Question about Kev’s “Standard from HELL” and its pickups

[zorrow]

You guys know I’ve owned Kev’s 4-digit “Standard from HELL” for ten years already. I’ve used it to record rhythm parts on some of our songs, but it’s not a guitar I play very often. Not only it has a pretty skinny neck, which is something I don’t like much, but it also has installed a bridge pickup Michael Amott gave to him, which sounds too dark and compressed to my tastes —and that’s why I tend to use it for heavy riffing only.

So far I’ve respected Kev’s “legacy”, to call it some way, but lately I’m feeling seriously tempted to install a black Slammer on the bridge of that guitar… or maybe even a set of Schlabotnik/Ultimate.

I’m also thinking about replacing the chrome mounting rings for cream ones.

What do you guys think? Would you keep it “Kev-compatible”, or simply reconfigure it to a more “period-correct” look and sound? Please, let’s discuss!

 

[zorrow]

Ah, forgot to mention that I have enough guitars to cover the tonal spectrum of a classic Standard, while I don’t have any guitar in the tonal palette of this one, as it’s configured as of right now. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[kizanski]

2 minutes ago, zorrow said:

What do you guys think? Would you keep it “Kev-compatible”, or simply reconfigure it to a more “period-correct” look and sound? Please, let’s discuss!

I would definitely put the creme rings back on and change the bridge pickup to a double creme.
As for pickups, reach out to @Jeff R for a set of pickups to properly return that beast to its original 4 Digit glory.

[zorrow]

4 minutes ago, kizanski said:

I would definitely put the creme rings back on and change the bridge pickup to a double creme.
As for pickups, reach out to @Jeff R for a set of pickups to properly return that beast to its original 4 Digit glory.

So, you think a double creme is more “correct” than a double black? 

[kizanski]

Just now, zorrow said:

So, you think a double creme is more “correct” than a double black? 

It's not a question of what I think.  It's a fact.

[zorrow]

3 minutes ago, kizanski said:

It's not a question of what I think.  It's a fact.

I’ve Googled and have to admit most black Standards do look like this:

[kizanski]

8 minutes ago, zorrow said:

I’ve Googled and have to admit most black Standards do look like this:

Yes.  You can't go wrong with classic.

Of course, there are some different takes on the classics.

[Dave Scepter]

Do it... do it now!

 

It would be nice if you could find a old PAF 

Edited May 23, 2024 by Dave Scepter

[scottcald]

I say change it out.  You can always restore it if you need/want to. It's just a bit of solder and time. 

[BTMN]

Personally I would get a set of double cream either from JeffR or Josh. Maybe get a Super Distortion clone and a PAF clone. I dig the pickups Josh made for the Ulimates. 

[Cboss]

1 hour ago, Dave Scepter said:

Do it... do it now!

 

It would be nice if you could find a old PAF 

Exactly, should have the original pickups.. if these are the 10K something Slammers I have a pair that I could Supply, what year did they switch from the 8K somethings to the version 2, 10k?

[zorrow]

Just for the record, I have a set of Schlabotnik/Ultimate on one of my Korina Vees and they sound FANTASTIC.  So, I wouldn’t mind putting more modern pickups on this guitar, provided they sound to my tastes AND look right. Also, I had once an 84 Vector (sadly sold and still regret it), which had its original Slammers and they were just PERFECT. I think those were the “updated version” of the Slammers, a bit hotter than the first ones. I LOVED them. Nonetheless, it’s true vintage pickups have a high “coolness factor”, but that’s not a hard requirement for me. In short, whatever sounds good (to my ears) and looks right (as per @kizanski specs 😛), it will be alright. 

[Steve Haynie]

A pickup change is reversible.  Do what you want, but keep the original parts.  If you are not going to play the Standard often just leave it alone, save money, and keep playing your go-to guitars first. 

[JGale]

What’s a Shlabotnik/Ultimate?

[velorush]

1 hour ago, JGale said:

What’s a Shlabotnik/Ultimate?

Those were the OEM pickups in the Shishkov Ultimates - magnificent pickups. Just enough / not too much / detailed / thick / 

[kizanski]

1 hour ago, JGale said:

What’s a Shlabotnik/Ultimate?

