Is this sacriledge?

[whitestrat]

I love the JP6. The entire guitar is so well designed. There's obviously a lot of thought and care into making this guitar from scratch. Its extremely comfortable, it's fantastically well made and it's versatile.

Hang on, maybe not as versatile as we'd like, because the JP neck pup and the D Sonic have a very signature tone (ok ok, I know it's a signature guitar), that's mainly suitable to produce one kind of sound. Roll off the volume knob, and the result isn't as nice as say, a classic LP standard. That's my only gripe. The pups are a bit too high powered for my liking.

I play a waide range of music, ranging from top 40s to rock, to prog metal.

So, I've decided to change the pups to DiMarzio PAF Pros. These are classic pups for hard rock, and can even be used for metal. The roll off tone is very natural, and almost glassy. One of the most versatile pups I've heard in humbucker form.

But is this considered sacriledge? I'd just like to know if this is what most people would do if they didn't like the sound of the stock pups.

Let me restate: I love the guitar. The Piezo is an awesome addition. The 3 way, 4 pole switch is just nice for what I need. It's an amazing base spec guitar, so I'm not dissing it in any way. Just that the pups are a bit too "in your face" for my liking.

 

[kissmyaxe]

not a face melter ehhhh.
But nahh that's fine, people are always asking about pup changes on here. Rob the master of AL's is or has changed single coils in his guitar's for more output stacked buckers.

 

[wagnerite]

I don't see how its sacrilege. When its on the shelf, its John Petrucci Signature Model. When you fork over the cash, its now (er, i dont know your real name...) "Whitestrat Signature Model" In order to get that classic "whitestrat" sound, "whitstrat" need to put in pick ups that "whitestrat" likes.

I'm sure BP won't come to your house and personally change the pups back... or will he

 

[Dizzy]

Do what you want man.

Or you could also get yerself a Silo for the PAF's and keep the JP as it is for Melting faces.

HSH Silos rock.

 

[jeffrey]

PAF Pro is a great sounding pickup man.

Play what you like IMO.

 

[leftyguitarblue]

I think it's cool that you would even ask. People have such a respect for these guitars that they ask if it is sacrilege to change them. I'm sure Petrucci would be fine with it.
I'll ask him tonight when i see Dream Theater!!! Woohoo, third row center!! sorry, got a little excited.

 

[Big Poppa]

Its your thing....do want you want to do....

seriously changing pickups to make the guitar work better for you is fine just save the oriiginals should you decide to sell it.

 

[glockaxis]

I was just mulling over whether it would be sacriligious to change the 10s on my JP to 9s!!!Ha Ha Ha. After playing the Luke exclusively the past 2 years the 10s on the JP feel like cables!!! I think I'll keep them though because the guitar feels awesome as it is w/ the trem/tone and 10s etc...

By the way, if I decide to lighten the JP to 9s later on, what effect would that have on the piezo? Would it sound thinner?

 

[mesadualrec]

I have always had 9's on my JP....straight from the factory If I remember right,I have never had 10's


as far as the piezo's I wouldnt think there would be much of a noticeable tonal difference

and as for the original post....

Its your axe,do what you need to make it YOURS

 

[Astrofreq]

Who cares what anyone else thinks of what you do to your guitars? I doubt JP loses any sleep when someone changes pickups on his signature guitars. Seriously, do whatever suits the sound you are going for. To each his own.

 

[jeffrey]

I have always had 9's on my JP....straight from the factory If I remember right,I have never had 10's


as far as the piezo's I wouldnt think there would be much of a noticeable tonal difference

and as for the original post....

Its your axe,do what you need to make it YOURS

I *think* all JP's shipped with .010's (and still do). Although, JP is now playing .009's live.

 

[phatduckk]

i say go for it.... i would

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Go for it! Make it your own!

 

[Sub1 Zero]

I'm about to stick a Duncan SH6 in my silo. I wouldn't call that a sacrilidge, the PAF just doesn't work for me in the bridge, but also I can appreciate why the PAF was chosen for the silo.

Might also put a Sub1 neck pickup in the neck... best pickup in the world

Edit @ Whitestrat: Would you be willing to sell that neck pickup? What's the JP neck pup sound like? Thanks!

 

[Ripper]

Do it strat. Though I would not do anything to my MMs, period, I have done many pup change to my ibanezes, and the result is spendid! Replace the stocks with the ones you prefer, but like what BP mentioned, keep the stock in case you need to sell yours in future.

I do not know much about the D-sonics, but I have to agree with you on the PAF Pro. Dig the ones in my JS6 (neck)! Btw, have you tried those Dimarzio DP200? The Steve Morse's. High outputs yet classic sounding, and IMO, very versatile for many music type.

 

[whitestrat]

Do what you want man.

Or you could also get yerself a Silo for the PAF's and keep the JP as it is for Melting faces.

HSH Silos rock.

I want a 2 Silos with piezos badly. one HH, one SSS. (I don't like HSH) Only problem is, the local dealer sucks. (Maybe I should open up my own store selling EBMMs... That way the local market can have a DECENT selection of EBMM guitars!) I'll have to find some other route of getting what I want.

But after changing the JP6 to the PAF Pros, you know what? It STILL melts faces, but is a lot more versatile! It kinda sounds like a Joe Satriani now... whahahaha...

 

[whitestrat]

just save the oriiginals should you decide to sell it.

That's a very good point. I MUST remember to keep the original pups... Honestly, I used to throw everything away, because I actually rarely sell anything off.

 

[whitestrat]

Edit @ Whitestrat: Would you be willing to sell that neck pickup? What's the JP neck pup sound like? Thanks!

Being used to the original Air Norton, I expected this neck pup to sound the same. Alas, it doesn't. It's fatter and muddier. I really don't know where JP wanted to go with this pup, but it definately wasn't where I wanted to go. I refer his original combination of AN/SS.

BUT, sorry dude, I'm not selling. I want to keep the pups just in case one day I decide to switch back.