So I ordered my Jackson SlSMG Soloist Guitar! (Need to pick out some Humbuckers!)

[TDevilG]

I finally found the lead guitar of my dreams; a 24 jumbo fret, 3 pound, lightning fast neck that'll seer through anything I can put it up against!

Mahogany body with carved top
Satin-finished mahogany thru-body neck
Die-cast tuners
Ebony fingerboard
24 jumbo frets
2 EMG-HZ pickups
Controls: 3-way pickup switching, one volume knob, one tone knob
25.5" scale
Piranha neck inlays
String-thru-body bridge
Satin black or violin brown finish




It looks beautiful, and I'm sure it'll sound freaking amazing. My only complaint is that the EMG-HZs are weak; I should know, I just replaced them on my ESP LTD151.


Any suggestions for this beast? I need something that'll compliment my style: Fast, Lead, Heavy Metal, Metallica lead. I need it to seer without it sounding like a piercing noise screeching through my brain.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: So I ordered my Jackson SlSMG Soloist Guitar! (Need to pick out some Humbuckers!)

Well I can recommend something non-Duncan for you... EMG'S! lol. I have a pair of 'em in my Ibanez and even though I'm playing through a solid state amp I'm quite satisfied with the sound I'm getting out of them. 81 bridge, 60 neck. Perfect for heavy metal and lead playing, and I've tried... they work well for Metallica! Might be right up your alley.

 

[Justice4all]

Re: So I ordered my Jackson SlSMG Soloist Guitar! (Need to pick out some Humbuckers!)

I would suggest a pair of SD SH6's. If you are playing alot of metal these will keep everthing nice and tight sounding for both lead and rythym. People often over look the SH6 in the neck position, i dont know why, its great pup and the cleans are not half bad either.
I have these in two of my guitars and love them! While they are very hot, they are by no means harsh, but very articulate and responsive to pick attack.

If you are playing mostly lead work you my try the "Full Shred" pup. Its not as hot as the Distortion pup and hasnt got the bottom end either but for lead work its super clean sounding under heavy gain and i think rather smooth sounding, pair it wit a jazz in the neck.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: So I ordered my Jackson SlSMG Soloist Guitar! (Need to pick out some Humbuckers!)

Hmmm yes, if you want to go the passive route, maybe a pair of Duncan Distortions would suit you.. I think the DD in the neck is a little iffy, but some people have commented on it being good (like Justice) so I guess you could try it out.

REMEMBER THE 21 DAY EXCHANGE POLICY!

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: So I ordered my Jackson SlSMG Soloist Guitar! (Need to pick out some Humbuckers!)

Congratulations on getting the perfect (almost) metal guitar. I'm sure the EMG's that are in it aren't bad pups, but if they don't sound like you want, they just won't do.

I personally like the JB in the bridge of mine. Many people consider it the quintessential metal pickup. It'll hold it's own, but it sounds like you might be looking for something a little more over the top - which the full shred and distortion qualify for.

If they have a soloist with a JB at your guitar store, try it out. It should sound a lot like your's would with a JB in it - only brighter because of the floyd rose.

I personally haven't tried Metalman's EMG's, but I think he's probably right, too.

Sorry I didn't narrow it down much. Good luck, and have fun. I LOVE my Jackson.



I agree with your statement about the neck, too.

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: So I ordered my Jackson SlSMG Soloist Guitar! (Need to pick out some Humbuckers!)

i'd say go with a JB bridge and Jazz neck...this makes a great metal pickup in a mahogany body guitar. they can do mega distortion real well with clarity and both clean up real well to where the duncan distortion and EMG 81 tend to not clean up well.

-Mike

 

[TDevilG]

Re: So I ordered my Jackson SlSMG Soloist Guitar! (Need to pick out some Humbuckers!)

AWesome guys, thank you all for your opinions.

 

[suislidE03]

Re: So I ordered my Jackson SlSMG Soloist Guitar! (Need to pick out some Humbuckers!)

I have a slsmg, i use a JB/full shred. I originally put a jazz in the neck cause of all the praises, but its a real boring pickup to me. The JB sounds great though.

Obviously i have the black flametop version which has full binding. You cant get them anymore cause they only make the satin black finishes nowdays. Ive never seen one on ebay, but there is some whack-o trying to sell a red flametop version of one calling it a soloist with a buy it now at $999. Great guitar though, hope you enjoy it.

 

[BigBazz]

Re: So I ordered my Jackson SlSMG Soloist Guitar! (Need to pick out some Humbuckers!)

i would use a jazz in the neck or maybe a JB. as for the bridge either a Full shred, JB or an invader(maybe)

 

[Leveller]

Re: So I ordered my Jackson SlSMG Soloist Guitar! (Need to pick out some Humbuckers!)

Hey, I just got mine too! ;D It's a great guitar, and I'm just about replacing my own pups, I'm going to get a full shred for the neck and a distortion bridge, for ultimate soloing madness! ;D anyway I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you chose, but as you said the Hz's aint great..