Pickup Suggestions For My Charvel Model 5fx

  • Thread starter Thread starter Charvel1975
  • Start date Start date
Charvel1975

Charvel1975

Active member
Hello everyone, so I've been doing a lot of research online and going through different forums and have struggling with what pickups I want to go with on my Charvel Model 5fx?! It's hard because there's so many choices out there! :doh: My Charvel is the only guitar I have with active EMG's: S or SA single coil in the neck and an 85 in the bridge but I love the sound of passive pickups, especially because of the hard rock covers band I'm in but I want my Charvel to be able to do more than just 80's. Here's some of the covers we're doing now, seems like the EMG's in the guitar now are just like WAY overkill:

Grand Funk - We're An American Band
Judas Priest - Living After Midnight
Kiss - Lick It Up
Cinderella - Somebody Save Me
Bryan Adams - Run To You
Shine - Collective Soul
Sin City - AC/DC
 
I like a plain ole Duncan Custom in my Charvels....for an off the shelf pup. I like the MCPs I have better than the Custom but it's not night and day. Custom seems to work in brighter guitars. But, I'm not sure if the MIJ 80s Charvels are also Alder like the reissues from 08/09? I'd look up the wood, if it's a brighter wood than go with a Custom.
 
Racerxrated":1anz1cqq said:
I like a plain ole Duncan Custom in my Charvels....for an off the shelf pup. I like the MCPs I have better than the Custom but it's not night and day. Custom seems to work in brighter guitars. But, I'm not sure if the MIJ 80s Charvels are also Alder like the reissues from 08/09? I'd look up the wood, if it's a brighter wood than go with a Custom.
Click to expand...

The Charvel Model 5FX features a neck through construction with a maple neck and poplar body. As opposed to the Charvel Model 5, the Model 5FX just features one humbucker, the Jackson J-95 and a slanted neck pickup, the Jackson J-100S.

https://www.axebition.com/electric-guitar/charvel-model-5fx
 
I had a 1990 Jackson SL1 last year and I swapped the Jackson J55 bridge for a Custom and it was killer. I think the SL1 is also Poplar? I'd still recommend a custom first. Nice tight lows and good mids, with a non-harsh top end. Great all-around PUP.
 
IMO it's not hard to find a better option than EMG's. I've never been a fan, but I will say they're very consistent. Duncan has several that are good options depending on what style you're looking to do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top