Help with pickups (a newbie question)

[Psychonaut]

I just started playing a couple of months ago and have a Jackson JS1 with stock pickups but it seems I'm getting too much 'fuzz' when I try to play. I'm looking into some new pickups before getting a pod or any of that stuff so I was wondering what a good replacement for what I have is.

The music I am trying to play is pretty diverse; from Jethro Tull to death metal (when I get there) so I would like something that handles a variety of tones well. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Leper_/-\ffinity]

You're probably getting that "fuzz" from your shitty amp distortion/settings, so I would suggest getting the Pod first. Great pickups aren't going to save you from a crap tone in general, but look into Seymour Duncan for your pickup needs.

 

[Kenneth R.]

i dont think it even matters much since you said you just started playing... i used crap gear for at least a year- then when i upgraded it, it felt and sounded totally worth it

 

[Infinity Cubed]

Yeah, man, your pickups probably aren't the problem. Something could be wrong with your amp (don't ask me what, because I leave electrical problems to the repairman). Just get a new amp, bro. That's what I had to do for my bass.

 

[Krigloch the Furious]

his amp is new.

 

[Psychonaut]

Yeah. It's nothing too special but it's a Marshall MG CD15. No way I could have blown it by now. It's barely been cranked.

 

[tedvanfrehley]

PSYCHONAUT!
As a guitar player for over 20 years now (started when I was 10 believe it or not!) maybe I can offer some tips to a newbie? It may well be that the wiring needs a little doctoring..sometimes a little soldering will fix any pops/cracks/or unwanted feedbacks right up...just a thought. You said your amp is tip top so that shouldn't be the problem...HOWEVER, are you using a decent cord? Sometimes the cord you use from your guitar to your amp makes a WORLD of difference, believe it or not. Especially if it's a cheap cord. I would say to invest in a high quality guitar cord...not too long unless you're gonna run all over the house! haha That should help....unless you've already got a good cord, that is. In that case....hell, maybe it's the pickups? hahah I just don't think that a Jackson would come with stock pickups that arent' kickass to start with. I would say have the wiring checked and get a good cord like a "Planet Waves" or a "Monster Cable" or one of those...Then the only "fuzz" you experience will be the level of distortion you choose to set the amp on!

If you've only been playing a short time, (I don't know where you got the guitar though) it's also a great idea to have the guitar professionally "tuned up". Your intonnation could be a little off and you may like the action made a little higher/lower depending on what you like....

Soon you'll be playing BLOOD TO WALK and CURSE OF THE PHAROAHS!!!!!!!
Ted

 

[tedvanfrehley]

Incidentally, if you do decide to replace the pickups down the line, I say go with EMG. I have found them to be the absolute clearest and most powerful pickups on the market. (though you do have to change the batteries about every 4 months) You will have crystal clear clean tones and the most searing lead tones!!! I sold a ton of stuff when we had the baby but I used to have a Kramer Baretta (EVH style, of course) and an Ibanez JEM and I put EMG's in those. Played through an old FENDER Twin amp they sounded like freakin' heaven! I miss those things!

 

[Psychonaut]

Thanks Ted! Well, it did originally come with a cheap cord that was horrible to listen to (even moreso than my botched chords) so I was quick to remedy that problem. This is kind of a low end Jackson so maybe the pickups are crap. I'm trying to decide whether to play it through a pod to see if I get what I want or change the pickups.

 

[tedvanfrehley]

cool! you'll get it right.