ByronBlack Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 Hi fella's, I'm hoping some of you guys can help, I'm nearing the end of my explorer build and have to decide on pickups and which amp I'm going to use. I've narrowed the pickup choices down to: A Seymour Duncan matched set of JB in the bridge and Jazz in the neck OR A set of EMG 81/85 I mostly play metal/rock, so the EMG's are the obvious choice there, however, as I get older I'm finding I like to play a little cleaner now and then, and like to jam along with some blues, and some clean strumming - are the EMG's upto that? I keep reading that they can be cold and sterile - is this a myth, or will the SD's be more suitable? WezV - I did consider some BKP's (I think you contributed to a thread of mine) and had decided on a Miracle Man and Cold Sweat combo, but I just can't afford to go for BKP's on this build. Secondly, I want to gather your opinions on an amp choice. I'm mostly a home-based player and only need something relatively small. I've narrowed my chocie down to a Epi Valve Jnr Stack, or a Vox ADVT-XL, for me the epi wins on the tube sound and cool look's stake, but the Vox is more versatile with it's modelling, however the Epi is supposed to react well with pedals, I just can't decide what would be better - a good all tube amp that can be tailored with pedals that looks cool, or a cheaper modelling amp that has a bunch of sounds built in but is probably not as good for a nice tube tone.. Opinions, insults and insights gratefully received! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prs man Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 Seymour Duncan jb in the bridge and jazz or a 59 in the neck in a awesome match Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killemall8 Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 if you go with the emg 60, either one the 60A or just 60 will have the best cleans you can get from actives. i highly recomend the 60 for everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thoughtless 7 Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 For what its worth, my mates played the VOX and said some of its models are good, while others aren't even close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 Jb and jazz then... but a BKP miracle man/cold sweat combo would be killer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByronBlack Posted January 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 Thanks for all your input guys. I've just ordered a hot-rod matched pair of JB/Jazz, a good price too (£105 the pair). Wez - I just missed out on BKP Cold Sweat on ebay the other day, it only went for £37!!! Bargain! As for an amp, I've made a decision, and I've bought a hot-rod modded Epi Jnr Valve head (gain, voice, tone, master volue, power-brake and line-in/line out added) and a cab with a celestion vintage 30 - should sound pretty good! Just need to get the explorer finished so I can give it a full work out!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 That would be a good price... damn, could have done with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syxxstring Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 I own 3 valve jr's and obviously think they work great. However I would look at the Blackheart Mini Giant, a few more bucks but more options. Same designer only built buy the parent company of crate/ampeg instead of epi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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