JP16: DiMarzio Sonic Ecstasy pickups?

[KevTN]

These sound what I am looking for...I have a JP6 and the pickups are a bit bright bright for my liking. Excuse my ignorance, does the original JP6 have the F holes? Thanks

 

[Beerandbeards]

Did you mean F Spaced? I believe so. F Spaced is for floating bridges. I believe the term means "Floyd" Spaced but I could be wrong

 

[agt]

All I know is that I'm excited to try them out when my Monarchy ships

Please let us know your impressions when your Monarchy arrives!

 

[agt]

1) That is most likely correct, the new Sonic Ecstasy pickups are rectangular and will not fit in a cavity that is been routed to a smaller size in the corners.

2) Both the Sonic Ecstasy bridge and neck pickup are labeled as F-Spaced. This means that the pole pieces on the neck pickup will be spaced apart the same as on the bridge pickup. If I had to guess, this was done so the same cover can be used on the bridge or neck pickup by rotating it 180* (heck, the entire pickup could even be the same, just rotated/wired differently)

Thanks, Pete!

 

[Beerandbeards]

Please let us know your impressions when your Monarchy arrives!

This will be my first stop. I preordered in December so I'm hoping I get one from the first batch

 

[johnnyboogie]

The JPXVI (JP16) is equipped with the Sonic Ecstasy set as well. The DiMarzio website very accurately describes all tonal qualities of their pickups. Main sizes to keep in mind in order to form an idea of what each pickup would sound like are: DC Resistance, Voltage output, EQ, and material of construction. Still, you cannot really know until you install it.

I believe, a very interesting comparison would be one between a Monarchy Majesty and a JPXVI, given they bear the same pickups' set but in a totally different instrument construction. That would be bolt-on vs. through-neck, and more mid-high focused wood selection (maple+basswood) vs. a more solid-thick approach (mahogany). That also, would exhibit the effect and significance of the wood selection as well as the bolt-on/through-neck construction on the final sound.

 

[Beerandbeards]

Also the original Majesty were basswood with mahogany. The Monarchy series are all mahogany. So comparing the two Majestys may be interesting as well

 

[beej]

Did you mean F Spaced? I believe so. F Spaced is for floating bridges. I believe the term means "Floyd" Spaced but I could be wrong

Fender spaced. (vs. Gibson spacing.)

 

[johnnyboogie]

Also the original Majesty were basswood with mahogany. The Monarchy series are all mahogany. So comparing the two Majestys may be interesting as well

The Majesty and the Monarchy don't share the same electronics, so there's bound to be a bit of deviation among the two. The Illuminator set is quite differently tuned compared to the Sonic Ecstasy set. A good comparison is between the Majesty and the Artisan Majesty (same pickups, different wood cocktail). No difference at all if you'd ask me.

 

[Beerandbeards]

Fender spaced. (vs. Gibson spacing.)

Thanks beej. Always wondered but just assumed

 

[KevTN]

Lol yes F spaced...Lol thanks

 

[agt]

The Majesty and the Monarchy don't share the same electronics, so there's bound to be a bit of deviation among the two. The Illuminator set is quite differently tuned compared to the Sonic Ecstasy set. A good comparison is between the Majesty and the Artisan Majesty (same pickups, different wood cocktail). No difference at all if you'd ask me.

I own a regular Majesty (basswood body wings) and an Artisan Majesty (mahogany body wings). Both have Illuminators and both are otherwise identical.

It might be due to the specific pieces of wood used in my guitars, but, based on only these two data points, there is a difference in sound in my two specimens based on the wood used for the wings. The regular Majesty sounds warmer and fatter in the lower midrange and the Artisan sounds noticeably tighter and snappier. Both have their uses in my recording world: for tight percussive rhythms, spanky cleans, and cutting leads, it is the Artisan, and for warm jazzy cleans, liquid leads, and huge blooming power chords, it is the regular.

I love both, but, of the two, the regular is the one I would never, ever let go of. I have come to the conclusion that I love the warm sound of basswood in my tonewood cocktail. All my favorite guitars use it: EVH, Axis Super Sport, 25th, and Majesty regular.

The Sonic Ecstacy pickups are going to be in the Monarchy Majesty (mahogany body wings). This makes me wonder if the Monarchies are going to have a sound closer to the regular basswood Majesties.

They are also going into the JP 16s (basswood body, Floyd Rose tremolo, and bolt-on neck) making me wonder if the idea was to complement the bolt-on and the Floyd with the warmth that basswood seems to provide.

Speculations on my part, and nothing more. I am eager to hear what other users have to say once these make their way into other knuckleheads' hands.

 

[johnnyboogie]

It's an obscure subject the "tone-wood" area. I believe it's more a matter of feel when you hold the instrument, as well as an issue of the stability and rigidity of the construction, and that the pickups you install on the guitar is the primary source of the tonal qualities.

I'd very much want to hear JP's and the guys' at EBMM conclusive opinion on that, after all the years of experimentation..

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I'm going to try & cram a set of Sonic Ecstasy pickups into a SBMM Stealth Black Majesty on Thursday. It should be a fun project as long as they fit!

 

[johnnyboogie]

Pretty sure the pickup cavities for the EBMM model are the same as the ones for the SBMM model, and that the pickups will perform great on the SBMM model (if not identical to the EBMM). They sound quite great on the JP16. Very rich, and saturated sound. At least on one of these true hand-made monsters: CHIMERA | Kourbis Custom Amps

No digital overdrive/distortion effects, or any sort of pedal on it of course. Modulations effects on the FX loop obviously. I sincerely wish every member of the forum and most definitely JP could listen his/her Ball on it. It is only then that you can appreciate the sonic qualities of your instrument.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Pretty sure the pickup cavities for the EBMM model are the same as the ones for the SBMM model, and that the pickups will perform great on the SBMM model (if not identical to the EBMM). They sound quite great on the JP16. Very rich, and saturated sound. At least on one of these true hand-made monsters: CHIMERA | Kourbis Custom Amps

No digital overdrive/distortion effects, or any sort of pedal on it of course. Modulations effects on the FX loop obviously. I sincerely wish every member of the forum and most definitely JP could listen his/her Ball on it. It is only then that you can appreciate the sonic qualities of your instrument.

The EBMM and SBMM are very close in spec, although they are not quite identical. We have noticed some slight variation on a few of the JP models which has required modifying the pickup baseplate & ears to fit the cavity. When in doubt, don't rout!

 

[KevTN]

I would be interested in hearing what you think of them...

 

[agt]

Please keep us posted, Pete!

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Partial update, they fit with a good amount of loving - not for the faint of heart!

 

[KevTN]

Let me be the first to ask. I see you're putting them in a SBMM. Does the regular JP6's have more room?