Ibanez INF1/2 ... anyone know what they're based on?

[Masta' C]

Good info, Masta'C. Thanks. I have a set of IBZ/USA pups, with the middle and neck still installed in my 91 540SLTD. Never really liked the bridge pickup, and have swapped it out with a Duncan Distortion, then an Invader, and most currently an Elysian Trident II (which works the best of them all in that guitar for my tastes). After reading your reply, I pulled the IBZ/USA2 out of my parts drawer and there's no paper tag on the bottom, just a "Made in the USA" stamping in it. But, I know it's legit as I'm the one that first removed it from the guitar.

You're welcome

BTW, I have not seen counterfeits of the original IBZ/USA pickups, only the later "DiMarzio/Ibz" branded pickups, which came out about 20 years later in the mid-'00s.

The IBZ/USA pickups manufactured in the late-'80s through mid-'90s were really good pickups. Though, like anything else, they didn't work for everyone and some people simply assumed that OEM meant "inferior" somehow, even though they were often tweaks on popular production models and made with the same high quality components as any other DiMarzio.

The very first version of the IBZ/USA pickups appeared around 1987 and didn't have a model number at all, simply saying "IBZ/USA" on the bobbins. Ibanez moved on to the "F1", "F2", etc. designations once they started incorporating more designs into their OEM pickup lineup.

 

[ICTGoober]

The IBZ/USA pickups manufactured in the late-'80s through mid-'90s were really good pickups.

There are lots of Super 70's and Super 80's which were offered on Ibanez guitars beginning in the late 70's right up until now. The original units are good sounding and have a great following among Ibanez lovers. Counterfeit Super 70's & 80's are a problem for many collectors because they look right for the most part - but don't sound right at all.

Another pickup Ibanez offered that is counterfeited to a lesser extent are the original V-2 pickups (mostly) in cream with black hex screws. They have a high output with a strong midrange - excellent for metal and heavy rock. The rare birds are the black V-2's, and the super rare zebra V-2's of this type. Very collectable, I have a set of each I'm saving for certain vintage Ibanez projects.

The newer V-2 (and other V series pickups) came only in black and were usually in RG series guitars, and are not as beloved but are still usable.

The guys over on the Ibanez Collectors World forum talk about vintage Ibanez pickups a lot, and newer stuff to a degree. One of their members created parts of the Ibanez Wiki.

 

[Top-L]

OK, now that we talked about Infinities, how about we talk Quantum Pickups? Did the Quantums replace the Infinity as the Ibanez mid range pickup?

The infinites are good. The Quantums are quite good too. Here is my Quantum / Infinity story...

About a decade ago, I transitioned from Dimarzio Evolutions to Dimarzio D Sonic, which has similar playing characteristics (hot ceramic, but not too hot) but is fuller and a bit rounder. D Sonic has been my favorite Dimarzio since about 2010. When I realized the D-Sonic was a little fuller and maybe less aggro than the Evolution (which I already had in a few guitars), I decided to pull the Evos from one guitar and replace them with the stock Quantums.

With my new frame of reference, I actually liked the Quantums more than the Evos!!! The Quantums were quite close to the D-sonic is playabilty and presentation (and frankly I like them enough that I would keep them in a guitar if already installed.)

This revelation caused me to order some Infinities from the bay. I liked them quite a lot too, especially the neck! Which I think broke the spell of the DImarzio "Dual resonance" patent BS, and made me open my mind to some of the Duncans. Custom, Full Shred, etc. Maybe I don't like Dimarzios that much after all?

So after a multi decade "experiment" swapping pickups, I somehow had arrived back at the Quantums. Which are very much like my favorite Dimarzio. And which caused me to buy some cheap Infinity pickups which I also like.

I know this is a pickup company website, but the little bits of metal, plastic, and wax that make up stock pickups aren't really any different than aftermarket ones.

 

[Masta' C]

The Quantums did not replace the Infinity pickups...they were released at the same time. The Quantums essentially replaced the previous DiMarzio-made pickups (IBZ/USA and "F_") in higher end models and were subsequently replaced by the later DiMarzio/Ibz pickups in the mid-'00s.

The first gen Quantums are awesome and were found mostly in non-RG models (at first). During that time, the higher end RG's received second-gen V-series pickups (V7, V8, etc) with premium models like the U.S. series receiving actual DiMarzio production pickups (PAF Pro, Tone Zone, etc).

The "Quantum" name was revived about 10 years ago and, while the newer Cort-made versions are surprisingly good for stock pickups found on entry level guitars, they don't quite sound like the originals in my experience. I would equate the newer "Quantum" stuff to the "INF"/Infinity pickups of old in many ways.

