Classic Humbucker Tone with BFR

[pedalbored]

Hello all ! I am looking for some advice. I mainly play classic and hard rock in a cover band. I recently purchased a JP6 BFR a few months back. The guitar is great, but after the honeymoon period, I realize the that both my main guitars sound pretty much similar. Also, I have really been getting into my Gibson SG lately, which has the Dimarzio PAF 36th Anniv pickups in it. The thought that keeps going through my head is that I would love to get close to the SG tones with one of my JP's for stage use.

With the combination of woods in the BFR, I am betting it would pair nicely with some more vintage voiced pickups and get me close. I would also like to be able to get a good middle pos both-humbucker tone (untapped), which I don't find with the stock CL-LF combo. I would just try the PAFs, but the screw coil wont allow the pickup to seat properly (tried it) without some kind of spacer.

Does anyone out there have any success with PAF-ish pickup swaps in their JP's? Any suggestions ? Please no replies about how awesome the CL-LF set is. I know they are, and I have them in another guitar

Thanks

 

[TNT]

If you can get a DiMarzio Norton (not air) to go in the bridge - you're search is over!!

 

[pedalbored]

Problem Solved !

Guys I have found the solution. After some input from Dimarzio Tech and my own experience, I settled on the AT-1 for the bridge and PAF 36th in neck. I was actually able to get the PAF to work without any mods. I had to figure how to space the bridge, because the stock CL has longer feet on it. If any one is interested, I can give details.

The results? Everything I was looking for. Sweet classic humbucker tone in all three positions, A good split tone and nice balance between the two pickups. The sound is more open and less compressed than stock, with incredible pick dynamics. These pickups really let the complexity of the "tonewood sandwich" of the BFR come through. I let a couple of my buds who also play JP6's try it out yesterday, and they really liked the results.

BTW, I have the PAF/PAFBridge set in my SG, and I think th AT-1 is a better match for the PAF 36th in neck in terms of output. From what I hear it is basically a PAF 36th that is wound a little hotter and voiced more for rock.

 

[musikarero]

Glad it worked out for you!

 

[RocketRalf]

Cool! Interesting comments on the AT1. I've always considered switching to a JP (7?) and putting PAFs in it. I would have gone for chrome covers too but yours looks great anyway. Maybe change the control knobs for cream strat ones to match?

 

[acwild]

I'm definitely interested in the details. The CL is good for searing and clean. I'd like something for the in-betweens as well and wanted something in the PAF category but wasn't sure if anything would fit properly.

 

[pedalbored]

I'm definitely interested in the details. The CL is good for searing and clean. I'd like something for the in-betweens as well and wanted something in the PAF category but wasn't sure if anything would fit properly.

Actually it is pretty easy. I cut the screws that came with the pickup, so they are about 1/4" or so longer than the stock screws. Then I thread them into the pickup legs. Thread them through where several threads are sticking through the bottom. Then holding the pickup with the screws touching the bottom of the cavity, I added more threads till pickup height set where I wanted it. Then line the pickup on the stock holes. As you drive them in, carefully, the pickup stays at the same height. The screw threads through the leg and the body at the same (rate, I guess) so the pickup doesn't move while it is tightened.

The result seems to be pretty sturdy and much better than stuffing foam under there. Plus there is no permanent modification to the guitar or pickup.

 

[pedalbored]

Cool! Interesting comments on the AT1. I've always considered switching to a JP (7?) and putting PAFs in it. I would have gone for chrome covers too but yours looks great anyway. Maybe change the control knobs for cream strat ones to match?

Only if they all say "TONE" on them.

 

[acwild]

Actually it is pretty easy. I cut the screws that came with the pickup, so they are about 1/4" or so longer than the stock screws. Then I thread them into the pickup legs. Thread them through where several threads are sticking through the bottom. Then holding the pickup with the screws touching the bottom of the cavity, I added more threads till pickup height set where I wanted it. Then line the pickup on the stock holes. As you drive them in, carefully, the pickup stays at the same height. The screw threads through the leg and the body at the same (rate, I guess) so the pickup doesn't move while it is tightened.

The result seems to be pretty sturdy and much better than stuffing foam under there. Plus there is no permanent modification to the guitar or pickup.

Thanks for the info! I would have guessed that the stock screws would have threaded correctly with the new pickups. I'm assuming that they didn't since you cut the new ones. Is this correct?

 

[pedalbored]

Thanks for the info! I would have guessed that the stock screws would have threaded correctly with the new pickups. I'm assuming that they didn't since you cut the new ones. Is this correct?

Right. The stock screws are wood screws that won't fit the pickup without modification.

 

[acwild]

Right. The stock screws are wood screws that won't fit the pickup without modification.

Thanks again! I did a pickup swap with my JP7 (going to a D-Sonic) which came out successfully but I gotta admit that the wiring assembly inside the JPs are intimidating for someone with just ok soldering skills. When I do the next swap, it's going to a tech.

 

[pedalbored]

Thanks again! I did a pickup swap with my JP7 (going to a D-Sonic) which came out successfully but I gotta admit that the wiring assembly inside the JPs are intimidating for someone with just ok soldering skills. When I do the next swap, it's going to a tech.

I hear ya brother. In a former life, I soldered all the electronics in the lap steel guitars my company built, and I am not bad with an iron. But, I still get nervous when working inside a $3k guitar. And it is very easy to mess up a circuit board if you are not careful.