I sure can use some advice on pickups that are in my guitar - Guitars101

**Sabertoothedfly** · 12-03-2005, 05:48 AM

Ok so I get up at 4 am this morning, have some coffee, plug the guitar straight into my FENDER BLUES JUNIOR amplifier, start up the backing track for ACDC you shook me all night long that I found here and start playing. I have the song down (lead needs work). YET FOR THE LIFE OF ME I CANNOT GET A SATISFACTORY TONE.

Since 4 am until just a few minutes ago of playing this song, I have been tweaking and tweaking and have tried every possibly combination of amp settings, guitar volume and tone knobs, pickup selection and I just can't get it to sound right as far as the sound/tone. Technique wise I know I am playing the song well enough. The LTD AX350 I have plays and feels nice to me, I finally found a guitar I like the feel and playability, so I don't want to go buying another guitar just yet!

So the only thing I can think of is that these stock HZ-4 pickups in this thing have GOT TO GO...

maybe some EMG actives...81/85 set?

Heck maybe not even the EMG 81/85 set but definately some better pickups!!! i just don't know what to get. I can't see swapping out a dozen sets of pickups trying to find the right set thats why I am asking the peeps here on the greatest forum on the earth who have struggled with getting that tone, maybe since you can see what equipment I am using you could just tell me what you personally would do as far as swapping out pickups.

Thanks for reading and any help is greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JC

**Sabertoothedfly** · 12-03-2005, 06:12 AM

Also, it's not the ACDC tone/sound I am after specifically, this same thing happens with every song/style of music I play-from ACDC, to SRV, EVH, ZZTOP, etc. Something is basically very lacking in these pickups is what i feel is going on.

Just some pointers in the right direction as to what would be good to look into. ANYTHING has to be better than the pickups in this guitar!

EDIT: one last thing is that I never like the sound or play in any other pickup position than the bridge, so maybe I can just disconnect the bridge pickup for now and wire in one good bridge pickup, make it cheaper on myself and see if thats what it needs...then upgrade the neck pickup and hook it back up later on down the road.

again, thanks

JC

**Supersonic** · 12-03-2005, 10:24 AM

I have a set of HZ 4's in a LTD Viper 200 and I kind of like them. I also have a set in my Jackson DK 27. Back to your question. I doubt switching to actives will solve your dilema or if anythin g will really solve it. The fact of the matter is when these songs are recorded and mastered and such it's next to impossible to achieve the exact sound. I know you said you werent looking for the exact tone but you know what i'm talking about. Angus uses early 60's SG's and if i'm not mistaken they probably have a PAF type pickup in them originally. I don't think angus modded much. ZZ Top used a lot of Dean Guitars. Your personal quest for tone will be never ending I'm afraid my friend!

You're addicted.........admit it !!!

**Sabertoothedfly** · 12-03-2005, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supersonic

I have a set of HZ 4's in a LTD Viper 200 and I kind of like them. I also have a set in my Jackson DK 27. Back to your question. I doubt switching to actives will solve your dilema or if anythin g will really solve it. The fact of the matter is when these songs are recorded and mastered and such it's next to impossible to achieve the exact sound. I know you said you werent looking for the exact tone but you know what i'm talking about. Angus uses early 60's SG's and if i'm not mistaken they probably have a PAF type pickup in them originally. I don't think angus modded much. ZZ Top used a lot of Dean Guitars. Your personal quest for tone will be never ending I'm afraid my friend!

You're addicted.........admit it !!!

Hey what about one of these? Think this would help?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/151324/

or this ten band?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/151115/

maybe throw one of these Ibanez tube screamers on there on there....I have read a lot of reviews that say the Ibanez tube screamer gives the fender blues junior that extra kick in the pants it needs...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/150343/

The rig I have just doesnt have enough bite, grit, teeth, it's muddy (best way I can describe it). I do like the basic ballpark tone of the amp and guitar, and I do actually kinda like the Hz 4's too, yet something could use some definite tweaking!

I have a Boss ME50...the distortions on it are not great so I just use the amps distortion, I do use the other effects on the ME50 when needed.

Maybe change the resistors on the pots or something?

hellifino <big animal

JC

**ho11ow_soul** · 12-03-2005, 05:18 PM

well take a look at this and you can see what kind of rig he is using..
http://guitargeek.com/rigview/312/

**Sabertoothedfly** · 12-03-2005, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ho11ow_soul

well take a look at this and you can see what kind of rig he is using..
http://guitargeek.com/rigview/312/

Thank you

yes I have a ton of info like that, I wasn't trying to say I wanted that specific tone. I just have a problem with tone in general, finding a satisfactory tone that I like.

I'll play ACDC or anything else in a different tone/sound even, I don't mind, as long as it's a decent tone.

JC

**eamon7** · 12-03-2005, 06:24 PM

maybe you need a pre-amp or should check out some of the modelers out there.

