Ok guys, i'm pretty much set on getting the Jackson Stars RR-J2SP from Ishibashi in 3 months time (hopefully they still have some in stock!). It comes with EMG-Hz pickups, and a gain booster. I was just wondering how good this pickup is? Would it be better to swap it out for a EMG 81 or something? Do i have to route the guitar or is the cavity big enough for an active pickup? And yeah, would the gainbooster work with an EMG 81 or any other passive pickup i install? Sorry for all the questions, and thanks in advance.

EMG-HZs are passive pickups on their own, means relatively less output voltage and harmonic overtones compared to the 81. But if coupled with a gain booster which is active like you've mentioned, then I think you will get something similar to the 81. You should have a listen to judge by yourself.

BTW, the active EMGs most of the time doesn't need a reroute as all the electronics are embedded inside the pickups, you just need space for the 9V battery. And yeah, pairing a 81 with a gain booster will work, you'll get more gain and more harmonic overtones. Cheers

im using a pair of hz-h4's in my axe now, they're pretty awesome but nothing to shout about

This post has been edited by SweetTooth: May 12 2008, 02:16 AM

Personally, I'm not a fan of EMGs as they are famous with their hifi tone, which is tonally flat.. So, if you want a pickup with a distinctive character, you should look elsewhere, but if you are someone who tinkers with a lot of effects and EQing/tone shaping, then the EMGs are great as they are easier to balance. Hope this helps

This post has been edited by nkphnx: May 12 2008, 02:27 AM

fatboythin, wouldn't you be happier (but poorer ... ok ) buying this jackson loaded with EMG81 straight on ? maybe you need to save longer to get the cash, but in the end, the satisfaction would be huge !!

i can't help about the sound of the pickups...

cliches la.
hear slayer, zakk wylde, metallica and machinehead.
tell me do they all sound the same?

then go listen to david gilmour, stevie ray vaughan, nickelback and those pop and country guys who use EMGs...
they obviously dont sound the same.

like with everything, how you play is more important.

and anyone who doesnt do their own tone shaping should be shot

yeah, what i've heard about EMG81 is that they have a very flat (lifeless ?) clear tone. Obviously, when turning the gain up, they come to life. So many pro / genius guitarists use them, they have to have some kharma.

Pix: Well, the RR24 comes stock with an EMG81, but i don't like the black hardware and MOTO inlays, not really worth the steep price.

Well, it doesn't really have to be an EMG 81. If there are any other suggestions, i'm free to hear them. I'm going to play mostly COB, BFMV, Arch Enemy and Machine Head on this axe.


Here is a pic btw



This post has been edited by fatboythin: May 12 2008, 02:59 AM

wow nice axe there. how much will that set you back ?

Well, the quote i got from Ishibashi is RM5.3k including shipping and softcase. Might be a little more because i'm going to request for a hardcase and the 10% Customs charge is going to hurt. So all in all i'm bracing myself to sacrifice around RM6k.

Wow you can literally kill someone with that..

BTW, why don't you try searching in SG, you might be lucky and save yourself a lot of $$..

Nah, i don't think they sell it in SG, its a discontinued Japanese only model, only a few units are still available at Ishibashi. Tried Davis Guitar in SG, they don't stock them.

Well, i think it should be worth the $$, since Jackson Stars is basically the Japanese Custom Shop for Jackson. Heard nothing but good feedback about this guitar. And yeah, i'm an Alexi fanboy.

Icic.. Dunno much about Jacksons anyway cos I'm Ibanez-boy... kekek

Anyways, good luck in your quest for tone and dream axe then..

fatboythin,

ok, forgot my rough comments, this is already a high quality guitar !! but i'm really surprised they'd put an EMG HZ in a custom guitar of that price if it's not that good.. Hence, that should be a good pickup.

you can have a look at this also : http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:u8QbO...lient=firefox-a

you're gonna have fun with it man !

Haha, no worries Pix. I guess they wanted to model it after Alexi's old Jackson Custom. But since the J-50BC wasn't available anymore, they decided to use the pickups he uses now(pre-Blackouts), thats why the HZs.

And yeah, i've had a look at that thread before, thanks.

This post has been edited by fatboythin: May 12 2008, 06:16 AM

That is 100% Alexi's supposed custom guitar.
EMG-Hz with Gain Booster on an RR body with Pinstripes?
Only thing missing is the Scythe inlays.......

The Hz is actually fine....... If you listen to Bodom stuff, you know how heavy it can get with the proper amps and stuff like that. I HAD Hz in my Zakk Wylde LP, but swapped them for the 81/85...... I just needed that "oomph" and of course, Gila Zakk Wylde fanatic.

Haha, yeah, but the amps COB use are more than what I or most other people can afford. Just hope it doesn't sound too shitty through my Cube. It'll have to do until i can get my hands on a Randall RG50TC (if i ever manage to find one).

try lurking around ishibashi u_box
you might get lucky with RR V's for a much better price

but if you want new then i can't sway you =p


tone wise i think there has been plenty said, dun think there's much i can add

oh my god!...get it get it!..it's the alexi jackson!..get it!!!!!....sell an arm if you have to!

I'm hoping i won't have to resort to that, haha.