Another PS-4 question

[nhspike]

I liked my first one so much I got another.

No pics, since it looks just like the first one, only black instead of blue.

Interesting thing about this one (as compared to the first one) is that the pickups actually sound good... I didn't expect that.

I removed the pickups from my first one, and replaced with Ibanez V2/S1/V1 in order to upgrade the ones that came stock, and sounded like floaters.

When I compare the pickups in the second PS-4 with the ones I removed from the first, they look quite different on the back side. Even the wires are have a different colors.

Can anyone shed any light on this?
Did they cheap out and throw junky pickups in at some point?
The serial numbers seem to be kinda close...
Crappy pickups:9640782
Nice pickups:9610799

Both appeared to be dead stock/unplayed condition, so I'm doubting any kind of after-purchase pickup swap... and the wiring showed no evidence of being messed with either.

Maybe one is a Japanese, and the other a Korean/Indian?
They seem too similar for that... but who knows.

Guess I'm looking for a PS-4 addict/expert...

Anyhow, I'm really liking these guitars... there is something about them that seems very nice quality and well put together, regardless of the give-away pricing they are currently blessed with.

I suspect that as more people get hip to them, the price will go up... but I'm hoping it takes a while.

[Rich#6]

they did move production to korea for these but by your serial numbers they both look like they were both made in the same country.
I did have a jdr94which is the same guitar and it lists the bridge pup as a j65 but in 96 it lists the pup as a j70 so it does look like at some point they changed the pickup.

[nhspike]

Thanks Rich
As always, your knowledge of all things pertaining to life and J/C's is appreciated!

[tanpsi]

Anyhow, I'm really liking these guitars... there is something about them that seems very nice quality and well put together, regardless of the give-away pricing they are currently blessed with.

I'm a huge PS4 fan too, it's actually my dream guitar as far as neck profile, HSH and a plus is they look really cool, When I used to fool around with the custom shop generator, it always ended up looking like a PS4 HAHA!

Japanese made ones (start with a 9)should be the same build quality as the Professional series from the same time, the PS just had inferior hardware. although on mine I lucked out the "crappy trem" stays in tune great, but I think that's the exception.

As far as pickups mine came with replacements but I tried a PS4 that had the original PU and they sounded decent, but most people replace thiers.

As far as your actual question, why do the 2 sets of stock pups sound different: I don't know, but this is a just a guess, maybe they switched vendors at some point for thier Jackson branded pups or the vendor switched specs.

If you want to do some research the PS4 starts here:

http://audiozone.dk/cm/displayimage.php?album=61&pos=14

and you can go through the years and check out the specs

[Robert Hendrix]

It's also possible that the "crappier" pickup had some issue, weak magnets, poor winding ect.

I've had two PS-4s and a JDR-94 (which I'm told is basically the same thing) and none of the three sounded the same, My first PS-4 and the JDR sounded great, the Second PS-4 sounded ok but the pickups were a little weak. Unfortunately, it was stolen before I could do anything about it.

[nhspike]

Thanks for the cool info gentlemen!
I guess we'll never know all the little ins and outs of what happened even during a "normal" production run.
If it's anything like where I work, it's catch as catch can, and get it out the door.

Sorry to hear you had an axe stolen Robert... with any luck, they won't appreciate it, and will have to live their life knowing they are a sh*tbag, and there is no hiding from that when they look in the mirror.

[Rich#6]

The more I think about it I think the ps2 I had had the J70 and I thought it sounded good. I sold it though when I needed some money. Only trans purple one I have seen.
Have you tried upgrading the pots? that can make a big difference.

[nhspike]

I've got RS pots on my list of stuff to buy for upgrades... but there are a few guitars in line ahead of the the PS-4's for that treatment...

They do make a big difference though, I totally agree with you on that Rich.

My Ontario Dinky has them... wowie nice!!!

[Rich#6]

I didn't get the rs pots but I am upgrading some of my guitars with the regular cts pots. even those are making a difference on the ones I have upgraded.

[nhspike]

Cool man!
Well, I got bored this morning, and swapped the stock bridge pickup for a Duncan Dime, and the neck for a Gibson P.A.F.
Kept the middle one stock for now, as I'm not into carving again.
I'll prolly get something cool that just drops in (narrow profile).

I'm very pleased with this thing... it's a monster.

That Dime really sounds sweet, and warms right up at partial volume (80% os so) without loosing any balls... kewl!!!