Ibanez S guitar with which SD pickups for fatter riffs?

xypher

xypher

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I have an Ibanez S1620 made with a relatively thin mahogany body, maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. It is currently using the Quantum 1 and 2 pickups which are stock. I would like to coil tap my pickups and that means upgrading them. The Quantum bridge (ceramic magnet) is only a 2 wire pickup. The Quantum bridge is currently slightly edgy and harsh. Perhaps a pickup with less output and treble? I am not technically savvy with pickups

I have googled across several forums trying to find prior threads about pickup choices for S series guitars.

Lately I have been playing alot of classic rock related stuff. I have been after the 'Les Paul' driven sound, basically a ballsy overdriven rhythm sound. I had to decide what sound I want anyway for this pickup change. Before anyone gets flustered, I am aware that this will never sound just like an LP. Maple neck, thin body, floating bridge and all. However I'd like to get as close as possible (within reason) that a pickup change can provide. I am playing thru a Laney LC15R, with MXR 78 custom badass distortion or Fulltone OCD and TS9 overdrive.

Common suggestions so far: 1st 2 are the tone wizard suggestions.
Bridge - JB, Custom 5, PATB-3.

Neck - Jazz, 59.

Is there anything else I should consider for the SD range of pickups?
 
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Re: Ibanez S guitar with which SD pickups for fatter riffs?

I don't think the JB is particularly classic-Les Paul-sounding. It does have some chunky lower mids, but it doesn't go real deep with the actual low lows, and the upper mids is what sticks out the most in it to me.

I'm thinking dual '59's might be your best bet if you want it to sound edgy, chunky, yet classic Gibson-y.
 
Re: Ibanez S guitar with which SD pickups for fatter riffs?

59's in a S series guitar still wont really sound like a LP... You need something with more mid push and rudeness to it, it still wont sound like a LP but will get you some of the flavor of it. Also dont 59's come standard with long legs? Those are an issue with S series bodies.

My suggestion... Custom Custom with a screamin demon neck.
 
Re: Ibanez S guitar with which SD pickups for fatter riffs?

I was gonna suggest a custom5 which works good for skinny mahogany guitars
 
Re: Ibanez S guitar with which SD pickups for fatter riffs?

I tried to use Ibanez S guitars for several years, and I finally gave up on them. The best sets I found at the time were the Air Zone / Paf Pro, and the Breed set.

I found something about the tremolo design on the cheaper S470 causing screachy highs while shredding higher up on the fretboard no matter which pickup I tried. I have transitioned over to RG's and am much happier. Here is a thread detailing my problems: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?265716-Screachy-highs-on-Ibanez-S470&highlight=ibanez
 
Re: Ibanez S guitar with which SD pickups for fatter riffs?

If you want thick tone and round high from your S, I'd suggest one of this combo: Alt8/Demon, CC/PG or PATB-3 set.
 
Re: Ibanez S guitar with which SD pickups for fatter riffs?

I second the Alt8/Demon.

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk
 
Re: Ibanez S guitar with which SD pickups for fatter riffs?

I've got a pair of handwound A4 '7th Sin' pickups (from Sin pickups/Chris Carter)in my S-540 LTD (which also had the QM1/2 Quantum pickups before) and they sound phenomenal. I had an Invader in the bridge (briefly) not bad..& then these went in and were perfect. Maybe check out something with an A4 ..it rounds the highs slightly.

(Pretty lo-fi) Loop pedal jam/solo with my S....don't know about LP-like, but it's warm & full sounding (no thinness/screechy highs..)

 
Re: Ibanez S guitar with which SD pickups for fatter riffs?

Did some better recordings of just the pickups ~ mono tracks/no effects...

..just messing around :bigthumb:


Bridge:


Neck:


...used the direct/speaker emulated out from my AMT Stonehead (50 watt SS head)
 
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