Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

[NoelH]

Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Hey Folks,
I bought an '83 Destroyer II that had been painted black by special order years ago. So, I did the logical thing and made it into a "Phil Collen". Three Pickups and a Kahler. And I actually like the Kahler surprisingly after years on a Floyd.

Anyway, problem is V2 in the Bridge sounds lame. A lot of power yes, but I think the Basswood body makes it dark. Not enough high end detail.
And because it's a "Phil Collen", the Pickup has to be Cream, so SD is out.
I'm considering:

Lawrence L500XL
Dimarzio Evo
Suhr Aldrich

Any other ideas? Much 'preciated.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

The L500XL is hella nice. It's easily the best pickup ever made, and cheap at that. It has high output without compression, detail and articulation without being shrill, killer bass response, and excellent transparency allowing the voice of the guitar to shine through.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Those older Destroyers were usually Alder or Mahogany. Having trouble remembering a Basswood version...

Regardless, for high end detail, it's tough to beat the L500XL, followed by the Evo. I love the Aldrich, but it would be a warmer version of the pickup you already have in many ways. If you want more "bite" than the V2, the other two would be better choices.

 

[NoelH]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Yeah, I'm leaning toward the Lawrence. Always liked calling old Bill Lawrence before he passed.

Anyway, the Destroyer II is a DT-500. Basswood with a thin Maple Top, and Maple Neck.
My '76 Destroyer (Cease-and-Desist) is Japanese Sen Ash with a 3-piece Maple Neck. That one has a Custom 8 and IT KILLS!!!

Yeah, Christopher, I'm thinking the L500XL is my best bet. It has an L500R in the Neck and I love it.

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

You don't like the V2? Is it an older one with no stamped numbers on top, or newer with the stamped numbers?
If it's old - I WANT IT. Love them.

 

[NoelH]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

You want the V2? I'll bet it would sound GREAT in brighter guitar.
I'll let you know when I buy the Lawrence. Won't be this payday. Gotta pay the Mortgage. :boggled:
Don't have the disposable income I had before life happened!

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

You want the V2? I'll bet it would sound GREAT in brighter guitar.
I'll let you know when I buy the Lawrence. Won't be this payday. Gotta pay the Mortgage. :boggled:
Don't have the disposable income I had before life happened!

Send pix if you got 'em. You'll love the Lawrence, one of my fave pickups!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

If you like Phil, then SuperD is the obvious answer...

 

[DKSEARS]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

If you like Phil, then SuperD is the obvious answer...

Ace beat me to it. The SuperD is the way to go.


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[Demanic]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

How about one of those Dominions?

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[Mincer]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

I'd cobble together a double cream Custom from 2 pickups.

 

[NoelH]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Honestly, I just fell in love with the looks of the Destroyer II, not really trying to ape Phil Collen. I notice through the amp I use most, a Ceriatone AFD35 50 watter (Killer amp, BTW), I'm not cutting through the Keyboards very well. My '74 Les Paul Special with a JB cuts, and the above mentioned '76 Destroyer with a Custom 8 does. But this one doesn't.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Change the pots to 500k or even 1meg. That'll brighten it all up.

 

[Securb]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

It is not cream but I slapped a Dimebucker in my 80 Ibanez Iceman and it sounds amazing. The 80 is a mahogany body but I would imagine the same results. If it must be double cream I would go with the Lawrence L500XL.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

I would do what Minced suggested and take a zebra and reverse zebra pair of Customs and make a double cream Custom. Alternatively, if you keep an eye on Reverb and eBay, you can pick up most classic versions of SD pickups in double cream. In fact, I just picked up a double cream Custom a couple of weeks ago.

If that doesn't work for you, there is Bare Knuckles who produces many high gain pickups and will gladly give you double cream. There is also a whole host of smaller winders in the US, Canada an EU that make pickups; PAF and many other styles that will supply double cream, and at prices that will surprise you for the level of customization available. David at Zhangbucker is one who started by modifying existing pickups on this forum.

So, don't limit yourself to Dimarzio or Bill Lawrence.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Well, if you’re going for thePhil Collen thing, wouldn’t a Super Distortion be the only choice?

 

[TVFV]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

The key to Phil Collen's sound is being ripped and having an ear ring that drags your ear lobe down to the floor.

But in all seriousness, I would go with a Super Distortion. Outside of the Super 3 he hasn't used anything else.

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[Wattage]

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

Re: Ibanez "Phil Collen" Destroyer II. Bridge Pickup. Dull, really lousy definition

The L500XL would be a pretty great choice if you already have the 500 neck, especially if it is a very dark guitar. It'll have more clarity than you would get with the Super D.

Why not go with a JB if you like the cut it provides you? I am not a big fan of the JB but it certainly cuts and sounds like it would work for you as well.