Project JackenGeezer - Jackson CBXNTDX IV w/ EMG Geezers & a Darkglass Preamp - LowEndLobster Builds

[@Csartreweghhgf]

One of the only reviewers that actually reviews stuff and don't just do product placement. I like his dedication! Its refreshing...

[@Blech319]

Feel like the stock pickups were still pretty reasonable. But, you do get something very much high mids and treble with the GZRs.

[@sebastiancabrol2014]

Well, I prefer the stock pickups. Geezer's emg sounds too bright and clanky to my ears. I don't know if that's the work of the darkglass tone capsule or not. In either case I love that Jackson's split coil sound.

[@monahantp3767]

As you mentioned, the changes sound different. Not bad by any means, just different. Personally, and surprisingly-- I like the sound of the stock setup better; seems fuller and warmer. Where the 'side-grade' modification sounds brighter and much more defined. The stock arrangement has more... snarl to it. Overall I'm impressed with the bass-- as much as one can be by watching a video LOL! Another great job Lobster!

[@keithgray7593]

Although I love the GZR P pickup....paired with the Darkglass preamp I found it to sound much too clacky and toppy. I think I’d have liked to see the GZR pickups installed passively.

[@devindickinson3903]

Dude that Dave ellefson reference was so great I laughed so hard I almost started crying jackengeezer you dawg you

[@eddisonbuenano5282]

After watching this, I've come to realize this bass is BEYOND my skill grade, but, it's still interesting to say the less. Thanks for the mod and posting it!

[@revlewisrees9880]

Stock seems better suited to ‘classic rock’ whereas (unsurprisingly) the modded electronics are more suited to ‘hard rock’. Personally, I’d go for stock.

[@cliffords2315]

its made to be played through an Ampeg SVT on 8

[@paulsteezo1772]

NICE WORK MY FRIEND!!!

[@hottotty13]

Thank you. I’m actually waiting for delivery of one of these basses any hour now. I was looking to do a similar mod, but for the heavy doom my band plays I think the stock would work better. And best part I don’t have to do anything or spend anymore money. 😃

[@ericjohnson6105]

I'm liking the bridge pickup, scooped mids and the stock electronics.

[@josephjordan2883]

Love the mods! Noticed that bridge… Hipshot could take a hint from Jackson. I have The Hipshot Ric bridge on my 4003 and the saddles would benefit from a channel. They don’t get a lot of downforce due to string angle across the top, and they can roll or shift easily, when a player digs in.

[@n3rdg4m3r]

Yes! I've been waiting for this since the initial review!

[@Sorrowablaze]

I saw these at guitar center a couple of weeks ago. The orange one looks killer! l Also, JackenGeezer is a hilarious name, you saying it with eyes shifting all over has me rollin'!

[@djf817]

I nearly spit my lunch all over my co- worker when I saw the picture of Ellefson and shifting eyes. Brilliant! Great video as always.

[@RobVespa]

This was an interesting watch regarding modding an interesting bass. I enjoyed your commentary and playing. Thanks. All the best!

[@johndelong9230]

I found the Jackson in it's stock form great. I've played for many years and lost hearing in high range, found it brite with sizzle. After your mods it was even better, you do know your way around a tool box.

[@rafafontanez6961]

Excellent review/demo as always. Thank you!!

[@roportnoy1]

Congratulations for your channel, you have a good taste, is very smart, the videos are well edited and produced.

[@jams4218]

Thanks for breaking down the wiring!!!!

[@LilYeshua]

I like the higher definition sounds of the upgrade since I'm partial to that.

[@jamesbunn6118]

I’m going with the stock pickups. It’s hard to beat!

[@Wombatmetal]

Interesting. I did something very similar with a Charvel San Dimas (no, it had none of the shielding issues yours had). I put in a tone capsule and replaced the pickups with DiMarzio 60s P and Area J pickups. It's really a nice sounding bass, a lot of presence.

[@LowEndLobster]

That sounds like a killer combo!

[@sunn_bass]

Bet that sounds great. DiMarzio pickups are definitely my favorite P and J options out there. I wish DiMarzio made a Jazz bass pickup similar to the Relentless P. I'd love a matched set Relentless P-J.

