[Monsta-Tone]

I just bought a Carvin DC747!
The more I read about them, the more I realize that I'm most likely not going to be happy with the stock pickups.
I do realize that the stock pups are a little different in size than most standard replacements, so some routing is in order.

What do you guys recommend for the following styles based on the woods that the guitar is made of?

Guitar:
Maple neck through
Ebony fretboard
Medium Jumbo frets (not stainless)
Alder body sides
Maple top
H-S-H configuration
Floyd Rose tremolo (no locking nut)
Sperzel locking tuners


Amps:
Mesa DC-5
Hopefully a Triaxis and 2:90 eventually


FX:
TC Electronic G-System


Music:
Metal from Megadeth to Sevendust and who knows where else
Originals ranging in tones from super clean to bluesy to mild crunch to all out assault!


I've tried EMG's in a few of my guitars over the years and really loved them, but they don't offer the clean tones that I'm looking for.

I want warm fat cleans with lots of sustain and the ability to retain clarity with the distortion knob on 20!


In my other guitars I have:
Duncan Alnico II's (PRS McCarty)
DiMarzio Air Norton (neck) & Megadrive (bridge) (PRS Custom 22)

The Alnico II's are incredible.
The Air Norton is incredible, but doesn't mix well with the Megadrive in the middle position.



I understand that this is a bit premature since I haven't even received the guitar yet. I figure I will have the homework out of the way and be ready to get new pickups if I hate the originals. This will eliminate an added week of waiting!

[Mattmc74]

I would say SD JB7 in the bridge and a SD jazz in the neck. Middle not to sure.

[Shaman]

I would go with a Duncan Custom at the bridge and Duncan Jazz at the neck.

I have the Custom at the bridge position of my Carvin DC727, which has alder sides/maple neck as well, and it sounds amazing! Has this awesome growl to it when needed, but it can do a lot more.

I actually have the stock pickup at the neck position, because I use the neck PU for cleans and low gain stuff, and the original PU sounded just fine for that.

I think I will get a Duncan Jazz eventually, just because it sounds so gooood in my Jackson RR1t.

[renzoip]

IMO, You should first give them a try before jumping to conclusions. They not BKP's or EMG's but they are far better than all other stock pickups I have found on other guitars (Even high end one's). I had this concern as well and read a lot about it but when I finally got my DC747 I absolutely love them. They have actually become my favorite set of pickups now. The bridge is a very clear yet crunchy and the neck is nice and smooth.

Still, if you want to change them I recommed you check out swineshead pickups, they make "carvin sized" humbuckers!

[Panterica]

BKP painkiller or warpig in the bridge, painkiller or harmony in neck, and some sort of BKP single coil in the middle

[Monsta-Tone]

Thanks for the great replies guys. I really appreciate it!


I fully plan on trying them out, but I'm also guessing that they will sound a little thin for my tastes.

I have a Carvin Distortion pickup in my old Soloist for about a day and hated it. I have friends with Carvin 6 strings though and they sound great.

[Monsta-Tone]

Originally Posted by renzoip

IMO, You should first give them a try before jumping to conclusions. They not BKP's or EMG's but they are far better than all other stock pickups I have found on other guitars (Even high end one's). I had this concern as well and read a lot about it but when I finally got my DC747 I absolutely love them. They have actually become my favorite set of pickups now. The bridge is a very clear yet crunchy and the neck is nice and smooth.

Still, if you want to change them I recommed you check out swineshead pickups, they make "carvin sized" humbuckers!

Thanks man! Have you tried any of the Swineshead pickups? What models would you recommend?

[Monsta-Tone]

Well....I have to say that I am thoroughly un-impressed with the pickups.
They sound nice enough, but have no sparkle or harmonics to speak of.

Guess it's time to step up to the plate!

[olsonuf]

I have a DC-747 (maple neck, alder wings) and I've got DiMarzio Blaze Neck and Blaze Custom, with the middle single-coil p/u disconnected (still in the cavity for cosmetic reasons). I am VERY impressed with both. The Custom in the bridge position offers punchy and tight rhythms and rips on leads. The Neck model is to die for especially on solos - very warm and beautiful with very nice clarity and detail in the attacks. The Blaze Neck also sounds excellent clean; I use it for almost all of the clean passages playing with Todesbonden. Flipping the switch to middle position to use them both combines the prominent mids and heaviness of the Custom with the well-defined brightness and attacks of the Neck, and sounds great for cleans and soloing.

[renzoip]

UPDATE:

I recently had a Dimarzio Blaze set installed in my DC747 and it sound awesome. Very clear and articulate but still has enough bite and harmonics. The Blaze bridge to me is a lot like a Steve's Special and the whole set is very balanced. I recommend!

[djpharoah]

I have pretty much the same Carvin in which I've put in a SD Jazz neck and BKP Ceramic Warpig.