recommendations for Jackson DK2 HSS

[cbope]

I've recently picked up (no pun intended) a 2004 Jackson DK2 with DD pups in HSS configuration, an HB-103 in the bridge and SC-101's in the neck and middle. The guitar has a FR-licensed Jackson JT580LP trem. I'm planning to update the pups to real Duncans. I've been listening to the sound samples on Duncan's site, but I'd also like some real world opinions. The guitar has an alder body and rosewood fingerboard. According to Duncan, the DD HB-103 is a copy of a JB. I'm sure I want to go with single-sized humbuckers for the neck and middle, not sc's. I generally like the sound of the HB-103 in the bridge, so definitely the SH-4 JB is on my list as an option for the bridge. My bridge list is:

SH-4 JB
SH-6 distortion
PATB-3 blues saraceno (tone wizard recommendation)
SH-12 lynch screamin demon

For the neck/middle I've narrowed down to:

little 59 (tone wizard...)
JB jr (tone wizard...)
cool rails

I play mostly metal and hard rock with a little Texas blues rock, but I want the guitar to be pretty versatile because this is my only ax at the moment. My tastes run to early Metallica, Pantera (Dime RIP), Randy (RIP), old Sabbath, AC/DC, ZZ Top, SRV (RIP), etc. I'm leaning towards an SH-12 in the bridge (Lynch fan here) and cool rails in both neck/middle positions. I do like the crunchy harmonics of the SH-6, but I'm worried that it will be too much for some stuff. For cleans, I usually use neck/middle so maybe it's not a problem. Also, an SH-4 JB + cool rails in neck/middle is tempting. I will be using a modeling amp, the Vox AD60VT.

Any further suggestions, or am I on the right track?

 

[I_M_Ken]

Re: recommendations for Jackson DK2 HSS

JB for the bridge!!
good to play thrash metal (used by Mustaine) as well as lots of other rock bands in the 80s.

 

[cbope]

Re: recommendations for Jackson DK2 HSS

JB for the bridge!!
good to play thrash metal (used by Mustaine) as well as lots of other rock bands in the 80s.

Ok, that's 1 vote for JB in the bridge. What do you think about going with cool rails in the neck/middle positions? Other suggestions?

 

[Adam]

Re: recommendations for Jackson DK2 HSS

For a while I had a Custom in my SL1, wasn't for me. So I swapped out for the Distortion, and I'm starting to think thats not what I want either. So I have this JB sittin here, and its about to go in!

So man in my case I've went full circle back to where I started. So whenever I get some free time in this holiday rush I'm gonna stick the JB in there.

Now as far as the SS part, its hard to find a pup that can beat a Cool Rails to me. I have a CR in my Strat and a HR in my SL1, and I'm probably going to slap a CR in the neck for a while on the Jackson. Its just a wicked tone for leads and cleans! The HR is the same way, but its alot 'darker' in my guitar as others said it would be. And it is a 'good' dark. I also find myself getting some squeals on it sometimes that definately surprise me.

 

[I_M_Ken]

Re: recommendations for Jackson DK2 HSS

Ok, that's 1 vote for JB in the bridge. What do you think about going with cool rails in the neck/middle positions? Other suggestions?

im not very knowledgeable on single coils in general, thats why i left them out and recommended the JB only..heh...single coils are just not my thing.

even though im putting in some now just for fun.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: recommendations for Jackson DK2 HSS

I have an H/S/S guitar, and I've been through most of the pickups you've listed, with the exception of the Duncan Distortion. Vintage output, medium output, high output, Dimarzio's...you name it. I finally found one pickup that makes the guitar sound thick, articulate, crunchy...all of the adjectives we use to describe the tone's for hard rock, classic rock, 80's rock, ect.

The Original PATB. Nothing else I tried is even close to this pickup. It's hot, but not too hot. It will cop the lower gain AC/DC with no problems, and has enough on tap for all but the hardest thrash. The thing I like most is that it retains warmth, articulation and clarity no matter what you ask of it.

It really is that good. So good that I just bouht a Parallel Axix Stack to go into the neck. If it's as good as I think it will be...I'll put one in the middle slot also.

I have had my eye on the DK2's for quite some time now...they are great looking and playing axes. If it were my H/S/S DK2, I'd go:

Original PATB - Bridge
Little 59' - Middle
PATB Stack - Neck

This combination should give you all of the tones you want, from SRV thru Metalica.

It really is that good. Best pickup I have ever used...and I've used most production SD's at one point or another, and several custom shop models. It's the most underated pickup Duncan makes.

 

[cbope]

Re: recommendations for Jackson DK2 HSS

I have an H/S/S guitar, and I've been through most of the pickups you've listed, with the exception of the Duncan Distortion. Vintage output, medium output, high output, Dimarzio's...you name it. I finally found one pickup that makes the guitar sound thick, articulate, crunchy...all of the adjectives we use to describe the tone's for hard rock, classic rock, 80's rock, ect.

The Original PATB. Nothing else I tried is even close to this pickup. It's hot, but not too hot. It will cop the lower gain AC/DC with no problems, and has enough on tap for all but the hardest thrash. The thing I like most is that it retains warmth, articulation and clarity no matter what you ask of it.

It really is that good. So good that I just bouht a Parallel Axix Stack to go into the neck. If it's as good as I think it will be...I'll put one in the middle slot also.

I have had my eye on the DK2's for quite some time now...they are great looking and playing axes. If it were my H/S/S DK2, I'd go:

Original PATB - Bridge
Little 59' - Middle
PATB Stack - Neck

This combination should give you all of the tones you want, from SRV thru Metalica.

