Getting the right PG-esque tone with a S-body...

[krizz]

Hello there,

I was looking for a new axe and I decided to stay with the S-body because I like it so much. At the same time I'm looking for a tone that kind of approaches Paul Gilbert's; clear, a bit fuzzy, the "aw" and high pick attack.

So my idea was to buy another S-guitar and replace the pickups with either one these configurations:

(Bridge/ Single/ Neck)

1. PAF Pro bridge/ JEM single/ PAF Pro neck (like most PGM models)
2. Tone Zone bridge/ JEM single/ Humbucker From Hell bridge (like the PGM400)
3. Tone Zone bridge/ JEM single/ Tone Zone neck (like the PGM800 and anniv. models)

From what I've read/ heard on the DiMarzio website is that for my liking configuration 3 would be best. The PAF Pro seems a bit too trebly/ fuzzy to me, and that Humbucker From Hell is quite interesting

I'm not sure how much the choice for a S-body influences the sound as compared to a RG-body. It will probably sound a bit less `full', but then again I will take the comfort of the S-body over the `fullness' of the tone. Also because of this I could probably better go for the Tone Zone than the PAF Pro.

Does someone else have a suggestion? Thanks in advance!

-Kris

//EDIT: Sorry I guess I should have posted in 'Pickups & Wiring'...Please move this thread, TIA.

[marianozz]

The ones with Paf Pros had basswood bodies, the 800, i dont remember but i think it might have been ash...

Now, the S is mahogany so in itself it will sound way different, on top of it it has 22 frets, so, youll never get the same sounds out of the neck pup...

I for one didnt like the Tone Zone / Paf Pro combo that came in the mahogany RG3120, waaay too middy, but still, if you want the perccusive pick attack and screaming highs, the Tone Zone is where its at...

ive been itching to try another mahogany axe to check out different pups, since i didnt hold on to that one long enough to tweak around...

[frankfalbo]

I think the Norton in the bridge would sort of do the same thing for Mahogany as the Tone Zone does for basswood. Basswood has a little "wah aw" inherant in the tone, while Mahogany has a more evenly spread out midrange hump. The Tone Zone has an evenly spread mid hump too. That's why lot's of guys don't like it in Mahogany RG's. But the Norton has a little more Fred "aw" to it, and when coupled with the thinness of the S body, it might be the ticket. Otherwise the Tone Zone would be great, too.

The HFH and PAF Pro are both fine choices. I would go with the HFH, because the 22 fret pickup will give you more warmth and fullness out of the neck position anyway. So the PAF Pro in Mahogany 22 fret guitars actually sounds a little too nasal and thick in the neck for my tastes. The HFH will give you a Gilbert tone somewhere between the way a PAF Pro and HFH sound in 24 fretters.

So my recommendaton in order would be:
Norton/HFH
TZ/HFH
TZ/PAF Pro
Norton/PAF Pro
All would be great, so no worries. Just don't put the PAF Pro in the bridge, you are right that it would be too trebly and fizzy. And DON'T put the Tone Zone in the neck! I can't even dig it on the PGM90th, and even then it's a 24 fret guitar. On a 22 fretter, having that Tone Zone or even an Air Zone up there against the fretboard would sound like mush. Worse than old Sabbath records.

[Sabre]

I'd say combination 3, brilliant pick attack on TZ's.

[krizz]

Allright! Thanks for the reactions so far!

I actually meant 'configuration 2' in my first post as most logical choice, and HFH neck in configuration 2 of course...what was I dr/th inking??

I wasn't aware of the fact that the type of wood was of such great influence on the sound...mmm

[the.godfather]

What amp are you playing through though?
Because that will be a pretty big factor in my opinion. Laney is a big part in his tone and has been for years now. Even if its a little Laney LC15 tube combo, it will get you alot closer to his tone, as well as the new pickups. With that combination, you might not be too far off.

[krizz]

Originally Posted by the.godfather

What amp are you playing through though?

At the moment; PodXT. I used to play through my Rocktron Taboo Twin combo amp, but the distortion sounds of the PodXT were much better IMO. PodXT is lots of freedom, but not ideal. I will be buying a head + cabinet when I'm a working man, old and rich haha :P

It's not my intention to really copy PG's tone, that doesn't make sense. I'm just very interested in the 'clear' sound he gets even when shredding, it seems so versatile. For what I think, the things about PG's tone I'm looking for are in his PU's and amp settings.

I liked his tone in the RacerX era very much too, was he playing Laney in that time already?

[mi2tom]

Originally Posted by krizz

I liked his tone in the RacerX era very much too, was he playing Laney in that time already?

Yep he already uses laney during that time, I prefer his tone currently and his tone is the best, love his tone!!!

[RSVampire]

in a lot of Racer X stuff Paul Gilbert ran 2 Super Distortions, those are great pickups. Nice and fat and articulate and slightly less fuzzy than a Paf Pro. Most of that "clear" sound comes from not running tons of gain and also being nearly perfect in your technique.

[krizz]

Ok, thanks!

Originally Posted by RSVampire

Most of that "clear" sound comes from not running tons of gain and also being nearly perfect in your technique.

Working on that, too (on the loooong term...)

I've come quite close to the sound of RacerX's 'Viking Cong' with the PodXT, the point is I _have_ to use the single coil of my S540 to get the `organic' and aggressive picking sound, while Paul is probably using the bridge pu. I'll post a sample on this later.

[krizz]

Here's a sample of the PodXT patch I was talking about:

RacerMiX doodling

I used the single pu in the middle of my S540 and the 'Line6 Chem X' (Chem 'racer' X ?) to get a more 'honest' and loud sound but it's not quite yet what I want it to be.

I tried to figure out a part of Viking Cong too, but I have a hard time with those crazy vibratos.

I could put the patch up here too, but I guess I put it on www.customtone.com already.

-Kris