New Pickups for ZM

[rubalup]

First I want to say that each day I love my ZM more... one "mod" that I want to do is putting some pu´s covers (nickel)... but all that wax process scare me. So I want to upgrade the pickups and get some nice paf style nickel covered ones...

right now I´m looking for Dimarzio´s 36th but will love to hear about other options.

pd: should I get F spaced or normal spaced ones?

 

[John Beef]

You can get either F spaced or normal. PRS SE bridge pickups have 52mm spacing. Regular spaced is 50MM, F spaced is 53 MM. It easily goes either way. Neck SE pickups are 50mm.

I haven't tried SE245 pickups but I think I saw their specs would be in the range of any PAF style humbucker.

Covers are pretty easy though. I've done it a few times now, including SE pickups, and had no issues. You can source the covers here:

http://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/humbucker/

I followed this video and it worked perfectly.

 

[Tedder]

Cool tutorial!

 

[rubalup]

Thanks John, but I would really prefer to change the PU´s... I´m finding the neck pu a little bland and kind of dark when lowering the volume. On the Bridge I could use a little more "bite", but truth is that I like the stock one. By no means I want a very high output pu.

C´mon guys throw some ideas here!

 

[phillybri]

Find yourself a set of DGT pickups!

 

[thieves&foxes]

I am a huge fan of the PRS pickups, but unfortunately their two best ones are not available aftermarket (57/08's and 408's) When it comes to DiMarzio the PAF 36th Anni's are fantastic, the Andy Timmons pickups in the bridge are pretty good as well.

 

[rubalup]

I am a huge fan of the PRS pickups, but unfortunately their two best ones are not available aftermarket (57/08's and 408's) When it comes to DiMarzio the PAF 36th Anni's are fantastic, the Andy Timmons pickups in the bridge are pretty good as well.

Reading on the AT1 info... they seem lie very hot pu´s dont? Would a pair of 36th on neck and AT1 on bridge be balanced enough?

 

[John Beef]

The wire gauges on the Timmons are 43 AWG (I think) so the resistance is higher but the output isn't really hot. It's more of a medium output, like a 59/09 or something.

 

[rubalup]

The wire gauges on the Timmons are 43 AWG (I think) so the resistance is higher but the output isn't really hot. It's more of a medium output, like a 59/09 or something.

Ah ok... didn´t knew that. Thanks

 

[rubalup]

hello guys, after playing extensively with my zm the last weeks I´m absolutely convinced that a pu upgrade is what can make this the perfect guitar for me...

Looking for vintage style paf's, sweet neck tones and classica bridge bite... also need them to combine well when both selected...AND NICKEL COVERS

common guys help me out here!!!

 

[Duffy]

Sounds like you would like the Gibson 57 Classic neck and 57 Classic Plus bridge pickups. Definitely class acts. Wax potted and vintage tone, lots of tone. Of course their are nice PRS pickups available on their web page under parts, and you can find them used. I almost always buy pickups new and get known excellent pickups. I have had good luck this way. Trying to be cheap has always left me unsatisfied as far as pickups go.

 

[LJD]

Duncan Antiquities are pretty damn sweet in a semi-hollow. Can't go wrong with the 57 classic neck, or the Dimarzio's for the money. Of course I bet some 59/09's would turn that guitar out!

 

[rubalup]

THANKS A LOT...

just to add something that could be useful for somebody in the future... I measured my zach myers and the size that better fit the string spacing would be a dimarzio F sapced on bridge and regular spaced on neck.

Gonna check the gibson pu´s for sure, but I think hat the dimarzio´s 36th would be my choice.

 

[rubalup]

I put a poll on the thread so I can decide wich cover to use...

and to complicate things even more I now find that they offer (even when I cant find them anywhere) nickel buffed not plated covers

 

[Chuckblues]

I am a big fan of Bare Knuckles Pickups . I have Mules in my SE Bernie & soon to have Riff Raffs in my SE Santana

 

[John Beef]

THANKS A LOT...

just to add something that could be useful for somebody in the future... I measured my zach myers and the size that better fit the string spacing would be a dimarzio F sapced on bridge and regular spaced on neck.

The bridge pickups are closer to F spacing (53mm) than they are to standard spcaing (49.2mm or 50mm depending on brand) but I believe the actual measurement, and the one I have has success with using SE pickups, is 52mm. Harder to find but not impossible.

Unplated/raw nickel in 52mm are available on page 3:
http://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/humbucker/?sort=featured&page=3

 

[rubalup]

This is what someone at Dimarzio answers me about the difference between their standard Nickel cover and the Buffed not plating cover:

There is no picture of the buffed and unplated option. When it is new, it looks identical to the standard, nickel-plated cover. As it get older, it becomes less shiny and more worn-looking.

DiMarzio Inc.


Is this accurate???

I thought that it was easy to spot the differences as I look at these pics and can tell (can I?) that these are unplated covers:

Am I wrong?

 

[László]

Am I wrong?

Yes, I think you're wrong. Those you've attached pics of appear to be plated and wire-brushed.

Unplated would start out shiny and then the silver coloring would oxidize.

 

[rubalup]

Yes, I think you're wrong. Those you've attached pics of appear to be plated and wire-brushed.

Unplated would start out shiny and then the silver coloring would oxidize.

Oh thanks a lot! I didn´t knew that...

 

[rubalup]

I know I´m a pain in the ass... sorry to disturb the forum mates with this nonsense, but I´m kind of anal about some of this stuff...

I hate this:

I like this:

Unfortunately these are both reference pictures for Dimarzio Nickel covers (one is from MF page and the other is the Dimarzio official page one)...

If I buy The Nickel Cover 36th wich one is going to look alike? I HATE that "chrome" like look!!!