Pickups for poplar body

[GuitarBilly]

My Jackson Star has a maple neck and poplar body. I currently have a Duncan Custom Custom and 59 in it and it's okay but not great. It's lacking punch and low end.
Now, I am comparing it to my Les Pauls, which have tons of low end and punch so I am keeping that in mind. But I'd like to get a little more out of it. Right now the guitar doesn't sound bad but it's just flat and a bit bland overall.

Thinking of going with DiMarzios, maybe a Tone Zone/Norton set would be a good fit. Or maybe a Super Distortion/36th PAF?

Or maybe go active on this one? That would somewhat override the wood combo (but not completely).

What do you guys think?

[greatmutah]

Tone Zone/Norton set should work nice. Tone Zone doesn’t lack lows so I think that would be a great option. If all else fails, as a friend of mine once said, you can EMGs on a broomstick and they’ll still sound like EMGs. I know wood is still somewhat a factor but again, it’s EMGs.

[EndTime]

I built one poplar body with a maple neck. I sold it and the guy who owns it still considers it one of his best sounding guitars.

I put a Tone Zone in it and he was somewhat shocked when he finally asked what pickup it was and apparently, like many, they assume one experience with a piece of gear like a pickup will ALWAYS be that experience, since he thought the TZ previously was too bassy. But in the right guitar, the Tone zone didn’t get its name for nothing. And since you are looking for more bottom and punch a TZ seems like a great option

[andvari7]

EMGs sound like EMGs, and Fluences don’t. I know I sound like a Fishman billboard, but they are nice pickups. I have them in my poplar Fireman, and I dig them. Open Core Classics.

[GuitarBilly]

I built one poplar body with a maple neck. I sold it and the guy who owns it still considers it one of his best sounding guitars.

I put a Tone Zone in it and he was somewhat shocked when he finally asked what pickup it was and apparently, like many, they assume one experience with a piece of gear like a pickup will ALWAYS be that experience, since he thought the TZ previously was too bassy. But in the right guitar, the Tone zone didn’t get its name for nothing. And since you are looking for more bottom and punch a TZ seems like a great option

Yep, I was already leaning that way and you just confirmed it. Just bought a TZ.

I have a 36th anniversary here I'll try at the neck and it I don't like it I'll get a Norton.

[GuitarBilly]

Tone Zone/Norton set should work nice. Tone Zone doesn’t lack lows so I think that would be a great option. If all else fails, as a friend of mine once said, you can EMGs on a broomstick and they’ll still sound like EMGs. I know wood is still somewhat a factor but again, it’s EMGs.

I do need an EMG guitar so that will probably be my next step if the TZ doesn't work.

[andvari7]

What EMGs do you go to? I put a 60TW-R in the neck, and an 81TW in the bridge of my LP, and I find that combination to be pleasant. It’s my first time putting EMGs in a guitar - I have had two basses with them - so I’m not altogether familiar with them. They work nicely, though.

[GuitarBilly]

I usually stick with the 81/85 since it's just a classic tone.
But I also love the 57/66 set.

[fretless]

Ibbys and Jacksons are not really that meaty are they. Perhaps a super distortion or JB.

[Mike Oxhuge]

It might not be a very poplar choice normally, but the DiMarzio Breed is made for this exact application. Still available as a custom order.

[GuitarBilly]

It might not be a very poplar choice normally, but the DiMarzio Breed is made for this exact application. Still available as a custom order.

Hahahaha well played sir

[NinjaRaf]

The super 77 might be cool if you’re going emg.

[Devin]

Yeah TZ should fuck hard. I love that pickup tbh; that and the PAF Pro are probably my fave Dimarzios

[greatmutah]

Yeah TZ should fuck hard. I love that pickup tbh; that and the PAF Pro are probably my fave Dimarzios

+1 on the PAF Pro. My blue MIM Strat has one and it fucks hard. I really should change the neck on thst. The MIM neck is ok, but a Musikraft neck cut to the Franky profile would be sex.

[GuitarBilly]

The super 77 might be cool if you’re going emg.

That's a good idea. I had completely forgotten about it.

[GuitarBilly]

Yeah TZ should fuck hard. I love that pickup tbh; that and the PAF Pro are probably my fave Dimarzios

PAF Pro is one of my favorite pickups ever. I don't think it's the right pickup for this particular guitar but I need to put them in at leat one of my guitars eventually.

[NinjaRaf]

The super 77 might be cool if you’re going emg.

That's a good idea. I had completely forgotten about it.

Only mentioned them because Eric just sent me a pair, and I put them in my Duvell. Not sure they're the right fit for the guitar, yet, but they are pretty cool. And MUCH different from any other EMG I've tried. The low end is big and ballsy but not insanely tight like modern pickups or actives usually are. The neck pickup is SUPER sweet sounding.

[screamingdaisy]

I used to have a poplar Strat. It sounded great with a Super Distortion and terrible with a JB.

[colejustesen]

I think the TZ is a good choice, and I would second the Breed too in the DiMarzio camp. If you go EMGs, I would suggest the 85 for the bridge and either a 58 or 60A for the neck.

Cole

[Ostinato Rubato]

TZ/PAF Pro is hard to beat set.

Don't forget about the AT1 Timmons pickup. Very similar to the TZ. I'd pair the AT1 with a 36th though. Better balance.

[GuitarBilly]

TZ/PAF Pro is hard to beat set.

Don't forget about the AT1 Timmons pickup. Very similar to the TZ. I'd pair the AT1 with a 36th though. Better balance.

ohhh very good call on the AT1, I love that pickup!!
Probably a little too smooth for the star guitar though, but it would work really well on the Soloist

[WholeLottaLev]

Was just reading through this as I'm looking to pair up a Tone Zone and other DiMarzio neck in a poplar guitar.

@GuitarBilly How was the 36th anniversary in the neck? Did it go well with the Tone Zone in the bridge?

[GuitarBilly]

Was just reading through this as I'm looking to pair up a Tone Zone and other DiMarzio neck in a poplar guitar.

@GuitarBilly How was the 36th anniversary in the neck? Did it go well with the Tone Zone in the bridge?

Yes it's a good combo. The 36th is a bright pickup so it sits well in the neck with a Tone Zone (which tends to be warm). I find that mixing a warm bridge with a bright neck makes for the smoothest transition between positions.

Welcome to the forum!

[BroSlinger]

Poplar Jacksons are made for the jb.

Worked for mave and marty.

[MacaroniSalad]

Poplar Jacksons are made for the jb.

Worked for mave and marty.

Similar with Poplar Kramers. Poplar + JB + maple board + floyd = EVH 80s tone