[@Wombatmetal]

@@sunn_bass I wrote DiMarezio about that and asked,; they said to pair the Relentless with an Ultra Jazz. I have a Relentless in an old P bass of mine, I am thinking of swapping the model P I pulled out of the Charvel, and doing a PJ build with a Relentless and Ultra Jazz and see how it sounds. I like PJs and Dimarzio is my favorite pickup in them

[@sunn_bass]

@@Wombatmetal Thanks for the info. The Ultra specs look like the best match. Have fun swapping pickups.

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Thanks Lobster 🦞 great video is as always 🎸🎶🎵

[@paulvelez9688]

Love watching your videos. I bought the 5 string version and am convinced by this video to keep the original electronics. IMHO, this more expensive preamp and pickup combo makes it sound clankier and cheaper.

[@mentula3784]

Incredible difference in sound quality with the new parts, got me thinking about a pj build now 😂👍

[@MrSparks54]

Even my geezer ears can hear the mids and highs boosted with the geezer p'ups. Good mod project, thanks Lobster

[@jerry7663]

Fun mod. Sounds great. The new combination made the Jackson full Dave Ellifson. Always dug his studio sounds.

[@jerry7663]

Oh, yeah. I guess you just thumbnailed him twice. Go figure.

[@TheAmirShimon]

I've been wanting to do a project PJ with this combo, cool to see how it sounds before, thank you for this video.

[@johnnyb357]

That beast sounds friggen awesome! Stock sounds great and so do the EMG’s. Definitely a tone more like his original from the first two albums. I honestly have to say it’s close, but I prefer the stock. I think a tweak with the tone and the EMGs may win for me. Great video dude.

[@yvesbailey]

Wow the mod pickups have that punch 👊 😳 👏🏾 great vid as always. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@ellocalcrew613]

There's one at my local shop and it's a great bass . I will be buying one . I also like the headstock too . I'll probably get it in the new 5 string !

[@aldolopez5179]

The 5 string is better because it has reverse p pickup so it has more room to the sound. I have the white one and I love it.

[@glenndjubilee]

I like this upgrade VERY MUCH! Great choice on the preamp and pickups! If I were to get a Rick alike(almost), I would get this and apply these specs to it. Thanks again for another great video.

[@loiseaunoir1021]

I tried a fireburst fiver a year ago and really liked it. It had an amount of "mwah" that was very close to a fretless bass! I think the headstock looks good, as opposed to Patrick Hunter's opinion of it ;-) if I had enough room at home I'd certainly get one. This year's models are out with a 25% price drop, well at least in Canada. They've also reversed the neck pick-up!

[@jasonhendon2022]

Damn the more I hear that dark glass preamp the more I want one.

[@Dirtyjot]

This is crazy,I search to find out if the dark glass tone capsule pairs with the geezer emgs with no soldering and I find you doing it to the same exact bass I just bought,this video could not be more informational!

[@idickman]

I agree with your assessment that this is less an upgrade than a side-grade. Both the stock pickups/electronics and your additions sound great, if very different. I feel like the new pickups really bring out a lot of the string/fret noise which I don't really care for, I'd be interested to see how it sounds after a few hours of play time go into the strings and they lose some of that clackiness and zing.

[@Mike-li5uv]

Sounds great when the Geezer gets Jacked! Haha

[@jesseparrish9198]

Great video lobster! I put a tone capsule in my washburn mb8 with status pickups and the thing growls lol.

[@truthisthevictory9278]

Big hair, spandex, and pointy head stocks. This bass sounded great stock. I played a 90's jackson 'kip winger' for 10 years. It's a workhorse for a rock cover band. For gear heads (PJ neck through aussie lacewood, ebony fret board, 'speed neck' 1.5" @ nut, Jackson inlays on head stock) Strung with precision flats. B stock from the factory was $450 with case.

[@funkypunk1001]

I love watching your mod videos because you're quite the bass scientist! This one is no exception, great video and I love that you're showing the world what interesting hardware configurations sound like. That being said I'm not a big fan of the end result of this experiment. High quality hardware, don't get me wrong, with the Darkglass pre, the Jackson bass and GZR pups. Unfortunately it made a very clanky bass when put together. Less of a mid 'scoop' and more of a mid 'mineshaft'. Without mids it makes the bridge pickup lose it's warmth and become more a clank machine. That sound has it's applications. I could see it working with metal or thrash but outside of very noisy and busy genres of music I think it would have trouble sitting in a mix. Just my opinion though

[@ramshaar2597]

A real live 1 cool toxido beauty ! Man i love thiz bass.🙂👍

[@coreyroberts47]

Dude I would get so funky post mod lol. Sounds great. I’d sound like Trujillo so quick

[@bnutz3k]

Ahahahah! Actual lol @ the title. It's built by Cort. Not sure if you mentioned that 'cause I jsut started watching. I had bought a used green one that I had to return, but was very impressed with the general build and feel. Might have to add it to my list of potential 5ers. :)

[@bnutz3k]

Am I a weirdo for preferring the stock flavor? My preamp/pedals will take care of any deficiencies that are cured by your combo, which DOES sound pretty great and technically an upgrade for sure.