**Supersonic** · 12-03-2005, 07:04 PM

Upon further reading of your original post I see something that may be of interest. "Fender Blues Jr." Now, I'm not knocking fender amps in any way but!, they aren't known for their blistering gain. I think they're primarily known for their Creamier well, Blusier tone. There in may be some of the prob. Now, I know that Nugent used to use 6 Fender Super Twins (180 watts rms each) and 6 Fender bottoms with 2 18" inchers in each one!!
Nugent was a volume maniac!! He didnt really use any effects except a crybaby wah on Paralyzed and a Ross Flanger on "alone" and "State of Shock"! I guess my whole point is not many in the "hard rock" arena used Fender amps a lot. If your just looking for something to ass around with, you might want to check out the Behringer V-amp pros for about 169.00 U.S. I also don't think a equalizer is a bad idea either.

Wolfman · 12-03-2005, 07:20 PM

Agreed with Supersonic. I'm a Fender fan, and I love their amps. I think the Blues Jr. is a great little amp, but it's not going to give you the dirt you need for a good AC/DC tone. fender amps are known for great tube warmth and tone, but you need some crunch in your rig.

Forget about your pickups for the time being and get a decent overdrive pedal or basic distortion pedal. You'll be pleased with addition of the crunch added to the excellent tube tone from your current amp.

**Sabertoothedfly** · 12-03-2005, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supersonic

Upon further reading of your original post I see something that may be of interest. "Fender Blues Jr." Now, I'm not knocking fender amps in any way but!, they aren't known for their blistering gain. I think they're primarily known for their Creamier well, Blusier tone. There in may be some of the prob. Now, I know that Nugent used to use 6 Fender Super Twins (180 watts rms each) and 6 Fender bottoms with 2 18" inchers in each one!!
Nugent was a volume maniac!! He didnt really use any effects except a crybaby wah on Paralyzed and a Ross Flanger on "alone" and "State of Shock"! I guess my whole point is not many in the "hard rock" arena used Fender amps a lot. If your just looking for something to ass around with, you might want to check out the Behringer V-amp pros for about 169.00 U.S. I also don't think a equalizer is a bad idea either.

Your right, I know it, I was happy with the tone of the fender Blues junior when I first got it, it was definitely an upgrade!, yet after a while I found it wasnt where I want to be, needs some needs something more.So I am going to throw a Ibanaz tube screamer & an EQ at it this coming year ASAP.

I have bought enough stuff from musiciansfriend they should allow me to return the stuff if I am not satisfied, they have been good to me so far.

I should have kept the old crappy amp I had, plugged into it a while then the FBJ would have been heaven again, for a while...lol

I'm going to get there, or close if it kills me

EDIT: HMMMM I'M GOING TO GO LOOK INTO THOSE BEHRINGER V AMP PROS NOW!

**Sabertoothedfly** · 12-03-2005, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Agreed with Supersonic. I'm a Fender fan, and I love their amps. I think the Blues Jr. is a great little amp, but it's not going to give you the dirt you need for a good AC/DC tone. fender amps are known for great tube warmth and tone, but you need some crunch in your rig.

Forget about your pickups for the time being and get a decent overdrive pedal or basic distortion pedal. You'll be pleased with addition of the crunch added to the excellent tube tone from your current amp.

I have the Boss ME50, It's decent enough as far as the modulation, and delay goes, yet the distortions on it are even worse than the FBJ... it can get some bite with the distortion settings on the ME50 yet I am still having that basic tone problem, maybe tone is the wrong word I am using. Theres something artficial in the sound of the rig I have, no matter what I seem to tweak.

I am going to just have to throw some money at it and experiment some more, maybe even a whole lot more.

fist I am getting a better distortion pedal, I have read awesome reviews on owners of the FBJ that say it comes to life with the Ibanez tube screamer, also I'll try the EQ...(go for some single effects, which I hear are generally a lot better in sound quality and all (give the ME50 to my daughter)

thats where I'll venture next

btw, You all are great!
JC

**Sabertoothedfly** · 12-03-2005, 11:17 PM

OK my indecisive ass is going to get the MXR M-108 ten band EQ for starters. I have read some really great reviews on it, supposedly it gets rid of those cheesy sounding frequencies...I think thats what's going on.

**Supersonic** · 12-04-2005, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabertoothedfly

OK my indecisive ass is going to get the MXR M-108 ten band EQ for starters. I have read some really great reviews on it, supposedly it gets rid of those cheesy sounding frequencies...I think thats what's going on.

lol, good luck on the quest grasshopper!

**Sabertoothedfly** · 12-04-2005, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supersonic

lol, good luck on the quest grasshopper!

lol , reminds me of that part in the Karate kid movie when Mr. Fujifoto or whatever his name is, is teaching him that special move...

"When done correctly Danielson, THERE IS NO DEFENSE"

peace bro

SG_Shredder · 12-08-2005, 01:16 PM

The pickups could be your prob, but straight from the horses mouth how to get an AC/DC tone is everything at half way except for Volume, and Drive those you set at full (I usually put the volume at half so as not to wake up the neighbors)