Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

danut

danut

New member
Hello folks, my first post here!

I currently have a MIK Ibanez RG 470L, HSH configuration, basswood body, maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. Some time ago, I swapped the stock Infinity humbucker with a TB-6 Distortion Trembucker and the difference was night and day. I already ordered the folowing pick-ups to replace the remaining stock pick-ups: SH-2N for the neck and SSL-4 Quarter Pound Flat RW/RP for the middle single-coil. What do you think, was this a right movement? I use a lot the middle single-coil combined with the neck humbucker splitted, for clean stuff, and I wanted a clean, clear tone with definition, not over the top output. How are the SH-2N and the SSL-4 working combined? Also, how is the SH-2N in both clean and high gain situations? My amp is a SansAmp TRI-A.C. preamp with a Tech 21 Power Engine 60 powered speaker cabinet. I also use a Keeley TS-9 (vol maxed, drive at zero) in front of the preamp, for a clean boost.
Thanks a lot for your input!
 
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Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

That might work out ok. The thing is, whith a QP, you'll be mating a 13.3k single with a 3.8k split coil. The QP will probably dominate the Jazz split. I have a couple QP's and they have a fairly robust output. They almost have a humbucker character on their own. If your QP was tapped, you could tap it at the same time you split the Jazz. Thats still a 2:1 ratio though.

An SSL-1 or 2 might do better for what you want, although, what you have will probably still sound great. I love QP's. The Jazz can cover your cleans too.

Btw - Welcome to the forum. :)

Artie
 
Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

Thanks! I'm not worried, since I can still make some height adjustments. For a reference point, can you tell me what is the k output of the TB-6?
 
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Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

That is a good pickup choice i think, the Jazz (SN-2) is a good all-round pickup, haven't tried it split, but it is powerful but with a relatively medium output, maintaining good clarity and definition w/dist.
Depending on what sort of single-coil characteristics you wanted (vintage/modern etc) the quarter pounder touches thoses bases quite nicley and is versatile.
I don't know the difference between a MIK RG470 and a MIJ RG470 like mine but if its a clean, clear tone with definition your after, then i'd seriously think about changing the trem to an Original Floyd. Did absolute wonders to mine, really opens up the high end and added crispiness and life to my distortion but especially my clean sounds. Also improved the sustain too.
If u use those p'ups and stick a floyd in (even if ur not a heavy trem user) u'll have a very nice sounding axe.
 
Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

ArtieToo said:
The thing is, whith a QP, you'll be mating a 13.3k single with a 3.8k split coil. The QP will probably dominate the Jazz split.
Click to expand...

Deja vu. I just made a very similar comment in another thread. This is not a problem that could be solved simply by adjusting pickup heights. That said, the QP is a great pickup (I especially like the tapped versions) and I have no doubt it will sound good, but don't be surprised when the QP overpowers the split humbuckers.
 
Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

matt_transition said:
That is a good pickup choice i think, the Jazz (SN-2) is a good all-round pickup, haven't tried it split, but it is powerful but with a relatively medium output, maintaining good clarity and definition w/dist.
Depending on what sort of single-coil characteristics you wanted (vintage/modern etc) the quarter pounder touches thoses bases quite nicley and is versatile.
I don't know the difference between a MIK RG470 and a MIJ RG470 like mine but if its a clean, clear tone with definition your after, then i'd seriously think about changing the trem to an Original Floyd. Did absolute wonders to mine, really opens up the high end and added crispiness and life to my distortion but especially my clean sounds. Also improved the sustain too.
If u use those p'ups and stick a floyd in (even if ur not a heavy trem user) u'll have a very nice sounding axe.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your valuable input. Neither I do know the differences between MIK and MIJ RG470 (maybe the stock pick-ups, Infinity vs. V). Mine has the LO-TRS II tremolo which, by general consensus, is ****ty, but I blocked it and noticed, besides the well improved tuning stability, a better sustain. Moreover, the TB-6 itself seems to take care of the general thinness associated with locking tremolos. I am not a tremolo user anymore and I won't consider an OFR, since I'm planning to sell this guitar, sooner or later. (I think that only the pick-up replacement adds some consistent resale value; investing now over 200 EURO in an OFR, might be a wrong move in the long run, resale-wise). But thanks, anyway.

MikeS said:
Deja vu. I just made a very similar comment in another thread. This is not a problem that could be solved simply by adjusting pickup heights. That said, the QP is a great pickup (I especially like the tapped versions) and I have no doubt it will sound good, but don't be surprised when the QP overpowers the split humbuckers.
Click to expand...

Thank you, too, MikeS. Well, what can I say, I hope I won't be disappointed. In fact, I only followed the Tone Wizzard. I entered the exact specs of my guitar (at least, as much as the form permitted), I went for Rock/Pop style-wise and that's what came back: SH-2N w/ SSL-4. The bridge suggestion was, however, different, (TB-4) but I already have the TB-6 and this is just perfect for my ventures on the metal/hardcore territory.
On the other hand, I hope I ordered the QP correctly, in the RW/RP version, for the splitting situations, isn't it? Thanks again.
 