[@flipper2gv]

The stock one sounded pretty damn good (and more aggressive) too, but they weren't as detailed as the EMG/Darkglass combo.

[@StephenBecker]

LOL at the Bust In Peace moment 🤣

[@Eugensson]

Okay, I have looked into the Darkglass circuitboard and I am quite certain it can be easily modded to be a 4 band preamp, by just removing R1 and R2 resistors and wiring a 50k linear pot instead - to add the treble boost/cut.

[@funkingitup1805]

Awesome info, but in practice I have almost always found a high treble control useless on a bass. I set the treble at the amp. For tone shaping, I really only need a bass, low mid, and high mid. High mid is the perfect de-clanker.

[@bevinmodrak4997]

Huge difference. Maybe the biggest difference out of all the mods you've done that I can remember recently (ok that could be my bad memory).

[@HoustonT17]

Did the hum go away after swapping out the pickups??? This 60hz buzz is killing me, especially with distortion 🤯

[@mr_ozzio5095]

Sounds a little sharper and cleaner(clanky too), as you said more a change in direction! Rather than a whole different roads worth of sound up-grade!

[@50beowulf]

The Geezers and Tone Capsule turned out to be an awerome pairing. Could an active/passive be added? I wish there was a 5 string Geezer set.

[@LowEndLobster]

Yes! You would essentially have a switch that bypasses the preamp portion and goes straight to the jack.

[@50beowulf]

@@LowEndLobster I like that. One of my favorite basses was a warmoth build with no tone control or volume. It only had a kill switch. The pickup was from a Tony Franklin P bass. It was the best flat out rock/metal tone of any bass I have owned. I want a 5 string version now but want the added flexibility of having the preamp for some subtlety. Have you found any 5 string p bass pickups that have a similar voice to the Geezers? I may try Nordstand Big Blade P/J with the Tone Capsule and preamp bypass. Off to look for a body. : )

[@davidwalter2282]

I’ve got one of these Jacken-backers and I’m not a huge fan of the 3 stage pre-amp. Is it possible to keep the stock pickups and replace the electronics with more traditional 2-volume, 2-tone configuration for a more traditional PJ sound? Or, would I need to replace the pickups too?

[@wanieldeir2]

Awesome, love the mod videos! Currently trying to splice a GL 2k preamp and Dimarzio DP126 into an Ibanez TMB100 (currently trying to unscrew the pooch I did on the series/parallel switch). Unrelated, what tiny screwdriver do you use? My tiny screwdriver blows. Tends to either not engage or round of my screws. Yours looks pretty nice.

[@GregoryFox14]

I think it sounds great! Oddly enough though, this bass comes with great sounding electronics, so this is just a, "What is your preference" thing. I am more of a metal and rock player, so I dig the end result. I am sure it would sound amazing through an Ampeg or a Darkglass head.

[@deangomes6280]

I’ve been thinking of modding mine. I have the white 5 string. Reverse P and 35” scale. I’m not sure which pickups to use. Maybe Aguilar? Yours sounds great. Almost like the different between dead strings and brand new ones. I’d be curious how it sounds in a band setting. Thanks lobster. You’re awesome.

[@ellocalcrew613]

How do you like the 5 ? Is the B pretty clanky ? I loved the 4 I tried

[@funkingitup1805]

Did you lower the gain of the stock pickups relative to the newer ones? It sounds like different volumes. 18:28

[@JoséJoãoJJ-l5s]

What is the part number for EMG blend/balance/volume control? there's a Seymour Duncan alternative to EMG? thanks

[@roportnoy1]

Please! Could you to talk about playing slapping style on this bass guitar? Seems to me difficult because the distance between the precision pickup with the neck, especially for plucking.

