new pickups in my 750xl (finally)

[1trussell]

Well, I finally broke down and got new pickups put in my 750xl. I just don't have the time to fool with it right now (just finished midterms last week and I start finals in 2 weeks). So, I sucked it up and took it to a tech. I decided on a Distortion in the bridge and a Full Shred in the neck.

Well, I threw the Distortion in the wrong box when I took it in there so both boxes were marked "neck." I guess he didn't look at the stickers on the bottom of the pickups because when I went to pick up the guitar, the pickups were switched (bridge in the neck position and neck in the bridge position). He said he would change them around, no problem but he suggested I try it out first to see how I liked it.

Well, after playing it in the store through a Flextone III jsut like I have at home, I decided to keep them the way they're at. Let's just say this, "this guitar screams!" The leads at the neck are articulate and punchy while the rhythms at the bridge are tight and well balanced. The neck is a little brighter than I expected and the bridge is a little warmer than I expected (with the planned set-up that is). All in all, I'm happy with the results and it was an accident that turned out great.

[toejam]

Re: new pickups in my 750xl (finally)

Wow, cool. I also would have thought the Full Shred would have been pretty bright sounding in the bridge and the Distortion warmer in the neck. Glad it worked out! [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[1trussell]

Re: new pickups in my 750xl (finally)

Well I put a Distortion pair in my Hamer Diablo and the neck is a little warmer than it is in the Charvel. I'm assuming it's because of the model designation. Same goes with the Full Shred. I'm guessing since it's a neck model, that gives it the extra warmth in the bridge. Now, it is by no means extremely warm like a Seth Lover or Antiquity. But it is definitely warmer than a JB. Me likey.

[toejam]

Re: new pickups in my 750xl (finally)

Ah, makes sense. I didn't even know they made a Full Shred neck model. I thought they only made one version to be used in either neck or bridge position. Good times!

[1trussell]

Re: new pickups in my 750xl (finally)

Who was it here that was talking about swapping the bridge and neck pikcups in Peavey Wolgangs so brighter pickups were in the neck and warmer pickups were in the bridge? I figured it was the same thing going on.

[toejam]

Re: new pickups in my 750xl (finally)

Don't know, but it should be fine as long as the neck and bridge pups are about the same output. If the pup in the neck has more power, it won't balance too well with a weaker bridge pup.
I personally have always liked brighter neck pups and warmer bridge pups and try to do that whenever possible (like EMG 85 in the bridge and 81 or 60 neck, DiMarzio Super 2 neck with Super D or Super 3 bridge). It just seems to make more sense that way and keep things from getting muddy in the neck.

[1trussell]

Re: new pickups in my 750xl (finally)

Well, the Distortion in the neck is set a little lower than normal. I'm going to experiment with heights and see what works best. And believe me, there is no mud in this neck. Clear as a bell.

[1trussell]

Re: new pickups in my 750xl (finally)

Well, I decided to swap the pickups around so I had the Distortion in the bridge and the Full Shred in the neck like I had originally planned. I was happy with everything except the full bridge humbucker by itself. The Full Shred in the bridge was nice and punchy, clear, and warmer than I expected. But, it just couldn't compare to the Distortions in my other axes. The Distortion in the neck was amazng. It was clear as a bell and the leads were damn near perfect as I can get (not bad for being a bridge pickup).

I got it done this morning and man am I glad I did it. The Distortion in the bridge screams just the way I like it. Plus, the Full Shred in the bridge performs the leads just as well as the Distortion in the neck. The FS is a little brighter and clearer than the DD, but being in the neck, this is not a problem. The notes are a little more articulate and snappy when compared to the smoothness of the DD in the neck (and the DD was pretty damn articulate).

The set-up as I have it is:

pos 1 - full neck
pos 2 - split neck
pos 3 - split neck/split bridge
pos 4 - full neck/full bridge
pos 5 - full bridge

This axe is most definitely a tone machine. Now I'm going to have a hard time choosing between it and my 650xl.

[Model 88]

Re: new pickups in my 750xl (finally)

[ QUOTE ]
This axe is most definitely a tone machine. Now I'm going to have a hard time choosing between it and my 650xl.

[/ QUOTE ]

There should be no choice the 750XL with the Distortion <font color="red">RULES !!!!</font> [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/band.gif[/img]

Seriously the the 750 with the distortion is killer , great for heavy rhythms/riffing and lead work.I have the same combo but with a Jazz in the neck.

[pinto79]

Re: new pickups in my 750xl (finally)

hmmm... now you get me thinking, DD in the bridge, move the JB to the neck...

Damn you!!!! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[1trussell]

Re: new pickups in my 750xl (finally)

[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]