Passive Pickup Suggestions Needed: Charvel Model 5FX

[Snowblind56]

I've got a Duncan Hot Rail in the neck of my 5FX. Killer pickup that pairs well with any passive bridge humbucker.

 

[maddnotez]

You'll get 122221564 opinions but regardless you should go back to what was previously said. Characteristics.

You say it doesn't sound like a traditional maple?

But what does it sound like? Is it too bright? Too dark? Too weak/no balls?

I prefer to start there, determine what its missing and then hit up the tone chart frequencies.

 

[Charvel1975]

You'll get 122221564 opinions but regardless you should go back to what was previously said. Characteristics.

You say it doesn't sound like a traditional maple?

But what does it sound like? Is it too bright? Too dark? Too weak/no balls?

I prefer to start there, determine what its missing and then hit up the tone chart frequencies.

Well compared to my Epi LP in my sig, it seems like it's too weak/no balls and there's no clarity/note to note or string definition but I can tell you that the SD hot rodded pickup set in my Epi the Jazz in the neck is way too bassy and the JB seems really bright but seems like it has good low end. I had my guitar guy put in a new 3-way toggle switch some time back (don't know what brand he put in) and when I go to switch to the middle pos (both 85 & SA) or neck (SA only) theres a big volume/output drop? The EMG-81 that was in the guitar when I got it years ago is the old non-quick connect version, same with the SA. I want the pickups to be versatile enough in case later on down the road I decide to put it back to 1/2 step E tuning as well for 80's metal, classic rock, etc.

 

[Charvel1975]

I was told that on the single coil routes on the Model 5fx's, the pickup leads came out of the underside of the pickup and down a channel on the treble side. The channel was not drilled from the center of the single route and then into the humbucker route as on some makers' models. At the time, one could find Duncans-a-plenty where the lead wire cam out of the underside on the treble end, and so were direct replacements for Jackson's pickups.

These days, however, they're all tailor-made for the Fender Strat S-S-S style route - the lead comes out of the center of the rear edge of the pickup (not the underside), even if the pickup casing itself doesn't have the old-fashioned Strat-style tabbed baseplate, the wire is still coming out of the same spot, which makes them essentially useless in these older Charvels and Jacksons. But oh, feel free to hack yourself a notch into the pickup cavity so they'll work.

As for the bridge, you'll need an oversized pickup ring, which can be found on Ebay or at a site called fretsonthenet. Dave there specializes in making oversized old-skool Charvel/Jackson pickup rings.

Which pickup you put in it is entirely up to you. Try several different pickup combos and find one that works for you (though as I said, finding a Duncan to replace the single-coil will give you issues).