Same PUs, different guitars, why one "works"

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ls1ashley

New member
I've got two guitars. One of them seems to respond and sound much better than the other. is it in my head? There *should* be a quality difference between the two but would I be better suited to adjust a classic '59/JB combo in one? I play heavier rock to occasional 'old' metal. The ESP seems to sound much better, crisper, sharper, it just "pops" more with the same amp and settings. Any advice as to how to get the Jackson 'up' to the ESP? I LOVE the Jackson and I think with further tweaking on the amp I actually would prefer it, just having to work a little harder and it's making me ask the question.

Guitar Body Neck Fretboard Tremlo Neck PU Bridge PU
ESP Eclipse Mahogany/Maple Top Maple Ebony Fixed SD 59 SD JB
Jackson Alder Maple Maple Floyd SD 59 SD JB


Thanks!
 
Re: Same PUs, different guitars, why one "works"

Well, you put them into completely different guitars. Wood does matter, even the fretboard. The JB probably sounds better in the ESP, because it is better in the ESP. I'm not really able to tell you much more beyond that, because I've never tried the JB, but just looking at the basics, that's what is wrong.
 
Re: Same PUs, different guitars, why one "works"

The JB is notorious for sounding different in different guitars/woods. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Certainly doing some tweaks wherever possible can't hurt. If you like the Jackson, it is worth the effort to try to make it work. But in the end you just have to decide for yourself if you like it or not.
 
Re: Same PUs, different guitars, why one "works"

The wood/fretboard/frets/bridge/nut/strings etc can all have a big effect on tone, but you could also look inside at the wiring/pots/caps. They could also be bleeding off some of your tone in one guitar.
 
Re: Same PUs, different guitars, why one "works"

Thank you for the feedback. I was definitely missing the obvious by checking some maintenance and setup items as a couple of you mentioned. I'll start there and if I can't work it out, I'll have a good excuse to spend money because I REALLY do like the Jackson, was good gear for the money IMO.
 
Re: Same PUs, different guitars, why one "works"

jorge5150 said:
Besides the wood, the floyd rose suck tone of the guitar.
Click to expand...

Only if the floyd is a sub-par unit.

Jacksons aren't all equal, you know... so what is the guitar, specifically?
 
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Re: Same PUs, different guitars, why one "works"

ls1ashley said:
I've got two guitars. One of them seems to respond and sound much better than the other. is it in my head? There *should* be a quality difference between the two but would I be better suited to adjust a classic '59/JB combo in one? I play heavier rock to occasional 'old' metal. The ESP seems to sound much better, crisper, sharper, it just "pops" more with the same amp and settings. Any advice as to how to get the Jackson 'up' to the ESP? I LOVE the Jackson and I think with further tweaking on the amp I actually would prefer it, just having to work a little harder and it's making me ask the question.

Guitar Body Neck Fretboard Tremlo Neck PU Bridge PU
ESP Eclipse Mahogany/Maple Top Maple Ebony Fixed SD 59 SD JB
Jackson Alder Maple Maple Floyd SD 59 SD JB


Thanks!
Click to expand...

Code: 
Guitar	           Body	                            Neck	Fretboard	Tremlo	Neck PU    Bridge PU
ESP Eclipse	   Mahogany/Maple Top	           Maple	Ebony	Fixed	        SD 59	       SD JB
Jackson        Alder	                           Maple	Maple	        Floyd	        SD 59	       SD JB

The major difference here is the tremolo. There are several interpretations:
  • You might not like the sound of tremolo sustain block guitars
  • Parts of the Floyd suck (baseplate, block), or the posts are not seated to be effect
  • The Jackson neck might suck (heavy truss rod or so) or it might be ruined by the Floyd nut

Normally my advice for a first test is to switch the necks, because that covered several items at once. Obviously that is rather difficult with the Eclipse but I'd ebay a random Strat neck just to get this test done.
 
Re: Same PUs, different guitars, why one "works"

A different neck on the Jackson seems like a good experiment, if you can try it.

Another one, a little quicker, is to take the pads and bolts off the lock nut, tune it, and play. As much as I like the sound of a Floyd compared to most trems, I still think the locking nut takes some of the life out of the tone for me. I usually play my main Floyded guitar without it.
 
Re: Same PUs, different guitars, why one "works"

This Jackson is never going to match your ESP in terms of wood quality and craftsmanship, although it should improve somewhat when it breaks in.
 
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