What are the Seymour Duncan/IBZ's like?

[Rex_Rocker]

I mean the American Seymour Duncans/IBZ's that came with the Prestige SZ's. I may have a chance to pick a set up for a good deal.

I see the labels say "SH-1N" and "TB-6". The neck one just looks like a 4-conductor '59, but how does the bridge TB-6 differ from an actual Distortion? The row of allen screw polepieces must make a difference. Anyone know?

Thanks.

 

[Nagisa]

Re: What are the Seymour Duncan/IBZ's like?

I did not like my IBZs and swapped them out. Apparently they are similar to production models but I thought they were dull. The evos I put in there were much better, though I am bored of them now with their ceramic qualities...

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: What are the Seymour Duncan/IBZ's like?

Were they the Seymour Duncan/IBZ or the Duncan/Ibanez set? I believe the bridge one is a Distortion, so I'm surprised about it being dull. Maybe the double row of adjustable polepieces makes it warmer-sounding?

 

[Masta' C]

Re: What are the Seymour Duncan/IBZ's like?

I did not like my IBZs and swapped them out. Apparently they are similar to production models but I thought they were dull. The evos I put in there were much better, though I am bored of them now with their ceramic qualities...

I'm assuming you probably had the DiMarzio-made "IBZ" pickups or the "Duncan/Ibanez" set?

The USA "Seymour Duncan/IBZ" set was only found in the MIJ Prestige SZ 20XX and 40XX series guitars and is a tweaked Distortion/59 set. A little tighter & brighter than the regular models in my experience, but very close to stock for all intents and purposes.

There was also the "Duncan/Ibanez" set found on the lower-end SZ 3XX/5XX/7XX models, which are Duncan Designed pickups and much different than the stock USA models.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: What are the Seymour Duncan/IBZ's like?

So tighter and brighter than a standard Distortion, then? Interesting.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: What are the Seymour Duncan/IBZ's like?

Slightly...very slightly...and part of that perceived difference may have been due to the construction of the particular guitars I've tried them in.

I would buy them if you want a cool looking "Distortion" and "59" set, not because you want something different than the regular Distortion or 59 sound. I do think the neck gains a little more clarity with the hex poles, though.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: What are the Seymour Duncan/IBZ's like?

The neck does not have hex poles. The neck has regular flathead adjustable poles, it's just that the slugs are plated in the same dark finish as the BW's slugs and screws so that it matches the silver/black scheme of the bridge pickup with the allen/philister pattern.

I pulled the trigger, lol. I'll post my thoughts once I get them. Haven't decided wether they'll go into my RG570 or my RGA121.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: What are the Seymour Duncan/IBZ's like?

Oh yes, thank you for that. I should have remembered better!

I do remember the '59 in that set being very clear in the SZ20XX/40XX series.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: What are the Seymour Duncan/IBZ's like?

There might be some wizardry going on with the neck pickup: Is it just me, or does that wire peeking through the square holes in the bobbins not look like the dark plain enamel in a standard '59?



I guess I'll know for sure when I get them.

Thanks for the info, BTW.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: What are the Seymour Duncan/IBZ's like?



They're in! In case anyone's interested, they're great. I used to have a Distortion some time ago in this guitar, but I didn't get to directly A/B it with this bridge pickup. It's doubtlessly in the Distortion camp, though. It's bright, it's grindy with a high-mid focus and raspy high-end, and it's tight but not thin. It's brighter and less mid-focused than the Black Winter with a touch less output. Perhaps a hair deeper lows too.

I'm almost sure the neck pickup isn't just a '59 with funky-colored slugs, though. The wire that peeks through the square holes is definitetly not purple/brown like the plain-enamel-coated wire that the '59B it replaced has. I also find this '59 much less boomy and, obviously, a tad weaker. I like, it, though!

Overall, nice pickups. They're a great match for this guitar.