Author Topic: Nailbomb vs Crawler in Ibanez JEM 555 (Read 9772 times)

Ced777 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 18, 2006, 09:46:22 PM »

In my (personal) opinion, DM Evo are have a very modern, ice-pick trebly and cold tone. I owned them a long time ago, in a different setup... The only thing I was loving about them was the incredible pinch harmonics I can get with them. Anyway, a direct comparison with RY would be difficult.

I would say the RY are more organic, less modern, cutting tone without being harsh. Less "extreme", more versatile.

fps_dean · « **Reply #16 on:** May 19, 2006, 09:34:52 PM »

Quote from: Donatello

fps_dean:

Before I thought of BKP I was heading for a set of DiMarzio Breed which I think is almost the same as ToneZone (TZ doesn´t have a neck version but Breed does) your suggestion TZ+PF Pro sounds like a good advise if you are heading for DiMarzios.

I don´t hate Evolutions and I don´t love them neither, they are a little bit too special sounding and little bit too "sterile"? I could stay with them etc but I want the guitar to have the best sound I could get from it, like my LesPaul who really came alive with the Crawlers.

Question: Why shouldn´t you put a Rebel Yell in a JEM? Can you develop that statement?

The reason I would not recommend the Revel Yell in a jem is because the wood is alder in a 7vwh and basswood in the rest of them. I imagine they would be a bit too bright for the guitar.

You have the same dislikes about the Evolutions as many people do. They don't sound mean enough typically. They want a precise tone curve which seems to be best with JCM 800-900 or older hotrodded Marshalls and they'll sound great but if I didn't use Marshalls, I'd get rid of them too. For me I can get a great, sort of Vai-ish lead tone if I really work but I usually get more of an Iron Maiden-like sound.

You are 100% correct that Breeds are similiar sounding to TZ-PAF Pro as well. I just mentioned the TZ-PAF Pro bit because I'm not sure what BKPs to suggest. Most people who don't like the Evolutions get a TZ-PAF Pro or Breeds and that's exactly what they're looking for (and on the flip side, the people with Breeds or TZ-PP who arent too happy with them get Evolutions and are happy).

I would think maybe a Nailbomb in the bridge and a VHII in the neck would be a good bet?

fps_dean · « **Reply #17 on:** May 19, 2006, 09:47:28 PM »

Quote from: Ced777

I would say the RY are more organic, less modern, cutting tone without being harsh. Less "extreme", more versatile.

I'd think they might be a tad bright in a Jem, no?

If anyone does this, post sound clips for me ;)

Ced777 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 20, 2006, 09:25:40 AM »

They are less bright than Evo, and Evo come stock in JEM. So I think they could do the job, it's a matter of taste.

Donatello · « **Reply #19 on:** May 22, 2006, 09:20:22 AM »

fps_dean:

Interesting comments...
I´ve got an Evolution in another Ibanez (540S) aswell, and I must say that they sounds much better in the JEM.
About the amp: I´ve got a modified Laney VH100, and they (JEM+Layney) go along pretty well just like you said evo´s can do.

About the TZ and PafPro: I think you understand my "problem" quite well, and I think they would be a great kombination in the JEM (for my taste). So I think I´m gonna look for a BKP-combo with similar sound.

I´m gonna check out the players forum for the VHII in the neck. (isn´t the VHII almost the same as the crawler neck?)

Other suggestions?

fps_dean · « **Reply #20 on:** May 29, 2006, 09:06:47 AM »

Quote from: Donatello

fps_dean:

Interesting comments...
I´ve got an Evolution in another Ibanez (540S) aswell, and I must say that they sounds much better in the JEM.
About the amp: I´ve got a modified Laney VH100, and they (JEM+Layney) go along pretty well just like you said evo´s can do.

About the TZ and PafPro: I think you understand my "problem" quite well, and I think they would be a great kombination in the JEM (for my taste). So I think I´m gonna look for a BKP-combo with similar sound.

I´m gonna check out the players forum for the VHII in the neck. (isn´t the VHII almost the same as the crawler neck?)

Other suggestions?

Sorry for the delayed response... For BKP I would guess perhaps an Crawler (or possibly Holy Diver if you want even hotter) with a VHII or Riff Raff in the neck would be good. From what I've been hearing they all sound really good so even if you don't get the right pair, it's not that big of a deal. You could try Rebel Yells too but they may end up being brighter than you want.

Being a vintage amp owner, output is important to me. With todays high gain modern amps, output is not all that important anymore but the tone curve of the pickup is (where usually louder pickups will have a tone curve suited towards heavier music).

fps_dean · « **Reply #21 on:** May 29, 2006, 09:07:39 AM »

Quote from: Ced777

They are less bright than Evo, and Evo come stock in JEM. So I think they could do the job, it's a matter of taste.

No way. Evos are cold in comparison, but brightness is what he's trying to get away from here.

fps_dean · « **Reply #22 on:** May 29, 2006, 09:10:44 AM »

Oh you know what I just realised... this is a Jem 555 (basswood) and not a 7vwh. I've never heard Evolutions in basswood but I do know a lot of people who love Evolutions in Les Pauls and alder dislike Evos in basswood, which is something I want to try now.

What is also an option is you could try a set of Rebel Yells and if you don't like them in the Jem, put the Crawlers in the Jem and the Rebel Yells into the Les Paul (their brightness does complement a Les Paul nicely!).

I'm waiting for a set of RYs for my Les Paul...

Donatello · « **Reply #23 on:** May 31, 2006, 01:18:58 PM »

I think I´ve made up my mind...
I think I´m going for a Nailbomb-set! (hope they are "fat" enough)
Why? I think they are a little bit more agressiv than my Crawlers (which I still love) The JEM with its tremelo lacks sustain compared to the Les Paul so I might want a little more power?

Now I want your opinion on the layout :D

My Ibanez JEM 555 is white with white PU´s

Should I go for open WHITE PU´s or covered GOLD, or covered NICKEL?
Graved or not graved?

(I´ll give you an hint what it might would look like with this picture)

sambo · « **Reply #24 on:** May 31, 2006, 01:20:34 PM »

Nickel

gingataff · « **Reply #25 on:** July 05, 2006, 03:53:27 PM »

Sorry for the late post in this thread.
I have a Jem 7vwh (alder) with Evolutions and like the tone but find it slightly lacking midrange and bass (only slightly though!).
I bought an Evo for my basswood Charvel which was pretty dark and dead sounding, and it didn't improve much.
I then got a Nailbomb, and I got all the treble I was lacking from the 'dead' guitar, fat midrange and good sustain (though I still think the 24 3/4 scale and schaller FR limit the sustain and high end to some extent)
A Nailbomb would certainly be good in your guitar (I'd go for white coils with black slugs/screws though, gold in a 7vwh).