Pickup recommendations for an ibanez AZ2204

[Danielwinkler02]

Hi all! First post here, and I came to ask this. I have an ibanez 2204, with a blue burst flame maple top. Love the guitar! However, I don't exactly love the SD hyperion pickups it comes with. They're fine: they just, to my ear, seem like a jack of all trades, master of none. In addition, the bridge pickup sounds a tad harsh to me, too much high end.

This guitar is an HSS configuration. I actually have a custom custom lying around I thought would be great for the bridge. I had it for an axis, I bought it because the stock axis sounded a bit harsh, possibly for the same reason: lots of maple on both guitars.

So, with a custom custom in the bridge, I'm set for some good rock tones. For the neck and mid, I'd actually like to go for a more bluesy tone, more srv and clapton than van halen.

The hyperions lack the sort of glassy tones I look for in a strat. So, I'm looking for some recommendations on single coils. I'd like to stick with true single coils, no stacked or humbuckers in SC size. I was sort of looking at antiquity Texas hot, but wasn't sure if the volume difference would bother me. Can anyone recommend me some good pickups? I'm usually a dimarzio guy, but would like to keep this guitar with seymour duncan. Thought ls would be much appreciated!

[Mincer]

Welcome to the forum!
The Custom Custom is one of my favorite pickups. For a neck and middle, I'd look at the Classic Stack STK-S4. They are great for SRV tones, and they are a good volume match for the Custom Custom. Also, they are noiseless- really wonderful pickups.

[Danielwinkler02]

Well, with only one response, I'm glad I asked :-) not familiar with those, so I'm glad I asked! I'll definitely check those out.

[Mincer]

Give it another day, someone will have another idea.

[ArtieToo]

It is hard to beat the STK-S4's. Classic Strat single coil tone, while remaining noiseless. Tough to beat.

[jeremy]

the classic stacks are great. if you want real single coils then id go ssl2, flat pole alnico 5 goodness

[Danielwinkler02]

I emailed SD, they recommended SSL-6. Looked into all suggested, and they all sound like awesome choices. I guess too many good choices is kind of a problem you want to have, huh? Thanks a ton, guys!

[jeremy]

if you have 500k pots the ssl6 is a ok choice. hotter and fatter than vintage, i find them dark in the neck and middle with 250k pots but with 500k, they can match up with bridge buckers fairly well.

[playas]

I haven't had the pleasure of trying them myself, but for true single coils I would have thought your own suggestion of the antiquity texas hots could be a great option.