crunchlab bar facing bridge - JP6 BFR

[Chaka5150]

I have been struggling to bond with my BFR since I've had it for nearly 2 years now. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful instrument and not sure if it is just the denseness of the wood (alder body w/mahoghany neck)I'm not used to or the specific voicing of the pickups (CL/LF) or a combination of both. to my ears the crunchlab has much more pronounced mids and rolled off highs (on dimarzio website this is pretty much what it indicates). Perhaps this is why i have always been noticing the high e/b strings sound like a cocked wah/ or tone know rolled off kind of sound. Anyhow, I am thinking of a simple experiment before switching pickups...and that is to simply re-orient the bridge crunchlab with the bar facing the bridge to see if that makes a difference at all. I came across a forum (can't remember which one) and someone did this and observed that the midrange 'fatness' was reduced and also produced more highs--exactly what i'm after.

Anyone else experience something similar? or have tried facing the bar towards the bridge???

 

[yellowv03]

Give it a shot. Can't hurt. The CL is meant to only go one way unlike the D-Sonic, but I can't see why as they are VERY similar pickups. I would try before you give up on it totally. A guy on ss.org recently tried the CL in an Ibby RGD and didn't like it, so he flipped it. He liked the much better that way.

 

[Tung]

I have tried both ways, on both the Crunch Lab and the D-sonic. I prefer the sound of the bar facing the bridge. I wouldn't say that there is a real big difference in tone, but it sounds more "open", with the mids coming through with more headroom.
Try it, you got nothing to lose. If you don't like it, simply switch it back. But I wouldn't say the tone is going to change that much. From what you described, it seems like you're not into the tone, so different pups might be the way.

 

[Chaka5150]

I'll give it a try tonight. I'm hoping to achieve a more open sound but it may very well be the tone I'm not digging as you say. I love the tone from my axis but it's basswood and maple neck contributing to that sound. I'm not metal player. Think van halen esque sounds and general hard rock. I'd like a decently hot pickup (not active) that could drop right in place of the CL. Any suggestions if I go this way?

 

[yellowv03]

Tone Zone. Or if you want to spend more something like a BKP VHII or Rebel Yell would sound great.

 

[Tung]

. I'd like a decently hot pickup (not active) that could drop right in place of the CL. Any suggestions if I go this way?

I'm on the same quest as you. Been checking out different sets, but have not found anything that would blow away the CL/LF set or the current D-Sonic/Custom set I got on my JP6.
I heard good things about the Suhr Aldrich but have not got a chance to play them yet.

 

[yellowv03]

The Suhr Aldrich's absolutely kill. One of the best pickups on the market IMO. Didn't think of them earlier, but I recommend them highly.

 

[Chaka5150]

update...just took off strings to remove the crunchlab and could not go any further as there is not enough length on the wire to flip the p/u around. But needed to change the strings anyhow and the trem needed a tad adjustment; now sitting nice and flush to body. I also went back to ernieball strings got the titanium reinforced hybrids on. Wow what i have been missing! surprising what strings contribute to overall sound and playability. suddenly, my BFR is playing like a dream! string tension seems very different on this set...much to my liking-nice--not stiff at all.

not sure what i'll do about the p/u yet, perhaps I'll bring it to a guitar tech and see if they can add wire to it...not sure how that works exactly.

 

[Chaka5150]

The Suhr Aldrich's absolutely kill. One of the best pickups on the market IMO. Didn't think of them earlier, but I recommend them highly.

suhr aldrich...I think mark day uses these now if i remember correctly...i've always dug the tones he gets especially along with his axe fx. I'll check these out. wonder if these could be direct mounted as I don't want to mod the guitar in anyway other than a p/u swap.

 

[Tung]

suhr aldrich...I think mark day uses these now if i remember correctly...i've always dug the tones he gets especially along with his axe fx. I'll check these out. wonder if these could be direct mounted as I don't want to mod the guitar in anyway other than a p/u swap.

Mark has the Aldrich direct mounted onto his Suhr Modern, so you shouldn't have any problem there.

 

[Tung]

The Suhr Aldrich's absolutely kill. One of the best pickups on the market IMO. Didn't think of them earlier, but I recommend them highly.

You use PRS, so what do you know about tone? (sorry, totally joking with you, don't take it seriously)
I'm actually doing a lot of research on the Aldrich. with a guy like Mark Day, he gets a great tone, but I'm wondering how much of that is from his killer amp rigs. But all the stuff I heard from Doug Aldrich himself, his tone is rather ordinary, nothing to get me excited, more specifically, his Les Pauls loaded w/ Aldrich pups.
Can you shed some light on this? what are you using the Aldrich on? Which guitar? How is it better tone wise?

 

[yellowv03]

Yep my PRS Custom 22 w/ WCR Godwoods sounds like crap

 

[Chaka5150]

I've been reading a lot of information with regards to my original struggle with the dark tone I am getting. I realize that much is contributed by the alder wood, mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard...lending towards dark/warmer tones that will be subdued especially with the highs; and this is what I see to be missing. plus the crunchlab is described on dimarzio as 'not a screamer'; i might need to select a pickup that is just brighter...in many ways i love the crunchlab but just wish it was brighter/more pronounced highs. I am spitballin here but are the polepieces even adjustable? and if so, would that make much difference if i could adjust them towards the high e/b strings?

 

[yellowv03]

It may be a dumb question but have you tried raising the pickup. I have noticed that on it's direct mount guitars EBMM just screws the pickups right down to the body. No springs for adjustment or anything. So if you try to raise them they just get loose. Take a piece of dense foam and put it under the pickup. It will allow you to raise the pickup and still keep it stable. It also will do a bit to help shield noise.

 

[smd24fan]

The Suhr Aldrich's absolutely kill. One of the best pickups on the market IMO. Didn't think of them earlier, but I recommend them highly.

This is true. Actually, ALL Suhr pickups are awesome!