Replacement for an old Jackson humbucker

[Cowboyfromhell]

Hey guys,

What pickup would you suggest as a replacement for the J50BC?
I have several JE1000 gainboosts from Jackson (its an active preamp-circuit with 3-band-EQ and gainboost, installed inside the guitar) and two of the J50s (which are like hot rodded PAFs with ceramic magnet), but I dont want to have a battery in my guitars anymore, so I threw the JE1000 out and just played with only the J50BC. The problem is, that the J50BC without the EQ and the gain from the JE1000 isnt that good for a CoB type of tone.
I play a Marshall 2203 or my GP-1000, and I have to hit both of them very hard with an overdrive pedal.

So, to keep my setup simple and to not use the Boss SD-1 permanently, I want another humbucker as a replacement for the J50BC. But what could get me to that type of tone?
Active is not a choice, because there is no space for a battery in my RR1 for example.

The best reference for the sound Im after is this album from CoB:

I already tried the SH-5, but I want to try something else. The SH-6 seems to be too much on the upper frequencies.

Thank you!

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Replacement for an old Jackson humbucker

What did or didn't you like with the SH-5? Might help us narrow the options down better.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Replacement for an old Jackson humbucker

Also, have you tried an SH-6 first-hand?

 

[Taz Rules]

Re: Replacement for an old Jackson humbucker

Quick ot....masta c, check your pm

Sorry for the diversion

 

[Cowboyfromhell]

Re: Replacement for an old Jackson humbucker

Hey

Thank you for your reply

I bought a SH-6, but its on its way to me, so I havent tried it yet but I will do as soon as the pickup arrives.

The above sound reference to Children of Bodom is one thing, but I want to achieve tones like Opeth on the Ghost Reveries album or classic Megadeth stuff as well.

I dont know what could get me there. Pegasus and Nazgul and so on seem to have a really modern voicing, the Black Winter too. I dont know if that are good choices. The SH-4 doesnt suit my guitar tuning (D Standard and Dropped C), as it sounds very muddy at the lower strings. Also, I think the pickup should have a ceramic magnet. The SH-1 with a ceramic could fit, but would have to low output. But I dont want to have an absolute higain metal pickup, because I want to have at least some clarity and the possibility to work with the volume pot.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Replacement for an old Jackson humbucker

I say try the SH-6 and report back. You may really like it.

Failing that, when I think about blending Opeth with Megadeth along with curing the muddiness you experienced with the JB, only one pickup comes to mind: SH-10 FULL SHRED

Don't get too hung up on the "must be ceramic" thing. There are far too many factors that go into a pickup design to base your decision on the magnet type first and foremost.

That said, definitely give the SH-6 a try. Depending on your guitar, it may be everything you're looking for. Don't be afraid to play with the height and adjust the volume knob to control the output and response.

Let us know!

 

[Cowboyfromhell]

Re: Replacement for an old Jackson humbucker

Hi!

The SH-10 seems to be very interesting, I recently tried the SH-14 in my DK1 and it suits well for classic 80s heavy metal tones, but sometimes it is a little bit fat in the lower frequencies, so I wont use this guitar for low tunings

I got the SH-6 yesterday and experimented until now...and I have to admit, the name "Distortion" is not good enough, as it delivers a very rough rhythm tone but sweet and clear highs. Also works very well with the volume pot on my RR1. I think you were right, the SH-6 really makes me happy me so far!

 

[Lucy Diamond]

Re: Replacement for an old Jackson humbucker

Buy a Black Winter.

 

[Lysergene]

Re: Replacement for an old Jackson humbucker

Opeth use all sorts. Maybe a Pegasus/Sentient set with coil split/series/parallel options?