I have an Ibanez RG, basswood body, rosewood fretboard and I play through a Box AC 15. I play anything from blues, classic rock, a little metal, to whatever strikes me at the moment. Looking for a set of pickups that will be able to handle my musical A. D. D. I was thinking of the Hotrodded Humbucker set, but some people have said the combination of the JB and the Vox might be a little too much on the high end. Does anyone have a better suggestion ?
Pick-up choice
- Thread starter RB522
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blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Pick-up choice
There are those that don't consider JB's to be particularly versatile PU's. With you playing some blues & classic rock, it shouldn't be the first thing that comes to mind.
There are those that don't consider JB's to be particularly versatile PU's. With you playing some blues & classic rock, it shouldn't be the first thing that comes to mind.
Re: Pick-up choice
The stock pickups are an EMG knock off. While not horrible, the overall tone is bland, almost sterile sounding. They work OK with pedals, but the stand alone sounds just isn't that good.
Re: Pick-up choice
You might take a look at the '59 & 59/Custom Hybrid set. They aren't high output pickups, and they are better for more styles of music. They do many things well and remain tight.
You might take a look at the '59 & 59/Custom Hybrid set. They aren't high output pickups, and they are better for more styles of music. They do many things well and remain tight.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Pick-up choice
For blues, classic rock, a little metal through a Vox AC15, my first thought is Whole Lotta Humbucker. They are like a much more refined, much more even, much better sounding 59 set with a little push in power but not too much. I've only tried them in mahogany/maple type Gibson guitars, however, so I don't know if they will respond significantly different in a basswood RG. My second thought would be Pearly Gates set, or 59/Custom with a Pearly Gates neck.
For blues, classic rock, a little metal through a Vox AC15, my first thought is Whole Lotta Humbucker. They are like a much more refined, much more even, much better sounding 59 set with a little push in power but not too much. I've only tried them in mahogany/maple type Gibson guitars, however, so I don't know if they will respond significantly different in a basswood RG. My second thought would be Pearly Gates set, or 59/Custom with a Pearly Gates neck.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Pick-up choice
Not big sellers at all in blues & classic rock circles. Don't forget, JB's are one of the world's most marketed PU's too.
Not big sellers at all in blues & classic rock circles. Don't forget, JB's are one of the world's most marketed PU's too.
ICTGoober
New member
Re: Pick-up choice
Not forgetting at all. The JB is my personal fave, and since their introduction by Seymour Duncan, I've probably sold and installed hundreds - maybe thousands. But in my eBay and Reverb stores, the Hot Rod set outsells everything else rolled together by 300%.
All I am saying is the Hot Rod set is a great place to start if you don't know what to buy. They may not be the exact flavor you wanted, but you can always turn them or save them for something else. They have a "known value" in the marketplace, and most folks are familiar with their sound in most popular guitars. Call it a benchmark.
Not forgetting at all. The JB is my personal fave, and since their introduction by Seymour Duncan, I've probably sold and installed hundreds - maybe thousands. But in my eBay and Reverb stores, the Hot Rod set outsells everything else rolled together by 300%.
All I am saying is the Hot Rod set is a great place to start if you don't know what to buy. They may not be the exact flavor you wanted, but you can always turn them or save them for something else. They have a "known value" in the marketplace, and most folks are familiar with their sound in most popular guitars. Call it a benchmark.
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blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Pick-up choice
The benefits of a long-term marketing campaign. Duncan makes many great HB's that are often better choices for a number of players. That's why Seymour invested the time and money in creating them. It's worth looking at some of them before making a decision.
The benefits of a long-term marketing campaign. Duncan makes many great HB's that are often better choices for a number of players. That's why Seymour invested the time and money in creating them. It's worth looking at some of them before making a decision.
Re: Pick-up choice
That's just it. I have a guitar with Super Distortion's in it, so I've got the hot pickup end covered. I'm looking to give this guitar a full, warm, sweet tone that can also have some bite of I need it to.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Pick-up choice
The CC is warm and smooth, and if you want those qualities in the neck slot, go with an A2P or PGN (A2 magnets in all three of these). That would be a good set for you. If you're looking for a brighter neck, a '59 or Jazz are nice (both have A5's).
The CC is warm and smooth, and if you want those qualities in the neck slot, go with an A2P or PGN (A2 magnets in all three of these). That would be a good set for you. If you're looking for a brighter neck, a '59 or Jazz are nice (both have A5's).
Re: Pick-up choice
I love the Custom Custom, especially in bright sounding guitars. The CC and the Jazz are sort of opposites, though- the CC has a lot of mids, but not much bass or treble. The Jazz is scooped. This may be fine to you (many people like that sort of contrast), but it is really up to you and what you want from your guitar.
I love the Custom Custom, especially in bright sounding guitars. The CC and the Jazz are sort of opposites, though- the CC has a lot of mids, but not much bass or treble. The Jazz is scooped. This may be fine to you (many people like that sort of contrast), but it is really up to you and what you want from your guitar.
Re: Pick-up choice
Well, I'm thinking Jazz neck because I've heard it sounds like the Cool Rails. I had one of those in an old guitar and loved it ! I'm trying to make this guitar cover as much tonal ground as possible. I may be playing in a band again (first time in 30 years) and the music is all over the map. I'm really looking for something to cover everything here.
Well, I'm thinking Jazz neck because I've heard it sounds like the Cool Rails. I had one of those in an old guitar and loved it ! I'm trying to make this guitar cover as much tonal ground as possible. I may be playing in a band again (first time in 30 years) and the music is all over the map. I'm really looking for something to cover everything here.