pickup/gain booster

[rebar71]

Has anyone installed or used one of these before? Thoughts/opinions?

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Onboard-Guitar-Enhancer-Unit-OVERDRIVE-that-tube-amp_p_569.html

Here's what I would like to accomplish.... I have a Jackson DK2 that I love. I like the tone of the single coils, but I would like more output from the neck pickup when playing overdriven leads. The magnetic pull from the singles is so strong that I have to keep them pretty far away from the strings - especially the bass side. So I thought this might give me the boost I'm seeking without changing out the pickups and altering the tone that I already like.

I was also considering the EMG Afterburner booster.

[Axegrinder87]

I played a DK2FS (Firestorm) years ago. It had a built in variable boost. Pretty nifty. I'd have one except I hate excess controls on my guitar. Definitely worth checking out though, if you don't mind the extra appointments.

[Twitch]

I have the the EMG AB in one of my guitars, its great, at least to me. Dont know how it would be on singles though.

[DonP]

Go to Radio Shack an buy an LM386 chip for a few bucks and a few other parts. It will give you a clean amplified boost for little money.

[Twitch]

Youre assuming the OP knows how to do that stuff there Don. Hell, I vaguely know how and Id still rather buy one ready to install.

[emperor_black]

whatever hum is coming out of your single coils, it'll amplify them as well as add its own noise. So, be prepared for that. I still have my EMG afterburner which I took out from a DKMGT. I liked it except for the amplified noise.

[Newc]

I believe those singles (Duncan Designed) were hum-cancelling.

[rebar71]

i definitely would rather buy the circuit ready to install. i am good with wiring, but that doesn't mean i can build my own circuit.

there is no noticeable hum from the singles unless the guitar is sitting right next to the amp.

i had read that the EMG circuit is really clean adding no noise of its own. but i haven't read anything about how the GFS circuit compares.

i believe seymour duncan also has their own booster circuit. anybody have any experience with that one too?

[Axegrinder87]

It's been years like I said, but I don't recall any bothersome noise from the Dinky Firestorm. Then again, the douchebags at the store wouldn't let me crank anything.

[rebar71]

I acquired an EMG afterburner from a fellow JCF board member and installed it over the weekend. Overall I am pleased with the results. I delivers plenty of boost and more than accomplishes what I set out to do.

The Afterburner adds no noise of its own. The only added noise is the previously unheard normal hum of the single coils - and I have to crank the AB up at least halfway to get that.

[emperor_black]

I'm glad it works for you. My DK2T had no string grounding and there was always an ever present hum. i noticed the same in the DKMGT and thought it was due to the after-burner. Good job!