[@TheBeardofDOOM]

Everybody knows that you don't put your face on camera when JackinenGeezeringining! Similar vibe to the beast w/ the DGTC and Big Splits

[@rmccain99]

Wicked.

[@jesusislord1634]

The original setup sounded just as good if not better. (In my opinion) Well...Maybe not better. Hard to tell since it seems the volume is louder on the EMG setup.Seems the EMG's are more trebelie. 😁

[@9999plato]

A bit too much. I dislike the boosted treble frequency on the modded bass. I can mod the EQ all I like with the 10 band EQ on my Ampeg tube preamp and then my Para EQ pedal. The bass sounded great as it was. I'm not a big Darkglass fan as I prefer to get my gain from the OG gain monster, Ampeg amps. I've loved Ampeg SVT amps ever singe I got to use one back in the mid 80s.

[@iamgribs]

I wouldn't say it's an upgrade as much as it's a change. The stock sounds really thumpy and good. The darkglass gzr is nice and ULTRA HI FI AND WITH PING but some people won't like that.

[@homewoodstudio1978]

Review a five string version, if at all possible.

[@LowEndLobster]

I tried one at GC and dug it. Definitely!

[@johnrlott4002]

I feel like I will get ridiculed for this comment after reading others. Lol. But I really didn’t like the stock sound at all. The upgrade completely transformed this bass. Just what my ears hear. Modern and thick now :) Cool mod, sounds great :)

[@martinheath5947]

Geezenjacker! Please do a breakdown on Passive Blend Control. I can't get my head around what's required to get one to work properly. I notice the pole pieces on the split coil pickup look like they line up with the edge of the neck rather than either the E or G string! WTF?

[@jamesbunn6118]

I like the stock Jackson pickups much better. The EMG’s had to much Treble and sound at thin.

[@Feesh6]

Oh man geezer would love that it sounds mean it sounds aggressive it sounds like it could box a kangaroo and eat a live shark

[@michaelblaney4461]

I like mine , thinking of getting the in the 5 string in " Rick James Glo" color ( white with black pickguard😊)

[@deangomes6280]

I have one it’s nice. The neck pickup is reversed and it’s a 35” scale so the B string is tight.

[@michaelblaney4461]

Cool I'll have to check it out then

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

It might be a result of the equalization, but there were several instances between the stock pickup demonstration and the demo of the swapped pickups when I thought one of them what is a duplicate of the stingray pick ups in the models behind you, Lobster, even though none of them is. Part of me should do more research in the difference between a single coil pickup and a split coil pickup. It also might serve me well if I paid better attention to the details of modification videos like this one. I do not trust myself to modify my own guitars and basses, but it probably is about time I learned how, despite the fact that my eyes don’t work well.

[@SkiingAintCrime]

stock with darkglass would have been interesting - I really dont think the geezer p pickups are a good p sound, but thats personal haha

[@aspenlakeorsomethinglikethat]

The RickJack GeezerGlass

[@stanfie1d]

I think that stock pickups are much more balanced

[@FalconBass]

The stock pickups have much more of a nasal sound to them, Sheehan-esc. I like the Geezers a lot more!

[@patrickloftus7402]

I thought that both configurations are good. It seems the mods were brighter and as noted by others, clunky sounding. I feel you could re Create a lot of the sound changes of the mods, simply by using a cheap Graphic EQ pedal. I am glad I saw this since, I was considering doing a similar upgrade, Now I know to save my money and use my EQ pedal!

[@LowEndLobster]

I love seeing comments like this :). The mods aren't always winners or big improvements, and sometimes stock is better (def agree here!). It makes me happy when people use my videos as a resource on their own bass journeys.

[@texacomann]

In real life in a Mix these extreme highs and missing mids will Show you the truth of mixing. The highs disturb the whole Mix, the missing mids let you miss warmth and the to much Bass have to be tamed with an eq to bring it back to its borders. I think its an amazing difference, but the setting is really extreme. What I like is the Overall clearness can give you most of all Details created by your Bass and thats good! Better than before! But dont override it with the frequencies and tame it, then everything will get allright. I personally play often passive basses and rather use external fx like eq, Compressor, Distortion etc. To Format the Sound.

[@giannib01]

Good "side-grade" as you said. I think the stock sound is pretty darn decent. I agree with a previous comment that I prefer the Jackson body over the "Rick", but not the headstock. Aside from the headstock, the Jackson's not ugly at all. You do a great job breaking all this down and nobody else has said it so I will - I think you're a b*tch of a player. Keep up the good work, lobster man.

