Lack of sustain from the FRED?

[Takin' a Ride]

I just installed a FRED in the bridge position of my RG8520. Neck p/u is an Air Norton. Reason behind the switch is because my RG3120 has a Tone Zone/PAF Pro setup and I wanted something different (I also really like Satriani's sound).

The sound is very unique compared to the other pickups I have. I like how it gives a ton of clarity and on rhythm stuff, it stays nice and crisp. Reminds me of a Van Halen rhythm sound.

But the one odd thing I've noticed is that there is far less sustain our of the pickup than I was expecting. You switch over to the Air Norton and the difference is night and day. Anyone else ever notice this with a FRED?

EDIT: ah poop I ment this t go in the pickups section, please move

[RSVampire]

I think the Mo Joe might be what you need

it'll give you that little extra output boost you're lookin for to match with the Air Norton

[GuiltySparc]

I havent noticed any sustain lacking from the FRED in my JS. Are you running a noise gate of any kind? The FRED is a medium output pup so you might need to lower the noise gate threshold if you've dialed it in with a high output pup.

I have another JS coming tomorrow with the MoJoe courtesy of rich, i'll try to get some comparison clips of the FRED and MoJoe for you guys.

[Valhalla]

I've had both the Fred and Mo Joe in my JS 1200, and the Mo Joe definitely has more bite due to the increased output. It's much better suited for shred. Satch has all his touring guitars fitted with Mo Joe's. Maybe try messing with different pickup heights to see what gives you optimal tone and sustain...

[Takin' a Ride]

Perhaps this is simply because I've installed a medium power pickup in the bridge position? I know it has a similar output to a PAF Pro, and I'm fairly familiar with what that does, but I might be used to only hearing these medium-power pups in the neck position. Oh well, I still enjoy the sound of the pickup and perhaps one day I'll try a MoJoe in there. Thanks for the replies.

[uglyfuzzface]

got the js 1200 had the fred in the bridge , wanted to sound like satriani in the g3 denver vid , but could not get the gain ....clarity was great from the fred , but when i got the mojo it was alot closer to that sound i was after ....more harmonics and more gain ....... if i had another satriani guitar i might put a fred in it as its still a good pick up but if i had one guitar the mojo would stay ........

[GuiltySparc]

Originally Posted by uglyfuzzface

got the js 1200 had the fred in the bridge , wanted to sound like satriani in the g3 denver vid , but could not get the gain ....clarity was great from the fred , but when i got the mojo it was alot closer to that sound i was after ....more harmonics and more gain ....... if i had another satriani guitar i might put a fred in it as its still a good pick up but if i had one guitar the mojo would stay ........

Yep, thats how i feel also after playing both the FRED and moejoe. The Moe just has something extra to it thats very nice.

[rockguitar4ever]

i upgraded to fred and paf joe in my white JS100(as well as a lo pro edge in there), i have noticed the output of the Fred isnt the highest ever, but i really like that about it and its always very clear and fluid even with lots of smooth gain, especially when gigging it( i love to gig it now and again instead of my PGM301 or JeM 7vwh), as love the smooth singing tone of the js with the FRED. but yeah it does sound like youd be that bit happier from the extra bite and power given by the Mojoe

[CityofBlindingLights]

Try backing the bridge pickup away from the strings a bit.

And the best comparison between the FRED and the Mo' Joe: FRED has more sear, Mo' Joe has more growl.