Ibanez Jem too bright

[david_pri]

Hi there, this is David from Spain.

I play in a metal band and I own an 2002 Ibanez Jem (Alder, Ebony, LoPro Edge, Evo set). The thing is, the sound is too bright to me, which is good to lead sound but I dont like my rhythm sound. Which BKP do you recommend to make my jem sound lower??

I am a big fan of Alnico Holy Diver. What do you think? Thanks

[darrenw5094]

Holy Diver all the way. A common complaint about the Evo's, is brightness.

[darkbluemurder]

The Holydiver sits well in bright guitars.

Cheers Stephan

[david_pri]

Hey, thanks for the replies.

What about neck pickup? Any advice?

[JimmyMoorby]

Hey, thanks for the replies.

What about neck pickup? Any advice?

Depends on what sort of sounds youre after but if your guitar is bright id suggest an aftermath neck.  Very warm but also very clear.  Perfect for metal leads.

Reminds me of Satriani around his crystal planet [eriod and Petrucci type tones.

[darkbluemurder]

Never played the Aftermath neck but output and spec wise it should be close to the Evo neck.

If you don't mind going lower in output for the neck, there are several options. I have used the VHII neck and still used the Cold Sweat neck with good results, especially in 24 fret guitars.

Cheers Stephan 

[JimmyMoorby]

Never played the Aftermath neck but output and spec wise it should be close to the Evo neck.

If you don't mind going lower in output for the neck, there are several options. I have used the VHII neck and still used the Cold Sweat neck with good results, especially in 24 fret guitars.

Cheers Stephan

I would have suggested the cold sweat but I didnt even like it in my 'balanced super strat' as I thought it was too bright and 'spanky'.  Nothing against the cold sweat absolutely fanatastic and even better than the aftermath but but id be weary of putting it in such a guitar that the OP has already said is bright.  I will say that is was very good in every way except for fast alternate picking a la petrucci, gilbert etc and as I say it took on a spanky clicky sound I really couldnt get on with.

Looking forward to getting it in my much warmer les paul though should work perfectly.......in theory.

[m t soule]

Indeed to the HD, VHII combo. Thsts what I run in my RG550 with maple neck and board.
The attack on the vhii neck can get spanky if you get aggressive. Essentially giving you choice

I put some vids on this forum somewhere of clean to distorted, seek and discover x

T

[Telerocker]

One more vote for the HD/VHII- or CS-neck.

[m t soule]

Heres my vid collection

http://m.youtube.com/channel/UCjGxf0TpDNf5n3hb3O0PuwA

[darkbluemurder]

I would have suggested the cold sweat but I didnt even like it in my 'balanced super strat' as I thought it was too bright and 'spanky'.  Nothing against the cold sweat absolutely fanatastic and even better than the aftermath but but id be weary of putting it in such a guitar that the OP has already said is bright.  I will say that is was very good in every way except for fast alternate picking a la petrucci, gilbert etc and as I say it took on a spanky clicky sound I really couldnt get on with.

Looking forward to getting it in my much warmer les paul though should work perfectly.......in theory.

Agreed - the CS neck is brighter than the VHII neck. For a bigger tone VHII neck would be preferable.

Cheers Stephan

[Slartibartfarst42]

To me, this screams out for the classic combination of Holydiver bridge and Emerald neck. Please keep in mind that the Emerald neck is NOT a bright pickup and the EQ chart on the website only refers to the bridge.

[JimmyMoorby]

I know im moaning again but I think BKP really do themselves a mischief by not describing the neck pickups more.

[david_pri]

Ok thanks everyone, I will consider VHII / Emerald / Cold Sweat. I love tight and big sounds, so does anyone know which one is warmer??

I like Petrucci leads, I am looking for a neck pickup in that way.

Thank you so much guys!!!

[darkbluemurder]

I already commented on the VHII vs. Cold Sweat necks. Never played the Emerald neck.

Cheers Stephan