Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
- Thread starter dpaterson
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metalchurch79
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Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
Dale,
The added height of the Invader poles and you running out of thread on your height screws when trying to lower it is exactly why I suggested that you shim the neck because not only that, sometimes the pickup will bottom out in the pickup route itself leaving you no other choice, especially since the Invader poles cannot be lowered.
Running out of height screw is even further exaggerated when you have long leg baseplates, so atleast yours are short leg...
You can try to find longer height screws if in fact the pickup doesn't bottom out.. but another thing will be the height screws hitting the bottom of the pickup route
^^ all those issues are more prevalent with recessed trems and non-pickguard guitars because everything is so tight to the body.
The mounting rings are purely cosmetic so by you swapping them was only feeding into your OCD. Imagine direct mounted pickup with no rings and how much the bobbins would protrude...
Dale,
The added height of the Invader poles and you running out of thread on your height screws when trying to lower it is exactly why I suggested that you shim the neck because not only that, sometimes the pickup will bottom out in the pickup route itself leaving you no other choice, especially since the Invader poles cannot be lowered.
Running out of height screw is even further exaggerated when you have long leg baseplates, so atleast yours are short leg...
You can try to find longer height screws if in fact the pickup doesn't bottom out.. but another thing will be the height screws hitting the bottom of the pickup route
^^ all those issues are more prevalent with recessed trems and non-pickguard guitars because everything is so tight to the body.
The mounting rings are purely cosmetic so by you swapping them was only feeding into your OCD. Imagine direct mounted pickup with no rings and how much the bobbins would protrude...
dpaterson
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
Hello.
Changing the pickup mounting rings wasn't pure cosmetic either. What it in fact has accomplished is lowering the Invader pre-adjustment. In other words: I don't have to adjust too much to go lower (so will not run out of adjustment screw thread) and can adjust higher no problem.
And yip. You're right. I can see the merits of top mounted tremelo systems (like your guitars and my Blaze).
Anyways. THE GOOD news is that it's all together again and looks like the nice guitar that it once was (but only better because now it has a big fat black monstrous INVADER!!! LOL!!!). I've strung it up and tuned it up and set the tremelo level and so far so good I must say. Actually sounds awesome. Better in fact with the 1MΩ pot. now i.e. it's still got its "mid. honk" but with some tops back (and those I can easy dial back if needs be). Just need to set the string height (although oddly enough it feels right although with me that's never good enough i.e. gotta set the height with gauges you know!!! LOL!!!), then Invader height, and check the intonation (which is bound to be out because I took this tremelo system totally apart some weeks ago to look at something).
Pity about the tone pot. and switch now. But was thinking: mebbe I should connecte up some of those snake lights around the guitar and use the switch to control them on and off and the tone pot to speed up or slow down!!! LOL!!!
Hello.
Shimming the neck would make things worse my good friend i.e. it would mean lowering the action afterward at the bridge and this in turn would necessitate moving the Invader further down and in its original config. it basically would have run out of adjustment threads and fallen off inside the flipping cavity (and as I said: this would have pushed me over the edge for sure!!! LOL!!!).
Changing the pickup mounting rings wasn't pure cosmetic either. What it in fact has accomplished is lowering the Invader pre-adjustment. In other words: I don't have to adjust too much to go lower (so will not run out of adjustment screw thread) and can adjust higher no problem.
And yip. You're right. I can see the merits of top mounted tremelo systems (like your guitars and my Blaze).
Anyways. THE GOOD news is that it's all together again and looks like the nice guitar that it once was (but only better because now it has a big fat black monstrous INVADER!!! LOL!!!). I've strung it up and tuned it up and set the tremelo level and so far so good I must say. Actually sounds awesome. Better in fact with the 1MΩ pot. now i.e. it's still got its "mid. honk" but with some tops back (and those I can easy dial back if needs be). Just need to set the string height (although oddly enough it feels right although with me that's never good enough i.e. gotta set the height with gauges you know!!! LOL!!!), then Invader height, and check the intonation (which is bound to be out because I took this tremelo system totally apart some weeks ago to look at something).
Pity about the tone pot. and switch now. But was thinking: mebbe I should connecte up some of those snake lights around the guitar and use the switch to control them on and off and the tone pot to speed up or slow down!!! LOL!!!
metalchurch79
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
If you shim the neck at the rear, it will make you need to raise your bridge/action accordingly and therefore give you more room to get your pole to string clearance in order.
