software

I put the Blues Saraceno in the Jackson today. Major, major improvement over the HB-102. Just a more focused, smoother sounding pickup...with no mud!!

I am really digging it. I A/B'd the Jackson with the Charvel with the Tone Zone in it as well. I would say the Tone Zone is a bit more aggressive, but it is not giving up much to the Blues. The Blues definitely likes gain as well.

I will play some more and come back with some more impressions later. I am playing with height right now, looking for the sweet spot.

Thanks to all that suggested this pickup, good call.

Mike

Sounds great Mike. The number of pickups on my quot;must tryquot; list is growing faster than my budget.

The Blues is definitely one of them.

I have always been intrested in trying out this pickup. Let us know what else you find out about it and what guitar its in and what amp you are playing it thru. thnx again for the info.

its a great pup!! nice overwound paf tone for strats

im argumenting on putting one on my strat for a more lester tone and taking the JB away.either that or the air zone.
always loved Blues sounds.

It is in my Jackson DK-2. I am currently running the guitar through my V-Amp Pro either into phones, or into the return loop on my Peavey Studio Pro 112.

After playing it for a day I can give some more impressions.

It is very smooth...but it still has a brightness to it. Compared to the DiMarzio I would say that it isn't quite as focused...not as tight for chords, but has a nice singing tone for lead work. It is, however, much tighter and focused for chords than the H-102 was. Of course, the Dimarzio is in an '80s Charvel with a Basswood body and the Blues is in a new Alder bodied Jackson..so the guitars themselves may have different tonal qualities that are coloring the sound independent of the pickup choice. Also, bear in mind that I am not playing either of these guitars through a nice tube amp...so I am always looking for a smooth tone to offset the digitalness of the V-Amp. It has nice harmonic overtones and I am able to get artificial harmonics to pop out pretty easily. Even though it is not a super-hot pickup, it certainly has plenty of juice...and likes a nice amount of gain. It also has a nice clean tone, especially when used in conjunction with the middle pickup for funk style stuff.

I started with the pickup set pretty low..but now I have it basically at the same height as the S/Cs in the guitar I will continue to futz with it until I find a spot where it really sings. I would, of course, love to hear this guitar sing through a nice Soldano or the such...but for now I must settle for the Soldano setting on the V-Amp.

I will be playing the guitar all week as it was my choice for traveling this week (I work out of town and stay at a hotel all week..plenty of playing time), so I will continue to post impressions.

Mike

Could you compare it to other SD pups like the '59 and the JB please?


Originally Posted by KommerzbassistCould you compare it to other SD pups like the '59 and the JB please?

Well, I don't have a '59 in a guitar. The HB-102 is the DD version of the JB, and that is what was in there. I can say this, it crushes the HB-102, although I am sure that a real JB is superior.

Mike

I've always wanted to try that one....