The one part of my Shishkovs that I didn't like.

[zorrow]

46 minutes ago, velorush said:

Those were the OEM pickups in the Shishkov Ultimates - magnificent pickups. Just enough / not too much / detailed / thick / 

Totally agree!

 

38 minutes ago, kizanski said:

The one part of my Shishkovs that I didn't like.

Surprised, but to each their own, I guess. 🤷🏻‍♂️
 

2 hours ago, JGale said:

What’s a Shlabotnik/Ultimate?

What @velorush mentioned above, and also described the way I exactly perceive them. The V I put them on became ALIVE thanks to those pickups.

[Cboss]

3 hours ago, JGale said:

What’s a Shlabotnik/Ultimate?

I think it's that sex toy that looks like a back massager 🤔

[cmatthes]

Ionel:

Peter was selling some original Hamer/Dimarzio PAFs (not Slammers), which would be “period correct” for this guitar.  He had the correct zebra neck and at least at one time had the proper double cream bridge. 
 

That guitar needs the double cream/zebra treatment!

[HamStd]

Thanks @cmatthes, Ionel, I do still have the double cream Dimarzio PAF (period correct) if you are interested.  Also have the cream rings if needed as well. 

[email protected]

Peter

[Joe mama]

11 hours ago, zorrow said:

You guys know I’ve owned Kev’s 4-digit “Standard from HELL” for ten years already. I’ve used it to record rhythm parts on some of our songs, but it’s not a guitar I play very often. Not only it has a pretty skinny neck, which is something I don’t like much, but it also has installed a bridge pickup Michael Amott gave to him, which sounds too dark and compressed to my tastes —and that’s why I tend to use it for heavy riffing only.

So far I’ve respected Kev’s “legacy”, to call it some way, but lately I’m feeling seriously tempted to install a black Slammer on the bridge of that guitar… or maybe even a set of Schlabotnik/Ultimate.

I’m also thinking about replacing the chrome mounting rings for cream ones.

What do you guys think? Would you keep it “Kev-compatible”, or simply reconfigure it to a more “period-correct” look and sound? Please, let’s discuss!

 

I think you should just sell it...... If you do let me know

[The Shark]

12 hours ago, kizanski said:

Yes.  You can't go wrong with classic.

Of course, there are some different takes on the classics.

Wow!  That's fucking killer.  Ask me how I know.  I'm George Fuckin' Jetson.  That's how...

[BubbaVO]

3 hours ago, HamStd said:

Thanks @cmatthes, Ionel, I do still have the double cream Dimarzio PAF (period correct) if you are interested.  Also have the cream rings if needed as well. 

[email protected]

Peter

Pues hagalo!

[Disturber]

19 hours ago, zorrow said:

You guys know I’ve owned Kev’s 4-digit “Standard from HELL” for ten years already. I’ve used it to record rhythm parts on some of our songs, but it’s not a guitar I play very often. Not only it has a pretty skinny neck, which is something I don’t like much, but it also has installed a bridge pickup Michael Amott gave to him, which sounds too dark and compressed to my tastes —and that’s why I tend to use it for heavy riffing only.

So far I’ve respected Kev’s “legacy”, to call it some way, but lately I’m feeling seriously tempted to install a black Slammer on the bridge of that guitar… or maybe even a set of Schlabotnik/Ultimate.

I’m also thinking about replacing the chrome mounting rings for cream ones.

What do you guys think? Would you keep it “Kev-compatible”, or simply reconfigure it to a more “period-correct” look and sound? Please, let’s discuss!

 

I bought one bridge pickup that Kev had in that guitar in 2013. It was a weird one. It looked like a Duncan, but was on a Dimarzio base plate. It measured 12,22 kohm. I can not remember what I did with it. But I don't think I still have it.

I also have he original Dimarzio pickup rings from that Standard and the original input jack. For the world I can not remember If I also bought one or both of the original Dimarzio's from him as well. Memory is shot.

[zorrow]

11 hours ago, HamStd said:

Thanks @cmatthes, Ionel, I do still have the double cream Dimarzio PAF (period correct) if you are interested.  Also have the cream rings if needed as well. 

[email protected]

Peter

Just emailed you, Peter. 👊