Ok, yea I see what you mean though about the thinner ring and that was a good idea.
If you shim the neck at the rear, it will make you need to raise your bridge/action accordingly and therefore give you more room to get your pole to string clearance in order.
Ok, yea I see what you mean though about the thinner ring and that was a good idea.
dpaterson
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
I owe you an apology my good man.
Sorry. I've never shimmed a neck before (only ever shimmed a nut). So when I saw your post I made the mental connection between "shim" and "nut". Sorry. Actually: very interesting and a good idea and certainly something I will not forget for future.
P.S.
Like THIS I assume you mean:
https://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Electric_Guitar_Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Electric_Guitar_Necks/StewMac_Neck_Shims_for_Guitar.html?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BS%3A%20Catchall&utm_term=4578022820766003&utm_content=Ad%20group%20%231&fbclid=IwAR3c_BQWrJSwxFd36ghFyY2Nyd2mEGOoaRHw2ZsCzVtJzjh9QlnXH2Xt9M4
I owe you an apology my good man.
Sorry. I've never shimmed a neck before (only ever shimmed a nut). So when I saw your post I made the mental connection between "shim" and "nut". Sorry. Actually: very interesting and a good idea and certainly something I will not forget for future.
P.S.
Like THIS I assume you mean:
https://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Electric_Guitar_Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Electric_Guitar_Necks/StewMac_Neck_Shims_for_Guitar.html?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BS%3A%20Catchall&utm_term=4578022820766003&utm_content=Ad%20group%20%231&fbclid=IwAR3c_BQWrJSwxFd36ghFyY2Nyd2mEGOoaRHw2ZsCzVtJzjh9QlnXH2Xt9M4
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metalchurch79
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
No problem Dale and you didn't owe me an apology by any means, it is a lot of information coming all at once in an area that's already a lot to take in.
Id like to publicly say that Im proud of the fact that you're taking everyone's ideas and suggestions and applying them first hand and trying to learn how to do this yourself as opposed to throwing your hands up and pawning the work off to a shop...
Hands on experience is priceless that's for sure... By no means am I a pro shop, but that being said I post my ideas and suggestions going from hands on experiences stemming back for years... I also post with the unwritten clause that there are other ways to do the same thing, however I would not steer you wrong intentionally.
All's good bro! Besides, last I checked this is a guitar forum.
Edit:
Heres a link to the shims...
https://www.stewmac.com/Materials_a...578022820766003&utm_content=Ad%20group%20%231
No problem Dale and you didn't owe me an apology by any means, it is a lot of information coming all at once in an area that's already a lot to take in.
Id like to publicly say that Im proud of the fact that you're taking everyone's ideas and suggestions and applying them first hand and trying to learn how to do this yourself as opposed to throwing your hands up and pawning the work off to a shop...
Hands on experience is priceless that's for sure... By no means am I a pro shop, but that being said I post my ideas and suggestions going from hands on experiences stemming back for years... I also post with the unwritten clause that there are other ways to do the same thing, however I would not steer you wrong intentionally.
All's good bro! Besides, last I checked this is a guitar forum.
Edit:
Heres a link to the shims...
https://www.stewmac.com/Materials_a...578022820766003&utm_content=Ad%20group%20%231
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dpaterson
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
Done!!!
I present to you the JackVader™ by Dale!!! LOL!!!
This thing absolutely SCREAMS i.e. pinch and split harmonics almost jump out by themselves and not to mention a clean bottom end "growl", of course the "gnarly" mids., and with JUST the right amount of top end!!!
After seeing it complete now: it seems a shame to not put in a neck Invader and connect the switch and tone pot.??? Maybe even spring for a genuine ORIGINAL FR and have done with it???
I love it!!! I've always had a very, very, soft spot for this particular guitar. So I am very glad and very thankful that it's back on track (and then some). Thanks everyone!!!
And you wanna hear the best news of all??? Once I'd completed the setup (which included everything from neck relief to intonation to pickup height and whatever else): I plugged in, sat down, and actually played (jammed) for almost two hours solid without stopping to tweak tone even once!!! Now there's a flipping milestone for me if there ever was one!!!
