Air Norton & Tone Zone In a Jem 7vwh

wallopwallop · #1 05-24-2002, 07:31 AM

I had a chance to play on a JPM yesterday and was blown away by the pickups. It seemed so much more controllable, responsive and versatile than the Evo/Paf Pro combination that I currently have on my Jem.

Basically I now want to install and Air Norton in the neck of my Jem and a Tone Zone in the Bridge. At the same time I'd also like to get a new scratchplate and fit a micro switch to allow me to overide whatever pickup setting I am on and have both humbuckers on at the same time. Does anybody know how I can do this? Is there a website with wiring diagrams for this kind of mod or is it best left to a professional?

Cheeyars

Matt

gkelm · #2 05-24-2002, 09:04 AM

If the JPM was stock, you might want to try the Steve's Special in the bridge.
Greg

wallopwallop · #3 05-24-2002, 09:19 AM

If the stock bridge pickup in a JPM is a Steve's special then that is what I'm looking for. It sounded fantastic!!

Thanks for the correction Greg

RSVampire · #4 05-24-2002, 02:37 PM

yes the stock pickup is a Steve's Special or a copy of it. The Tone Zone is what Paul Gilbert uses. no worries...they both sound good.

trouble311 · #5 05-25-2002, 03:40 AM

I love both the TZ and the SS, but to tell you the truth, I think the best pickup out there right now is the Breed. I think it would match up really well with the AN in the neck.

chilln2music · #6 05-26-2002, 02:35 AM

The JPM guitar has direct mounted pickups whihc sound different than pickups installed on a pickguard. The sounds you describe ("controllable, responsive and versatile") are most likely a result of the direct mounted pickups and the different wood used for the body.

bduersch · #7 05-27-2002, 10:42 AM

Even with the Air Norton & Steve's Special, it will still sound drastically different because the 7V is made of alder and all Petrucci's guitars (Ibanez or otherwise) are made out of basswood. Wood is a huge variable in the overall sound of a guitar!

I've tried this experiment before... I had an alder RG570CT and I installed a Air Norton & Steve's Special in it. It didn't sound anything like Petrucci or a JPM guitar when I got done with it.

--B

wallopwallop · #8 05-28-2002, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bduersch

Even with the Air Norton & Steve's Special, it will still sound drastically different because the 7V is made of alder and all Petrucci's guitars (Ibanez or otherwise) are made out of basswood. Wood is a huge variable in the overall sound of a guitar!

I've tried this experiment before... I had an alder RG570CT and I installed a Air Norton & Steve's Special in it. It didn't sound anything like Petrucci or a JPM guitar when I got done with it.

--B

How did it sound?

bduersch · #9 05-28-2002, 08:32 AM

Personally, I didn't like it, but perhaps that's because I'm not a big fan of alder guitars in general. I think it sounded "mushy". It certainly did not give the crunch and definition that a Steve's Special in basswood (or even mahogany) brings to the table.

--B

wallopwallop · #10 05-28-2002, 09:04 AM

Thanks. I really appreciate the advice as mush is certainly not what I am looking for and it could have been an expensive mistake! I may look into buying an old 'player' RG with a basswood body and carry out the mods on that.

Gresh · #11 05-28-2002, 10:43 AM

Or....buy a JPM and be done with it.

wallopwallop · #12 05-28-2002, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gresh

Or....buy a JPM and be done with it.

That would be the first choice but don't have that kind of money at the moment. Also I'm not into the Picasso graphics TBH. The only JPM I could play comfortably is the camoflage coloured one.