I want to change my picups in my two guitars, for two different styles

[Elmasodoacro]

Hi!

I'm new here, and I was looking for a new pair of pickups on both of my guitars, I'll be really glad if you can help me to choose:

1. I have an 2010 Ibanez RG370DX (modified by replacing the tremolo with a Tune-o-Matic, blocking everything with mahogany, and with a push-pull knob for coil split) and I want to change the stock pickups for some Alnico V ones. I play nu-metal, deathcore and similars with it, I mean, I play really chunky chords and rythmic progressions, BUT I love to use harmonics, arpeggios and so on...in other words NO SHRED. I was looking on the Pegasus/Sentient set because of the clarity for every string in high gain situation, but the "moderate output" made me think twice. I am not shure about the JB/Jazz set because of the huge low-end, are there any alternative? Also, I discarded the ceramic ones because I felt them really flat and "souless".

2. I have a 2002 Aria II Pro Legen LT-X -a Telecaster. Basswood body, Vintage bridge, rosewood fingerboard, and everything a tele has. I play some punk rock, and 70s punk, but sometimes soft stuff like The Smiths or indie rock. I love the twang it has, and the neck pickup is glorious, but....it lacks some punch. I was looking between the Hot Tele Set or the Quarter Pound set, but the latter makes me doubt because everyone says that is like a "Tele sized" humbucker pickups, and the former I heard them and they are a little bit buzzy...are there another Alinco V alternative?

I am so sorry if I looked like a chit-chat guy, but I am desperate because no one of my musician friends can give me a proper answer

Thanks so much in advice!

 

[Clint 55]

Re: I want to change my picups in my two guitars, for two different styles

I think you're definitely on the right track!

The sentient is a great choice for a metal neck pickup. Vintage output is usually the right choice for neck position.
I prefer high output for bridge position. A5 options would be: Parallel Axis, Full Shred, Custom 5, JB. Although some guys like med output for a tighter sound. Definitely don't consider vintage output.

The hot tele set would probably be good. Or hot tele neck, and quarter pound bridge. It's nice to have a lil extra power for neck single coils, but you don't need a ton. So I think hot tele is probably the right choice. For the bridge, I think 6,7k pickups just sound bad. So that leaves your A5 options at the hot or qp.

 

[Elmasodoacro]

Re: I want to change my picups in my two guitars, for two different styles

The sentient is a great choice for a metal neck pickup. Vintage output is usually the right choice for neck position.
I prefer high output for bridge position. A5 options would be: Parallel Axis, Full Shred, Custom 5, JB. Although some guys like med output for a tighter sound. Definitely don't consider vintage output.

What about the Pegasus on bridge? Is it too weak or it is ok but tighter?

The hot tele set would probably be good. Or hot tele neck, and quarter pound bridge. It's nice to have a lil extra power for neck single coils, but you don't need a ton. So I think hot tele is probably the right choice. For the bridge, I think 6,7k pickups just sound bad. So that leaves your A5 options at the hot or qp.

Hmmm, I didn't think about qp on bridge and ht on neck, good advice! But, the qp doesn't take away the "twangy" sound of a tele?

Thank you so much for your answer!

 

[Clint 55]

Re: I want to change my picups in my two guitars, for two different styles

The Pegasus has enough output to give you a tight but full sound. The quarter pound tele bridge sounds fatter but still plenty twangy to be authentic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hs4GryqXf0

 

[Elmasodoacro]

Re: I want to change my picups in my two guitars, for two different styles

So, Pegasus/Sentient and QP on bridge are my choices! I have compared both of qp and hot, and I think you're right, I don't want a monster on neck. Thanks again!

 

[Mincer]

Re: I want to change my picups in my two guitars, for two different styles

I don't think the Pegasus would be a problem. The Pegasus/Sentient set is a mighty one, for chunky percussive chords to articulate highs, and they sound good clean, too. For the Tele, this all depends on how 'Tele-ish' you want it to sound. The QP set almost sounds like a set of P90s. To my ears, the Hot Tele Set has the lows and mids pushed up a pit, and is really hot, so it hits the amp a lot harder. So, I think you have to decide how important it is keeping a 'Tele sound'...otherwise there might be other choices than those 2.

 

[Elmasodoacro]

Re: I want to change my picups in my two guitars, for two different styles

To my ears, the Hot Tele Set has the lows and mids pushed up a pit, and is really hot, so it hits the amp a lot harder.

That doesn't make it kind of muddy? And harder than the qp or generally speaking?

So, I think you have to decide how important it is keeping a 'Tele sound'...otherwise there might be other choices than those 2.

I don't want to lose the "tele sound", but I need more punch, clarity and aggresion on bridge, fatness and warmth with a little punch on neck.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: I want to change my picups in my two guitars, for two different styles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRbmYQvWoK8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hs4GryqXf0

They sound like teles to me. I don't hear any loss of definition or tele character. All I hear is a fatter (better) sound. You should go for it if that's what you want.

 

[Mincer]

Re: I want to change my picups in my two guitars, for two different styles

Well, that is the thing...I don't know if the Hot set or the QP set add clarity. They add power..punch...and they are fatter...but they are not clear like lower output Tele pickups.