Anyone Change Pickups In Their JP6?

[Metlupass2]

I have had my custom ordered white JP6 since Feb. now and honestly have not liked the D Sonic from the day I got the guitar. My JP is tuned standard and the pickup is just too bassy (if thats even a word?). I play at lower volumes at home and have to turn my amp up much louder and turn the bass down for it to sound any better. I am used to EMGs as all of my other guitars except for my JEM 7vwh, which has the dimarzio evo.

I almost kinda feel bad swapping the pickup out for some weird reason. I am leaning towards a Dimarzio Tone Zone or an Evolution.

What was the stock bridge pickup before the D Sonic?

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Heres my guitar for anyone interested. I guess white ones are pretty rare.

Thanks in advance!

 

[greenwizard]

I could be wrong, because my JP is post-D-Sonic, but I think the original bridge pickup was a Dimarzio custom-made for JP. I don't know if you can get it without taking it off an old JP. There are many people on this forum, I know Pete Dubaldo is one, who switched to the old pickup so good luck.
Maybe you'll come around on the D-Sonic though?

 

[Roubster]

You can try the Steve's Special (DiMarzo). That's what JP used to use in his Ibanez, and that's what the custom pup was based on eventually in the earlier JPs guitars. It's funny, how now you can almost say that there is 3 different versions of the Music Man JP model.

 

[Metlupass2]

Unfortunately I don't think so. I'm not looking for one of the older pickups, just didn't know what they were.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Right, the original bridge pickup is a customized DiMarzio "Steve's Special" only available from an older JP model. You can get almost exactly there with the DiMarzio Steve Special. I put one of those in my old Kramer I like the tone much more than the original.

Through my rig and to my ears the SS style pickup gets closer to the tone I want. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an original JP bridge pickup, so I swapped out the D-sonic in my Dargie JP.

Keep in mind that everyone's tonal preferences are unique. If you aren't quite happy with the D-sonic, don't be afraid to try something else.

Shoot me an email if you'd like... [email protected]

 

[Karl Hungus]

Before you go swapping pickups, try turn the D-Sonic around so that the bar faces the bridge, it makes quite difference in tone.

 

[Metlupass2]

Before you go swapping pickups, try turn the D-Sonic around so that the bar faces the bridge, it makes quite difference in tone.

Yeah that couldn't hurt. I just noticed that the 7 strings have it like that. Why?

 

[jeffrey]

I've kept the original pickups in my first JP7 and really like them.

I don't have any experience with the D-Sonic other than NAMM, but I will soon.

 

[Karl Hungus]

Yeah that couldn't hurt. I just noticed that the 7 strings have it like that. Why?

Because with the bar facing the neck, the sound is too bassy on the 7th string. Sounds like flubby mud.

JP prefers it facing the neck on his 6's because it gives a thicker lead tone, but for the 7's or baritones, it's facing bridge for a tighter rythm sound.

It's a good pickup though, and I think if you find it too bassy, then it should be much more to your liking with the bar facing the bridge.

Hope it goes well though.

 

[MN246]

I've a/b'd a JP with the D sonic against my Axis and was suprised at what I felt was a lack of bottom end on the JP. I did find the D sonic to have exceptional harmonics. I'm going to reserve judgement on the JP pickups until the one I've ordered comes in and I get to audition it for awhile. If I do decide to make a change I'll put in a set of Tom Anderson pickups. They are to my ears the best sounding pickups I've ever played. I especially like the HN3+ in the bridge with the H1 in the neck position. The down side to changing out the JP pickups with TA's is that I would have to change the pots from 500K to 250K.

 

[shredderbetter]

Change It!!

