Pickup suggestions to upgrade from the ol' JB/59 combo

[RSRD]

I'm gonna try out different pickups in my Hamer Korina Vector which currently has the good old jb/59 combonation. I'm looking for pickups that are meatier and maybe a bit more 'woody' in the neck and middle postition and for the bridge something that is a bit more agressive without gaining too much treble. I play hard, heavy, progressive type rock thru a bogner shiva half stack.

I would like to keep the pickups under $100 each. I know alot of people cry out for the WCR but I'm not blowing $300+ for a set of pickups. Sorry.

Thanks for any suggestions and descriptions of your suggestions

Thomas

 

[gregc]

Wow, Ithink the JB has plenty of bite n' snarl for a stock pickup. In fact, I like my gain from my amp, not my guitar, so I use a 59/59 in my Korina Vector (though I do like the JB). Obviously, you must use a lot more gain than I do. So, I guess I have no recommendation after all...
Good luck on the hunt!
gregc

 

[RSRD]

I guess I shoulda mentioned that I dial the shivas OD gain to the max and keep the boost on at all times. I love my amp and am not intererested in another. But I'm always looking to squeeze just a bit more gain out of it. So pickups become very important to push my OD setting without loosing tone. The JB is nice. I just wanna know if there is a better option. I've never researched pickups before...this will be a good learning experience.

Thanks

thomas

 

[Chiba]

Hottest pickup I ever used was a Seymour Duncan 'Invader'. Simply crushing. Actually sounded pretty good though, but it was sometimes tough to get a sparkly clean sound out of it

--chiba

 

[r9player]

iono I love the 59/59 JB/59 combo ..
Maybe could go Dimarzio? Tone Zone/Air Norton?

 

[JES1680]

+1 on the Invader. I used to use it in an LP through a Shiva and it will pummel the front end of your Bogner.

I've got a used Invader Bridge for sale if you are interested.

jes1680@yahoo.com

 

[Green Pro Am]

I have always liked the Duncan Custom Custom, the Custom, or the Custom 5 in the bridge.

I would also suggest you look at some of the Suhr pickups. The SSH+ rips in the bridge.

Both brands would fit into your budget and should get the job done.

 

[tommyg]

Try Jeff at HighOrder Pickups www.highorderpickups.com. He handwinds pickups to your specifications and they cost $55 a piece.

I have them and swear they are the most amazing pickups I'e ever heard.

 

[j_el_jee]

Robs got an Invader in the black LP... sometimes it sounds good, sometime it doesn't. Personally I think it is a pickup that is designed to compensate for 1. a non-resonant guitar or 2. a so-so amp.

What about an Anderson H2+ like the Cobra has? Thats what I have in my Explorer now and it is definitely hotter than the JB, but seems to be more 'clear' sounding across the spectrum. Probably my favorite pickup. I've got a Rio Grande BBQ too, if you want to try that out, but its a Zebra.

 

[duckbunny]

Originally posted by r9player
iono I love the 59/59 JB/59 combo ..
Maybe could go Dimarzio? Tone Zone/Air Norton?

I was going to recommend a Tone Zone in the bridge, as well. It's sort of like a JB, but with more early EVH dialed in. It definitley slams the front end of your amp a little harder, but gives you a little more sparkle at high gain. That said, I prefer the cleans of the bridge JB . Just my opinion, though! It's cheap enough to give it a try, and sell it if it doesn't blow your hair back. Best of luck with your quest!

-db