Done!!!
I present to you the JackVader™ by Dale!!! LOL!!!
This thing absolutely SCREAMS i.e. pinch and split harmonics almost jump out by themselves and not to mention a clean bottom end "growl", of course the "gnarly" mids., and with JUST the right amount of top end!!!
After seeing it complete now: it seems a shame to not put in a neck Invader and connect the switch and tone pot.??? Maybe even spring for a genuine ORIGINAL FR and have done with it???
I love it!!! I've always had a very, very, soft spot for this particular guitar. So I am very glad and very thankful that it's back on track (and then some). Thanks everyone!!!
And you wanna hear the best news of all??? Once I'd completed the setup (which included everything from neck relief to intonation to pickup height and whatever else): I plugged in, sat down, and actually played (jammed) for almost two hours solid without stopping to tweak tone even once!!! Now there's a flipping milestone for me if there ever was one!!!
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LLL
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
I'd love to view this vid, but it's been removed or blocked.
I'd love to view this vid, but it's been removed or blocked.
metalchurch79
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
I didn't get to see it either so I figured Id try to download it later on.
I didn't get to see it either so I figured Id try to download it later on.
dpaterson
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
I actually never noticed that it was blocked i.e. because it was uploaded as "Unlisted" I can still view on my YouTube channel but only if I'm logged in to my YouTube account.
But I am SURE I can make another plan!!! Watch this space!!!
(Given that it was uploaded as "Unlisted" I'm pretty sure that this was not an automatic YouTube block just by the way i.e. more like "sour grapes" here).
Thanks. It's a Jackson JS Dinky JS32Q DKA (Poplar, Rosewood, Transparent Black).
Here's why:
I actually never noticed that it was blocked i.e. because it was uploaded as "Unlisted" I can still view on my YouTube channel but only if I'm logged in to my YouTube account.
But I am SURE I can make another plan!!! Watch this space!!!
(Given that it was uploaded as "Unlisted" I'm pretty sure that this was not an automatic YouTube block just by the way i.e. more like "sour grapes" here).
LLL
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
All good - snagged the download link. Many thanks!
All good - snagged the download link. Many thanks!
51501984
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
That worked . I love that Gary Moore inspired lick he shows at around 23:00 , it`s pretty basic but to do it fast and clean is not so basic . FWIW Gary was a huge influence on Viv , probably one of the reasons I like Vivs playing so much
That worked . I love that Gary Moore inspired lick he shows at around 23:00 , it`s pretty basic but to do it fast and clean is not so basic . FWIW Gary was a huge influence on Viv , probably one of the reasons I like Vivs playing so much
dpaterson
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
Hello.
Well I'm glad you enjoyed it (sure hope you did anyway).
Yeh. He makes everything look "basic" (easy). Until you try it that is!!! (That goes for me anyway!!! LOL!!!).
I do agree (to some this statement will come as a surprise!!! LOL!!!) that a lot of his tone does indeed come from his technique, experience, dexterity, and the little tricks that he employs (pretty evident when he discusses some of the Dio stuff). (Note I said "a lot of his tone" and not "all of his tone" i.e. still need a hotrodded superstrat with an Invader to complete the tone profile!!! LOL!!!).
Of all: I battle with his vibrato technique (which he uses liberally) and spread (both of which require finger strength and a decent stretch) which is odd maybe given that I got no issues with most of the other stuff. This being said: guess who is back to practicing scales (after digging this video up again)!!! LOL!!!
I know that Gary Moore was a big influence (he has mentioned this in several videos). I'm figuring there are several reasons why (not least of which being the fact that they're both Irish and, of course, Thin Lizzy had been around for quite a while). Pretty impressed with his theory knowledge too (I can play scales but don't ask me what they are!!! LOL!!!). Love it when it says "a guitar is one of the easiest instruments to play because ...". Yeh right!!! LOL!!!
I'm a huge fan of a certain era of Gary Moore i.e. around 1984 (go figure!!!). Have a live concert on VHS called "Emerald Isles - Live In Ireland" (1984). The sheer energy of the concert (and the man)!!! Not to mention the political connotations of some of the songs (the songs had meaning). Also have one or the other "Live at Montreux" DVD somewhere (blues). Good stuff.
