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I'm wondering if I should swap out the EMG HZ and JT580LP for a real Floyd and EMG 81 and 85 set on the DKMG I'm getting. I have heard pros and cons to this. I dont need to have super hot p/u's my Strat has Lace Sensors and I would like the DKMG to match volume wise. As far as the JT580LP, I have always played a real Floyd. Is there a big difference? Also I have heard that people who put a real Floyd in DKMGs take it out and put the JT580LP back in. Some say it really changes the tone and setup of the guitar. Also with the EMGs, the tome wasn't so hot either.
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Re: DKMG EMG Floyd Sugestion?
There was a time when Jackson used the JT580LP trem on USA models - I have three of them, and no problems at all. The main issue with most licensed trems is that the metal base isn't as thick and the knife edges aren't as durable, so it really depends on how much you use the whammy bar. You should get years of use out of any trem, but it really comes down to how you treat it. -
Re: DKMG EMG Floyd Sugestion?
The JT580LP seems to have a thick strong base that the knife edges are cut into (instead of the JT580 or JT590 with knife edge inserts into pot metal).
I've never had an OFR, so I don't know for sure, but if you could tell us I'd like to know what you think.Comment
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Re: DKMG EMG Floyd Sugestion?
^^ what he saidComment
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Re: DKMG EMG Floyd Sugestion?
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The JT580LP seems to have a thick strong base that the knife edges are cut into (instead of the JT580 or JT590 with knife edge inserts into pot metal).
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I beg to differ. The base on mine is thinner than an OFR, stamped out of a sheet of metal and then bent into shape. The metal itself is some kind of copper colored alloy (similar in look to those in cheap sword replicas, if you've ever (in vain) tried to sharpen one of those). I ruined the knife edges on mine just by adjusting trem height while the guitar was strung up, and I think I've read a similar testimony here as well (or maybe it was on the old board).
According to my experience, they have decent performance until the knife edges go - and that depends a lot on how you treat it.Comment
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Re: DKMG EMG Floyd Sugestion?
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The JT580LP seems to have a thick strong base that the knife edges are cut into (instead of the JT580 or JT590 with knife edge inserts into pot metal).
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I beg to differ. The base on mine is thinner than an OFR, stamped out of a sheet of metal and then bent into shape. The metal itself is some kind of copper colored alloy (similar in look to those in cheap sword replicas, if you've ever (in vain) tried to sharpen one of those). I ruined the knife edges on mine just by adjusting trem height while the guitar was strung up, and I think I've read a similar testimony here as well (or maybe it was on the old board).
According to my experience, they have decent performance until the knife edges go - and that depends a lot on how you treat it.
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I wasn't comparing a JT580LP to an OFR, but thanks for the heads up. In order to chrome metal, you have to plate it in copper first, then nickel, before the chrome. What you are seeing is probably the copper base coat after the chrome plating has chipped off.Comment
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Re: DKMG EMG Floyd Sugestion?
Mine is a black unit, not a chrome one. But I suppose they could be treated the same before the final coatings(?).Comment
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Re: DKMG EMG Floyd Sugestion?
The difference is mainly that the Schaller and OFR have hardened steel knife edges, where as the JT580LP and most other licensed trems do not. The worst I've seen are on Washburn imports.Comment
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Re: DKMG EMG Floyd Sugestion?
So I'm gonna ask a dumb question, should I swap out the JT580LP for a real Floyd? and what about the EMGs?Comment
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Re: DKMG EMG Floyd Sugestion?
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So I'm gonna ask a dumb question, should I swap out the JT580LP for a real Floyd?
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That's for you to decide. We can only give you info about what consequences a swap may have, and what you can expect from the trem units. Hopefully with this information, you'll be able to make an educated decision.
By all means, keep using the JT580LP as long it does what you need it to do. No need to swap it out if you're happy with it, right?