 

[Demanic]

My RG originally came with an Infinity 3&4 set. They were a solid set, but I eventually replaced them with a Distortion set.

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

 

[Securb]

Another pickup Ibanez offered that is counterfeited to a lesser extent are the original V-2 pickups (mostly) in cream with black hex screws. They have a high output with a strong midrange - excellent for metal and heavy rock. The rare birds are the black V-2's, and the super rare zebra V-2's of this type. Very collectable, I have a set of each I'm saving for certain vintage Ibanez projects.

I have a black V2 in the basement I am saving for my next project. IIRC they are a SD clone with an A5 in it. One of the best sounding pickups I have ever played. They do pop up here and there on eBay and Reverb. If any of you guys come across one grab it.

 

[Top-L]

The Quantums did not replace the Infinity pickups...they were released at the same time. The Quantums essentially replaced the previous DiMarzio-made pickups (IBZ/USA and "F_") in higher end models and were subsequently replaced by the later DiMarzio/Ibz pickups in the mid-'00s.

The first gen Quantums are awesome and were found mostly in non-RG models (at first). During that time, the higher end RG's received second-gen V-series pickups (V7, V8, etc) with premium models like the U.S. series receiving actual DiMarzio production pickups (PAF Pro, Tone Zone, etc).

The "Quantum" name was revived about 10 years ago and, while the newer Cort-made versions are surprisingly good for stock pickups found on entry level guitars, they don't quite sound like the originals in my experience. I would equate the newer "Quantum" stuff to the "INF"/Infinity pickups of old in many ways.

I have originals and bought a newer bridge Quantum from the bay. Different resistance on multimeter but they sound similar. I didn't delve too much into it. They should have come up with another name because they are different.

I can't back a judgement over which is better.

 

[Iron1]

I had a 97 S540 with Quantums and liked them well enough, but didn't love them. Then during the pandemic I picked up a 2015-ish S7 that had the 7 string quantums in it and I really liked those. Unfortunately it had the typical modern day Ibanez crap fret job and I ended up selling the guitar. But, if I had another opportunity to use some Quantum 7s, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Definitely liked them better than the original INFs I had, hands down.

As for the IBZ/USA ones, they're definitely good pups, just not my flavor.

To totally derail this thread, I picked up a Jackson HT7 Pro Juggernaut a few months ago with the Jackson Juggernaut pickups in it and those are really sweet. I prefer my Nazgul/Black Winter set, but the Juggernauts have a very nice balance.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

It should be noted that around 1980 or so, they changed the Super 70s from A8 to ceramic. The A8 ones are more sought after.

Super 80s were always ceramic, had the cool 'flying finger' cover, and they had two smaller rail mags in place of regular spacers. Magnets also thicker, like a Super D.

The Maxon V2 was originally developed for Paul Stanley's Iceman, iirc, based on a Super D. Later featured in the Roadstar RS315, 335 models, some Destroyers and Rocket Rolls etc. Not to be confused with the later V2 which came in the RG550.

 

[ICTGoober]

Easy way to tell an early V2 from the later are these two identifying characteristics. Look for a V-2 stamped on the bottom of the brass plate, and 3 height adjustment screws - not 2.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

^^ Yep.

Though there were a couple of iterations of versions which came in RGs:
1987-88 – no logo (or 'Ibanez Vintage' sticker; have seen these only in old style Roadstars which were still made in 1987 (Japan only)), slot screws/slug poles.
1989-90 – logos with the thick lettering 'IBZ V1/2'.
1991-onwards – thin, italicized lettering, 'IBZ' dropped.
1992 – hex screws replace slot, which are also shorter than the latter.

Apart from this, I guess they consistently had A5s, 10-11k neck/15-16k bridge winds, nickel baseplates.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

I've had a few RGs with the Infinity 1 and 2 and the 3 and 4. There isn't a DiMarzio you could compare them to. They're pretty good stock pickups. Better than most say. I got a Gio RG that I installed the 1 in the neck and the 4 in the bridge. Not a bad combo, but together they don't sound good. Middle is thin. I prefer the Infinity 4 in the bridge over the others. I do like the Quantums better, though. Quantums sound much better overall to me. But I think it's time for Ibanez to make some newer pickups for their guitars. Quantums are cool and all but it's time for something different.

 

[Masta' C]

Quantums are cool and all but it's time for something different.

To keep things in perspective, I don't think another guitar manufacturer has ever offered a greater variety of stock pickups over the years...V-series, F-series, Quantums, Infinities, Axis/AH series, Powersounds, Duncan/Ibanez, DiMarzio/Ibz, IBZ/USA, Super 58/'58 Custom, Hot Grinders, Super 70 & Super 80, TruDuo, Lo-Z, Classic Elites, and of course the new Q-series for their headless models, just to name the ones I can think of off the top of my head!

