Should I change pickups?

[Burstboy]

My 1974 Custom is "not screwed with" and untouched without any mods. Would you go against breaking the solder joints and replacing the pickups? I was thinking of a gold covered Duncan Jazz in the neck and a Duncan Distortion in the bridge. That was Randy Rhoads' set-up on his V's, but his Custom's electronics were alll stock according to his tech. I would obviously keep all of the original parts, and I do not plan on selling it.

If you do recommend changing the pickups, any other suggestions instead of a jazz and distortion? I want a nice clean "jazz" tone in the neck, but I want hard rock/heavy metal in the bridge.

...thanks for the new column Lily

 

[1959burst]

you almost got it right for my tastes anyhow.........definately a jazz in the neck and a custom in the bridge.

 

[Dave Z]

FWIW..I have a SD 'Jazz' bucker in the bridge of my SG. It *is* an exceptionally sweet, well-balanced pickup. But it's also more powerful than you'd think, has great sensitivity & works very well in high gain situations. Very articulate. Balances well with higher-output humbuckers ('tone zone' in my case).