As for the conversion itself; The OFR will pretty much drop right in, but a couple thing to be aware of:
If you want to replace the trem posts as well, you may have to drill the holes out a little larger, since the OFR bushings are a little fatter. When I changed mine, I just pounded them in with a light hammer and a sawn off drumstick - but I've since learned that this is a very risky way of doing it (you can split the wood around the hole, and that's very difficult to repair well.
On some guitars, you may also have to shave off a little of the trem route. Newc had to do this on his HFR DK2 (if I remember correctly). I didn't run into this problem when I put a Schaller Floyd in my Rhoads (and the Schaller base plate is wider than the OFR one (at least on mine)), but it's possible that the newer JT580LPs are smaller than my 1998 unit.
Like I said above: If trem fully does its job, there is little reason to switch it out, unless you just hate it (like I do). [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
The OFR is indeed a highly superior trem unit. Apart from the superior material, I also noticed these differences after the swap:
1) I highly prefer the straight saddles of the OFR and Schaller over the angled ones on the 580 - it's much easier to regulate the amount of palm muting you apply to the strings IMO.
2) My 580 had this annoying wobble in the saddles. My alternate picking improved significantly after I dropped in the Schaller. The difference may be mostly psychological, but I attribute it to the more solid feel.
3) The OFR/Schaller fine tuners have a more distinct and responsive feel.
4) With the OFR/Schaller you can regulate the tightness of the trem bar a lot better - on many 580s they tend work themselves loose, or as on mine - get more or less permanently stuck.
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and what about the EMGs?
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Let me first say that I've never owned any HZ pickups. But the ones that were in guitars I tried in shops didn't impress me. Weak and bleak sounding. I've gotten the feeling the the active EMGs have a more saturated sound and a bit more output than most HZ models (if you have the H4, you may not notice much of a difference output wise...I haven't tried any guitars with that one yet).
There are people that atually like the HZs though, so I think you should give them a fair chance before you decide to replace them. They may just be what you need(?).
I'm one of the diehard fans of the active EMGs (except the 81), but there are just as many people who don't like them. You won't really know which camp you belong in until you've tried them.Comment
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Re: DKMG EMG Floyd Sugestion?
Hey thanks for the detailed responce...really thats what I was looking for. As for the HZs I did try them out in the store. I was the only guitarist in the store at the time so I did get to really hear them thru a 4x12 cabinet and Marshall head. The clean sound was more then I expected for sure. When I get the guitar home I'll have to make some MP3 samples of it.
As far as the Trem, I think I'll just leave it and see if I like it b4 I go screwing with the Guitar. Right now the Guitar sounds and plays really nice.and looks killer. The photo on the Jackson website doesn't really show how awesome this guitar looks in person. The Trans Black and reverse Headstock are sweet tooComment
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Re: DKMG EMG Floyd Sugestion?
Trans Black is my favorite transparent finish, and I think it looks especially good on the DKMG. As far as the pickups are concerned, remember that the AfterBurner active gain boost works with any pickup, so it might be a greater benefit if you get pickups with a better tone than the HZs. You could get away with a pickup that isn't as "hot" and then boost the gain when you need to.Comment
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Re: DKMG EMG Floyd Sugestion?
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the AfterBurner active gain boost works with any pickup, so it might be a greater benefit if you get pickups with a better tone than the HZs. You could get away with a pickup that isn't as "hot" and then boost the gain when you need to.
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This is good advice.Comment
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Re: DKMG EMG Floyd Sugestion?
i'd go with a shaller instead of an OFR. (the shaller will fit the trem cavity while the OFR's string retainer bolts will stick out beyond the route.)
as for the emg's i'd swap them out with the zakk wyld set. (reversed, depending on style) i love the reversed ZW set up in my chavel. the 81 sounds great as a neck pup, more bluesy with more cut. while the 85 screams in the bridge with more of an open sound. but you can switch them around easily after its wired up to experiment with what works for you.Comment
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Re: DKMG EMG Floyd Sugestion?
Yeh, I wish other pickup brands offered quick-connects like EMG does. It's nice to be able to switch pickups so quickly and easily.Comment
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