Pickups for Ibanez RG550

[nikosteph]

I just got a new (used) Ibanez RG550 from the late 80's, a real shredder-type H/S/H guitar. It currently has the Guitarheads Hexbucker pickups in it (at least in the bridge and neck, not sure what's in the middle...), and while they sound pretty good so far, I wanted to see what people would recommend if I was gonna swap them out. I'm not the biggest fan of ceramic magnets, so I'm curious what the best options are for alnico pups.

First off: it seems that most Ibanez guitars either come with or have their stock pups replaced with Dimarzios over SD's; is there a reason for that? Are Dimarzios better suited to these guitars? I have mostly experience with SD pups in the past, and I like them a lot (the Custom 8 and 59/Custom hybrid are great in particular).

Any suggestions for this guitar? It's basswood (I believe) with a maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. I want something for hard rock and metal--with the latter ranging from 80's hair metal to Metallica level, not the ultra-heavy stuff--but that can still do a reasonable AC/DC or Zeppelin tone (as much as the guitar will allow, of course).

The classic combo is the JB/Jazz, but would you recommend anything else? I have liked the PAF-type voicing in other SD pickups, but have no idea what they'll sound like in this guitar. Would one of the Custom-line pups be good (CC, C5, C8)? (Again, alnico only please). And if not a Jazz, what for the neck?

What about the middle pickup? I have no experience whatsoever with single-coils, so any help would be appreciated!

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

I don't think DiMarzios in general are necessarily better for those guitars, though there is a strong association -- perhaps in part due to Ibanez endorsers whose signature models come with DiMarzios.

That said, I had a great experience with DiMarzio Breeds in my RG550 (mid-90's). They were super versatile; I literally felt like I could get tones appropriate for everything from AC/DC to Slayer. They were designed, if I understand correctly, to give a big, fat PAF-type sound in the basswood-bodied JEMs. Mission accomplished. A tech support guy at DiMarzio suggested a True Velvet single coil, and I think that was a good match.

This was before I got into Duncans; I don't know what I'd put in there now if I had the same goal to accomplish with different pickups.

Ideas, anyone?

 

[Inder_Cine_Mann]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

I agree that DiMarzio aren't better suited than Duncans.

First of all, what's your rig?

Just to start off, a Norton in the bridge is a solid rock PU and covers a lot of ground.

Also, so is the hybrid you already mentioned. Depending on your rig, a C8 would also be sweet. Maybe a little bass heavy for certain things.

A 59/Custom with an A8 is ****ing sweet. Not as thumpy and big as a C8. But more bold than the stock hybrid.

The stock hybrid is fantastic (you already know that).

But ya, it's hard to throw out PU's without knowing amp, cab etc..

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

I'd go for a Custom in the bridge and either a 59 or PG in the neck.

 

[Gunner4Life]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

I second the Breed, if you want that fat PAF sound from a lightweight basswood body guitar, agree about the versatility. I had them in an RG550 and they sounded killer.

You could never go wrong with JB/Jazz or Custom/59, maybe even a Distortion/Full Shred...

 

[jtougas]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

Parallel Axis, stem to stern... (maybe use the PATB2 at the bridge)

 

[chadd]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

I think a lot of people go with DiMarzios over Duncans in Ibanez, simply because so many of the artists that use Ibanez endorse/promote/use DiMarzio pickups. Anyone using one of those guitars is likely to want to emulate the tones of those players and it seems like a natural fit.

All of that said, a friend of mine used to use a Screamin Demon in the bridge of his 560 and 570 and they sounded great for doing 80s-90s hard rock. In fact, I preferred his tone to that of a lot of the original artists. It's lower output, so you stay articulate with more gain and it pairs very well with the Jazz.

 

[nikosteph]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Unfortunately I live in an apartment with extremely "sound sensitive" (to put it as tactfully as possible) neighbors, so my "rig" is hardly worth calling that. I use a Fender Super Champ X2, and either use its 5150 emulation for my distortion, or throw a distortion pedal (like a Satchurator or a Suhr Riot clone) in front of the clean channel. Strictly for bedroom-level jamming, though the distortion is pretty sweet at those low volumes.

I'll look into some of the Dimarzios people suggested (e.g. Breed, Norton). With regards to the Duncans, what are the general considerations for choosing between something like a JB and one of the Custom winds? I'm familiar with a few of the Customs in a Les Paul, but this is a totally new guitar style, so it's pretty uncharted territory for me .

