like a Bill Lawrence, but I think they were big bars like the X2N. It was over 10 years ago.
The ones I've seen (not BG models) have had insanely strong magnets. Don't get too close to the refridgerator while playing or "BONK!"
I don't know if the BG is like that, but he showed me his main guitar once (some strat) and he had sanded the top of the pickup off in an attempt to get his pickup to "go to eleven" and I think I remember two big bar magnets. Maybe they were skinny bars like a Bill Lawrence, but I think they were big bars like the X2N. It was over 10 years ago.
Marshall SL-X Crunch
New member
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
It's different than a 59 Duncan! wow!! I jacked up the pre and the gain just a bit on the Marshall and she growled with color and crunch, It has a nice tone, It feels like I could tap anywhere on the neck and hit a harmonic.
You can Still Rock In America!
It's different than a 59 Duncan! wow!! I jacked up the pre and the gain just a bit on the Marshall and she growled with color and crunch, It has a nice tone, It feels like I could tap anywhere on the neck and hit a harmonic.
You can Still Rock In America!
Diezeldale
New member
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
SWEET,
I have 2 BG models and the Jeff Watson Bridge w/ 2 Single coils! I'm going to drop the BG model into a 1990 Robin Medley I picked up to pair with the PJ Marx Quad that came in the Neck position of the Medley. Thanks for posting your pix, I was going crazy trying to figure out the wiring color codes! now the mystery is solved!
SWEET,
I have 2 BG models and the Jeff Watson Bridge w/ 2 Single coils! I'm going to drop the BG model into a 1990 Robin Medley I picked up to pair with the PJ Marx Quad that came in the Neck position of the Medley. Thanks for posting your pix, I was going crazy trying to figure out the wiring color codes! now the mystery is solved!
darthphineas
New member
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
Brad Gillis has been using the Duncan JB as the bridge pup in his main red Strat for quite a few years now.
from his mouth to my ears.
Brad Gillis has been using the Duncan JB as the bridge pup in his main red Strat for quite a few years now.
from his mouth to my ears.
Diezeldale
New member
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
Can't diss a JB bridge! Still love to tone of these old PJ Marx BG pups. Got my first one back in 87' from Larry Brooks he was still repairing and building guitars in Denver, back before going to start the Fender Custom Shop.
Can't diss a JB bridge! Still love to tone of these old PJ Marx BG pups. Got my first one back in 87' from Larry Brooks he was still repairing and building guitars in Denver, back before going to start the Fender Custom Shop.
slyrfn1986
New member
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
Have a Jeff watson myself in a 81 RR V bridge with an older jackson sounds tasty my dad put it in years ago he loved randy and all the 80's stuff now hes stuck on Vai Satch and johnson among others including himself lol
Have a Jeff watson myself in a 81 RR V bridge with an older jackson sounds tasty my dad put it in years ago he loved randy and all the 80's stuff now hes stuck on Vai Satch and johnson among others including himself lol
Chris Pile
Well-known member
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
Have to resurrect this ancient thread to correct you, man.
No, Bill Lawrence did NOT design and make them. PJ Marx made them. I was a dealer back in the 80's, and they sold very well. The Brad Gillis was a great seller, and my favorite of the humbuckers. By the way, PJ is still around - playing with guns and making high performance ammunition.
Have to resurrect this ancient thread to correct you, man.
No, Bill Lawrence did NOT design and make them. PJ Marx made them. I was a dealer back in the 80's, and they sold very well. The Brad Gillis was a great seller, and my favorite of the humbuckers. By the way, PJ is still around - playing with guns and making high performance ammunition.
Howlermonkey
New member
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
Still going strong.
The pj marx 212 does so many things so well.........even in a plywood kramer plugged into a bass amp.
I'm wondering if that became the jeff watson pickup.
It's probably their lowest resistence pickup at 3.87 resistence on one coil and 3.94 on the other for 7.8k in humbucker mode.
Very "chimey" and clean in single coil mode.
I'm really asking a lot out of that poor tweeter and it looks like the fretboard needs oiling and yes, the pickup is centered under the strings. (picture at angle)
Many kramers with a slanted pickup don't have the pickup centered and I had to move the pickup ring about 3/32 to get it centered.
I do use modeling in the effects loop or the hotone heart attack into the effects return.
Still going strong.
The pj marx 212 does so many things so well.........even in a plywood kramer plugged into a bass amp.
I'm wondering if that became the jeff watson pickup.
It's probably their lowest resistence pickup at 3.87 resistence on one coil and 3.94 on the other for 7.8k in humbucker mode.
Very "chimey" and clean in single coil mode.
I'm really asking a lot out of that poor tweeter and it looks like the fretboard needs oiling and yes, the pickup is centered under the strings. (picture at angle)
Many kramers with a slanted pickup don't have the pickup centered and I had to move the pickup ring about 3/32 to get it centered.
I do use modeling in the effects loop or the hotone heart attack into the effects return.
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Jack_TriPpEr
Well-known member
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
Yep, that matches what is said in the news article that IDsnowDog shared to the group a couple years back: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?314522-PJ-Marx-From-pickups-to-bullets
The following isn't the Brad Gillis model, but it is an example of PJ Marx's formerly large impact in the rock-metal world, coincidentally featured in some wall art in my home studio. This photo is from around the time of the "Them" album - very thrashy tones on that album.
Another interesting thing in this photo is - judging by the unusual closeness of the two humbuckers in that guitar - that that B.C. Rich superstrat seems to have a 24.75" scale neck.
Yep, that matches what is said in the news article that IDsnowDog shared to the group a couple years back: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?314522-PJ-Marx-From-pickups-to-bullets
The following isn't the Brad Gillis model, but it is an example of PJ Marx's formerly large impact in the rock-metal world, coincidentally featured in some wall art in my home studio. This photo is from around the time of the "Them" album - very thrashy tones on that album.
Another interesting thing in this photo is - judging by the unusual closeness of the two humbuckers in that guitar - that that B.C. Rich superstrat seems to have a 24.75" scale neck.
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Chris Pile
Well-known member
Re: PJ Marx Brad Gillis Humbucker
Yeah, could be a 2 octave neck, too.
Didn't know the whole lawsuit thing about PJ and the gubmint. That sucks for him. Didn't spend much time talking to him except briefly at NAMM shows back in the 80's, but he seemed like a cool cat. Chandler Guitars was the distributor for his pickups, and my rep was pals with PJ. Mark said PJ was an ass-kicker in the shop, really knew his stuff.
His pickups are still pretty collectable. A cat in Japan pays good money for them, sold the last pair I had to him. They turn up online every once in awhile, or a guitar will show up loaded with one. I personally loved the Brad Gillis for it's thick chewy tones, and the 410 (or was it 412?) model. PJ stuff honked, even the single coils.
Yeah, could be a 2 octave neck, too.
Didn't know the whole lawsuit thing about PJ and the gubmint. That sucks for him. Didn't spend much time talking to him except briefly at NAMM shows back in the 80's, but he seemed like a cool cat. Chandler Guitars was the distributor for his pickups, and my rep was pals with PJ. Mark said PJ was an ass-kicker in the shop, really knew his stuff.
His pickups are still pretty collectable. A cat in Japan pays good money for them, sold the last pair I had to him. They turn up online every once in awhile, or a guitar will show up loaded with one. I personally loved the Brad Gillis for it's thick chewy tones, and the 410 (or was it 412?) model. PJ stuff honked, even the single coils.
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