1986 Jackson Soloist Custom USA - Pickups

[Gino]

Hi guys,

I've bought an EMG 81 for my 1986 Jackson Soloist, but when trying to install it, I've found out the pickup doesn't fit in the body. The Jackson humbucking pickup (J50?) is a little smaller than normal. I thought about sending this to a luthier and make it fit, but I don't really like modifying a guitar like this Jackson.

Any suggestions for a good pickup for this guitar? I know there must be a lot of great models, but sometimes, one specific model could give me a better sound (I have no idea which wood is the body made of).

Thanks guys

[StukaJU87]

I always thought the J50's were larger than EMG hums, no?

[Gino]

Not this one, mate... I've tried a Seymour Duncan JB and it fits. It's just the Mother**** EMG 81.

[Budman68]

Not this one, mate... I've tried a Seymour Duncan JB and it fits. It's just the Mother**** EMG 81.

Are you talking about the screw tabs on the bottom of the pickups or the four outer corners??

The Jackson pickup tabs are thin and can be bent it to fit the route and I've seen some issues where an emg would not fit because the route was globbed with paint, possibly this is what you're experiencing?

[Rich#6]

How close is it? Can you grind down the screw tabs on the 81?

[Budman68]

How close is it? Can you grind down the screw tabs on the 81?

That's exactly what I'm thinking -

[Gino]

Hi guys, thanks for the interest.

It's the four outer corners.

[Rich#6]

Now I'm curious. I have 2 86 charvel model 6's that are the same specs as a usa jackson soloist. I might go home and pull the bridge pickup to see what's up. It should be very close.

[Zerberus]

Hi guys, thanks for the interest.

It's the four outer corners.

I´m not saying it´s not true, but WhaWhaWhaWhaWHAAAAT???

Mine all dropped iin just fine, though my SOloist is an ´88....

But this may be an historical event, the first EMG too big to fit into a Jackson Rout

[rjohnstone]

Time to break out the Dremel or some sandpaper and open up that rout a bit.

[stevieb91]

What about the possibility of Jackson using different routing templets for custom orders?Maybe they had a set specifically made for each pick up so as to not make installation mistakes(?).If they use CNC's now,the program is probably configuration specific,as opposed to component specific...

[dg]

I have an early J-50B that is smaller than the J50BC that came out of my '87 model 6. They were known to route to pretty close tolerances, so I could definitely see this happening.

[Gino]

Time to break out the Dremel or some sandpaper and open up that rout a bit.

I think that's what I'll do..

[rhoads56]

you can get a file and take the corners off the EMG, there is enough meat there. Ive done it when fitting EMGs to a few old Jacksons, to preserve the originality of the instrument. Only file the section that is below the pickup ring, so you cant tell.

[Gino]

you can get a file and take the corners off the EMG, there is enough meat there. Ive done it when fitting EMGs to a few old Jacksons, to preserve the originality of the instrument. Only file the section that is below the pickup ring, so you cant tell.

Thanks Rhoads56,

But I think there's more meat on the Jackson. It's good to know it would work, but I wouldn't risk the pick up. I'm sure the Jackson will be OK.