Best HumBucker's for a Ibanez Sabre (s)for a markIV.?

[mxr2000]

Hello there i own 3 guitars and would like to replace the pick ups ok for the best sound in a mesa boogie mark IV.

1) Ibanez mahogani body (S) with HH pick ups option

2) Ibanez USA alder body (S) with HSH pick ups option

3)Ibanez RG basswood body with HSH pick ups option


I try to get classic heavy metal sound, Randy Rhoads,Quiet Riot,Dokken,Scorpions,stryper..

Any help would be apreciate

 

[Guitarzan]

For Number 1, I would put a Seymour Parallel Axis Trembucker Distortion PATB-2 in the bridge and a Dimarzio Tone Zone in the neck. For 2 and 3, A Seymour Blues Saraceno PATB-3 in the Bridge and a Dimarzio Norton in the Neck. I have a S540LTD from 1989 with the #1 formula and a USA Custom RG from 1988 with the #2 formula and they just come to life!

 

[scottkahn]

I would agree that putting a DiMarzio Tone Zone in the bridge of your S would be great. I did that on a 1991 540 S and the sound was far heavier than you'd ever imagine from a guitar as thin as the S, but then we all know how great those guitars sound...

 

[madryan]

For Number 1, I would put a Seymour Parallel Axis Trembucker Distortion PATB-2 in the bridge and a Dimarzio Tone Zone in the neck. For 2 and 3, A Seymour Blues Saraceno PATB-3 in the Bridge and a Dimarzio Norton in the Neck. I have a S540LTD from 1989 with the #1 formula and a USA Custom RG from 1988 with the #2 formula and they just come to life!

A TZ in the neck isn't going to do it. Too muddy and bassy. Throw an Air Norton in the neck and you've got something. My S-series sounded the best with a JB in the bridge and a Jazz in the neck. You need something bright and clear in the neck slot.

 

[Guitarzan]

A TZ in the neck isn't going to do it. Too muddy and bassy. Throw an Air Norton in the neck and you've got something. My S-series sounded the best with a JB in the bridge and a Jazz in the neck. You need something bright and clear in the neck slot.

It sounds fine in my Sabre. I would again recommend the "Norton" vs. the "Air" version of this pickup. The "air" was just flat out lacking.

 

[flieger67]

For at least the mahogany-bodied guitar, I'd recommend a DiMarzio Steve Morse in the bridge position. I have a Grosh Bent Top that has a maple top over a mahogany body and the Steve Morse is an incredible pickup. It's got a lot of output and has strong midrange presence without soundy nasal. As I'm also a big fan of the '80's bands you mentioned, I think you'll likely be impressed with the Steve Morse model. To me, that pickup sounds great through my Stiletto and two Riveras.

But you know what else I'd suggest? Call or email DiMarzio and Duncan for their suggestions. I've contacted DiMarzio a few times for pickup suggestions and Steve Blucher himself has written back to me with excellent suggestions. If anyone is going to have a good idea of what pickups are going to sound like in various guitars, it's going to be someone like Steve or Seymour.

 

[Guitarzan]

Your choice much depends on the tone you're looking for. I just honestly wanted to get closer to Frank Gambale fat, hot knife-thru-butter Mesa sound circa 1991 Noteworker album. And I easly get this by putting Dimarzio DualSound (similar to Super Distortion) in bridge. I must admit that it's been a good choice for 10 years now. Single coil (split mode) is excellent giving that sparkling highs on Clean. And what I really noticed as I was getting some knowledge working out Triaxis was feeling that Dual Sound was surely used during Triaxis developement. It works (sounds different) on any TriAxis mode. Hope it'll help

Gambale plays Seymour JB's

 

[roadster-T4D]

gambale plays duncan JBs NOW in his signature yamaha model through the carvin rack rig ... back when gambale played the ibanez sabre (540s) through the mesa gear and bag end speakers, it was dimarzio dual sound (same as super distortion but with coil split ability)