Pickups for Ibanez RG

[UnderTheFlame83]

Looking to replace the stock pickups on my new Ibanez RG. Great guitar but the stock humbuckers aren't very high output and pretty dark. Lack sustain. I have a few in mind and all are DiMarzio, cause I haven't had good results with Duncans in any RG before. Nothing active. The pickups I am thinking about trying out in this guitar are a set of X2Ns (or X2N in bridge and D Activator neck), set of Evolutions, and a set of D Activators. Maybe a Super 2 in the bridge and PAF Pro neck? Those are the ones I have in mind. And I would also like to keep them all black with black pole peices on this guitar.

Versatility is a plus because I do plan on using cleans just as much as dirt tuned half step down and drop C occasionally. Modern metal with chunky rhythms and blistering leads. Just a straight up shred stick that screams and cleans up when needed.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Synapsys]

PATB-2 set.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

PATB-2 set.

Interesting. Will look these up.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

I used to love the Invader in an RG. Also had good luck with Evo/Air Norton.

 

[Top-L]

Raise pickups closer to strings.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Raise pickups closer to strings.

They already are as close as I can get them, like EMGs.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

After spending a good 30 minutes making some adjustments to height on these IBZ 6 pickups, I actually have them sounding decent. Can't have them as close as EMG 81/85 or the sound becomes muffled and kills the sustain. Guitar came with the pickups really close when I purchased it. They remind me of the EMG HZs but with little more midrange. Guitar was setup with super low action, though, and the intonation was spot on.

 

[AdrianSD]

Looking to replace the stock pickups on my new Ibanez RG. Great guitar but the stock humbuckers aren't very high output and pretty dark. Lack sustain. I have a few in mind and all are DiMarzio, cause I haven't had good results with Duncans in any RG before. Nothing active. The pickups I am thinking about trying out in this guitar are a set of X2Ns (or X2N in bridge and D Activator neck), set of Evolutions, and a set of D Activators. Maybe a Super 2 in the bridge and PAF Pro neck? Those are the ones I have in mind. And I would also like to keep them all black with black pole peices on this guitar.

Versatility is a plus because I do plan on using cleans just as much as dirt tuned half step down and drop C occasionally. Modern metal with chunky rhythms and blistering leads. Just a straight up shred stick that screams and cleans up when needed.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Black Winter set might do what you want. I have the bridge pup only and it's very hot, but also tight for riffs and musical for leads. Tested it in mahogany and alder bodies, sounds excellent in both for cleans and high gain, great note clarity. Currently in a Jackson Dinky paired with a Full Shred neck, wired in series and parallel using the SD wiring diagram for 2HB for the 5 way switch. The amp is a Marshall DSL and I'm using an overdrive (either Maxon OD-9 or Boss SD-1) as clean boost with a GE-7 in the loop.

 

[Mr. B]

I have Duncans in several guitars and love them, but I have never found a set I was crazy about in a basswood Ibanez RG. The Full Shred set came close.

In Dimarzios, the Evo2 / Evo neck is a good set. The regular Evo bridge is too over-the-top hot. I find the D-activators very balanced and also very boring. I have tried a LOT of pickups in Ibanez RG's over the years. The sets that have stayed in mine are:

Air Zone / Paf Pro
Fred / Paf Joe
Crunch Lab / Liquifire.

Good luck finding what you want in the color you are looking for right now. Stock is running pretty low everywhere.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

I almost forgot that I have a new set of Duncan Designed Detonators in my parts box! I am going to try them in the RG first and I will report back later!

 

[JB_From_Hell]

The Detonator’s cool, like a cross between a Distortion and Invader.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

Much, much better. Lot of output. Coil split is great, too