Soloist PRO front pickup route and maybe suggestions?

[usrname]

I'm looking to swap out the J-200s in my newly acquired Soloist professional for a Duncan Hot Rails or something similar. I've seen two different single coil pickup routes on various body styles - some with a "V" shape on the bottom and some without. I have the one without. I haven't pulled the single coils out yet, so I don't exactly how they are shaped.

Do I have to get a certain kind of pickup that is shaped to fit only in the route I have? Please let me know if I haven't explained things fully.

Also, I could use some suggestions on a front pickup for a tone similar to Randy Rhoads/George Lynch/Megadeth type soloing. Thanks fellow Jacksonites!

[Sunbane]

Do I have to get a certain kind of pickup that is shaped to fit only in the route I have?

Yes, for instance, you can't fit singlecoil pickups with a "lip" on them (they must have the "V-shaped" route).

The DiMarzios have the lip, and I think the older Duncans had it as well. However, I think you can order DiMarzios without the lip. Maybe Duncans as well, if your desired model happens to have the lip.

The newer Duncans don't have the lip, but they have the wire coming out smack bang in the middle of the pickup, which makes it difficult to fit in a "straight" singlecoil route. I've heard of guys on this forum who used a Dremel to grind away some wood inside the pickup route so the wires would fit.

EMG singlecoils will fit into the route without modifications to the guitar, because the wire connector is under the pickup.

You may also run into a smaller problem; the Jackson J-200 pickups are (as you may know) stacked humbuckers, with one coil on top of the other. This makes them significantly taller than a normal singlecoil, or a side-by-side hum cancelling design. When I put EMGs into my Model 6, the routes were so deep that I had to get hold of longer screws to hold the pickups down.

As for neck pickup tones, I personally prefer rather high-output pickups for leads. I have tried the lower output ones that people normally use, but they aren't very good for fluid leads IMO. I think cleans are what they do best. Even the Duncan Full Shred humbucker and the EMG singlecoils were too tame for my taste, and I think those are a bit hotter than a typical neck humbucker.

[usrname]

Thanks for the reply. I did some searching, which I know I should have done first.
I guess if want the hot rails, I can either get the new one and route a bit or get an older one and cut off the lip.

In the meantime, I got a flat pickup ring to replace the angled one - the pickup was way too high and was hitting the strings when I played...much better now. I'm also going to order the pots, etc. that are on the USA models and eventually going to swap out the OFR for the original Schaller.

I also need to get the frets dressed - I just noticed some nice grooves in the frets.

[Newc]

A JB Jr would work in it, as long as it's the style with the wires coming out of the bottom and not in the center. As well, it's a high output pickup that would sound great for leads.

[Sunbane]

Thanks for the reply. I did some searching, which I know I should have done first.
I guess if want the hot rails, I can either get the new one and route a bit or get an older one and cut off the lip.

I don't think you can just cut off the lip off the pickup though, because if I've understood things right, the (super thin) wires coming out of the pickup coils are mounted right on it.

[Madness]

It can be done. It's not that hard, you just have to be careful.
First, I slit the base where the wires run through it (red lines).


Then slip the wires out through the slits that you made and tuck them under the pickup. Next cut the lip off and sand the edge down to smooth it out, make it fit properly and look professional.


I've done this with my Soloist and Fusion Pro.

[Sunbane]

It can be done. It's not that hard, you just have to be careful.
First, I slit the base where the wires run through it (red lines).
---

Then slip the wires out through the slits that you made and tuck them under the pickup. Next cut the lip off and sand the edge down to smooth it out, make it fit properly and look professional.
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Hey, cool pic tutorial!
Good info!

[Madness]

Thank you, Sometimes it's quicker and easier to just explain what I mean by using pics...

[usrname]

Thanks alot! What did you use to make the cuts?

I like the mini-switch on the the fusion. I'm thinking of doing the same thing, but I'm probably going to put it on the third hole. So it would be vol/tone/mini on-off. I've also got a couple of CTS pots and a Switchcraft jack on order as well.

[Special-K]

Nice tutorial!...

[Madness]

^^thank you.
I just use a nice sharp set of these...

[usrname]

Thanks, I've got a pair of those somewhere in the mess that I call a workbench. I'll have to dig it out, damn.

[mantis]

It can be done. It's not that hard, you just have to be careful.
First, I slit the base where the wires run through it (red lines).


Then slip the wires out through the slits that you made and tuck them under the pickup. Next cut the lip off and sand the edge down to smooth it out, make it fit properly and look professional.


I've done this with my Soloist and Fusion Pro.

Dude that Red one is beautiful. I need to find me one of those. Very nice man even the blue one is killer looking. Sweet man sweet.

Dan

[Madness]

Thanks Dan!

[Rich#6]

I just swapped out the pups in a model 6. Same issues. I used the original screws and they seem to be at the very end of the threads, but I think they'll work. I put in a red lace sensor and a SD hot rails. The lace pickup is an easy swap. For the hot rails, I found one of the old ones with the tape and the wiring goes through on the side. See if you can find one of those on ebay.