Pickups for Jackson JS 22

[MojoKing94]

Hi everyone

I'm thinking of getting a Jackson Monarkh JS22 and swap the pickups. I would like to get a Gary Moore kind of Parisienne Walkways sound and have no idea which pickups would be right for that. Any suggestions?

And do you think there is a different Guitar in the 200-300 dollars range that would be better?

[MojoKing94]

Thanks for the reply

So do you think that any of these Guitars without any mods would sound as good as the Jackson with new Pickups?

I don't want to spend more then ca. 400.00 Dollars on it, since I would use it as my travel/outdoor guitar.

[Johan217]

It's not a pickup problem with the Jackson it's more the materials it's made from.

http://www.jacksonguitars.com/guitars/monarkh/models/js-series-monarkh-sc-js22-rosewood-fingerboard-snow-white/
Looking at the factory specs, I'd say the Jackson is quite similar to a Les Paul as far as materials are concerned (except for the bolt-on neck, but that should not make a world of difference).

If it is more sustain that you are after, a setup might help more than changing pickups: check the nut, bridge and that the neck is set properly. Using a boost, overdrive and/or compressor pedal will also create more sustain.

Changing pickups (and pots, capacitators and wiring) certainly can make a big difference. So you need to identify what you are after: cleaner, brighter, warmer...? You may want to look at some lower output "vintage" humbuckers. If you are otherwise happy with the guitar and plan to keep it, I think it's worth considering. I had all the electronics changed on my Les Paul copy: total cost around €250 incl. 2 new DiMarzio humbuckers), which is about half the actual value of the guitar. Very happy with the results.

That said.... always keep in mind that it is the amplifier that will make the most drastic difference.

[close2u]

And do you think there is a different Guitar in the 200-300 dollars range that would be better?

Agile AL3000 
http://www.rondomusic.com/al3000hsb.html

AL3100
http://www.rondomusic.com/al3100nat.html

AL3200
http://www.rondomusic.com/al3200csb.html

Nothing below 3000 in number
Outstanding quality and value for money, great spec, just really good les paul copies at amazing prices.

http://www.rondomusic.com/cgi-rondomusic/sb/productsearch.cgi?storeid=*0c1421a8d614cc26


Forum discussions here

https://justinguitarcommunity.com/index.php?topic=15433.0

https://justinguitarcommunity.com/index.php?topic=33601.0

[MojoKing94]

I see everyone loves these agile guitars. But I just checked and shipping to switzerland costs about 200 bucks so thats just as much as I'm paying for the guitar. Do you think it would still be worth it?

And does anyone here have any experience with the Hagstrom Ultra Swede?

[Johan217]

There's a thorough review here:
https://www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansicht/hagstrom-ultra-swede-cbb.html
(as you are in Switzerland, I assume you speak German  )

[close2u]

When you said dollars I assumed you were in the US.
It always helps to tell us your location and currency.
We should have asked also.
Forget Agile then.
the shipping makes it uneconomical.


For a Gary Moore overdriven blues sound, with decent sustain ...
lots of options .... but Jackson isn't the obvious one.
And really, you won't get that without being in a large space and having loud, overdriven amps.
And standing in the sweet spot:
http://www.musicradar.com/guitartechniques/how-to-get-sustain-like-gary-moores-parisienne-walkways-537358



Do you need it to be new?
Or can you consider 2nd hand?

Les Paul style ... Tokai, Burny, Epiphone Standard or Pro, Vintage V100, Gibson Studio (maybe, if you're lucky, 2nd hand)

[DarrellW]

Thomann should be a good place to look, they sometimes have what they call B grade stock which are most likely ones that have been returned (you may get a bargain with one of those).
Take a look here:
https://m.thomann.de/gb/lp_models.html?s=price
This looks pretty good for the price:
https://m.thomann.de/gb/epiphone_lp_studio_worn_cherry_b_stock_2.htm?o=81&search=1486552139

[MojoKing94]

Thanks for the Link.

I have seen this review but these Music Magazines usually dont know how the Guitar behaves after you played it for some time so hands on experience is always better. 

The question is if Epiphones are worth the money, since they are more expensive then other guitars that may even have better specs.

[LievenDV]

Are you sure you shouldn't be checking out amps instead of guitars?

if not:

If you want to go Gary Moore and you feel like investing

PG Blues pickups by Bare Knuckle.
https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/pickups.php?cat=humbuckers&sub=vintage&pickup=pg_blues

or consider getting a "More Gary" pedal:
http://drno-effects.com/products/more-gary/

[MojoKing94]

I maybe should have explained myself better. This Guitar won't be my main axe since I already have a Fender American Deluxe Shawbucker Strat. But I want to get a cheaper guitar that I can take with when I travel (I travel a lot) and won't have to be nervous that something is going to happen (worst comes worst it's not a 1600 bucks guitar that breaks.

Since I already have a strat I thought I will get a LP style guitar now.