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Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

Hi!

I have an Ibanez RG270DX (the previous model of the 370DX) myself, and i play it alot. I have experimented with various pickups over the years, an EMG85, a SD Invader, and several others. Because of the insane prices here in norway (200 USD and over for a duncan pickup), i haven't got to try the ones i'd really want.

But, i found out that the construction and tone of RG's requires a pickup with strong low mids, and less "air" in the high mids. With the EMG85, it sounded unbearable to my ears, just too much bass and treble, like someone pressed a "loudness switch". It also enchanced the very airy\loose tone in my guitar.
The Invader worked pretty well, but it sounded too "chainsaw". Too harsh, brittle, brutal and such.

I'm trying to get a Custom Custom for cheap, which i am really interested in trying. If i ever get hold of one, i'll write a reply.

Cheers,
-Erlend
 
Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

Sorry for my messy post, i'm really tired ;). I wrote about brigde humbuckers, which i beileve you aren't looking for. Geez, i'm stupid.

Anyway, here's a bump. :)
 
Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

Heh, another lefty rocker! SWEET. I have a similar guitar. Mine is a MIJ470L but I've modded it w/ a Gotoh lic. Floyd and Bill Lawrence L450s. I'm probably going to try some other pickups in it though. I, myself, was thinking the TB6/cool rails/SH6n setup in mine w/ a push pull pot to split all 3 at once. The distortion rates at 16.6k and it's ceramic so it's pretty beefy on it's own! Here's my new toy

PDRM0002.jpg
 
Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

matt_transition said:
That is a good pickup choice i think, the Jazz (SN-2) is a good all-round pickup, haven't tried it split, but it is powerful but with a relatively medium output, maintaining good clarity and definition w/dist.
Depending on what sort of single-coil characteristics you wanted (vintage/modern etc) the quarter pounder touches thoses bases quite nicley and is versatile.
I don't know the difference between a MIK RG470 and a MIJ RG470 like mine but if its a clean, clear tone with definition your after, then i'd seriously think about changing the trem to an Original Floyd. Did absolute wonders to mine, really opens up the high end and added crispiness and life to my distortion but especially my clean sounds. Also improved the sustain too.
If u use those p'ups and stick a floyd in (even if ur not a heavy trem user) u'll have a very nice sounding axe.
Click to expand...

You'll laugh, but I decided to replace the trem!!! The pick-ups arrived, I put them in, everything works just fine, now it's only the crappy LO-TRS II trem that's giving me headaches so I decided to replace it! As you replaced yours, could you point me into the right direction in chosing the most appropriate trem to fit my guitar?
I contacted Floyd Rose and they told me the PRO version is not available left handed, only the Original is and "it may fit". On their advice, I downloaded some routing templates for the Original and a dimensional diagram of it, I measured my guitar and everything seems to fit, but I am not sure, I feel like I need the advice of someone who actually DID a replacement. Please share your experience replacing the tremolo and thanks in advance!!!
 
Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

I've done it a couple times actually. An original floyd rose will fit. So will a Gotoh lic. Floyd and Schaller lic. floyd.
 
Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

Are you saying that if I build a guitar and tell Warmoth or USA Custom Guitars to route for a recessed floyd rose, then I can put in my Ibanez edge tremolo and it will work? stud spacing and all?
 
Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

No, I'm not saying that all. For Danuts particular guitar, the trems I mentioned above are direct drop in replacements.

You can't put an edge in a stardard recessed Floyd route. The edge is too big. The post spacing is the same, but that's about it.
 
Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

Thanks.

Would you say the Lo Pro Edge is better or worse than the the other floyd licensed trems?
 
Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

9finger said:
I've done it a couple times actually. An original floyd rose will fit. So will a Gotoh lic. Floyd and Schaller lic. floyd.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot, 9finger!

Are you, then, finally and eventually (:smokin: ) 100000% positive that I won't do a mistake ordering a FLOYD ROSE ORIGINAL LEFT HANDED BLACK to replace the LO-TRS II tremolo in my guitar as depicted in the following pic? :


a.jpg
[/IMG]

I'm sorry for being so intempestive, but a couple of days ago, an intonation adjustment screw broke, on my already crappy tremolo and I am forced to replace it asap...I don't want to spend +$200 on something that won't fit perfectly.
 
Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

No worries bro. I had the exact same guitar you have. I had a schaller floyd and a gotoh bridge in there w/out any problems. I also just installed an original floyd on a friends S370 which have the exact same bridge on them as the RG470s.

I put the guitar back to stock before selling it so I still have the replacement bridges. If you're interested in one of them PM me and maybe we can work something out.
 
Re: Duncans for a HSH Ibanez RG 470

TeleJr24 said:
Thanks.

Would you say the Lo Pro Edge is better or worse than the the other floyd licensed trems?
Click to expand...


In my book bro, the Edge, Lo Pro Edge, Gotoh Lic. and Schaller Lic. Floyd style trems are equals. They all hold tune and function like their godfather the Floyd Rose Original.
 
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