DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

[Leo Chang]

Hi fellow JCFers:

I am waiting for a DK-2 in Crimson Swirl to arrive, so in the meantime I would like to decide on a pickup combination.

When it arrives, I'll replace the bridge with a real Floyd and install some quality pickups.

For neck: DiMarzio YJM (already decided)
For middle: HS-3? Cool Rails? Vintage Blues? Alnico Pro II?
For bridge: JB? Duncan Distortion? DiMarzio AirBucker series?

Styles I play:
Blues/Classic Rock/Hard Rock/Hair Metal/Neoclassical Metal
mostly the last 3 genres though [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

I do like versatility, but in the event that's not possible, the pickup combination must be well suited to Hard Rock/Hair Metal/Neoclassical Metal.

Passive pups only please.

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]


Leo

[JBall008]

Re: DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

Dimarzio Tone Zone in the bridge is a good one....

HS 2 in the neck is I think how Yngwie does it...

[Newc]

Re: DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

Duncan Distortion and two Classic Stacks.

Too bad they don't make a Custom Jr (mini-hum like the JBJr) - I routed my DK-2 HRF for a neck hum and put a Custom in it with a Distortion in the bridge - that thing could do it all after that.

[DonP]

Re: DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

Shoot me. I like the stock pickups.

[Cuthbert]

Re: DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

MMM...I would say an YJM, a HS-3 and a SD custom custom wired in parallel in order to match the singles output...

[pebber]

Re: DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

I got a Dimarzio Tone Zone in the bridge an a DiMarzio Blue Velvet in the neck on my DK2 BOF.. sounds very different to my other non-modded DK2 HRF

[Leo Chang]

Re: DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

Oops... I made the post then forgot it until now:p

Tone Zone seems to be getting lots of votes... How does it sound in a DK-2 compared to the stock pup?

From browsing the Seymour Duncan forum, some have said that the Duncan Distortion is a good match for any Jackson/Charvel.... and the Custom Custom seems to be many people's favorite.

Sooo..... how do these 3 pickups (Tone Zone / Distortion / Custom Custom) compare?


Thanks, keep the suggestions coming please [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

- Leo.

[Cuthbert]

Re: DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

Well the CC is smoother, due the alnico II magnet, the distortion is indedeed very powerful, good choice for metal but not for much else.

I don't have much experience with the tone zone.

[Leo Chang]

Re: DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

I've read somewhere that the Distortion is the passive equivalent of EMG-81? Is that a good description of it? IF it is, then I will stay away from it, 'cause I've already got a guitar with EMG-81 in it (DK2LE)

CC: Would it be good for EVH -ish tones?

Tone Zone: on the Dimarzio tone chart it seems very bass heavy... would it be too muddy in a DK-2? I ask because on my DK2S with DiMarzio Super Distortion... while the tone is awesome for metal, I am always trying to get just a bit more treble from it. How is the treble / high mids of the Tone Zone?


Thanks,

- Leo.

[mariuss]

Re: DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

[ QUOTE ]
Oops... I made the post then forgot it until now:p

Tone Zone seems to be getting lots of votes... How does it sound in a DK-2 compared to the stock pup?

From browsing the Seymour Duncan forum, some have said that the Duncan Distortion is a good match for any Jackson/Charvel.... and the Custom Custom seems to be many people's favorite.

Sooo..... how do these 3 pickups (Tone Zone / Distortion / Custom Custom) compare?


Thanks, keep the suggestions coming please [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

- Leo.

[/ QUOTE ]


On SD forum the fav pickup is JB. Mine too [img]/images/graemlins/baby.gif[/img] I have my DK2 loaded with JB in the bridge and CoolRails neck. Very sweeeeeet axe!
Actually need to try the Custom Custom for a warmer/softer. Think that would suit better in an alder body.

[Leo Chang]

Re: DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

Personally I love the JB too... but thought that maybe I should experiment with other pickups as well.

If versatility is important then I guess the JB might be better suited than the other pickups? I don't think the Tone Zone, from what I have read about it, would be too versatile. The CC might be though... how versatile is the CC?

- Leo.

[Jacksonite]

Re: DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

PM sent, and sorry, I didnt see the bit about actives, so ignore that part if you wanna

[Cuthbert]

Re: DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

[ QUOTE ]
I've read somewhere that the Distortion is the passive equivalent of EMG-81? Is that a good description of it? IF it is, then I will stay away from it, 'cause I've already got a guitar with EMG-81 in it (DK2LE)


[/ QUOTE ]

IMO, no! The 81 is much cristalline (too much for me) the only dsimilarity is that both have the higher output of their class.

About the CC, the is the romour that actually Van Halen himself designed the PU and it should have become his signature model, but before this could happen he switched to dimarzio, I think when the Ernie Ball Music Man went into production in 1991...

[agresivo]

Re: DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

Yeah, the CC sounds very EVH-ish to me.

My Charvel 650XL is a tone monster since I put the CC on it, it sounds very sweeeeeet. The Duncan Distortion is another choice if you want a more aggresive and trebly pickup. I don't like the Tone Zone.

Actually, all three pickups have been on my Charvel and my favourite is the Custom Custom.

[Axe Chemist]

Re: DK-2 Pickup Suggestions?

I just installed a Duncan Distortion in mine and it RIPS! WAY BETTER THAN THE STOCK P/U! It was money well spent!