It really is that good. Best pickup I have ever used...and I've used most production SD's at one point or another, and several custom shop models. It's the most underated pickup Duncan makes.

Damn, now I gotta think about neck/middle again. The PATB orig sounds like the ticket for the bridge. Unfortunately, my usual guitar parts stores don't carry any of the PATB line, not even cool rails. Only the "usual" SD pups (SH-4, SH-6, etc.), so I may have to order from the states. I really wish SD had sound clips from the PA-STK1N online, I'd like to hear it compared to the CR. I also thought about going with the little 59 in middle, for flexibility.

 

[cbope]

Re: recommendations for Jackson DK2 HSS

I have had my eye on the DK2's for quite some time now...they are great looking and playing axes.

The DK2 is my first Jackson, and definitely won't be my last. I got mine second hand a couple months ago, it is an awesome guitar. The quality is amazing for the price, nothing from Ibanez, Gibson, Fender, PRS can touch it in its price range, imho. My only complaint, which is common with Japanese-made Jackson's, is the cheap pots they use. Both the vol and tone pots are scratchy, and this guitar had not even been played much when I got it. Cleaning the pots was unsuccessful, so I've got 2 CTS pots on the way to replace them. The 2006 DK2's even come with real Duncan's, mine is a 2004 with DD's. Actually, the DD's are not bad, but as you see I plan to upgrade. A friend of mine has a bunch of Jackson's, including some USA models, and he says this guitar sounds sweet and plays very well. I agree with him. I was originally planning to get a DK2M (new), but this DK2 has the eerie dess graphics (which I happen to like) and I figured the HSS configuration would be more flexible than an HH guitar. Also, since the DK2M's are Jackson's hottest seller these days, I didn't want to play follow the leader.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: recommendations for Jackson DK2 HSS

Unfortunately, my usual guitar parts stores don't carry any of the PATB line, not even cool rails. Only the "usual" SD pups (SH-4, SH-6, etc.), so I may have to order from the states. I really wish SD had sound clips from the PA-STK1N online, I'd like to hear it compared to the CR. I also thought about going with the little 59 in middle, for flexibility.

Don't feel bad. Most places over here that carry Duncans, even online, don't stock the PATB's. You almost always have to order them.

I need to install my PATB stack, I've just been putting it off because I have to take my trem claw out of the guitar to get the neck pup in, and I hate setting up the Floyd...grrr.

I really believe that the PATB stack is going to be a warm, smooth pickup with loads of singing sustain in the neck. If it's anything like it's cousin the bridge pickup, it will do SRV to Floyd to Satriani. It won't sound EXACTLY like a single coil, I have no illusions, but that's not what I want, and not what you want either based on your post.

If you did want to have one true single coil, you could put an APS in the middle, because it is such a sweet pickup, and handles gain really well. It sounds like you're set on the Lil HB's, or something noise canceling and more powerful, and that's why I suggested the Lil 59. It is, IMO, by far the best Lil bucker SD makes, and it would be VERY flexable in the middle slot.

As for the Jackson, I have had an itch for one of the DK2's for a while now, and you're right, the price vs quality can't be beat. I want the white on with maple board and black inlays.

Let us know what you decide...just suck it up and order the pickups from one of the forum dealers here, and they will take care of you. Here's links to the two best.

Bada Bing is his user name here. Just PM him, and he'll order ANYTHING you need, and get it done quickly. This is the link to his webstore.

http://stores.ebay.com/Martin-6-String-Customs_W0QQsspagenameZMEQ3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm

Or visit www.wymoreguitars.com He is also a member here, Wymore Guitars is his user name.

Both of these guys are fantastic, and have the best prices and service I've ever had.

 

[cbope]

Re: recommendations for Jackson DK2 HSS

If you did want to have one true single coil, you could put an APS in the middle, because it is such a sweet pickup, and handles gain really well. It sounds like you're set on the Lil HB's, or something noise canceling and more powerful, and that's why I suggested the Lil 59. It is, IMO, by far the best Lil bucker SD makes, and it would be VERY flexable in the middle slot.

As for the Jackson, I have had an itch for one of the DK2's for a while now, and you're right, the price vs quality can't be beat. I want the white on with maple board and black inlays.

Let us know what you decide...just suck it up and order the pickups from one of the forum dealers here, and they will take care of you. Here's links to the two best.

Bada Bing is his user name here. Just PM him, and he'll order ANYTHING you need, and get it done quickly. This is the link to his webstore.

http://stores.ebay.com/Martin-6-String-Customs_W0QQsspagenameZMEQ3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm

Or visit www.wymoreguitars.com He is also a member here, Wymore Guitars is his user name.

Both of these guys are fantastic, and have the best prices and service I've ever had.

Thanks for the dealer info. Hope they are able to sell to Finland. You're right, I'm not really looking for a true single-coil. I want noise cancellation, so definitely they will be mini buckers. At the moment, I'm thinking of little 59 in the middle and cool rails in the neck. I just like the sound of the cool rails, at least when I listened to the sound clips on SD's site that was the one that did it for me. It will probably be a couple months before I order, gotta get a new amp first.

 

[groundef]

Re: recommendations for Jackson DK2 HSS

I would go with the Blues Parallel Axis in the bridge. I had one in an Ibanez, I could really sound heavy like Metallica, and Pantera, and it cleaned up nice. I think the JB in the bridge is horrible in anything other than a Les Paul style guitar. After having the JB in 3 different guitars, I actually used to hate the JB. Until I finally put it in a Les Paul Custom Black Beauty. Then the JB ruled. I think the Blues Sarceno is your answer. It all depends on your amp too. I play a Boogie Tremoverb and a 1968 Traynor Mark II BassMaster.