Pickups for an Ibanez S (Fuglybuckers maybe)?

Shadow1psc

Shadow1psc

New member
Hello all,

as some of you may have seen in the parallel guitar area, I picked up an Ibanez S570. This bad mutha is apparently solid mahogany (QM top), but compact, and one of the new models that sports a 24 fret neck instead of the normal 22 fret/scale. I'm not going to lie, I know almost nothing about how this is going to affect its tone towards pickups I may want to try - I know that a large solid mahogany body darkens the tones, so something like an Alternate 8 can be slightly evened out and really shine in a Les Paul, but a Les Paul this thing ain't.

My Fuglybuckers are on their way, and I was originally going to throw them into my swamp ash ESP Horizon, which may as well be the polar opposite of this Ibanez. The only experience I have with aftermarket 'buckers is putting a Crunchlab/Liquifire in my RG470 (absolutely great set for versatility). I will say I've always liked Ibanez' INF pickups (I have a 4Ex1, 470 and now this S570 that all have them) but I definitely feel like I can be getting more clarity at least. This S570 (and my RG470) are both HSH configured, and I didn't swap the single in my 470.

So, what am I looking for? I mention the Alternate 8 because it sounds the best to my ears in Keith Marrow's shootout. I like progressive metal (Dream Theater, Symphony X), jazzier fusion stuff (LTE, Pain of Salvation, Scale the Summit), and most of these bands imply, but I'm not afraid of the cleans either (I like a nice sparkly clean that doubles well with delay). So, based on that plethora of information, can anyone recommend what I do with this new guitar? Thanks :D
 
Re: Pickups for an Ibanez S (Fuglybuckers maybe)?

I'd go DiMarzio. Bluesbucker neck, EVO2 bridge.
 
Re: Pickups for an Ibanez S (Fuglybuckers maybe)?

Alternative 8 in the bridge and Screamin' Demon in the neck with position 3 for both pickup (not the middle pickup). No need to swap the single coil.
 
Re: Pickups for an Ibanez S (Fuglybuckers maybe)?

I would definitely try your Fuglybuckers when they arrive. I haven't tried the bridge version, but my neck fugly is just amazing. If you want clarity, you've got it in spades. It's a very rich sound with extended EQ. Chimey with tight bass and even mids. It's a little bright (not spikey at all or piercing) so it works very well in lots of mahogany.

The Demon is also a great choice for the neck (or bridge) as is the 59/C hybrid.

But since you've already got a set of Fuglybuckers on the way, to me it's a no-brainer.
 
Re: Pickups for an Ibanez S (Fuglybuckers maybe)?

GuitarDoc said:
I would definitely try your Fuglybuckers when they arrive. I haven't tried the bridge version, but my neck fugly is just amazing. If you want clarity, you've got it in spades. It's a very rich sound with extended EQ. Chimey with tight bass and even mids. It's a little bright (not spikey at all or piercing) so it works very well in lots of mahogany.

The Demon is also a great choice for the neck (or bridge) as is the 59/C hybrid.

But since you've already got a set of Fuglybuckers on the way, to me it's a no-brainer.
Click to expand...

Cool, I have yet to read too much about the people who have installed and reviewed their fugly's, but I'm glad your description sounds like what they were designed for. Anyone have any ideas about a good middle pickup that compliments something like Alt8/Demon or Fugly/Fugly? The only aftermarket single coil I have experience with is the hot rails set, and dear god did I love that bridge and neck, but I often ignored the middle. Should I just wire the bridge/neck together for middle position?
 
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