D-Sonic versus old JP bridge pickup?

[Joshua_Logan]

I've seen a bunch of people say that they prefer the old bridge pickup... I used to have a JP6 with that pickup before I switched to 7 strings, but have never tried out the D-Sonic. I'm thinking about getting a JP7 now after about a year or so of the JP6 being gone and playing other guitars... just thinking about maybe getting an older model for that old bridge pickup...

Opinons on the two?

 

[kneeoh]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. As someone who has versions of both, I have a slight preference for the original pup (essentially a modified Steve's Special). The D-sonic is much more in-your-face while the SS is smoother sounding for leads. Having said that I like having both versions because I enjoy having a variety of tonal choices.

Here's a short search for you with several discussions about the pups

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1125332&pp=25

 

[koogie2k]

Tough to say man. It is really up to what you hear and like.

I always like a hotter pup and the D-Sonic seemed hotter to me. I actually modded an older JP to put a Dimebucker in there.

If possible, try one with the D-Sonic and see if you like it. If not, hopefully you can find one with the older pups in it.

Sorry I can't offer up anything else. Good luck.

 

[Joshua_Logan]

Really? The D-Sonic is brighter and more aggressive?

 

[ivanmihaljevic]

I have both versions too. I love both of them. I wouldn't say either of them is better, just a little bit different and I'm happy to have both versions to expand my arsenal of sonic possibilities

 

[Bungo]

I have JPs with both pickups. I have a slight preference for the older version.

Again I would best describe it a being slightly smoother than the D Sonic. There's not a great deal in it though (well to my frazzled ears anyway!)

But as they say, try 'em and see what suits you personally.

 

[emkey]

Well, I have some interesting experince with those pickups At first I've been playing on JP with D-Sonic from the very beginning of my journey with EBMM. I find it just a perfect set-up.

My friend from band bought a JP with old, SS type pickup at the bridge possition. It was also great, but compared to my D-Sonic equipped guitar it was a little too round and less sharp sound. Like it has been said before: d-sonic have much more of in-your-face impact. It comes really handy while playing with loads of harmonics and pitch-strikes (I just can't recall what do you call it at the moment).

But anyway my friend decided after all to change his bridge position pickup and to go for D-Sonic. So that's what he did. He bought a d-sonic and took the guitar to a tech. After a week or so he came back with his guitar and with D-sonic on board...upside-down. The blade was closer to bridge then it was on my guitar. After all we played it. It was rather sharper and more "brilliant" then normal. The sound was full of treble and really easy to pitch harmonics.

It's more likely for D-sonic to be used on 7 string guitars with such configuration, but it also can be mounted like I mentioned. I don't want to say its bad or good, becasue it's basically a matter of taste.

Anyway, I've heard JP6 with all possible configurations: old bridge pickup, D-sonic normal (blade towards the neck), D-sonic reverse (blade towards the bridge). With all do respect to all of them I would pick D-Sonic normal as my favorite. It gives me what I need, It is just perfectly chosen for this guitar and makes a huge diversity combined with Air Norton on the neck position.

As for the 7 string I would totally trust in D-sonic reverse as it's being mounted on every JP7 novadays. That's my opinion

cheers,
Mike

 

[Joshua Logan]

yeah, I'm not sure brighter is better though. I was able to get the old pickups plenty clear sounding already for low tuned stuff... it kinda helps when the bridge and neck pickup are of similar brightness, because you can increase treble on the bridge pickup and when you switch to the neck the increased treble won't hurt anything..... but with a brighter bridge pickup you won't want to do that, so the neck will sound darker and leads won't be as clear.

I actually kinda prefer EMG 707s to these, haha, but I really miss that middle position with the inner coils... great clean sound

 

[Phazer]

I have a d-sonic in mine but I really don't like it
I much prefer the old pick up.
I'm thinking about putting a tone zone in there though

 

[the24thfret]

I put an "original" bridge pickup in mine and I really prefer it to the D-Sonic. Looks better as well. But it's so hard to say really, it's just a matter of opinion. If you can get your hands on one, I suggest trying it out.