H-S-H AHBs or DMs

[The Tone Ranger]

Hey headbangers :banghead:

I'm deciding on an active pup set for my Ibanez RG 2550Z Prestige (basswood w/24 fret maple/rosewood board). It's a hum-sing-hum configuration. I replaced the orig Ibz/Dimarzio neck and bridge buckers with a custom wound passive set....but I'm just not satisfied and I've always loved the way actives sound. So I'm gonna pull the trigger on some actives. Now...
I'm deciding b/t the AHB-1 Blackout set or the Dave Mustaine Livewires. The only thing is I also will need a single for the middle position...so I'll have to go with the AS-1. That will look fine with the Blackouts, but the Mustaine's have those cool black metal covers that would look really cool with my smoked mirror pickguard, but the middle black one would look kinda out of place. It all comes down to tone, of course.
My main gig is in my church praise and worship team, but at home I'm a total headbanger! Plus, no passive can quench my thirst for those insane pinch harmonics! So I play clean and blues on the neck and contemporary Christian rock and metal on the bridge.
I'm leaning toward AHB-1 set + AS-1 for middle, but I'm not sure about ceramic bridge...does anyone have a double neck blackouts set? Also, does anyone think I should go with the Mustaine set over the Blackouts?
What about installation from a tech...what would that cost and would I need any modifications to my guitar besides changing 5-way blade switch to a 3-way? Thanks. Anything else you can add would be appreciated.
BTW - This forum is heads and shoulders above the EMG forum! People actually seem to care here.

 

[mustaine-who?]

Re: H-S-H AHBs or DMs

I'd choose the AHB-1 set over the Mustaine set every time. The Mustaine set is only a smidge different from their passive counterparts. Now the AHB-1s are true "actives" in how they sound...both angry and high-tech and quiet. I find the AHB-1 bridge too hot and heavy for me. I much prefer the AHB-1 neck PuP in the bridge spot. More organic...thick...grindie...just really nice. I wouldn't hesitate to run a double neck set-up in your Ibanez, with the BO single in the middle.

You'll need to change all the pots, the output jack, and your 5-way to a 3-way for the Black Out set. I'd imagine a tech will hammer you for close to $75 for having to do all that. Do a little reading, then do it yourself. Most people on here do, and I've done countless PuPs myself. You might find this hard to believe, but most "techs" aren't all that great, and make some big ass mistakes in wiring things up. I had an original Livewire set installed years ago, and the tech didn't even change the pots, and put the bridge bucker in the neck!! Never again...