Help deciding pickup for an Ibanez RG series?!

[mysylum]

Hello,

Newbie here!

I have a question as what what pick up configuration to use on my RG series Ibanez.

A friend of mine who's been in the metal circuit for years suggested Screamin' Demon pickups. Not that I don't value his opinion, but I'm my own person and curious of other options.

I'm into Heavier stuff than he is. I was really thinking about the Black Winter pickups, and I really think they sound way more versatile than he realizes.

Still though... getting older I have been finding myself getting back to my roots, Page, Clapton, Gilmore.

So, Would the Black Winter series in the bridge location and P-Rails in the neck position make a good pairing?
anyone done this? Or maybe my friend is right? The Sceamin' Demons may be the sweet spot?

Ultimately I should have two guitars, but I don't right now.

Any advice?

Thanks much!!

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Help deciding pickup for an Ibanez RG series?!

I'm really strictly a classic rock guy, and I can't really speak to the Screamin' Demon vs the Black Winter. In fact, I replaced the pups on my RG to be LESS metal and more PAF-sounding!

I can, however speak pretty intelligently about the P-Rails. I have the set with Triple Shots in my semi-hollow and love 'em. Great for classic rock... and they really rock when I want them to. I'm not sure how I feel about them being paired with a Black Winter, though. If you're looking for two COMPLETELY different sounds, then you found 'em! They aren't a pair that would typically be matched up, so I'd be hesitant... although I have to admit that I'm also pretty intrigued!


[emoji450] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk [emoji441]

 

[mysylum]

Re: Help deciding pickup for an Ibanez RG series?!

Just from my reading, I realize it's not something that is typically paired, but should be

There is also a single coil in the middle position that gives me ideas as well...

I just don't want to completely want a washed out sound doing to much at once.

As they say, beggars can't be choosers.

 

[EDX]

Re: Help deciding pickup for an Ibanez RG series?!

well you could put a dimebag set and a hot rails or jb jr in the middle, that would pretty much cover anything from blues to metal, the dimebucker alone can handle AC/DC and zztop and it will keep tight, focused, and clear no matter how heavy you get, the 59 bridge will handle all your paf neck tones albeit with a bit more bite than usual, also if you wan't a more strat middle position you could go with a hot stack or with a YJM bridge or YJM middle

 

[mysylum]

Re: Help deciding pickup for an Ibanez RG series?!

Hmm... choices!
My friend advised to stay away from Dimebuckers. He bought a set and went back to Screamin Demons.
Once again that's his opinion, but it is valued.

 

[EDX]

Re: Help deciding pickup for an Ibanez RG series?!

well the screaming demon really isn't a high output pickup, it's more of a hot paf to moderate output pickup while the dimebucker is the highest output passive duncan makes outside the custom shop, it has a very un-modern voice and it's eq curve is almost the total opposite of what you would expect from a pickup so hot (an incredible overwhelming amount of rich high end, a very tight yet litte bit spongy low end that keeps it from being clinical tight or sterile, very controlled flat and clear mids, no mid scoop as some old pafs nor the big mid boost most hot pickups are associated with), the big drawback of the dimebucker is that it can be quite picky with the guitar it gets in, thankfully not as picky as a JB in mahogany....... but still, it won't beef up an anemic guitar, it can take an alder guitar or a quite bright guitar, as long as the guitar has some beef it will be crunchy big and powerful, if the guitar lack low end the it will sound awfully bad worse than zombie bat crap

however if you're not sure you can always put a distortion, black winter or parallel axis distortion instead of the dimebucker while using the other pickups i suggested

 

[mysylum]

Re: Help deciding pickup for an Ibanez RG series?!

Just for reference, Why my friend suggested against it. It was to hot... for him. He said it was fine for Metal, but as far as tone it was hard for him to get what he wanted... to harsh.
I will take all things into consideration.

 

[EDX]

Re: Help deciding pickup for an Ibanez RG series?!

well it depends on the gear and the player, i like the fact that it has too much high end since thanks to that i can actually use my tone knob instead of disconnecting it or keeping it on 10 all the time, also i'm a thrash metal guitarist so..... i will really never have the problem of having too much high end on my distortion tone

 

[Whammy]

Re: Help deciding pickup for an Ibanez RG series?!

Personally I'd say the 59/custom hybrid would be a good balance/compromise.

I've heard it used amazing in high gain situations and it's versatile enough to help you get back to your roots.

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Help deciding pickup for an Ibanez RG series?!

Pretty in love with my Tone Zone in my RG..

 

[mysylum]

Re: Help deciding pickup for an Ibanez RG series?!

I've been checking out some sound samples of these 59's, and the hybrid.
These are pretty nice...
It's got he rethinking my whole strategy.