Fast Tracks in a Jem? - Pickup Variations

[Christopher Chen]

I was wondering about this for quite a while now, has anyone here ever tried putting Dimarzio Fast Tracks in their Jems? I'm thinking of putting one in my single coil position in my FP. The volume change when switching from Hum to Single is a hell of a difference. Which kind of leaves it in a futile state, I find myself not using this configuration at all, only on certain occasions when I practice.

Has anyone tried this? If so, what kind of results and switching combinations did this pickup configuration yield?

Thanks in advance you guys!

Chris.

[yuza]

Mmmm..... the single coil volume is too low?? Have you already tried to rise the pickup height?? I had the same problem whit my FP, then i rised the pickup and there isn't so much volume difference anymore.

Fede......

[kennydoe]

I had the same problem with both Jems I bought (and subequently returned - a 7vwh and a 7 dbk). *I raised the height and it didn't do jack. *I couldn't bring myself to pay that kind of money on a guitar only to have to change a sub-standard pickup.

I have a Strat that I bought with the sole intention of putting Texas Specials in. *After I installed them, I found that the bridge sound wasn't cutting it for the rock gig I had at the time (it was '94 or '95 and all the heavy Bush and Smashing Pumpkins stuff was 'in'). *I pulled the Bridge Texan out and installed a Fast Track 2. It still lives there and provides me with a great all-purpose strat that can get me thru any gig, whether it be a funk gig, rock gig or wedding. *It's got a grat clean sound from the Texans and a nice thick distortion from the stacked hum.

Meanwhile, I put the Texan from the bridge into the middle of my RG-550 (with an Evo and a PAF Pro) and the Texan is hot enough to hold up to those big-sounding Hums.

One day I hope to buy a Jem that I won't be pissed off about transplanting the middle pickup. *I'm curious to know how the Fast Track 2 sounds in there if you end up going that route. *Please let us know!

Also, once I find the right Jem for myself I'm going to post up here to see if any other "disgruntled-middle-Jem-pickup-people" want to go in 3 ways and buy a set of Texans (they come in sets of 3 for about $125) so we could all replace 'em without having leftovers. *

Good Luck!!

[jeffrey]

Return it just over a pickup? Eek...

Considering I always change stockers, it wouldn't matter to me. I rarely, if ever, like stock pickups, especially Ibanez.

It's actually kind of fun for me to figure out which ones I want to put in.

[Christopher Chen]

To tell you the truth I did try raising the pickups, but I hate it....not so much for the sound. But because it's a great obstruction to where I pick. When raised, during playing my pick kept hitting against the pickup. I know a guy who totally couldn't stand this that he bought a new pickguard for his RG, with a 2 hum configuration.

One of my main queries is whether the Fast Track can be split like a normal humbucker, because I still want to get those in between humbucker tones, kinda like the ones that Paul Gilbert gets. But I still want the volume boost, like during clean tones when switching from the 2nd position back to neck humbucker position at loud volumes, it totally makes my amp into an overdrive state.

Yes I have tried Fast Tracks before, I love them, they give a full humbucker tone with the twang of a strat! I love it sooooo much!

I think I'm gonna go with the Fast Tracks, hopefully more opinions will show up...thanks guys!

[toshiro]

Well, I have a Fast Track 1 in the mid position of my RG750..

It can be tapped, and matches up ok with the humbuckers at about normal height..

The thing is, if you want to keep the volume and lower the pickup, you should go with the Pro Track or a Fast Track 2.. The Fast Track 1 just doesn't have the output to stay loud away from the strings..

Also, if you plan to use the tapping options, and want it hum-canceling (ie, in the 2 and 4 positions with another tapped hum) you're going to have to wire it reverse phase (with the green to hot and the red to ground, instead of the other way around).. Might also think of getting a 'Mega-switch', since I don't know how you would tap the middle pickup on Ibanez's normal 'Split 5' switch..

Just some thoughts...

[kennydoe]

Toshiro seems to know what he's talking about with wiring...but if you're like me you might need a bit of help while you're right in there.

When I was wiring my 550, I called DiMarzio for tech help. *The TX only has a hot and a ground *- that 's it - and this config wasn't covered in the manual. *I told the tech what I had and although he was stumped, he called back within 15 minutes with the correct answer.

DiMarzio support is great. *Good luck!
~Kenny

[stevo]

I had for almost a year a fast track in the middle position of my JEM, exellent sounds and no volume drops in in between positions, I took it out and replaced it with a FS1 because probably due to a wiring problemI couldn't get the sound of the FGM400 I was looking for
Maybe in the very next future I'll try again
Let me tell you there is plenty of gain even if you lower the FT inside the control cavity
Like I said awesome pick up

Sincerely

Stefano Giusti

[Christopher Chen]

Hey thanks for the great tip Toshiro!
I remember seeing that White RG with Blue pickups, but just couldn't remember whose was it!

Pretty lucky now that my local store has a stock of pink Fast Tracks! They're gonna be mine! I'll try to get them soon and post some samples

Thanks guys, you've really helped me on this one!

[Swirled777]

Oh no I didn't!!

LOL

[therightjem]

I'm wondering if you couldn't have found an older thread to bump.

[Swirled777]

There was one, but it was locked

[Brosa]

What's the use of resurrecting an old thread like this with no added value, except your own amusement?

[fwd0120]

IBTL!!! (high-fives swirled777)

Gotta say though, I was the first person here to do a 10 year necro. it was 10 years and 7 hours after the OP

[Bryancap77]

It's obviously not only for his amusement lol others seem to think it's amusing as well...
Including me lmao