Humbucker needed, suggestions?

[allepa]

Hello!

I have this pickup choosing problem: I just bought Ibanez RG1451 (basswood body, maple/rosewood neck and tight-end bridge) guitar, which has Dimarzio ToneZone on bridge. I was assuming pickup would sound good, but was disappointed to notice that it really lacks some growl. I recently sold my old RG821 which had Ibanez own stock bridge pickup CAP-VM2 and weirdly that stock pickup had more growl and better bite compared to TZ. Like the right higher frequencies that add the clawing evil sound to the tone are entirely missing. I am thinking maybe basswood body and TZ together make the sound so balanced it's almost boringly flat?

So: In a way I like TZ's large sound, but I need tighter and more brutal pickup. I like my guitar sound more or less like my bass sound: It would be cool to get a bit like Warwick vibe to it, tight bottom end and still punching form of mids and highs. A bit like this Celtic Frost on this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xP_KFgZBQw

Appreciate if someone could lend his knowledge and give some advice =).

 

[LazNovak]

Re: Humbucker needed, suggestions?

Check out these videos to start with.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryzie8mham8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpLpuO-q-To

 

[adames]

Humbucker needed, suggestions?

I have an RG2610 with a Dimarzio D-activator in it (it's a single pickup guitar). Talk about snarl... With the basswood, it's a bit too growly for leads especially without a neck pup to switch to. I'd recommend it for rhythm though. But seeing this is a Duncan forum, I actually am considering a Perpetual Burn to help out with leads. But, I'm guessing that too low output for you (and Tom G.).

 

[Ptolemaeus]

Re: Humbucker needed, suggestions?

Duncan Distortion. I really can't recommend it enough for metal stuff. Really tight and punchy in all my experiences with it. Has a really good saturation as well.

If you want to look into something different, the Black Winters have been described as an improved version of the Distortions. I haven't tried these personally, but I'm looking into it for a new guitar I have coming in.