New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

M

MarshallUser

New member
Hello everyone,

I have two guitars that I am interested in upgrading the pickups, my faded red Epiphone Sg 400 (mahogany body, rosewood fret board) and my Ibanez s420 (mahogany body, maple neck and rosewood fret board), I play through either a Marshall DSL 15H or Fender Mustang 3. I want pickups that are good for soloing as well as rhythm playing. I am into hard rock and heavy metal, musicians/bands I like are Guns n Roses, Randy Rhoads, Steve Vai, (to name a few).

Reason I want new pickups is I find the pickups in the Ibanez to be a bit muddy, and just want to try something different. The Epiphone I'm just interested to see how much better it sounds with more premium pickups.


Any suggestions would be well appreciated!

Thanks in advance
 
Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

I haven't used them yet, but I bet the Whole Lotta set would fit the bill. Or maybe a '59 set. Or maybe even a Jazz neck with a '59 bridge.
 
Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

I will have a look at the Whole Lotta set as well as the other ones you suggested Thanks! Would the slash set be worth considering? Also the JB/Jazz combo? If so for which guitar?
 
Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

MarshallUser said:
I will have a look at the Whole Lotta set as well as the other ones you suggested Thanks! Would the slash set be worth considering? Also the JB/Jazz combo? If so for which guitar?
Click to expand...

WLH, yes. JB/Jazz, no. JB's can behave unexpectedly and differently in warm woods like mahogany.
 
Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

Thanks for the info about the JB, when you say WLH you taking about the Whole Lotta set?
 
Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

A friend got the old Jazz/JB on his G400 and it sounds wonderful, even with the stock wiring. If you're not looking for vintage, PAFy output, that's what I'd get!
 
Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

Rather than the JB I would recommend the Custom or Distortion. With an A8 magnet in the Custom, you will have just about the best bridge humbucker possible for an SG. Covers just about all territories from clean to metal.
 
Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

What about a 59 in the neck instead of the Jazz? Just I found a second hand set online pulled from a new guitar, 59/JB
 
Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

Another question, what sized spacing will I need for each guitar? Can't seem to find a clear answer for the Epiphone, very mixed opinions.
 
Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

I'm not much of a 59 fan, and JB can be hit or miss in an all mahogany guitar. Some people like it, some don't.

You'll be just fine with regular spacing in the Epi.
 
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Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

If it were me, I would set up the SG for rock and classic rock, and the Ibanez for Metal.

The SG has a lot of natural mids and does well with pickups that have a bit of a mid scoop. The 59's or a Custom 5 do well there. The 59 or Jazz do well in the neck. The Steve's Special and 36th anniversary neck are good choices from Dimarzio.

The Ibanez does well with fatter pickups that have more mid content and treble that is not too bright. A Super Distortion and Super 2 would give you some Randy Rhoads vibe. The Breeds are a good fat set from Dimarzio, and so is a Tone Zone and Paf Pro.

You need F-spaced for the Ibanez S420 bridge.
 
Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

F spacing are the trembuckers right? Also removed the neck pick up from my SG and saw an 'F'. Does that mean that also need F spacing for that rather than standard that was suggested previously?
 
Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

Trembucker versions are F-spaced. The F-spaced model names will be TB-xx instead of SH-xx.
The "F" on your pickup probably refers to "front" pickup, and the bridge will have an "R" for rear or a "B" for back. I don't really understand why anyone began using the "front and rear" designations for the pickups since they are both on the "front" of the guitar. "Neck and Bridge" makes more sense.
 
Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

I have a Jazz/JB set in my RG2
love the sound
does classic rock / Hair metal / 80's metal with ease

I would bet the 59/Custom would sound as good

most users prefer Dimarzio in Ibanez
Air Norton/Tone Zone i believe
 
Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

Ibanez RG's and S's are completely different guitars. What sounds good in one will not necessarily sound good in the other. I love the Tone Zone and Paf Pro I have in my RG, but was not crazy about it in my S470.
 
Re: New Pickups for Epiphone SG 400 and Ibanez s420

I'm thinking maybe a 59/custom 5 for the ibanez but not sure on Epiphone, thinking maybe slash set or something similar. What would be a good pick up for lots of sustain?
 
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