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Posted by: NoSkill Oct 2 2009, 03:00 PM

Hey,

So I have a swack of guitars. One of my favorite players is a Jackson Dinky. I'm never been particularly happy with the cheapo pups in it. It's an HSS setup. I want this guitar for heavier rock/metal playing. I was thinking of a TB4 or TB12 and a couple of Hot rails. Now, just so you know, I've now totally blown my entire knowledge of pickups. I know that I really like the Seymour Duncan bridge pup in my Fat Strat, but I don't know what it is other than and SD.

I also have a American Standard Strat that I want for purely bluesy stuff but want it to be a bit of an all round player too. It has 3 Gold Lace pups in it and it's just anemic, no matter what sort of preset I toss at it from Amplitube. It sounds WONDERFUL with clean tones, but I don't. LOL So I was looking at a something like Seymour Duncan Everything Axe JBJR Set SJBJR1b, SDBR-N & SL59N, but I'm not sure if I'm upgrading or just making it different. I liked the idea of different pups but as I've stated, I'm not savvy in this area.

I was hoping that the two guitars and the choices that I presented would either produce a discussion, suggestions, a shove in a different direction, or an "attaboy."

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated,

Cheers!

Tom

Posted by: Sensible Jones Oct 2 2009, 03:45 PM

Hey Tom,
I'm sure some others will be able to give you some advice as to what to put in the Jackson as the Metal side of things is not my 'specialty'! (Although I will suggest looking at the EMG HSS Set up!)

As for the Strat, well where to start.....
It's all Budget dependent really!!!
First suggestion ~ Texas Specials. Also, it's worth checking out some of the Fender Custom Shop Handwound sets that are available!
Van Zandt ~ very similar to Texas Specials. About the same kind of price too.
Toneriders ~ Great sounding for a fraction of the price.

These are all strictly Single Coils though!

Now, the Seymour Everything Set is effectively an HSH set! (Albeit Mini HB's in the Neck and Bridge but HB's none the less!)

What kind of budget are you thinking about?

Posted by: NoSkill Oct 2 2009, 03:59 PM

No real budget, Jonesy. I'm just seeking Tone. I don't imagine, however, that I'll pour $600 worth of pups into the Jackson. I'm drooling over a Soloist these days. The Strat, however, deserves some special attention. So, no real budget. I'll google the suggestions you made, thanks man!

Posted by: ZakkWylde Oct 2 2009, 04:01 PM

It really helps a lot if you add what woods your guitars are made of and what kind of sounds you want to achieve with it. Rock/Metal as a definition is really vague because everybody has a diffrent understanding what's Metal sounding is in their eyes (or better ears )

Give us some examples what sounds you want to get from your Dinky in the bridge and with the other coils and also the sounds you want to get from your strat (again: bluesy could mean SRV like, BB king like or Gary Moore like for example, all diffrent sounds)

Posted by: NoSkill Oct 2 2009, 04:22 PM

Cool! Thanks Zakk. I'll see if I can come up with some tone samples for sure! Like I said, I'm not really knowledgeable in this area and was hoping for a discussion on what direction to take.

Posted by: Sensible Jones Oct 2 2009, 04:32 PM

Well, in that case ignore the Toneriders!!

The Van Zandts come in 3 main types Blues, Classic and Vintage.
SRV used Texas Specials, Rory Gallagher's Strat had standard Pickups ('61) which can be bought from the Fender Custom Shop.
Seymour do http://www.guitar.co.uk/accessories/pickups/2801-seymour_duncan_ssl1_cal_set_california_50s_set of 50's vintage Single Coils.
Dimarzio also do quite a range of Single Coils as well!!!


Like Zakk says, give us a few examples and we can try to narrow down the field a little!!!

Posted by: audiopaal Oct 2 2009, 08:55 PM

Edit: ...wrong thread... How did I even manage to do that??

Posted by: Sensible Jones Oct 3 2009, 11:09 AM

Posted by: NoSkill Oct 6 2009, 02:54 PM

Well, as I try and decide what tones I want, I've really come to realize that I'm not educated enough in what the pickups do vs. the influence from the amp and and any effects, or modelling that I might be using and how that combines to influence tones. Sorry guys. I asked a question, but I've got nothing. I'll have to read more and experience more to be able to ask a more practical question.

Posted by: ZakkWylde Oct 6 2009, 04:32 PM

It is enough input for us if we know what guitars, what they are made off and what amp you play. Those infos and a generall description of what you want to sound like (band, artist, style, etc...) should be enough to recommend you the right pickups!

For example: your Strat and you want SRV tones and play through a Fender amp - Easy for us to pick your pickups^^

other example: your dinky, want deathmetal and play through a Fender amp - Well, we would suggest another amp first^^ but dinky+deathmetal would be enough for a pickup suggestion!

It doesn't have to be TOO in depth but generally the more info the more precise we can help you