Pickups to go in new Ibanez SZ520?

[MusicManJP6]

I have an Ibanez SZ520 coming:

I plan on using 11 gauge strings and tuning it to Drop C and I was wondering what pickups I should use if I don't like the stock pups with my Mark IV? Some people like the stock pups, some don't. Having 2 JP's, I'm guessing I won't like the stock pups on the Ibby, but I could be surprised!

Any suggestions would be great!

-Adam

 

[MesaENGR412]

Well, If you don't mind batteries, possibly try a set of EMG's, maybe an 81 bridge and 60 neck. That'd sound good with the MkIV. If not, then I'd try some Dimarzio's, I've heard lots of good things about the Air Norton and tone zone. Or....there's Seymours too. Just read up on what each pup can do and see which one would best suit your musical style and go for them.

-AJH

 

[MusicManJP6]

Interesting idea. Would I have to reconfigure my EQ every time I use the EMG equipped Ibanez after using the EBMM JPs?

 

[MesaENGR412]

hmm, possibly, I'm not sure. You could buy a separate eq for use with them, I have to run a pedal eq when I switch between my EMG-81 equipped guitar and my EMG-HZ H1 equipped guitar, because the HZ's don't have the balls that the 81's do. I got a Fish and Chips Eq pedal from Danelectro for $29.99 in musicians friend. BUt, after saying all that, when I switch between my Stratocaster with single coils and my EMG-equipped guitars, all I ajust is the Gain and volume really, everything else stays about the same. if you have a dealer around that sells mesas and emg-equipped guitars, like ESP-LTD's, maybe you could go try one out with your Mark settings and see what they sounded like. I just love the razor sharp attack you can get from the pickups, and my band also plays in dropped C and they sound really good with that tuning. Good luck my friend.

-AJH

 

[MesaENGR412]

and it appears that I can't type very well today, excuse the bad grammer and spelling, sorry about that

That's a beautiful guitar BTW, those things play very nicely for how much they cost!

-AJH

 

[RJ2213]

being a long time ibanez fan who has also grown past ibanez a bit into higher end guitars, and being a pickup *****, i think for this guitar i'd go with a dimarzio air norton neck and steve's special bridge. the tone zone may be a bit bass heavy and cause it to get a bit muddy. or you could go with a duncan JB in the bridge if you want it on the brighter side. the one pickup i havent tried but i could imagine being good choice for the neck would be the dimarzio PAF Joe.

 

[ToneAddictJon]

I would throw a Dimarzio Evo 2 in the bridge and PAF in the neck, seems to work well with the tonalities of the S series guitars. If you ended up putting EMG's in the guitar, you would have to reset the EQ's when switching guitars, especially the clean channel. My thoughts on EMG's are either have them in all your guitars or none of them. I have an SG that has EMG's in it, and the only time it comes out is in the studio for maybe one out of every 20-30 songs, for one part where that sound is needed. Then again, it never hurts to experiment if you've got the cash. Have fun with that guitar too, they play very smooth

 

[MusicManJP6]

I was thinking the same thing about EMGs: either all or none.

It's funny you mention the Air Norton and Steve Special since those are the equivalent pickups that are in my JPs and I definitely dig those pups. Well one has a D-Sonic, but the other has the custom wound SS. I am just wondering if the somewhat dark sound of those pups would do well with the fuller sound of the mahogany Ibanez along with a larger string gauge...

I have a PAF Pro in my Custom Peavey that I was thinking of swapping out for an Evo neck pup. Do you all think the PAF Pro would be a good choice for the Ibanez with the addition of an Evo 2 bridge? Like TAjon said, IF I had the cash, which I don't, then I would experiment. I'm trying to do this in the most cost efficient and tone efficient manner possible. Although, even if I use a pup from the Peavey, I am still buying 2 pups in the end, after I replace the pup in the Peavey and add another to the Ibanez.

On a side note, I once heard a Les Paul with Duncans in it and they freakin' smoked! I'm not sure the model of the pups, but I just remember thinking, "WTF?!", is this really a Les Paul?

Also, it seems that Marty Friedman uses the exact same Ibanez guitar that I just ordered. I did not know this until a few people on other forums told me. I wonder what he uses? I doubt he uses the stock pups...

I'm still unsure of which pups to go with at this point, so fire away with more suggestions guys! You all are always extremely helpful with decision making!

 

[ursinus]

I bought my son a SZ320 a while back and put an Alnico II in the neck and a Custom 5 in the bridge and it made that guitar sound incredible. It was a day and night difference. Sometimes he tunes it to C# with 10's on it and it sounds pretty brutal. Especially on my rig.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I just learned that the stock pups are 'clones' of the JB and '59 SD pups. That being said, I think they are worth hearing before going through too much trouble to find replacements...

 

[MusicManJP6]

I found a used JB/59 set to go in the Ibby. I just picked up the guitar and i'll get to plug her up tonight along with an OCD pedal I found...

 

[mightywarlock]

dude.

i have an SZ720 and i absolutely hated the JB clone. i tossed in a real JB, and i absolutely thought that sucked in this guitar. i called up duncan and told them what i wanted, they told me to get a distortion. so i tried it...and that was the real winner here. Duncan Distortion and an SZ are made for each other.

before you get rid of this guitar, try a duncan distortion in it.

it really will make all the difference!

 

[yettoblaster]

...think the PAF Pro would be a good choice for the Ibanez with the addition of an Evo 2 bridge?...

Sounds like an excellent choice to me.
I'm using an Evolution in the bridge and like it on a maple top strat scalelength.
Any darker sounding guitar or tuning down would likely benefit from the Evo 2 though. It supposedly cleans up better when you turn the guitar down too. Never heard an Evo 2, but I like the Evo for the all out go-for-it stuff on a bright guitar.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I swapped out the pups again for an EVO/PAF set. Sounds better, but I still can't get over the full, thick tone it puts out. The 12's and drop C tuning don't help anything either! It is FOR SALE in the classifieds section on here...

 

[mightywarlock]

if you tried a Duncan Distortion your mind would be changed.

besides my SG and my Gretsch, my SZ has become my favorite guitar now.