Did Jackson Pickups change over the years?

[Kyle G]

Did they change the j80 and j90c over the years?

Are some better than others?

How can I tell them apart?

Thanks in advance!

[charvel750]

Re: Did Jackson Pickups change over the years?

The original ones were wound in the Jackson plant and had "made in usa" stickers on back. These were in use until about 1993 or so. They feature a chrome/silver back with the sticker and Jackson pickups/model #. There should not be any significant differences in the models over this time. Some were ceramic magnets, others alnico. Some had plastic covers, some were open coil exposed. By 1994 a second wave of Jackson pickups came out, but they were made overseas. From that point on, I really don't know what they began to use. USA Production models had the Lawrence 500XL's for a while, mixed with Jackson J-100 single coils. Then by 1996 they came stock with Duncans. At some point the Dinky models got EMG's.

[Kyle G]

Re: Did Jackson Pickups change over the years?

Thanks alot for all the info!

[model1]

Re: Did Jackson Pickups change over the years?

another ques to J pups:
how do the "JHx" (e.g. JH-2)Series compare to the "Jxx"(e.g. J80)
someone?

[xenophobe]

Re: Did Jackson Pickups change over the years?

For like 96-97, the RR2s and the SL2s shipped with Kent Armstrong.

[Zerberus]

Re: Did Jackson Pickups change over the years?

As did the FB-2, JRS-2, AT-1 and a few others [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Tornet]

Re: Did Jackson Pickups change over the years?

What could you compare the J80-90 pickups with, like what SD, DiMarzio etc...what caracter do they have etc....
I've always replaced my Jackson Pups with EMG's and in one case Kent Armstrong.
I have a bunch just lying around and maybe I can put them to use in something...

666
JT

[RR0849]

Re: Did Jackson Pickups change over the years?

Personally I have found the earliest Jackson pickups superior to the later ones. J50BC is my favorite model and in general those with ceramic magnets seem to deliver the goods. J50B is a bit thin sounding to me and not powerful enough. I used to have a J50BC on my white custom Rhoads and you can hear how it sounds by checking out the clips here:
http://ca.regionline.fi/unitar/guitarpalace
The song "Long Lost Treasure" is 100% J50BC.
For reference check out the song "Destroyer Of Parasites". It's rhythmes are played with 1985 Jackson Flying V with Dimarzios.

[Kyle G]

Re: Did Jackson Pickups change over the years?

[ QUOTE ]
Personally I have found the earliest Jackson pickups superior to the later ones. J50BC is my favorite model and in general those with ceramic magnets seem to deliver the goods. J50B is a bit thin sounding to me and not powerful enough. I used to have a J50BC on my white custom Rhoads and you can hear how it sounds by checking out the clips here:
http://ca.regionline.fi/unitar/guitarpalace
The song "Long Lost Treasure" is 100% J50BC.
For reference check out the song "Destroyer Of Parasites". It's rhythmes are played with 1985 Jackson Flying V with Dimarzios.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the clips and info. Youre a killer player, really awesome stuff. I dug the tone on LL treasure alot so I think Im gonna have to keep a lookout for one of those pickups.

[charvel750]

Re: Did Jackson Pickups change over the years?

Kyle G said, "I dug the tone on LL treasure alot so I think Im gonna have to keep a lookout for one of those pickups."

Without knowing the amps used, the guitar, the effects, the mic layout, the string gauge, the room recorded in?! Wow, don't base the entire finished product on the pickup alone. I've always said that 99% of your tone comes from you, your hands, your fingers, and how you play. Not from the gear. I fall guilty to my own words though and often seek out a better sounding guitar or amp all the time. But when it comes down to it, it's how you make it sound that determines everything.

[Kyle G]

Re: Did Jackson Pickups change over the years?

[ QUOTE ]
Kyle G said, "I dug the tone on LL treasure alot so I think Im gonna have to keep a lookout for one of those pickups."

Without knowing the amps used, the guitar, the effects, the mic layout, the string gauge, the room recorded in?! Wow, don't base the entire finished product on the pickup alone. I've always said that 99% of your tone comes from you, your hands, your fingers, and how you play. Not from the gear. I fall guilty to my own words though and often seek out a better sounding guitar or amp all the time. But when it comes down to it, it's how you make it sound that determines everything.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know that but the fact is, Im not gonna know how the pickup sounds till its in my guitar with me playing through it no matter what amps, effects etc he is using. If RR0849 was able to get a killer tone with that pickup, its worth a try for me, ya know?

Tone coming from the fingers isnt even worth arguing about. It must make some difference otherwise we wouldnt all be here discussing pickups, guitars, amps, would we?

[RR0849]

Re: Did Jackson Pickups change over the years?

Thanks for the kind comments on the guitar sound!
Here's what I used for that track:
- Jackson 1998 Custom Rhoads with J50BC and 11-49 D'Addario set in E. (Guitar originally from Jack Frost and you can hear it with EMGs on Seven Witches first album)
- Ibanez STL overdrive (as a boost only - no distortion)
- Marshall Silver Jubilee 50W with 2x12 speakers

The mics were Sennheiser MD421 on one speaker and Shure SM57 on the other. There was also a Neumann tube mic in the room
but it barely made it to the mix.

All the lead stuff is Sansamp GT-2 direct to Creamware Pulsar sound card. It's funny how close it often comes to my
full stack miced sound. It lacks the weight but mixed together with miced sound I think it works.

There is not much to lose in trying Jackson pickups cause they are really cheap on Ebay. Personally at the moment I like to use old Duncan Distortions and Jeff Becks. Depends a lot on the guitar.

[model1]

Re: Did Jackson Pickups change over the years?

[ QUOTE ]
another ques to J pups:
how do the "JHx" (e.g. JH-2)Series compare to the "Jxx"(e.g. J80)
someone?

[/ QUOTE ]
noone knows?
thought you could enlighten me

[Tornet]

Re: Did Jackson Pickups change over the years?

Yes, enlighten us!
Found a J90C(15,9k), J80(13,6k)and a JH3(14,6k) in my drawer.
Any good? Bridge pickups all of them I guess.

666
JT