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Alright, I'm trying to get a good solo/ bridge sound that is bright and clear without sounding like it's too bright. Right now I'm using a Jazz and a JB but the JB isn't doing it for me. The Jazz give's a great clean and a good lead, but when I kick into some real solos the JB sounds to bright, almost like I'm talking through my nose. I've been looking into some Dimarzio pickups, like the AirClassicbridge, Paf classicbridge, Norton, Virtual Pafbridge or the Super Distortion but It looks like maybe the Invader may be good. I'm looking to get a really clear sound that still has some balls for a solo sound. If anyone has any ideas that would help out a lot.

Hi GS9,

I didn't get what kind of guitar you're playing, or what style you're playing. I'm going to assume high gain. I cannot speak to other brands. But, in the SD line, you might try the Distortion. I had a similar issue with the JB in my Les Paul, and the Distortion seemed to help.

Just a thought.

-Matt

Guitarshredder9,

I'm curious if you or anyone has tried exchanging the pickup positions of the Jazz/JB combo to see how that would do. I myself pulled out a JB from my guitar and don't know what to do with it. It might mellow down somewhat in the neck position, yet be more articulate rather than bassy/boomy. But I'm only guessing; haven't had the time to try it myself.

The JB is WAY too hot for the neck position. It would be both harsh and muddy.

Guitarshredder, if you want pure apocalyptic, wall-flattening output, the Invader will do it for you but it won't give you the clarity you're looking for. I think either a Custom Custom or a Custom 4 (Custom Custom with Alnico 4 magnet) will do the trick -- the otpimum balance between output, smoothness and clarity.

If that doesn't work, try Jon Moore pickups. He custom-made me one that might be right up your alley. See my review here:

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Originally Posted by Zhangliqun

think either a Custom Custom or a Custom 4 (Custom Custom with Alnico 4)

what does alnico 4 sound like? ive heard of different types of alnico magnets, but never heard how it sounds or even heard how pepole like them.

The best description I've heard for Alnico 4 is from the above-said Jon Moore -- he calls it quot;aged Alnico 5quot;. Alnico 5 has a very pronounced mid-scoop and has the highest output of the four Alnico Brothers. Alnico 4 has less output and the EQ curve is much flatter, a slight mid-scoop but overall very smooth.

Keep in mind that not every magnet even of the same Alnico type is the same -- some will be stronger than others. I keep a supply of all four Alnico types on hand and in this Jon Moore humbucker, I wanted a bit more output so I chose the Alnico 4 for it, which is stronger than the Alnico 3 it had in it, but I wanted an output level on par with the Alnico 5, just without the mid-scoop.

The point being that I have a half-dozen or so Alnico 4's laying around and I figured out which one was the strongest by feeling which was the hardest to pull apart from another magnet. This quot;harderquot; Alnico 4 did the trick.

I think you would want a quot;harderquot; Alnico 4 for this application. Go to They have a minimum $25 order but that means you can get 13 magnets of all different types ($2.00 a piece).