Need pickup help with my new Ibanez AS103

A-Ro

A-Ro

New member
I recently got this guitar and, it's really great. And I know the pickups are supposed to be good in this guitar (Classic '58s) so maybe I'm just wierd but, in this particular guitar the bridge is too bright to my ears and the neck is too boomy....

So, what pickups would you recommend to warm up the bridge and brighten up (and add clarity) to the neck in a maple semihollow?
 
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Re: Need pickup help with my new Ibanez AS103

Anyone?

Would a Jazz or a Fralin P-92 work well in the neck for what I need?

Should I just try a 300k pot for the bridge first or, change pickups alltogether to something with an Alnico II mag (or both)?
 
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Re: Need pickup help with my new Ibanez AS103

you have separate tone and volume controls for each pickup rite

lets see I think there is a mod that will darken the bridge pickup
>>> I think its a bigger tone cap a .047 I believe

and to brighten the neck I think its to add a resistor to the end of the lead going to the switch
>>>> remove the pickup wire to switch solder one leg of the resistor to where the pickup wire was, then solder the pickup wire to the other leg of the resistor

I may have these backwards and hopefully someone will chime in and correct me if I am
 
Re: Need pickup help with my new Ibanez AS103

ehdwuld said:
you have separate tone and volume controls for each pickup rite

lets see I think there is a mod that will darken the bridge pickup
>>> I think its a bigger tone cap a .047 I believe

and to brighten the neck I think its to add a resistor to the end of the lead going to the switch
>>>> remove the pickup wire to switch solder one leg of the resistor to where the pickup wire was, then solder the pickup wire to the other leg of the resistor

I may have these backwards and hopefully someone will chime in and correct me if I am
Click to expand...

anyone know if this is correct?

I believe I got it right just need someone to confirm
 
Re: Need pickup help with my new Ibanez AS103

I have an AS103NT custom. It has the S58's. The super58's actaully. The supers have A5 mags, the C58's or classic58's have ceramic mags. At least that is what my internet research has shown me. Are there any other differences ? I have no idea.

To brighten the neck. try lowering the pup a turn while raising the pole pieces. This will add clarity. Adjust to taste. To warm the bridge, do the opposite. raise the pup and lower the poles. Experiment. Try rolling off some of the bridge tone control as well.

If I was going to replace the pups I would looks at Seth Lover's for Seymours and Classic 57's/ 57 plus from gibson. These are what I would consider myself.

I don't really get alot of return from cap value experiments. But it may work for you though. There is allways magnet swapping as an option as well. Semi-hollows are just kinda a PIA to work on. Others may suggest lower resistance rated pots. Mine has 500k. Some 250-350k pots would darken things up a bit.

Here is mine. Love it, as it has become my #2 surprisingly.

012-1.jpg
 
Re: Need pickup help with my new Ibanez AS103

hey Lowenz

a bit off subject but

hows them S22s sound in your CS4

a forum brother Jordan is sending me the same set
I am going to put them in My Ibanez RG4 in my sig line
just wondering if they have a similar personality to my JB/Jazz set in my other RG2

the specs seemed similar
just wanted your opinion

thanks
 
Re: Need pickup help with my new Ibanez AS103

ehdwuld said:
hey Lowenz

a bit off subject but

hows them S22s sound in your CS4

a forum brother Jordan is sending me the same set
I am going to put them in My Ibanez RG4 in my sig line
just wondering if they have a similar personality to my JB/Jazz set in my other RG2

the specs seemed similar
just wanted your opinion

thanks
Click to expand...

The S22's are actually really nice, my favorites from Carvin yet, (I've had many) In the last 5 years or so they have really stepped up their game in a big way.

Both pickups are thick, full, round.

Bridge has output comparable to Seymours custom wind. Very full in the mids, bottom end attack is nicely balanced between that too loose (A2ish) and dry tight(ceramic), top end is clear and present, not even remotely harsh. If I could improve it in any way I would want a little more upper mid/clarity/presence. Tough call really.

Neck is a traditional PAFish voice, wish it had a bit more clarity, a little more output than traditional PAFish neck pups. Nice tight attack-no mush or bounce, does seem a hair bit congested. But I have that problem with just about every neck HB. I have yet to be truely happy here. But this is damn close I must say.

Hope this helps. I have not messed with a JB in many years, I did not care for it back then though. I have never tried a Jazz, although I wonder if I should as I am yet to be satisfied with neck Pups.
 
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