Older DKMGT upgrade

[Duncan_Wood]

After searching for a year, I finally found a reasonable used DKMGT. For some reason Jacksons with no trem are very hard to find.

So after winning an eBay auction for $338, a beautiful trans-black DKMGT (w/hard case) is on its way to my house. The only bad part is that it's a 2005 or 2006 model with passive EMGs. I'm already planning the EMG 81/85 upgrade, and thought getting the older 3-knob model might actually be an advantage over the newer 2-knob models. That way I can dedicate a volume pot to each pickup, with one leftover for tone.

That's the plan. Any tips or suggestions? Will I have any fitment probs? Buy the 81 and 85 as a pair, or separately? Coil tap or no coil tap?

[scabaway]

Have the same guitar you speak of. Just like yours, it came with the passive EMG's. I swapped them out for an 81 and an 85 with dedicated volume pots for each one, a master tone, and a three way switch. It is one of my better sounding guitars. I say go for it man.

[Duncan_Wood]

Have the same guitar you speak of. Just like yours, it came with the passive EMG's. I swapped them out for an 81 and an 85 with dedicated volume pots for each one, a master tone, and a three way switch. It is one of my better sounding guitars. I say go for it man.

Fantastic! Suppose I should have mentioned that I've never changed pickups in a guitar before. Can't be too hard. I can solder.

[toejam]

Buy the 81 and 85 as a pair, or separately? Coil tap or no coil tap?

The 81 and 85 cannot be coil tapped. The 89 is the only EMG that can be coil split, with either a push/pull pot or mini switch.

[scabaway]

EMG 81TW and 85TW are capable of coil tapping.

[toejam]

Oh, yeah, those newer TW models can. I forgot about them.

[Duncan_Wood]

Got it! Mailman finally broke through the midwest blizzard and brought it. It's in nearly perfect condition -- I can't find a scratch.



I adjusted the bridge jack screws down a full turn each side and got the action super low, can fret with just a touch. No neck adjustment needed. I love Jacksons.

One problem with it, the fret ends are really rough. They cut into the hand like a cheap Mexican strat. What gives? My DK2 frets have a nice smooth bevel to them. DK2 is maybe a 2005 and the DKMGT is a 2005 or 2006 or so. This is the only DKMGT I've ever seen or played. Which fret finish is typical?

Here's a pic of both, just for fun. Thanks guys.

[Cygnus X1]

Very nice!
Fret ends on my own DKMGT are fine and not a big deal to file them smooth.
A friend brought over his own DKMG and the same, fret ends are good.

His still has HZ's, and actually not too bad with the mid boost engaged.
Un-boosted they sounded lifeless though.
I had a J90C bridge and a LP-HM in mine for a long time and
now a set of prototype Stephens Design prototypes which are "growing on me"
although they are not shredder pickups.
Odd have a vintage style LP sound on a shred axe though...I'll likely put the old
set back in.

Biggest love on these guitars is the necks, super fast!

[cedelong]

She is a carbon copy of my DKMG 'cept for the T - I put an original FR on mine - if ya gotta have a floating bridge...
Been a while since I've seen another with the +20db Turbocharger /Afterburner or whatever it's called. I switched out the HZs for the Z Wylde 81/85 set, but kept the booster in place, and it is pretty cool when you don't go cranking it all the way up - I use it to create feedback effects, etc. for solos...gives an interesting overdrive sound to clean/ low distortion tones, too. I wouldn't trash it, but if you insist, I'd love to have it and would gladly buy it off ya for my Charvel M5.

Other changes I made to mine:

-replaced the pirrahna neck to the ff neck (just cuz I found one cheap)
-replaced tuning keys with Grovers (heavier headstock gave me increased sustain
-replaced bridge with FR
-replaced pots with CTS

I love that baby...

[metalmania408]

Got it! Mailman finally broke through the midwest blizzard and brought it. It's in nearly perfect condition -- I can't find a scratch.

Nice score man!!

[Duncan_Wood]

...but kept the booster in place, and it is pretty cool when you don't go cranking it all the way up - I use it to create feedback effects, etc. for solos...gives an interesting overdrive sound to clean/ low distortion tones, too.

Wow, hadn't even thought about that. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Duncan_Wood]

After a week of playing I REALLY like the DKMGT neck except for the fret ends.

I decided to look really closely and take some pics. First, here's the DK2. Notice the bevel on the fret ends. These frets feel great. Is this a factory fret finish?



Here's the DKMGT. Notice the less-pronounced bevel. The upright fret end angle cuts into my hands as I move up and down the neck. Makes the neck feel fatter than it really is.



Now to my question. If I go buy a fret file and mask off the fretboard, can I reasonably make the DKMGT look like the DK2? Having a hard time finding a luthier around here.

Thanks!

[Cygnus X1]

It's easy to do.
A sanding block is the safest method, I don't even mask it off.

[Duncan_Wood]

It's easy to do.
A sanding block is the safest method, I don't even mask it off.

Really? What grit do you use? My only sanding block is about 5" long. That work?

[Cygnus X1]

120 to 150, then buff with 600.