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
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
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
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
+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
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.
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.
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.
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
