Ibanez RG4EX1 H/S/H

[JonnyG92]

Okay guys... I got a guitar from a friend, he's moving and not gonna take all of his guitars and he gave me this one.

(Sorry about the quality, it was a cell phone pic)

H/S/H Configuration
24 frets
1V/1T/5-way
Basswood/Quilt-Maple top
3-pc Maple Neck
Bound Rosewood fretboard
Edge III Floating Trem


Anyways, I've begun to fix it up and want your opinion...

Which pickups should I throw in it?
It currently has the Ibanez INF4 Pickups, but I want to go for a full-out heavy drop tuning guitar.
I'm going to put a set of D'Addario Blues/Jazz Rock strings (.11-.49) into it and I'm aiming for Drop-C.

I was looking at putting an Invader in the bridge and maybe a Full Shred or a Screamin' Demon in the neck, or maybe even a Blackout set. I don't wanna do the Blackouts because I don't know where to put the battery.
And also, as it's an H/S/H, What do you guys think I should do for the middle pickup? Leave it stock?
What's the use of a SC in a HSH guitar?

What do you guys recommend?

Anyways, thanks for reading all of this!

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Ibanez RG4EX1 H/S/H

The first thing to "drop" is those INF pickups.

If you want to go active, one battery could tuck away under the jack socket access plate.

My favourite pickup for down tuning is the Gibson Tony Iommi signature humbucker. Available in black!

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Ibanez RG4EX1 H/S/H

As much as I love the Invader I don't really dig it in Basswood Ibby's, If you want heavy but not active in that Guitar I would go with the Dimarzio Dactivator X set or an X2N Bridge with Deactivator X neck....

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Ibanez RG4EX1 H/S/H

there really aint nothing wrong with the INF bridge pu
the single is a buzzing lil rascal
and the neck is a bit overwound for my tastes
( a bit too much for a neck, ya know )
what I did was swap mine for some Carvin S22 pickups ( the covered ones )
and put a Fender vintage noiseless in the middle
( you'll want a hot noiseless, trust me on this, the vintage cant keep up with he Humbuckers )

anyways heres some clips of mine in standard tuning

RG4CarvinComplete

the photos are killer too

I have a JB/Jazz set in an RG2 with the basswood body
they sound great

the INF bridge sounds JB-ish to my ears

not exactly what you were asking but
hope this helps

 

[TSE]

Re: Ibanez RG4EX1 H/S/H

Take the 2X thick ceramic from the INF4 and put it into a Custom. Best drop tuning pup, I use one and it's amazing. Or go with a Distortion if you don't want to fiddle with that.

 

[TSE]

Re: Ibanez RG4EX1 H/S/H

Also, use trembuckers.