stratocrusher
New member
I recently picked up the discontinued Ibanez Talman TM71, which has a semi-hollow maple body and rosewood fretboard. I'd like to change the pickups on it, but would like to get some thoughts from you guys because most of my experience is with strats and teles.
The stock pickups have chrome covers, but I think I have already decided to go with uncovered black and cream zebra coils because it will look nice with the cream binding. I play and look for tones ranging from classic rock (Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Tom Petty) up through 90's rock (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains). The only full-size humbucker that I have much experience with is the JB that I have in the bridge of my G&L Legacy. I think it's higher output than what I am looking for here. I'd like to get a good clean sound from the neck, without being too muddy or boomy. Any clean strumming or picking will probably be done with the neck or middle position. I'd also like that big, fat, open, sustaining lead tone from the neck when overdriven. I'll go to the bridge for distorted rhythm and leads. I want something that crunches well, but is not overly compressed or high output, is good for leads, and balances well with the neck pickup. I hate to use this example, but Billy Joe's tone on Green Day's Dookie would be a good ballpark for the rhythm crunch that I would hope to get.
For the neck, I've been considering a Jazz, Alnico II Pro, or '59. For the bridge, I've been considering a '59, Custom, or Custom Custom. From what I've read, I'm really attracted to the idea of the '59 in the bridge, but I'm not sure if it has quite enough mids or output. I've heard the '59 can get boomy in the neck. The Jazz would be an obvious choice, but I've also read a couple of people recommending the Alnico II Pro because the Jazz doesn't do so well overdriven.
I'm prepared to use the exchange policy and swap around until I get it right, but if I could get it right the first time that would be even better. Any suggestions? Thanks.
The stock pickups have chrome covers, but I think I have already decided to go with uncovered black and cream zebra coils because it will look nice with the cream binding. I play and look for tones ranging from classic rock (Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Tom Petty) up through 90's rock (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains). The only full-size humbucker that I have much experience with is the JB that I have in the bridge of my G&L Legacy. I think it's higher output than what I am looking for here. I'd like to get a good clean sound from the neck, without being too muddy or boomy. Any clean strumming or picking will probably be done with the neck or middle position. I'd also like that big, fat, open, sustaining lead tone from the neck when overdriven. I'll go to the bridge for distorted rhythm and leads. I want something that crunches well, but is not overly compressed or high output, is good for leads, and balances well with the neck pickup. I hate to use this example, but Billy Joe's tone on Green Day's Dookie would be a good ballpark for the rhythm crunch that I would hope to get.
For the neck, I've been considering a Jazz, Alnico II Pro, or '59. For the bridge, I've been considering a '59, Custom, or Custom Custom. From what I've read, I'm really attracted to the idea of the '59 in the bridge, but I'm not sure if it has quite enough mids or output. I've heard the '59 can get boomy in the neck. The Jazz would be an obvious choice, but I've also read a couple of people recommending the Alnico II Pro because the Jazz doesn't do so well overdriven.
I'm prepared to use the exchange policy and swap around until I get it right, but if I could get it right the first time that would be even better. Any suggestions? Thanks.
