PUP change needed for clarity!

[Nimdawg]

Hello to all!

I need help with choosing a pickup to fit in the bridge of an Ibanez SZ520 (Mahagony, set-neck maple top). The stock PU of the neck is amazing (very clear and punchy) and the split mode (neck and bridge) has a very fat strat bitey sound. Intially I loved the bridge PU, it has a good classic tone that drives a bit when strmmed hard but a bit bassy and when playing with a band they love the tone but say I step over the bass a bit in the mix (when playing low strings and I drop the bass on my amp to 2!) and lack a bit of clarity. I'd like some advice on a good PU that has that nice Led Zep classic rock crunch but will sound good clean and also split well with my stock neck PU. Been thinking JB or custom 5 but I'm open to suggestions. :laugh2:

Oh yes, I don't play metal just classic rock, blues and alternative.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Russ]

Re: PUP change needed for clarity!

Hello to all!

I need help with choosing a pickup to fit in the bridge of an Ibanez SZ520 (Mahagony, set-neck maple top). The stock PU of the neck is amazing (very clear and punchy) and the split mode (neck and bridge) has a very fat strat bitey sound. Intially I loved the bridge PU, it has a good classic tone that drives a bit when strmmed hard but a bit bassy and when playing with a band they love the tone but say I step over the bass a bit in the mix (when playing low strings and I drop the bass on my amp to 2!) and lack a bit of clarity. I'd like some advice on a good PU that has that nice Led Zep classic rock crunch but will sound good clean and also split well with my stock neck PU. Been thinking JB or custom 5 but I'm open to suggestions. :laugh2:

Oh yes, I don't play metal just classic rock, blues and alternative.
Thanks for your help.

Welcome to the SD Forum, Nimdawg!

Some find the C-5 to be too 'boomy' in their Mahagony/Maple top guitars(I don't) because the pup brings out more of the bass & highs. The JB will boost your upper mids & help cut your 'bassy' problems. ..If you don't mind moderate-output bridge pups the SH-2 Jazz will give you all the clarity you need. ..The Pearly Gates is also very nice at cutting through, smooth & sparkley & not muddy or bassy, imo.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: PUP change needed for clarity!

I'd say an alnico 5 humbucker: 59B, C5 or JB. The JB will have the strongest split tones. The 59B will have the best vintage tone but the weakest split tones. Of the three, the 59B is my favorite. Lew

 

[Nimdawg]

Re: PUP change needed for clarity!

Welcome to the SD Forum, Nimdawg!

Some find the C-5 to be too 'boomy' in their Mahagony/Maple top guitars(I don't) because the pup brings out more of the bass & highs. The JB will boost your upper mids & help cut your 'bassy' problems. ..If you don't mind moderate-output bridge pups the SH-2 Jazz will give you all the clarity you need. ..The Pearly Gates is also very nice at cutting through, smooth & sparkley & not muddy or bassy, imo.

Boomy bass is what i'm afraid of (bassist won't like it) so I gather the JB will help me cut through the mix. I hope the JB doesn't have too much treble shriek. I think I prefer a hotter pickup than a 59. Is there a chance the JB will overwhelm the stock neck PU or will a height adjustment sort that out?

 

[RG 2570]

Re: PUP change needed for clarity!

clarity and a classic tone with slightly more output with a amazingly balanced tone?
PAF PRO!

 

[3 cent hero]

Re: PUP change needed for clarity!

i think the JB fits the bill. i found that it has fairly focused bass, and not boomy at all.