[NecroSamist]

Hi guys, first off, if this thread is in the wrong place or anything like that, can a mod help me out? Also, i read through the pickup guide, and couldn't really find an answer to this....

Does anyone use DiMarzio pickups in Jackson guitars? From what i've noticed, a LOT of people here use them, but they're all in Ibby's or Carvin's or something.

I have a '96 Jackson PS-4 Performer, Dinky body style, and it is in dire need of new pickups. It's an alder body, with bolt-on maple neck/rosewood board, LFR that i'll eventually be swapping for an OFR. I was considering some EMG's, but they're too expensive for me right now, and i'm worried they'd be too sterile for the sound i'm looking for:

For the bridge, i'm looking for something very aggressive, something with good mids, but won't be too bright/trebly, and with great harmonics.

The neck, i want kind of a round, open, clean lead sound, kinda vocal-ish. think Necrophagist's lead sound, I'm not trying to nail his tone by any means, but something along those lines.

This guitar stay in D standard tuning. I can provide more information about amp, etc if needed. And like i said, if this is in the wrong place, or something needs to be changed, i apologize in advance and mods, please help

Thanks in advance guys,
-Sam

Anybody?

[DeL07]

I'd go with something along the line of a D-Sonic in the birdge and a PAFPro in the neck...

The D-Sonic is very articulate and clear and packs a lot of mids! The PAF on the other hand is very warm and sweet sounding... If you want a less alnico sounding pickup, think Air Norton maybe...

[djpharoah]

I would think the Air Norton for your neck pickup would be pretty close to what you want.

[leatherface2]

use your ears they cant go wrong.............

[EdgeCrusher]

I installed a D Sonic (blade facing neck) and an Air Norton in my friends Jackson DXMG, and I thought it sounded really good. He was expecting it to sound like active EMG's though, and wasn't impressed, so he sold the pups to me. They sound basically the same in my basswood/flame maple RG, and I love them.
These pickups fit the description of the sound your going for fairly well, but I believe Necrophagist use EMG's, so think more along the lines of Petrucci with the Dimarzio's.

[Ryan]

Didn't Mu use a JEM in the studio? Try an EVO neck pickup ;D

[NecroSamist]

Yeah, in the studio he used a Jem for ALL the solo's, he just doesn't use them on stage. And like i said, i know i'm not going to achieve his tone, and i don't want, i want my own tone, i just really like his and want something to point me in that direction, ya know?

I know he's using D-Activators now... maybe i should check those out. I've heard lots of good things about the Air Norton, i'm definately going to look into one of those, cause i love Petrucci's tone as well.

Hell, i bet about any new pickups would make me happy, it's sad to say, every guitar i've ever owned has had the stock pickups in it. And i've never really felt a need to get new ones untill now.
I love this guitar, everything about it is absolutely perfect for me, except the way it sounds i can hardly do a pinch harmonic to save my life, yet i can get my bone stock RG7321 and do them anywhere on the neck.

Thanks for the replys everyone, you've givin me some good ideas so far... although a few more opinons wouldn't hurt, hahaha.

And thanks Ryan for suggesting the Evo, i hadn't thought of that one.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by NecroSamist

I love this guitar, everything about it is absolutely perfect for me, except the way it sounds i can hardly do a pinch harmonic to save my life, yet i can get my bone stock RG7321 and do them anywhere on the neck.

[derail]
Don't rely on tone to get the pinch harmonics down, rely on the actual technique. I can unload Zakk-style PH's on an acoustic.

[/derail]

[NecroSamist]

Originally Posted by Chris

[derail]
Don't rely on tone to get the pinch harmonics down, rely on the actual technique. I can unload Zakk-style PH's on an acoustic.

[/derail]

Trust me i've thought of that too. I've tried everything, the pickups in this guitar are just so weak, it's pathetic. PH's have NEVER been a problem for me, or maybe i'm trying TOO hard to get them on this certain guitar cause it's pissing me off so much, lol.

Either way, it needs new pups, i think any of you would agree with me after playing it