Oh here it is (some kind person has uploaded to YouTube!!!):
"From Dublin let's show 'em... We'll be rocking... To the greatest guitar play this country's ever produced..."!!! LOL!!!
https://youtu.be/moRlMDDqtXo?t=3776
Here's the full concert (sure brings back good memories and oh how the world has changed since then) (and in just thinking I'm pretty sure these red spandex or red leather outfits have got something to do with tone!!! LOL!!!):
Back to the present:
Here's my other pride and joy (below). I post this pic. not to show off my gear but because I think I figured out why the stock Jackson neck pickup was out of phase with the Invader. Take a good look at the Jackson stock pickups and their orientation!!! These things, I think, are purpose built to be in pairs i.e. the two wire wiring being kept standard but actually going to different places inside the pickups.
Absolutely beautiful guitar this too (this my "resonant" guitar).
It's a Jackson Dinky JS32 DKA-M (Basswood, in spite of Jackson's incorrect spec. on their website, Maple, Snow White) with Jackson JE10 humbuckers (high output ceramics and pickup model specific to this model of guitar from what I've been able to gather with all my research). My next guitar I reckon: a black one just like this white one. Cannot help but wonder what Invaders would sound like in this model!!! LOL!!!
Hello.
Well I'm glad you enjoyed it (sure hope you did anyway).
Yeh. He makes everything look "basic" (easy). Until you try it that is!!! (That goes for me anyway!!! LOL!!!).
I do agree (to some this statement will come as a surprise!!! LOL!!!) that a lot of his tone does indeed come from his technique, experience, dexterity, and the little tricks that he employs (pretty evident when he discusses some of the Dio stuff). (Note I said "a lot of his tone" and not "all of his tone" i.e. still need a hotrodded superstrat with an Invader to complete the tone profile!!! LOL!!!).
Of all: I battle with his vibrato technique (which he uses liberally) and spread (both of which require finger strength and a decent stretch) which is odd maybe given that I got no issues with most of the other stuff. This being said: guess who is back to practicing scales (after digging this video up again)!!! LOL!!!
I know that Gary Moore was a big influence (he has mentioned this in several videos). I'm figuring there are several reasons why (not least of which being the fact that they're both Irish and, of course, Thin Lizzy had been around for quite a while). Pretty impressed with his theory knowledge too (I can play scales but don't ask me what they are!!! LOL!!!). Love it when it says "a guitar is one of the easiest instruments to play because ...". Yeh right!!! LOL!!!
I'm a huge fan of a certain era of Gary Moore i.e. around 1984 (go figure!!!). Have a live concert on VHS called "Emerald Isles - Live In Ireland" (1984). The sheer energy of the concert (and the man)!!! Not to mention the political connotations of some of the songs (the songs had meaning). Also have one or the other "Live at Montreux" DVD somewhere (blues). Good stuff.
Oh here it is (some kind person has uploaded to YouTube!!!):
"From Dublin let's show 'em... We'll be rocking... To the greatest guitar play this country's ever produced..."!!! LOL!!!
https://youtu.be/moRlMDDqtXo?t=3776
Here's the full concert (sure brings back good memories and oh how the world has changed since then) (and in just thinking I'm pretty sure these red spandex or red leather outfits have got something to do with tone!!! LOL!!!):
Back to the present:
Here's my other pride and joy (below). I post this pic. not to show off my gear but because I think I figured out why the stock Jackson neck pickup was out of phase with the Invader. Take a good look at the Jackson stock pickups and their orientation!!! These things, I think, are purpose built to be in pairs i.e. the two wire wiring being kept standard but actually going to different places inside the pickups.
Absolutely beautiful guitar this too (this my "resonant" guitar).
It's a Jackson Dinky JS32 DKA-M (Basswood, in spite of Jackson's incorrect spec. on their website, Maple, Snow White) with Jackson JE10 humbuckers (high output ceramics and pickup model specific to this model of guitar from what I've been able to gather with all my research). My next guitar I reckon: a black one just like this white one. Cannot help but wonder what Invaders would sound like in this model!!! LOL!!!
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Dave Locher
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
I am really glad to hear that! Enjoy!!
I am really glad to hear that! Enjoy!!
dpaterson
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
Thank you Dave. Your interest shown is really very much appreciated.