Similar with the Jazz vs. the 59 (or other P.A.F. variant), what should I be thinking about when choosing between them?

Any suggestions for a good SD single-coil for the middle spot?

Thanks in advance for all the tips, I've always been really impressed with the genuine eagerness to help on this forum!

 

[nikosteph]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

From the comments and some googling it looks like the Breed is quite promising for the RG series. What's a good neck pickup to pair with it? I've read a lot about SD pups but am relatively new to DiMs...

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

What type of single coil you want in the middle? True or noise cancelling?

As for DiM, lots of people like PAF Pro in the neck of an RG. I have a 59/Jazz hybrid in the neck of my Roadstar (same spec as later RGs, 24 frets, basswood etc.) and it's killer, but you can't buy it (yet). Had a stock Jazz in there which was good too, very clear sounding.

 

[nikosteph]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

Hmm, I don't have any experience with single-coils (aside from a Strat I had years ago, before I even considered pickup swapping), so I really don't know where to start. I'll admit I don't use the 2-4 positions much anyways, so it's not super critical to get that right. In fact, I'm considering just taking the single coil out entirely, I was never a fan of one in the middle position, it often interferes with my picking .

But given that I play mostly in my own room, noise canceling is not critical (as it is I don't have any problems with hum). I guess something that works well with the buckers and yet has its own personality would be useful. Not really sure what my options are, but I have a feeling the members on this forum can help !

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

From the comments and some googling it looks like the Breed is quite promising for the RG series. What's a good neck pickup to pair with it? I've read a lot about SD pups but am relatively new to DiMs...

The Breed neck is every bit as good as the Breed bridge. They are well matched and awesome together.

 

[jtougas]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

To go between the Breeds, I would probably run with either the Pro Track, or the Super Distortion S... Tone Zone S would also be a possibility, along with the Chopper.

Lots of options, actually...

 

[LonePhantom]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

For classic rock through to basic metal go with a Custom for the bridge and maybe a Screamin' Demon or Pearly Gates Neck for the neck position. If you don't really use the middle single don't worry about replacing it.

 

[nikosteph]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

Great suggestions everyone! I'm leaning heavily towards the Breed for the bridge, since it sounds (if I'm understanding correctly) specifically for an RG-type Ibanez guitar to give it a hot-P.A.F. sound, which sounds pretty awesome to me on paper . Since I kinda wanna go balls to the wall with this guitar anyways, the Breed neck sounds like a good choice, being higher output than most neck pups...

Thanks for the single-coil suggestions too, I'll look into them!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

Sounds like your guitar is about to become a Breed-ing ground... (sorry, bad pun.) I think the association is 2 things: many ibanez endorsers are also Dimarzio endorsers, and also many Ibanez's come stock with them. Second, alot of the shred guys in the day used tons of processing so I think the dimarzios have a more inorganic tone that suits the processing.

But here is what I run in my RG570 and it covers alot of ground.. I have a Duncan 59b in the neck, a dimarzio VV blues in the mid and a Duncan Blue Saraceno PATB3 in the bridge.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

I woulda said Evo2/FS-1/PAF Pro.

And Breeds are cool too, much like you described.

For Duncans I'd go Custom/SSL-6/Jazz Bridge. Should do everything you want it to well.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

it seems that most Ibanez guitars either come with or have their stock pups replaced with Dimarzios over SD's; is there a reason for that? Are Dimarzios better suited to these guitars?

There is no simple answer to that question because pickups need to mesh well not only with the guitar but also with the amp and players' style, taste and expectations. Even if Dimarzios work better for 90% RG players and their rigs, it does not mean you have to follow, simply because you might be chasing a different tone in your head.

Also bear in mind that that those old 550s are noticeably different from later incarnations.

On paper, The 25½" scale bolt on maple neck with rosewood fretboard and a floating tremolo almost beg for a JB. But since you seem to be looking for a bit of a PAF flavor, I'd suggest a Duncan Custom 8 in the bridge plus a 59 (either neck or bridge) or a Screamin Demon in the neck slot.

 

[nikosteph]

Re: Pickups for Ibanez RG550

Thanks so much for the suggestions everyone, they've been quite helpful! I've ordered a pair of Breeds, since they seem to be the safest bet given my preferences and the guitar...