Jackson mid-boost circuit with EMGs?

[Grandturk]

In general, i've noticed people either keep their Model 4-6 guitars either stock with the original pickups and electronics, or switch the pickups to EMGs. When using EMGs, do you continue to use the jackson circuit, or is it removed? Can you use the circuit with EMGs? For those of you who have used both the Jackson mid-boost and the comparable EMG SPC, how do they compare?

My quandry is this - I like the Jackson pickups and the mid boost but I like EMG pickups too. However, I like the option of dialing in the mid boost on the single coils for extra grunt. My options:

1. Keep it stock - OK, it sounds good as is.

2. Switch to EMGs with no boost circuit.

3. Switch to EMGs with the Jackson boost.

4. Switch to EMGs with the EMG SPC boost.

Any ideas?

[charvel750]

Re: Jackson mid-boost circuit with EMGs?

Try all the possiblities and go with what you think is best. This is time consuming, you'll need at least a week with the guitar at the different set ups to really tell. Plus, tone with the band and tone in the bedroom alone are two entirely different things. Having said that, the active Jackson circuits work great with ANY pickup, EMG actives or not. You can even run the pickups off the same battery as the circuit. I'd leave it as is, those Jackson pickups with their own circuitry are cool.

[chopper45hd]

Re: Jackson mid-boost circuit with EMGs?

why would you mess with perfection? leave it as it is.

[floydroseuser]

Re: Jackson mid-boost circuit with EMGs?

I agree, leave it as is. You could spend a lot of money only to find that you were better off where you started. Those pickups with the active electronics are very good!!

[crilf]

Re: Jackson mid-boost circuit with EMGs?

Are the Jackson pickups actually active or passive? I was under the impression that they are passive with a preamp midboost circuit. If they are passive then any pickup could be placed in there correct?

Thanks

[Budman68]

Re: Jackson mid-boost circuit with EMGs?

Originally posted by crilf:
Are the Jackson pickups actually active or passive? I was under the impression that they are passive with a preamp midboost circuit. If they are passive then any pickup could be placed in there correct?

Thanks

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes sir, you are correct [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]


Dave->

[Grandturk]

Re: Jackson mid-boost circuit with EMGs?

Originally posted by crilf:
If they are passive then any pickup could be placed in there correct?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I guess the intent of my original question was how do EMGs sound with the midboost circuit. I still have the stock pickups in, and they are great. But what's the point of having a guitar and a soldering iron if your not messing with it?

[crilf]

Re: Jackson mid-boost circuit with EMGs?

Cool! I just got a model 5 yesterday and I'm gonna go ahead and start tinkering with it. Although I am surprised at how good the stock pickups sound!

[rgto]

Re: Jackson mid-boost circuit with EMGs?

I just got a set of emg's for my 475 dlx because, mid boost or not, I think the j-50c humbucker sounds like crap. Although the single coils don't bother me. It seems to me that the emg David Gilmour set has a mid boost in one or two positions. Time to check out the emg website again! Good luck with your project!
Ryan

[crilf]

Re: Jackson mid-boost circuit with EMGs?

Does anybody know which wires on a Duncan match up with which on the Jackson J-80C? They have the same colors (red, white, black, green, and bare ground) but I just want to make sure they all match up correctly.

[rgto]

Re: Jackson mid-boost circuit with EMGs?

The red and white are the same. But the black and green are reversed. This info can be found at projectguitar.com and guitarelectronics.com. The second website has a lot of factory schematics for many different guitars, although most of it is for fender and gibson.

[crilf]

Re: Jackson mid-boost circuit with EMGs?

Thanks rgto!