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Author Topic: Pickups for alder body Jackson  (Read 6233 times)

DanHare46

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Pickups for alder body Jackson
« on: May 24, 2012, 11:57:58 AM »
Hey Guys

I'm looking at replacing the stock Emg hz passives in my Jackson flying V. The guitar body is made of alder and
i'm playing through a Marshall Valvestate vs100 which i know isn't the best amp for metal but it's still pretty good.

I play melodic death metal such as Amon amarth, Children of Bodom, Arch Enemy, early In Flames (colony, clayman era) and Edge of Sanity.

I emailed support and they recommended a Ceramic nailbomb in the bridge and Alnico in the Neck.

Just thought id try and get some second opinions so any advice is appreciated


darrenw5094

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Re: Pickups for alder body Jackson
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2012, 01:23:55 PM »
I was about to say the ceramic Nailbomb myself, then i read the second half of the thread.  :P

Although, the EMG HZ are not great pickups really, so most BK will be an improvement.
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DanHare46

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Re: Pickups for alder body Jackson
« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2012, 01:30:53 PM »
Ye thats true but the guitar isnt exactly a top of the range jackson so i guess it
could have had worse pickups as stock

Kiichi

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Re: Pickups for alder body Jackson
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2012, 01:46:44 PM »
Welcome to the forum!

The HZ are not really good PUs...still definetly on the good side when it comes to stock PUs I had.

With the styles you play it is really between the Miracle Man and the Nailbomb, but since you like the melodic death metal and especially the Gothenburg style I would say Nailbomb as well. The MM would probably be better for CoB, but for Amon Amarth and especially the earlier In Flames NB is the way to go.

Go with what they recommened you, they know what they are talking about!
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DanHare46

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Re: Pickups for alder body Jackson
« Reply #4 on: May 24, 2012, 01:59:01 PM »
Well i kinda guessed before i bought it that they were going to be great, they arent terrible but still.

Ill probably end up going fo the nailbombs, i more love the guitar work in CoB as opposed to the tone

asianaxeman

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Re: Pickups for alder body Jackson
« Reply #5 on: May 24, 2012, 02:43:57 PM »
for the cob tone u want get painkillers or an alnico nailbomb, they work well in an alder V in my experience of using them in my ESP SV which is similar to your jackson. Painkillers are partiularly good for downtuned drop C and below. Don't underestimate the tightness of the alnico nailbomb, sounds huge and bassy. I would avoid the cbomb because the emg hz u have is already a dry pickup (although well balanced in it's EQ). You will find the Cbomb to be drier, bassier, less mids and much more trebly and slightly thinner in the lead notes/ upper register.
If you use a boost, you can't go wrong with a holy diver either in that guitar. I currently have some painkillers calibrated set in my ESP in drop C, i should really put some clips up for you! snowed under at the moment tho! :D My comments above are reliable cos ive had all these pickups including the HZ.
c-bomb bridge, cs neck, HD set, MM set, PK set, Alnico BH set

DanHare46

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Re: Pickups for alder body Jackson
« Reply #6 on: May 24, 2012, 03:15:12 PM »
Cheers for that.

Out of interest i posted a similar thread on the ultimate guitar forum and i got a common response that
i would be better off switching my Marshall valvestate vs100 for a Peavey 6505. So i was thinking that i should do that and to save a bit of money buy a dimarzio d-sonic/airnorton which was also recommended.

At the end of the day it depends on money available

Toe-Knee

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Re: Pickups for alder body Jackson
« Reply #7 on: May 24, 2012, 06:30:35 PM »
I would personally go for the C bomb or the miracle man for what you want.

And just because of the amp section.

heres a clip of a valvestate with aftermaths....

The valvestates can sound pretty damn mean

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhDTOFilOBw&feature=g-user-u
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DanHare46

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Re: Pickups for alder body Jackson
« Reply #8 on: May 24, 2012, 06:40:46 PM »
I'm leaning towards the c-bomb if im honest, was recommended by BKP staff and several people on here.

Ill give the amp a shot without a distortion pedal later and ave a twiddle see what i can work out, usually i just leave it on a single setting and alter pedal

Alex

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Re: Pickups for alder body Jackson
« Reply #9 on: May 24, 2012, 08:06:13 PM »
You'll probably want both long-term - a different amp and better pickups. There's no reason not to go with new pickups first. The Valvestate works fine with tube overdrive pedals (hearsay), so maybe a Blackstar distortion pedal or the like be cheaper than getting a new amp right away.

I think the Nailbomb is great for most tones anyway; note that it won't have as much output as the HZ, but still sound a good deal better.
Current BKPs: Miracle Man, Nailbomb, Juggernaut, VHII
Past BKPS: Holy Diver, Trilogy Suite, Sinner, Black Dog

DanHare46

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Re: Pickups for alder body Jackson
« Reply #10 on: May 24, 2012, 08:16:17 PM »
Ye i'll replace the amp eventually, but in the short term the pickups are cheaper to replace and the amp
isnt bad so the pickups are more of a priority atm.
I got bought a EHX metal muff a few years ago but the tone leaves a lot to be desired

OddFutureWolfGang

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Re: Pickups for alder body Jackson
« Reply #11 on: May 25, 2012, 03:32:54 AM »
I love the C-Bomb for metal core and death metal it's got a really tight and heavy bottom end but it has this kind of sharpness on low single notes for added definition.

ericsabbath

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Re: Pickups for alder body Jackson
« Reply #12 on: May 25, 2012, 05:32:53 AM »
if you intend to keep the amp, I'd pick an alnico nailbomb for the bridge
I'm not a fan of the neck version, though
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DanHare46

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Re: Pickups for alder body Jackson
« Reply #13 on: May 25, 2012, 10:04:37 AM »
Well im hoping to replace the amp in the next couple of months