Jackson Dinky XL Pro

[JCN1218]

I recently acquired a really nice Jackson Dinky XL Pro through a trade. I love the look and the feel of the guitar, but I'd love to replace the pickups with some BKPs. It's an HSS guitar with jackson stock neck and middle and a dimarzio X2N in the bridge. The only problem is that the single coils are a bit unusual; the baseis the same size and shape as the covers (if that description makes any sense). I tried putting in a picture of a similar guitar, hopefully it shows up, because I'm not sure how to describe it any better. I took the pickups out to check them and they don't have that larger plate on the bottom that most single coils seem to have. So what I'm wondering is, would BKP be able to make me single coils to fit in this guitar? I really hope so, because I've completely fallen in love with these pickups! On a related note, how would sinners pair with a black hawk in the bridge? :D Sorry for the essay, I'd really appreciate it if anyone knows anything about this.

[EffigyForgotten]

If you like them so much why do you want to change them?

[JCN1218]

The guitar feels great to play, but the pickups aren't what I'm after. Not to say that they're bad, but I know they could be better.

[Kiichi]

If you want recommendations as to which PUs you should get if you really wanne change them you should supply us with more info.
Which styles do you play and what do you look for in your tone?

Also, what do you dislike about your current PUs specifically cause as PartyAnimal223 said, you donīt sound like you donīt like em.

[JCN1218]

I do like the pickups in it, they get the job done, the problem is that my other guitars do those jobs, and they do them much better. The bridge and middle sound like my strat, only not as good, so why not just use my strat? The bridge sounds similar to my kramer, but my kramer wipes the floor with it, so I'd just use my kramer. They're decent pickups, I just want the guitar to have its own unique voice, right now it's just sounding a bit too familiar. I'm looking for pickups that can do Iron Maiden to shred to anything beyond. However, my main concern is if BKP makes single coils that will even fit in the guitar.

[Slartibartfarst42]

I can't see the picture properly to tell you the answer to that but I have a Jackson SL3 Soloist which is also HSS and the single coils from BKP fit in perfectly. When I got mine I asked Tim for single coils that would be good for solos and could give me that Dave Murray style lead tone. He suggested Trilogy Suites and in fairness, they do exactly what I asked of them at the time. If they're of any use, I currently have them for sale in the seconds out section as my requirements have changed so you could save yourself a bit of cash. That may sound a bit self-serving but in all seriousness, they will do what you want and certainly fit my SL3 no problem.

[JCN1218]

I appreciate the offer, I just want to make absolutely sure first. I've been looking around the internet and found that the sustaniac pickup is basically the same shape as the current single coils I have in the Jackson currently. See how the standard base plate is more 'trapezoid-y'? If it has that kind of base plate then it won't fit  :( 

[Slartibartfarst42]

Have you tried taking one out first to make sure what the shape is. I know that sounds stupid but years ago I had a guitar that I thought used the single coil shape you describe but once I started to dismantle it, it turned out that they were standard shape after all. Looking at the DiMarzio, Seymour Duncan and BKP websites, they all seem to be the standard shape so it makes no sense that Jackson would fit pickups that don't conform to this industry standard.

[JCN1218]

I did, one of the first things I did actually was to take them out just because I was curious to see how they fit in there. Then I saw that they were just a different shape than single coils usually were, I really don't know why they would do it like that.

[Slartibartfarst42]

New one on me that's for sure. Perhaps the next thing to do would be to show your guitar to a guitar tech and see what would have to be done to install standard single coils. Perhaps it's not as bad as it sounds.

[GuitarIv]

Congratulations on the Jackson! Those 90ies Japan series guitars are amazing! (gonna get my next one soon)
As for the Singlecoils, I can't help, sorry...

[JCN1218]

Thanks, Guitariv! I'm really loving so far except, of course, for the pickups  It's a fantastic player, one of the best trades I've ever made, hands down. And as far as the pickups go, I emailed BKP and they got back to me saying yes, they do make single coils in the style that would fit my guitar! You just have to make a note in the comments section saying "EMG-SHAPE STRAT COILS." Which was a huge relief to me, because I was really hoping to load it up with BKPs, and now I can.

[GuitarIv]

Glad the BKP team could help you out, they can do pretty much everything, I asked for black hex screws on my PK + CS and they told me the same, just request it in the box when ordering online :)

[Slartibartfarst42]

As it happens I was talking to BKP this morning about an order I just placed and we talked about your problem. From what Ben said, I take it you have your answer now and it's not a problem  :D

[JCN1218]

Yeah, you gotta love the guys at BKP, they'll pretty much do anything for their customers. I was asking Ben about the Black Hawk and the Trilogy suites, and he recommended that if I go with the Black Hawk bridge to get slowhands, and if I go with the trilogy suite to get a Holy Diver bridge. I love the sound of the black hawk with the slowhands to be honest, it sounds like it would be a really unique and incredibly versatile combo. Plus, I have another guitar in my collection that I was thinking of putting HDs in. So at this point I'm really leaning toward the BH + SH combo. Any thoughts on it?