Root Beer pickup modification

[88RootBeer]

Hello fellow Jemthusiast,

I have recently purchased my first Jem....a 1988 Root Beer. Although I love the pink pickups against the black pickguard against the brown stained body, I was wondering if anyone has performed a pickup mod on the 7RB.

I'll keep all original components so I can reassemble if necessary....but wanted to know if anyone has installed either Breeds or Evo's in an RB. Also, I recently purchased the Fernandes Sustainer Installation Kit...but now, I'm not so sure I want to hack up the RB....

BTW - I wasn't enamoured with the RB colour at first, but I wanted a Jem soooo bad....but now that I have it....I really, really like it...not because it's mine, but because it really is quite sweet looking...(RB owners...back me up here!)

[The Euphor]

Hi! Congrats! The RB is a great guitar, IMO!

I've got an RB with Tone Zone and Air Norten humbuckers, and a Fender Custom Shop '54 singlecoil. I think it is a very good combination, but can't remember how it used to sound, so I can't point out anything... The original pickups are very good though, and the pink will fade.

Oh, and the RB has the best neck of any Jem!

[darren wilson]

If you had bought a Sustainiac Stealth sustainer instead of the Fernandes model, you can install a sustainer without hacking up your RB's body at all. Their preamp is significantly smaller than the Fernandes model, and you can tuck the battery into your trem cavity.

I've always thought that white, cream or orange pickups would look pretty hot in an RB.

[nuno]

Originally Posted by 88RootBeer

RB owners...back me up here!

i dont own a RB unfortunately, but i do love that thing, way more than any anniversary models or boutique versions. my fave Jems are the RB, PBK, LNG and SK.

congrats man, enjoy it!

[Jem7RB MK]

My old friend, has a RB with white EVO's and a WHITE s/coil cover obver the Jem single, Sounds awesome, Looks a tad odd because i am sooo used to the pink/black combo but it does look good

Let us know how ya get on, And pics ?

Rob

[88RootBeer]

Originally Posted by darren wilson

If you had bought a Sustainiac Stealth sustainer instead of the Fernandes model, you can install a sustainer without hacking up your RB's body at all. Their preamp is significantly smaller than the Fernandes model, and you can tuck the battery into your trem cavity.

I've always thought that white, cream or orange pickups would look pretty hot in an RB.

Where would one go looking for the "Sustainiac" pickup you speak of?

See, another problem with the Fernandes (in my mind) is that, you're actually replacing two pickups (bridge and neck)...so wouldn't that significantly change the sound of the guitar? I'm sure the Fernandes humbucker that comes with the installation kit is good (I guess?), but let's face it...it ain't no Evo/Breed/Blaze/ProPAF.

I'm torn between getting that 'infinite sustain' and/or having a Jem that sounds like a Jem.

...wonder what Himself would do (if He only had one Jem)...

[88RootBeer]

Originally Posted by Jem7RB MK

My old friend, has a RB with white EVO's and a WHITE s/coil cover obver the Jem single, Sounds awesome, Looks a tad odd because i am sooo used to the pink/black combo but it does look good

Let us know how ya get on, And pics ?

Rob

Is there such a thing as black Evo pickups? ...not sure how the whole color scheme would work...with white pickups, I mean...

I suppose I could always purchase a 555 and rip the doody out of that to get the Fernandes in...(I saw pictures of Steve playing a "FLO" with the Fernandes on it...and it was a 555...or at least had a 555 neck)

If it's good enough for Steve...

[darren wilson]

"Flo" is actutally an older Floral JEM that's ben resprayed white and had the neck joint conversion done.

[Jeroenn]

Originally Posted by 88RootBeer

Where would one go looking for the "Sustainiac" pickup you speak of?

See, another problem with the Fernandes (in my mind) is that, you're actually replacing two pickups (bridge and neck)...so wouldn't that significantly change the sound of the guitar? I'm sure the Fernandes humbucker that comes with the installation kit is good (I guess?), but let's face it...it ain't no Evo/Breed/Blaze/ProPAF.

www.sustaniac.com I think. They indeed fit without hacking.

You can use your own bridge pickup with both btw.

[Dunadan]

Hey, 88RootBeer--

I'm late chiming in on this, but I was browsing some older forums and noticed your question.

My dad has an RB with black Evos. He kept the Jem single coil and just changed the pickup cover. The color DEFINITELY looks a ton better! (I'm trying to get him to put a black diamond-plate aluminum pickguard on it so the guitar will look truly "tuff." )

Personally, the Evos have a little too much gain for me. They sound great with distortion, but have a sound that's closer to what you'd expect in a metal-maniac guitar; I'd call it a "scooped midrange" sound. There's also a major volume drop when you engage the single coil... but I have the same complaint about all Jem models that I've played.

The Evo neck pickup is the best of the pair; it seems pretty versatile. The bridge Evo doesn't yield a terrific clean tone... but that may not be a big issue for most Jem players. After all, the Jem IS primarily a rock guitar.

My own two cents is that you drop some black PAFs (or something similar) in your RB. I really dug the original PAFs in my dad's RB, but the color had to go!

Best of luck,
Spencer

[Tubarão Guitars]

All creme or zebra coils gonna rule!
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