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Matching Pickups
Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:05 am
by Gabriel
Right this is just for thought as I have very little money right now, but hopefully I might get a job soon so there will be purpose then.
Basically awhile ago I broke the bridge pickup in my JJ so I went on ebay and bought the cheapest pickup I could find that would be an upgrade. This ended up being a Dimarzio PAF Pro.
However the stock pickups in the JJ were very dark, when both the pickups were in the guitar all I did was boost the treble on the amp and I didn't notice anything. But when I fitted the PAF Pro, which is a very bright sounding pickup, the neck pickup is noticeably darker sounding when I switch to it, which is a pain in the arse.
I was just wondering what pickups you guys could recommend for replacing the neck pickup. I need it to be nice and bright sounding and ideally less than 8K.
Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:24 am
by Johno
Maybe changing the pot for that pup will add some treble, would be cheaper?
Sorry if i'm being stupid but what does JJ stand for?
Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:44 am
by Gabriel
Hadn't thought of that, but then again the bridge pickup would then be crazy bright.
JJ are a english guitar brand, I play one of these:
http://www.jjguitars.com/electra_handcr ... uitar.html
Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:52 am
by Johno
Ah i see, a pot change would not work then. Guess the easiest thing would be to fit another Dimarzio PAF Pro.
Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:54 am
by johnnyseven
I have Seymour Duncan Antiquity Humbuckers in one of my Jazzmasters, they're not bright sounding but I like them - you could fit one in the bridge and just set you amp with the treble up like you used to. If you like the sound of the neck pickup why change it, just replace the replacement for your broken pickup. Failing that you could go to the Seymour Duncan website and have a listen to their sound clips.
Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:56 pm
by lank81
Did you try changing the height of the pickup? Doing this can make your sound more trebly or bassy depending on lowering/highering. Give that a shot before replacing the pickup itself.
Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:19 pm
by Gabriel
lank81 wrote:Did you try changing the height of the pickup? Doing this can make your sound more trebly or bassy depending on lowering/highering. Give that a shot before replacing the pickup itself.
I'll give that a go, anyway I just got back from band practice and the sound wasn't too bad, a bit muddy but ok. When I have more money I'd like to try a DiMarzio EJ Custom.
Has anyone got an experience of this pickup?
Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:19 pm
by Will
Duncan Jazz model is also a good choice. Haven't tried the EJ.
Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:38 pm
by Fran
A 59 PAF is considered the 'holy grail' of neck 'buckers. SD do a version. Artec and Tonerider may also do a variant cheaper (look on axesrus).
If you want cheap n cheerful though i think Thom still has some low output 'buckers for sale in Classifieds.
Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 1:43 am
by Mages
PAF Pros are great pickups. I have one in the bridge of my ibanez. it's like a humbucker that's been voiced a bit more like a P90. I would recommend a PAF type pickup for the neck. something with bright alnico 5 magnets.
Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 1:50 am
by Mages
mrperson wrote:lank81 wrote:Did you try changing the height of the pickup? Doing this can make your sound more trebly or bassy depending on lowering/highering. Give that a shot before replacing the pickup itself.
I'll give that a go, anyway I just got back from band practice and the sound wasn't too bad, a bit muddy but ok. When I have more money I'd like to try a DiMarzio EJ Custom.
Has anyone got an experience of this pickup?
I tried one in the neck of my dot once. didn't like it too much. it was a bit lifeless sounding IMO.
I always adjust neck humbuckers so the hi string side is slightly closer to the strings than the low string side. this gets rid of some of the flabby low end. you're pickup in this guitar might just be a crappy pickup though. do you know any specs on it?
Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 3:43 am
by Grant
People over at the Seymour Duncan forum are all about magnet swapping. It's spectacularly easy to do and gives you a cheap alternative to buying a new pickup.
Quick recap:
A2 - lots of mids, little treble, low output, can have a loose low end. Very popular because it adds lots of character to the tone.
A3 - also low output, but brighter than an A2. Like a weaker A5, without the strong low end.
A4 - balanced EQ, doesn't shift the EQ like other alnicos; to some guys this is bland, but it can be ideal for warming an A5 bridge PU, or brightening an A2 neck PU.
A5 - fairly high output, lots of treble & bass, scooped mids, tigh low end. Great in the bridge or neck slot, which is why it's the most popular alnico. If it's too bright in the bridge, try it with one or two 250K pots.
A6 - lots of mids, not much treble, high output, firm low end. Good for taming an overly bright bridge. Too dark for neck HB's. Hard to find.
A8 - like an A6 but with more treble. Used to add mids & boost output. Players now use this magnet in PAF, medium, and high output bridge PU's. Too dark & powerful for neck HB's.
Listen to your current PU's, and if there's something you don't like, look at the other alnicos and see if there's one that does what you want. Have a A5 or ceramic bridge PU that's too bright? Try an A2, A4, or A8. Neck A2 PU that's too dark & muddy? Try an A3, A4, or A5. Have an A2 bridge PU but need more output and a tighter bottom? Try an A8.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/