Yeh. This guitar is sounding so great now that I really do think it’s a shame to have done only half the job. Have hovered over several shopping cart “Pay now” buttons in the last few hours for a neck Invader (had cancelled my original order), ORIGINAL FR, new matching pickup rings, black pickup height adjustment screws, new “virgin” three way selector switch, (you get the picture) but have managed to NOT “pull the trigger” as YET!!! LOL!!!
But I must say that I am SOOO impressed with the Invader. It is the first time ever that with this guitar I have a rounded and full frequency spectrum (actually almost flat and tapers off smoothly from about 10kHz to 20kHz or so) i.e. I’ve always had big peaks at the bottom end and top end and a serious trough in the middle. The Invader, at least in this guitar, definitely conforms to its specs. given when analysed. And the bonus here is that I can EQ with my Boss GE-7, starting out flat, to my heart’s content. I can even engage my Boss SD-1 without wanting to run screaming into traffic (and sure does get me a nice Viv. tone with my CODE amps. now too).
Thank you Dave. Your interest shown is really very much appreciated.
Yeh. This guitar is sounding so great now that I really do think it’s a shame to have done only half the job. Have hovered over several shopping cart “Pay now” buttons in the last few hours for a neck Invader (had cancelled my original order), ORIGINAL FR, new matching pickup rings, black pickup height adjustment screws, new “virgin” three way selector switch, (you get the picture) but have managed to NOT “pull the trigger” as YET!!! LOL!!!
But I must say that I am SOOO impressed with the Invader. It is the first time ever that with this guitar I have a rounded and full frequency spectrum (actually almost flat and tapers off smoothly from about 10kHz to 20kHz or so) i.e. I’ve always had big peaks at the bottom end and top end and a serious trough in the middle. The Invader, at least in this guitar, definitely conforms to its specs. given when analysed. And the bonus here is that I can EQ with my Boss GE-7, starting out flat, to my heart’s content. I can even engage my Boss SD-1 without wanting to run screaming into traffic (and sure does get me a nice Viv. tone with my CODE amps. now too).
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bldrst
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
To my ears since hearing it on vinyl and cassette back in the 80's, when it was fresh, sounds like a Gibson LP Standard with a Marshall JCM800 (plexi?) and the track was further tweaked using either Triton board EQ or some Pultec EQ ... then the typical mastering magic. And the usual source being Viv's fingas.
To my ears since hearing it on vinyl and cassette back in the 80's, when it was fresh, sounds like a Gibson LP Standard with a Marshall JCM800 (plexi?) and the track was further tweaked using either Triton board EQ or some Pultec EQ ... then the typical mastering magic. And the usual source being Viv's fingas.
dpaterson
New member
Re: Vivian Campbell's Dio tone from 1984 - which pickups
Yeh. Hands up those that cringed when they saw THIS thread appear in the main index!!! LOL!! "Oh no. Here we go again."!!! LOL!!!
Figured I just keep "all things Campbell" in one spot.
Here's (below) a link to the latest Guitar Interactive Magazine. Interview with Vivian and Phil Cullen. More important is the video below though i.e. it's a video contained within the Guitar Interactive Magazine article. Good interview with Mr. Campbell. See he now has a signature Gibson. Plays pretty much the whole of Holy Diver for the interviewer. Good stuff. Amazing tone. What can I say.
https://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=7bfa543e-8c89-4caa-ab00-6ec86be0051c
Video:
Seems like a nice dude. Sure do wish he'd stop ignoring my fu*king messages though (if he's getting them that is which I actually doubt).
Yeh. Hands up those that cringed when they saw THIS thread appear in the main index!!! LOL!! "Oh no. Here we go again."!!! LOL!!!
Figured I just keep "all things Campbell" in one spot.
Here's (below) a link to the latest Guitar Interactive Magazine. Interview with Vivian and Phil Cullen. More important is the video below though i.e. it's a video contained within the Guitar Interactive Magazine article. Good interview with Mr. Campbell. See he now has a signature Gibson. Plays pretty much the whole of Holy Diver for the interviewer. Good stuff. Amazing tone. What can I say.
https://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=7bfa543e-8c89-4caa-ab00-6ec86be0051c
Video:
Seems like a nice dude. Sure do wish he'd stop ignoring my fu*king messages though (if he's getting them that is which I actually doubt).