I don't think Ibanez gets enough credit for their pickup designs and willingness to try new approaches on a regular basis. Yes, their OEM stuff is built to a price point and, yes, aftermarket pickups *can be* an upgrade in some cases. But comparable brands like Epiphone have somehow managed to eschew the "innovation" expectation and got away with using the same 3 basic sets of low quality pickups for nearly 30 years!

The reality is that the newest generation of OEM pickups is really, really good. The second-gen Quantums are a great example of this. The Cort factory is putting out exceptional pickups (Ibanez, PRS, Sterling by MusicMan, etc) and guitars are hitting a performance to price ratio we've never seen before.

I'm not really sure what "innovation" looks like at this point when it comes to further improving "stock" pickups????

 

[Top-L]

I don't think Ibanez gets enough credit for their pickup designs and willingness to try new approaches on a regular basis. Yes, their OEM stuff is built to a price point and, yes, aftermarket pickups *can be* an upgrade in some cases.

They know what they are doing. In fact they probably have a larger R&D budget than aftermarket PU manufactureres.

When swapping to aftermarket pickups, its easier to hear if there is "more" of something. More output, more treble, more harmonics, etc. But what I listen for now is what there is "less" of. When swapping pickups, they usually also have less of something: less bass, less mids, etc.

Ibanez OEM pickups are pretty middle of the road, which can be a great thing. Its easy to replace them and think you're in a better spot because the new pickups have "more" of something, but they likely also have less of something compared to the OEM.

(As I mentioned earlier, the Dimarzio Evolutions had more treble and harmonics than the Quantums, but they were also less full and less open.)

 

[Iron1]

The reality is that the newest generation of OEM pickups is really, really good. The second-gen Quantums are a great example of this. The Cort factory is putting out exceptional pickups (Ibanez, PRS, Sterling by MusicMan, etc) and guitars are hitting a performance to price ratio we've never seen before.

I'm not really sure what "innovation" looks like at this point when it comes to further improving "stock" pickups????

So very true. You can sift through a handful of $2-500 guitars and find ones that play better than $1000 ones did years ago. Jackson especially has some great "entry level" stuff out there if you can find the diamonds in the QC rough. And Schecter stock pickups these days are really, really good too.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

The Infinity pickups do sound good and very balanced with Dimarzios. I have a D Activator and a Infinity 3 in this RG. The middle position sounds great and better than expected, so not replacing it.

 

[Securb]

So very true. You can sift through a handful of $2-500 guitars and find ones that play better than $1000 ones did years ago. Jackson especially has some great "entry level" stuff out there if you can find the diamonds in the QC rough. And Schecter stock pickups these days are really, really good too.

Add to that there are so many of us, especially here that swap out our pickups. The novice if savvy can go on the secondary market and buy quality used pickups. Some pickups were pulled from the guitars on the day of purchase.

 

[Masta' C]

Add to that there are so many of us, especially here that swap out our pickups. The novice if savvy can go on the secondary market and buy quality used pickups. Some pickups were pulled from the guitars on the day of purchase.

#truth

You can regularly pick up a virtually new set of the current-gen "Quantum" pickups for around $40 on Reverb. Similarly, you can grab a nice set of PRS "S" series pickups (85/15, 58/15, Tremonti, etc) for about the same price. People also rip the really decent stock pickups out of their Sterling JP models all the time and sell them for pennies, just because they want the actual pickups John Petrucci uses, even though they really aren't worlds "better", just a bit different.

 

[ICTGoober]

Add to that there are so many of us, especially here that swap out our pickups. The novice if savvy can go on the secondary market and buy quality used pickups. Some pickups were pulled from the guitars on the day of purchase.

Exactamundo! I've grown pretty enamored of the stock pickups in my Dean Caddy 80, and I've found more on them online for not very much. Have been stashing them to use on later projects, just in case. Awhile back found a triple set in gold that would look right at home in a LP Custom....

 

[Top-L]

Exactamundo! I've grown pretty enamored of the stock pickups in my Dean Caddy 80, and I've found more on them online for not very much. Have been stashing them to use on later projects, just in case. Awhile back found a triple set in gold that would look right at home in a LP Custom....

Is that the Baker's Act? I have a cheap Dean import guitar which shipped with pickups that sounded suspiciously like a Full Shred in the bridge, and a Jazz in the neck. Completely usable pickups.

Its acutally kinda fun judging a pickup on its merits without knowing what its supposed to be.