Pickups for Mahogany RG

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pierce34celtic

New member
I have an RG2020xtb. I had been thinking of going with an EMG 81/89 set, but I'm still on the fence in which direction to go with, I've had several recommendations for several brands. As far as Dimarzios I've been recommended Evos, SS/Air norton, breeds, however, some say Dimarzios aren't all that great. Been also recommended Duncan Full Shreds, maybe JB/59 or Distortion/Jazz, but I'm not sure if Duncans are really the best choice. I'm looking for a thrash metal sound in the bridge, something tight and aggressive, and something fluid and clean for the neck, but also that can rip for leads and shred. What do you guys have to recommend? Any reviews/info/sound clips would be appreciated. :thu:

Here's a pic of the Ibanez:
ibz002Large.jpg
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

I'm using a DiMarzio D Sonic in the bridge of my 24 fret bolt-on Jackson and it's very good for Thrash and high-gain... I should know, I play with my amp's distortion on 10! It's tight and clean and agressive. In the neck I use a Seymour Duncan SH6 Disortion which can sound fluid and blues-y and can rip for leads and shred. I find it an excellent companion with the D Sonic because they both are high output, aggressive and distorted - and both great for detuning.

Hope you find what you're looking for on this forum. :)
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

i say distortion bridge and the jazz neck are very good contenders for what you are looking for. and if you can split them you won't be dissapointed. nice guitar by the way and welcome to the forum.
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

What do you guys think about the EMG 81/89 option? I thought the 81 would serve me well for the thrash metal stuff and the 89 would provide some versatility and good lead tones, since it's splittable as well. Here's a clip I found of the 89 in the neck in humbucker mode.

http://media.putfile.com/Instrumental-93
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

emilio said:
i say distortion bridge and the jazz neck are very good contenders for what you are looking for. and if you can split them you won't be dissapointed. nice guitar by the way and welcome to the forum.
Click to expand...

That's what I have in my mahogany USAC superstrat. With the splits you have a super versatile axe.
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

Any clips of the Duncans? I had a JB/59 combo in my schecter blackjack, but i was not blown away with the 59 although the JB was great for thrash. If I stick passive i think i'd probably go with duncans since dimarzios are more shred oriented. But i'm stuck on active vs. passive and what combo would be best.
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

pierce34celtic said:
Any clips of the Duncans? I had a JB/59 combo in my schecter blackjack, but i was not blown away with the 59 although the JB was great for thrash. If I stick passive i think i'd probably go with duncans since dimarzios are more shred oriented. But i'm stuck on active vs. passive and what combo would be best.
Click to expand...

Here's a short clip of my old ESP Horizon with a JB in the bridge.

http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/99113_esp.mp3

I have an RG3120 (mahogany body w/flame maple top) on the way and I'll be putting a JB/59 combo in it as well.
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

Have you ever had EMGs in there before? I figured the 89 might be a little more versatile and better sounding than the 59 or Jazz which I didn't like that much except for clean tones.
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

"some say Dimarzios aren't all that great."

As a long time dimarzio & SD user I have to say - they're different. The DImarzio pups have a more modern EQ. I find Duncans nail the old school tones better. They have a magic, complex tone that cannot be beat.

But - Dimarzio IMHO has some more avante garde options, with some fantastic, modern, crazy sounds (the FRED, for example). THeir TOne ZOne is big, but articulate, even on the low end. Their breed neck is what I wish the Demon was.... There is a reason satriani, vai, gilbert etc use Dimarzios.
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

I may even think about combining different pups, I really need something great for thrash for the bridge, and something for cleans and shred in the neck. What are the best options for Dimarzio for this? I'm not sure what would be best for the bridge.
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

Is your axe on the bright side? Thin mahogany axes can be like that. Maybe check out a super 3, or a x2n for massive power.
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

I wouldn't say that it's bright sounding, but definitely isn't as chunky as my mahogany LTD which is set thru and fixed bridge. What's the D-Sonic like for metal as well as lead work? What would be the best neck pickup for a nice clean tone as well as lead tone? Either Duncan or Dimarzio.
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

pierce34celtic said:
What's the D-Sonic like for metal as well as lead work? What would be the best neck pickup for a nice clean tone as well as lead tone? Either Duncan or Dimarzio.
Click to expand...

For a neck p.u., the DiMarzio Virtual PAF might be good for your neck needs. It has bell-like clean tones and definitely good for leads.

The D Sonic has a tight and chunky low-end good for Heavy Metal, Speed Metal, and Thrash Metal. The leads, esp. on the treble strings, beg to be squeezed - so as to release it's piercing screams and glorious harmonic overtones. The D Sonic needs to be played tough!
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

Would a D-sonic be able to nail an EMG type tone, but with better voicing? I'm looking for Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, type thrash tones, with some more modern downtuned stuff as well ie. Nevermore, Shadows Fall etc.
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

pierce34celtic said:
I may even think about combining different pups, I really need something great for thrash for the bridge, and something for cleans and shred in the neck. What are the best options for Dimarzio for this? I'm not sure what would be best for the bridge.
Click to expand...

Cleans & Shred - PAF Joe. Works for Satch & his guits, should work for you.
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

What's the Tone Zone like in mahogany? I saw a vid on Youtube of Gilbert who praised it, and have received some good info on it over on Jemsite but I've heard it can get muddy in mahogany. Is this true?
 
Re: Pickups for Mahogany RG

I had a Tone Zone/Air Norton setup in a mahogany RG in the past and while I absolutely LOVED the Air Norton, the Tone Zone was a muddy mess. The Air Norton was great for the type of leads you described. For the bridge, I'd look at a Duncan Custom or Custom 5, or maybe a DiMarzio DropSonic.
 
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