Best pick-ups for Gibson Explorer, mahogany body...

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GtarLover

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The current pick ups are stock. I a bit fuzzy and the guitar sounds a bit darker in general.

I would appreciate some suggestions for possible pickups that would brighten the tone.
Really going after that Scorpions (Jabs) vibe. Can get it with other guitars (Suhr 2009 Modern, alder body with Aldrich pickups), but would like to get it with the explorer.

Bare Knuckles maybe??
 
Duncan Custom and a 59n. Also, I just installed a set of DiMarzio 36 Anniversary PAF pickups in my Les Paul and can't get over how good they sound. They cover everything from beautiful cleans to seriously heavy rock with now problems.
 
So I read this in another thread asking about pickups for Explorers...

"For example, the BKP Alcino Nailbomb would be a good choice, IMO. If you want full out-there rawness and punch, try out a BKP Warpig."
Would either of these work well with the Mahogany body of the Explorer?

Also Uncle Mo said "A lot of higher gain design amps today DON'T actually benefit from having the guitar's signal jammed down their preamp circuit throat. Often they prefer a solid, consistent, moderate signal (sometimes even low, as in 7-8k rated pups) which therefore allows the amp to really work itself up and put its own special touches on the signal as it cascades through the preamp stages out to the power section."

I am using a Diezel Herbert head and running through a 4X12 Diezel cabinet with K100's, if that helps at all.

Experiences?? Help??
 
I put the EMG Het Set in my exploder. They have a lot more "soul" than EMG 81's and are super thick.
 
If you are going for a specific tone ala Jabs, why not find out what humbucker he uses instead of trying a bunch of others that might sound like it ?
 
I think Jabs had Dirty Fingers in there for a long time.
 
Yeah, the Dirty Fingers were the ones in the 76 and 77's I am pretty sure.

Kinda have a bite and can do a great clean as well as nice distorted tone.
Jabs gets a lot of pinch harmonics and I would like to be able to pop those out easily.
Sure, the amp and other gear makes a difference too, but the pickups are part of the guitar, so I am looking there for ideas.

Just for argument, what current pickups would replace the Dirty Fingers?
 
Mahogany's a dark wood. BKPs are my go to preference for all things "pick ups", but that's not to say there aren't more options out there.

I'd avoid actives, but that's just my schtick.
 
Gibson still makes the Dirty Fingers.....but many people claim the current ones suck.

Smits Pickups makes a repro to 70's spec called the "Dirty Boy". I have one and it is killer. It replaced a BKP Cold Sweat for me in a Flying V.
 
Thanks Uncle Mo...always great to hear your input.

Eyes, I didn't know the DF pickups were still available. Yet, if they don't have the sweetness of old, I'll probably pass.
Sounds like the "Dirty Boy" may be worth checking out. Is it just for the bridge position?
 
GtarLover":1kjef7q0 said:
So I read this in another thread asking about pickups for Explorers...

"For example, the BKP Alcino Nailbomb would be a good choice, IMO. If you want full out-there rawness and punch, try out a BKP Warpig."
Would either of these work well with the Mahogany body of the Explorer?

Also Uncle Mo said "A lot of higher gain design amps today DON'T actually benefit from having the guitar's signal jammed down their preamp circuit throat. Often they prefer a solid, consistent, moderate signal (sometimes even low, as in 7-8k rated pups) which therefore allows the amp to really work itself up and put its own special touches on the signal as it cascades through the preamp stages out to the power section."

I am using a Diezel Herbert head and running through a 4X12 Diezel cabinet with K100's, if that helps at all.

Experiences?? Help??
Click to expand...

Jabs was using JCM800's that have a lot less gain than what's in your sig rig. I'd say go with something lower-mid output. The DiMarzio PAF 36 that was suggested above are a great bang for the buck.
 
Yep, low/moderate output pups would sound deelish with that rig.
 
Thanks Uncle Mo and chum...low to moderate output, sweet.

I have a few Suhr moderns with Aldrich pickups and they don't get super clean with the volume knob at 100%.
Is that because of the high output??

I will look into some low/moderate output, are we talking 7-8k or there abouts?
 
I tried a several and I came out with an Aldrich in mine. As mentioned though I have a mich lower gain setup. JCM 2204. I tried the 500T, duncan distortion, JB, 57 classic. The Adrich sounds way better than any of those through my amp.
 
Yeah, I dig the Aldrich pickups and have them in a few of my Moderns...just trying to take the advice of those who know.

I never really have been one to switch out pickups and just really don't have a lot of experience.
I know what I like when I hear it, duh...

As I said, I am going for the Scorpions Blackout tone, more than anything else, but will be using my Diezel Herbert.
I do have other amp options, yet I have been LOVING my Herbert for a while now.
I could go with an XTC 20th, Splawn QR, Mark V, SLO, or even Diezel Hagen. Problem with some of these is the limited channel switching and midi options.
I have been considering the Diezel Hagen as a possibility...open and 3D with the Diezel cabs.

But I digress, this is about pick-ups.
Looking for aggressive, great rhythm tone, easy pinch harmonics, needs sweet clean as well...ya' know, everything in one package, ha.
 
I had an '82 Explorer II with a mahogany body and flame maple top.
I believe it had "velvet brick" pups, all black, but others say that they may have been "dirty fingers".
Both of those pup's were used by Gibson at the same time.

I've seen older originals versions of those pups on Ebay.
Pretty costly though. And "velvet bricks" are even harder to come by than the "dirty fingers".

I LOVED the tone of that guitar, and it had sustain for days. :)
So foolish to have sold that beauty. I've been wanting it back for years, but she's long gone.

I too have always liked Jabs tone and awesome playing.
He's a very overlooked player by the mainstream.
 
Thanks for the excellent input everyone. I really appreciate it.
Just gotta take a little minute to think this through.
We'll see what gets decided...

I was playing tonight and I pushed the treble on Herbert a bit and was getting some pretty fantastic tones. Maybe I jumped the gun with the switching pickups idea.
Think I'll give it a week and re-evaluate.

Might just save some cash and adjust around the current pickups.
Thanks again.
 
Just to muddy the waters another option. I'm a Dimarzio fan boy. The Norton (not Air Norton) is a great explorer pup. Rich harmonics with a throaty midrange and articulate gain that has enough output to rock but will still let your playing come through, good or bad.
 
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