[@kudokudami16]

I kinda prefer the stock for this bass. the geezers are still great tho.

[@jamesbunn6118]

Stock!!!

[@andreshuidobro2489]

Im probably the only one here that likes the stock sound better. I find de geezers + tone capsule to be lacking low mids and sounding too clanky even with the eq centered.

[@LowEndLobster]

I don't think you are. I thought this was more of a side grade and changed the character but didn't necessarily improve the sound

[@andreshuidobro2489]

@@LowEndLobster do you think the clankyness has more to do with the tone capsule or the geezers?

[@LowEndLobster]

Probably the TC tbh

[@TenFalconsMusic]

. Funny twist: I prefer the Jackson body design (over the Rick) but not the headstock. That being said, I prefer the headstock on the Rick (minus the tuning machine heads). I guess that would be a "mod too far."

[@sonojon0]

It’s possible. You’d have to borrow a Harley Benton neck

[@roportnoy1]

Please, test this bass with dimarzio's pickups.

[@LowEndLobster]

That's a really good idea actually! Thank you!

[@roportnoy1]

@@LowEndLobster i have one dimarzio's model p and one dimarzio's model j. I am looking for a bass to install these pickups. In Brazil, musicals instruments are very expensives. In this moment, the cheapest models within this line are the Jacksons.

[@nathanminert3119]

I like this bass, but I don't play in 80's prog or hair metal bands consistently enough to need that aesthetic 😂

[@bassnyc1]

Definitely a side grade, IMO. Personally, I prefer the bass stock.

[@LowEndLobster]

I'm with you there

[@bassnyc1]

@@LowEndLobster so ya gonna put it back to stock?

[@quickwashtheraccoon7601]

it is a very good sounding bass. Looks weird. But sounds very good.

[@BassicDaveNumberTwo]

Thanks, now I guess I have to go buy Geezers for all my basses.

[@IRIDEHARLEYS]

I was satisfied with the stock pups. I love that sound in this bass. I'm glad I watched this video. It was suggested that I swap for some Geezer EMG's and I'm glad that I didn't. To me, everything seems to clacky and bright. Pickups seem noisy. Tonally each side by side demo with the Geezer EMG's and the Darkglass - everything sounded about the same to my ears. Hard pass. Give me the originals.

[@DiogoBaeder]

Definitely not my cup of tea, I much prefer the stock pickups. Never liked these super-highs on a bass, which are typical of EMGs. Almost sounds like an instrument trying to be something else than a bass. Anyway, just commenting here to give more relevance to the channel, which I love :-P

[@FoamSquatch]

Sounds amazing stock, but I do love Geezers and Darkglass. You definitely hear the tone capsule when you scoop those mids. This is a really interesting bass, and much better sounding then I would have originally gave it credit for. Has me gassing right now.

[@meyersguitars2196]

Sounds good either way but the upgrade has a lot more clarity and especially bite in the top end. I feel like I would be boosting the low end some and potentially cutting some top end. Lobster’s Jackengeezer 🤭

[@duartebriz]

Jackengeezer, LOL!

[@trentoleksuik534]

gotta say I'd keep it stock..

[@bartholomewblack33]

Sorry I preferred the stock set up

[@LowEndLobster]

No need to apologize! That's why I do these vids, they're not always going to be winners. Honest feedback is always welcome!

[@bartholomewblack33]

@@LowEndLobster love the videos please keep them coming regards

[@jml19221]

That is one serious change in sound. You gotta remember that this bass is under 1000 bucks. The EMGs take it to the next level.

[@chazbutcher]

IMHO the stock pickups sounded better.

[@lummond]

The EMG ABC B125 (not the B118 which is technically the ABCX) is an excellent blend for any passive pickup. It comes with any of the "HZ" preamp systems, which I think are the best. In fact, I am going to install a BQS on my 5 string, along with Delano pickups.

[@01frugalbassist85]

Ricken-Glasser-Geeson-Jacker?? 🚬 🎸🎵......

[@aldolopez5179]

I prefer stock pickups

[@sira.scottascot8865]

The growly personality of the original set up kind of disappeared. Now it can make you poop and shatter glass.

[@DoctorIntrepid]

Too many tones man. My head is spinning!