Pickups for a fixed bridge Ibanez used for modern metal.

[OceanMachine]

Hey guys, I recently got an RG721FML, it's an American basswood body with flamed maple top, bolt on maple/walnut neck and rosewood board. Also a big old fixed bridge which I adore!

The pickups that came in the guitar are quite backed off in terms of output, which makes them very articulate and great for lead playing, but I play fairly aggressive metal in B and they lack the cut necessary for those low tunings.

I'm after a set of humbuckers that can retain alot of that clarity and articulation but have enough output for the low tunings and aggressive metal style.

I'm tempted to throw my old favourites in, the distortion in the bridge and 59 in the neck, but I was interested to see if anyone had suggestions for a different bridge option? I wonder if a slightly more 'moderate' output pickup could yield better results?

Hear good things about the custom 5/ custom/ custom custom family.

Any thoughts about So pickups for ibanez guitars, let me know.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Pickups for a fixed bridge Ibanez used for modern metal.

Pegasus and Sentient sound like a great fit for your needs.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Pickups for a fixed bridge Ibanez used for modern metal.

I bet an Alternative 8 would sound fantastic in the bridge.

 

[elelpe]

Re: Pickups for a fixed bridge Ibanez used for modern metal.

Blackwinter, Pegasus, Alternative 8, Dimebucker.

 

[loversmoon]

Re: Pickups for a fixed bridge Ibanez used for modern metal.

i just happen to have an Alt 8 for grabs if youre interested.

 

[dominus]

Re: Pickups for a fixed bridge Ibanez used for modern metal.

Evolution set.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Pickups for a fixed bridge Ibanez used for modern metal.

In my fixed-bridge RGA121 I'm using a JB. Love the tone, but I'd say the tone is more grindy 90's metal than anything else.

My RG570 has a DiMarzio Dominion which is tighter, faster, more articulate, probably suited for modern stuff.

 

[Juanhanglo]

Re: Pickups for a fixed bridge Ibanez used for modern metal.

I have a 921. Basically the same guitar with different pickups.

I dropped a full shred set in mine.

It kicks all sorts of ass.

The neck p/u with the tone rolled down some is air norton-esque. Tone up is a good deal brighter. Pretty tight for a neck pickup

The bridge, though not as loud as a d'activator in my rg3, it has an attack and rudeness to it that I love.


Very versatile set.

 

[oneblackened]

Re: Pickups for a fixed bridge Ibanez used for modern metal.

I second the Full Shred recommendation. I have a set in my ESP Horizon NT7 and they kick ass, but they do work better in slightly darker guitars.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickups for a fixed bridge Ibanez used for modern metal.

From the description, I'd go with the Sentient / Nazgul setup, which is great with drop tunings when playing progressive/aggressive metal. This combo will be tighter in the bass than the Custom series.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Pickups for a fixed bridge Ibanez used for modern metal.

I'd say Dimebucker or BL 500XL

 

[lucaspaço]

Re: Pickups for a fixed bridge Ibanez used for modern metal.

I love the Nazgul!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Pickups for a fixed bridge Ibanez used for modern metal.

I'm not sure how deep the routes are on the RG721, but on my direct-mounted RGA, they are too shallow for the oversized ceramic magnet pups like the Duncan Distortion, Nazgul, Black Winter, Invader, etc., or DiMarzio Super Distortion, D-Activator, etc. I had a Crunch Lab in it at one point, but the I had to set it REALLY close to the strings because it would not go further down, so keep than in mind.

Long-legged baseplates (like the ones on most off-the-shelf '59's and Gibson pups) won't fit either.