JB and Jazz for my Ibanez RG550 20th Anniversary

[MKK]

Hi to all!
I'm looking for some versatile pickups for my Ibanez RG550 20th anniversary (basswood body, maple fretboard).
I play mostly Metal (not extreme metal, just classic from the eighties and some thrash), i was thinking for a JB and a Jazz , do you think it's a good choice?
I've also a emg 81-85 set ready to be installed but i'm not so sure, i see the EMGs mostly for more extreme genres and i was searching something for a good 80s glam metal sound..
So..i should go for a jb/jazz or put the EMGs?
Thanks

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: JB and Jazz for my Ibanez RG550 20th Anniversary

I'd say for a versatile rock/metal Ibanez RG, you consider the Custom/Jazz combo. How ambitious are you? There are a couple things that would really make that RG sing. I thought about getting one of those but I've already got a couple RG's and one that I'm refinishing, I digress...What I would do if it were mine would be to put the Full Shred in the bridge, and get a Screamin' Demon for the neck, but I'd pull the Alnico 5 out and install an Alnico II. Then I'd pull the screws out of the Demon and replace them with another row of Allen heads. That way the Demon has two rows of matching allen screws just like the Full Shred bridge, and the shortness of the screws + Alnico II magnet makes a super sweet neck pickup for a 24 fret RG style guitar. So again I ask, how ambitious are you?

The Full Shred neck pickup is remarkably similar to the Jazz neck pickup, but with Allen head pole pieces. Those poles tighten and crisp it up a little, and it's good for 24 fretters as well. So a Full Shred set would also be great.

The ultimate RG pickup set however, is the PATB's. That's the most forgotten gem of the whole line. If the PATB Distortion is too hot for your tastes, the PATB original set is an absolutely stunning Basswood RG/Maple/Floyd setup.

Anyway the JB/Jazz is a fine RG set. If you're used to it and you like the way those pickups sound, well, there's a reason they're Seymour's personal favorites! If you already have the EMG's sitting around, then you might throw them in just to see if you get along with them. EMG's are a pretty safe bet in any Basswood superstrat. If it were, with a Basswood superstrat I'd put the 81 in the neck and the 85 in the bridge.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: JB and Jazz for my Ibanez RG550 20th Anniversary

Try the Custom/Jazz B in neck. Install that, and have a big smile on your face! LOL

 

[Rowan]

Re: JB and Jazz for my Ibanez RG550 20th Anniversary

JB/jazz B should work pretty well for your style. The JB sounds great in basswood. If you need more balls, just swap in a ceramic magnet and it will be a duncan distortion lite.

 

[MKK]

Re: JB and Jazz for my Ibanez RG550 20th Anniversary

Thanks for all the answers!
So my choices for now are:
Duncan Custom bridge + Full shred neck
Distortion PATB-2 bridge + Original PATB-1 neck (intresting!)

 

[devastone]

Re: JB and Jazz for my Ibanez RG550 20th Anniversary

I might even suggest a PATB-1b for the bridge and a PATB-1n for the neck (yes, they have bridge and neck models). The PATB-2 is very hot and very midrangey, it sounds great but the PATB-1 would probably be more versatile.

That said, I kinda like the stock pickups in my 550XX (black with rosewood). A DiMarzio Breed set would also be a great choice for versatility (I know, this is the SD forum...).

 

[theodie]

Re: JB and Jazz for my Ibanez RG550 20th Anniversary

I might even suggest a PATB-1b for the bridge and a PATB-1n for the neck (yes, they have bridge and neck models).

The ultimate RG pickup set however, is the PATB's. That's the most forgotten gem of the whole line. If the PATB Distortion is too hot for your tastes, the PATB original set is an absolutely stunning Basswood RG/Maple/Floyd setup.

YES, I agree 100% with that combo for versatility!

Yes, PATB's are true jems and overlooked way too often! That are fabulous sounding pickups! Dont get me wrong, the JB/Jazz is OK but, The Patb setup will be a sure winner!

 

[theodie]

Re: JB and Jazz for my Ibanez RG550 20th Anniversary

Thanks for all the answers!
So my choices for now are:
Duncan Custom bridge + Full shred neck
Distortion PATB-2 bridge + Original PATB-1 neck (intresting!)

I think the PATB-1 will be a better choice over the PATB-2 in the bridge. Of course go with the PATB-1N in the neck though!

You cant go wrong with the Custom/Jazz though but, the PATB's would slightly edge it out for my first choice in that axe.

 

[MKK]

Re: JB and Jazz for my Ibanez RG550 20th Anniversary

So a PATB1 bridge + PATB1 neck seems to be be the ultimate choice!
Does this pickups give a good classic metal tone for riffs and lead on the bridge and and good cleans and shred tone on the neck?
Another question..I've heard some good impressions about the RG550XX stock pickups..but they aren't just the Ibanez V7 and V8 (generally considered terrible pickups)??
Do you know a good store to buy seymour duncan pickups that ships internationally??
Thanks!!

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: JB and Jazz for my Ibanez RG550 20th Anniversary

I had the V7 and V8 in an Ibby seven I just bought. I had some good Dimarzios to put in, but I was surprised that the stock pups were as good as they were. The Bridge (V8?) reminds of the Duncan Distortion type voicing, and the neck (V7?) was vocal in the mids and had plenty of top end, but not quite as nice as a Jazz or Full Shred Neck.