Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

[bloodswords]

it's a long shot, but i'm gonna ask anyway: Anyone here has knowledge as to which specific Duncan humbuckers are in this particular Ibanez SZ Prestige (debut 2005 NAMM)? it gets my blood rushing just by looking at it... i'm definitely a Duncan + Ibanez fan... anyone?

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

Glad you asked. I'm personally very happy that Ibanez is using our pickups in some of their guitars for the first time. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a great business relationship.

As for the pickups, there are two sets: USA-made and Korean-made. It's easy to tell the difference. The Santa Barbara-built pickups are labeled "Seymour Duncan / IBZ" and the Korean versions are "Duncan / Ibanez."

Both USA and Korean sets are based on the same basic design. The bridge pickup is high-output with a ceramic magnet, similar to a Duncan Distortion. The neck pickup is a moderate output alnico 5 'bucker, based on the venerable '59 neck.

Look for an FAQ response about this with more details shortly.

I must say, I had a chance to play the guitars....

GAS!

 

[y2stevo]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

Does that mean the Ibanez are altering the designs somewhat of the pickups? Or do they just put their name on it for the laugh? :laugh2:

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

The designs are altered a little. But they're closest to a Distortion and '59.

 

[UCSDBoy]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

are they altered to suit the needs of this specific model, or are they altered just for the sake of altering? Distortion/59 is classic - how can you mess with that?

I want that guitar though - My Korean SZ with CC/A2P is my best sounding guitar... I wonder what that thing is going to sound like!

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

Here's the FAQ and response:

==================

Q: What are the specs on the pickups you're making for Ibanez?

A: We're making both guitar and bass pickups for Ibanez. We arrived at these designs after working closely with their guitar and bass R&D departments. Some of the pickups are made in USA and some are made offshore. The specifications are listed below.

Guitar Pickups
USA Made:
Neck Humbucker
Logo: "Seymour Duncan / IBZ
Specs: 7.43K / Alnico V Bar Magnet / Nickel Slotted Screws and Black Plated Studs

Bridge Humbucker
Logo: "Seymour Duncan / IBZ"
Specs: 16.6K / Ceramic Bar Magnet / Trembucker Spacing / Nickel Slotted Screws and Black Allen Screws

Offshore Made:
Neck Humbucker
Logo: "Duncan / Ibanez"
Specs: 8.13K / Alnico V Bar Magnet / Nickel Slotted Screws and Nickel Studs

Bridge Humbucker
Logo: "Duncan / Ibanez"
Specs: 17.08K / Ceramic Bar Magnet / Trembucker Spacing / Nickel Slotted Screws and Nickel Allen Screws


Bass Pickups
USA Made:
4-String "J" Neck
Logo: Molded "Ibanez" / Pad-Printed "Basslines"
Specs: 9.42K / Alnico V Pole Piece Magnets

4-String "MM" Bridge
Logo: Molded "Ibanez" / Pad-Printed "Basslines"
Specs: 3.53K per coil wired in parallel / Alnico V Pole Piece Magnets

5-String "J" Neck
Logo: Molded "Ibanez" / Pad-Printed "Basslines"
Specs: 10.66K / Alnico V Pole Piece Magnets

5-String "MM" Bridge
Logo: Molded "Ibanez" / Pad-Printed "Basslines"
Specs: 4.18K per coil wired in parallel / Alnico V Pole Piece Magnets

Offshore Made:
4-String "J" Neck
Logo: Molded "Ibanez" / Pad-Printed "Duncan"
Specs: 7.99K / Alnico V Pole Piece Magnets

4-String "MM" Bridge
Logo: Molded "Ibanez" / Pad-Printed "Duncan"
Specs: 3.40K per coil wired in parallel / Alnico V Pole Piece Magnets

5-String "J" Neck
Logo: Molded "Ibanez" / Pad-Printed "Duncan"
Specs: 10.44K / Alnico V Pole Piece Magnets

5-String "MM" Bridge
Logo: Molded "Ibanez" / Pad-Printed "Duncan"
Specs: 4.01K per coil wired in parallel / Alnico V Pole Piece Magnets

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

It's similar to Dimarzio's "custom wound for (specific guitar)" The only difference if all of those dimarzio usa custom wounds always sounded like total crap to me. I had the IBZ dimarzio ones in my S series, The ones they wound for that Fender Custom Telecaster, and the ones now in my Parker Nitefly. I always end up putting in Duncans instead. The ones in my Nitefly aren't that bad though, they could pass for okay until I put duncans in.

 

[Rainmaker]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

Ibanez and DiMarzio are two companies who, when I thought of one, I thought of the other. Not anymore! Gogo Seymour Duncan!

 

[bloodswords]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

i see... i'm now applauding the Duncan-Ibanez collaboration, it's a long time coming but it finally happened. kudos, kudos... i'm not one to badmouth Dimarzio here, but Duncans in Ibanez guitars simply gets my thumbs up... Dimarzios are fine pickups too...

i'm gonna invest in that SZ simply because of the Duncans in there. *sigh* the things we do for tone...

 

[BigBazz]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

Speaking of pickups. how is fenders Blackout telecaster so cheap. it has Seymour duncan pickups and its cheaper than a lot of guitars ive seen with Duncan Designed pickups. My friend just bought one here in the uk for £319

 

[bloodswords]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

the Blackout series are Japanese... ok not to hijack this thread too much...

 

[BigBazz]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

i am the master of hijacking threads. as much as id like to try an ibanez with duncans i dont think i ever will since i just bought a Jem and i dont like ibanez's expept ofcourse my Jem

 

[UCSDBoy]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

i am the master of hijacking threads. as much as id like to try an ibanez with duncans i dont think i ever will since i just bought a Jem and i dont like ibanez's expept ofcourse my Jem

dude, you suck. =)

As much as I like Ibanezes (come on, they're not all that bad. =)) I don't think I'll ever buy another one. For as much as it would cost to get a prestige brand I could order custom parts from warmoth, usa customs, etc. and probably get a better guitar.

 

[Travis]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

Why is Ibanez altering the pickups at all? Why not just have a DD/59 come stock in the guitar? Silliness I tell you.

 

[bloodswords]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

i tried the above SZ Prestige today with the 'Seymour Duncan IBZ' default pickups- thumbs way up!! both models had plenty in store for players looking for good tones, they certainly lived up to the model they were replicating BUT i hold them in high regards per se.

i only wish that there would be more models featuring these humbuckers as they really give me what i wanna hear- crushing high gain + lush tones at restrained drive settings. saving up for the above guitar already... :dance:

 

[Nite_Maresz_25]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

So i guess im not the only one with a HUGE case of gas over the new ibanez sz line.

 

[Artie]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

Why is Ibanez altering the pickups at all? Why not just have a DD/59 come stock in the guitar? Silliness I tell you.

Thats what I wondered. Must be some marketing thang.

 

[bloodswords]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

the SZ prior to the Duncan upgrades were fine guitars. the Duncans in them now, simply makes them superb!

 

[Nite_Maresz_25]

Re: Ibanez Prestige + Duncans...

the SZ prior to the Duncan upgrades were fine guitars. the Duncans in them now, simply makes them superb!

yes they are. I played a 2004 sz520 the other day and it ruled!!!