What BKP for my Y2KV : a PK / MQ combo ?

[Dr. Vic]

Hi,

It's time to put some new BKPs in my Jackson Y2KV :D

This guitar is a particular short production from Jackson which is a vintage V style body with rounded horns. The body is quite big compared to a jackson KingV or a gibson flyingV. The guitar has an awesome feel, the tone is really huge and thick, it's incredibly resonant, with masses of sustain.

Yes, I love to play with with this one   :twisted:

the guitar came with SH4's JB in both neck and bridge positions. It's a (honduran) mahogany neck thru design with mahogany wings. Ebony fretboard.


As for the bridge : I always thought that something was lacking despite of it's power (not enough bite, too warm, not enough precise). I am looking for a ceramic, but I am undecided on wich one to go. I want something tasty and agressive I am mosly considering the PK or MM but I also expect the CS to give me some fun !

As for the neck : I have to say I like the SH4 in the neck :oops: The sound is very big and warm (maybe too much :lol:)
I am looking for a warm organic vintage tone, with more clarity than the SH4. I was going to pick one AIV or AV in the vintage / hot vintage section (RR, VHII) or even a crawler, but now the idea came to mind to put a MQ in it !  :roll:

But I don't know much about the the P90 pickups : will it be a good option for that guitar, and will a MQ sit well against a ceramic high output humbucker ala PK ?


Any thought highly appreciated, as always !  :drink:

[PhilKing]

The Cold Sweat set would suit you I think.  The neck is an Alnico magnet (AV I think), and can give some great vintage PAF sounds.  I have it in my old BC Rich Mockingbird and they give me a vast range of sounds.

[shobet]

Got any pics of the Jackson?

[ericsabbath]

+1 for cs set

[Antag]

Oh, where to start with this? :)

Agree with your choices for the bridge: PKL, MM or CS would all work really well.  On any given day my choice between the three would change :) so I won't offer an opinion there.

The neck is interesting.  VHII is my favourite BKP neck & would do EXACTLY what you want.  I have it paired with an MM bridge in a Gibson FV & it's good - balances well, great clean tone, nice lead tone, good match with the wood combination etc.

Here's a slightly left-of-field suggestion: how about an MM neck?  It has the power of a JB (actually, probably more) & loads of warmth, but much more clarity.  Perhaps not as "vintage" (by my understanding of the term) as a VHII, but would work well.

CS neck is the easy choice.  Too obvious IMHO :)  Yes, it's a GREAT neck pickup, a fantastic all-rounder that matches well with all the high output bridge models.  But it's what I'd choose if I couldn't make my mind up between a "vintage" and "modern" neck tone.

[Dr. Vic]

Okay thanks guys for the feedback !

Oh, where to start with this? :)

:lol: Hey Antag this reminds me one of your answers in one of my first "what bkp thread" here !


As for the neck :

CS neck is the easy choice.  Too obvious IMHO :)  Yes, it's a GREAT neck pickup, a fantastic all-rounder that matches well with all the high output bridge models.  But it's what I'd choose if I couldn't make my mind up between a "vintage" and "modern" neck tone.

well indeed I think the CS neck  is not what I 'm after, as I want something more vintagey, more earthy "with more character" if this makes any sense.

The VHII neck is actually the humbucker I am considering as I am now convinced it could work great with the Y2KV,  8)

But what about a MQ ? Do you guys think it is not one good option for this guitar ? As I have such a small experience with the P90,  I'd be glad if anyone could give some opinion about it.  :japon:


As for the bridge :
I assume that the CS can be "enough" powered for this guitar but as I am not really looking for versality for the bridge, the PK and the MM are still candidates.  

I remember Antag saying in another thread that choosing a pickup to work "against the natural properties of a guitar" (i.e. a bright pup  to outweight a dark sounding guitar) isn't necessary a good thing.

So with that said :
- I guess the one that will keep the more "natural sounding" of the guitar would be the CS,
- the PK would be the one that works "against" the natural properties of a big Mahogany body and neck (but I remember Tim saying that the PK in his Explorer sounded totally WICKED, and I like the idea  :twisted:)
- whereas the MM would be the one that would enhance thoses properties, if I am not mistaken..

Or maybe the C-Bomb can be a good "compromise" here ? What do you think ?

Thanks for your replies :good:

[Dr. Vic]

Anyone, for some advice here or any thought about the MQ ?  :P

[Copperhead]

I love my MQ neck!!
NB bridge.
Maple neck, swamp ash body, 25.5 scale.
So this guitar is bright. CS was not a good choice for the neck, just too bright.
The MQ blends well with the NB in the middle switch position for unbelievable cleans.
Light gain, the MQ stays very clear with a glassy edge to it, creamy neck pup tone, sustains for days.
I would not recommend it for high gain, gets a bit muddy and stoner-ish.

[gwEm]

the y2kv is a fine interpretation of the flying v - mahogany body, ebony board.

mq will be fine for the neck, or even allround - but dont get the wound too hot or the guitar will get muddy.

like the idea of a CS set here.

[Copperhead]

Hey gwEm

Does the ebony board brighten the mahogany much?
The y2kv is a 25.5 scale, right? So it would have a little more snap than a Gibson scale length.

Not meaning to hijack, but I'm finally getting around to putting together my mahogany body hardtail Strat, NB and BKP91, kinda wondering what to expect bright vs thick, maple/maple neck.

[gwEm]

Hey gwEm

Does the ebony board brighten the mahogany much?
The y2kv is a 25.5 scale, right? So it would have a little more snap than a Gibson scale length.

Not meaning to hijack, but I'm finally getting around to putting together my mahogany body hardtail Strat, NB and BKP91, kinda wondering what to expect bright vs thick, maple/maple neck.

yes, its 25.5" scale, will give a tighter low end. you might even get away with something like a holy diver.

[Dr. Vic]

Many thanks for the helpfull post guys,

So from what you said here the MQ looks like not being the best option here,

So it will be a VHII neck and a CS or C-Bomb for the bridge  :!

the y2kv is a fine interpretation of the flying v

Yes the Y2KV is a really cool guitar, with lots of character and soul.