I'm with ya' on the d sonics!I'm a huge fan of dimarzio's~ freds~tone zones are my default pickups,i have all my petrucci's with the tone zone in the bridge HUGE difference great harmonics~tight bass killer midrange and over all kickass sound!I resell stock pickups on ebay for $50-$60 so it's a great market to almost payoff the new pickup,a word to the wise if your doing it yourself it's a VERY tight solder setup with less than 1/8" between solder joints and on a pc board to boot!Make sure you have good solder skills and equipment if you cook the board with too much heat you'll need to get a new one and I'm sure they ain't cheap!EBMM is nice to actually put the colors on the pc board so and 4 conducter dimarzio is a simple swap out,I'd say go with the tone zone if your any type of rock player ,since it is a petrucci I'm assuming you are?They really bring this guitar a whole new voice!
JG

 

[MusicManJP6]

I wasn't sure about the D-Sonic in my White JP when I first brought it home and played it through my XXX. BUT, when I got my Mesa MKIV, I could hear how JP got his tone on Systematic Chaos! It sounds awesome! Palm mutes have more character with the D-Sonic, rather than just boomy chunk. Sounds just like the killer chunky rhythm about halfway through IPOE on SC. LOVE it! I also love the older bridge pup in my MD JP though. It is smooth as silk at all times!

 

[Metlupass2]

I'm with ya' on the d sonics!I'm a huge fan of dimarzio's~ freds~tone zones are my default pickups,i have all my petrucci's with the tone zone in the bridge HUGE difference great harmonics~tight bass killer midrange and over all kickass sound!I resell stock pickups on ebay for $50-$60 so it's a great market to almost payoff the new pickup,a word to the wise if your doing it yourself it's a VERY tight solder setup with less than 1/8" between solder joints and on a pc board to boot!Make sure you have good solder skills and equipment if you cook the board with too much heat you'll need to get a new one and I'm sure they ain't cheap!EBMM is nice to actually put the colors on the pc board so and 4 conducter dimarzio is a simple swap out,I'd say go with the tone zone if your any type of rock player ,since it is a petrucci I'm assuming you are?They really bring this guitar a whole new voice!
JG

Thanks alot for your input. I'll try turning the D Sonic around first, but If I dont like it then I'll put a Tone Zone in there.

 

[Pablo]

Depending on what you want, a lot of PUs could help you get there. I tend to prefer lower output 'buckers for their clarity, tone and definition.

If you think the D-Sonic is too bassy do not get a ToneZone! The TZ is all bass with a bit of buzz and mud thrown in for good measure. In short: the TZ is bassier than the D-Sonic.

Recently I've had great great results using a Breed Neck in the bridge position and an Air Classic Bridge in the neck position - I know it sounds like a weird combo, but it really rocks!

Another great sounding lower output option would be the Virtual PAF/Virtual Hot PAF combo.

Cheers

Eske

 

[JPMotorSport]

I changed mine. I went through a couple too.

I really like the hotness, and harmonic content of EMGs, but couldn't put them on my JP. I ended up with a set of Dimarzio D-Activators, which mimic that 'hot' EMG sound very well. I'm very happy with them.

I had the stock older Petrucci custom Dimarzio's, which were clearer, however just were not hot enough for my tastes.

 

[Karl Hungus]

I'd also advise against a Tone Zone if you think the D-Sonic is too bassy.

Personally, I'd suggest the Evolution. It's a lovely bright, clear pickup.

 

[Pablo]

I'd also advise against a Tone Zone if you think the D-Sonic is too bassy.

Personally, I'd suggest the Evolution. It's a lovely bright, clear pickup.

Absolutely not a bad option either... For a warmer option with comparable output to the D-Sonic, try the Breed, it sounds really good!!!

 

[Karl Hungus]

Absolutely not a bad option either...

It's probably my favourite bridge pickup of all time.

Really tight, clear bass response, and not a hint of mud at all.

 

[Danserrano]

i own a pre and post d sonic jp. And to be honest with u i love em both equally. Like having the tonal options they both give. But if it doesnt work for u it doesn't work. Seems like uve given it some time so feel free to experiment u can always do what pete did and just get urself on original pickup.

 

[Metlupass2]

I guess the description of the D sonic soundy a little too muddy is more accurate that saying its to bassy. I was just playing it for the past hour and it sounds pretty good when I have my amp turned up more than I ususally play, but at quieter volumes it is too muddy.

I'll just try flippin it around first and I'll see what happens.

Does Dimarzio have some policy that if you don't like one of their pickups then you can send it back to them for a different one of equal or lesser value within 30 days? Anyone ever do that? I guess If I got a Tone Zone and didn't like it I could send it back for an Evolution.