Well thanks. Parts kinda came together and I could not resist putting the Quarter-Sawn Maple Neck on the Pearl White Mahogany Body; plus the neck fit the pocket * perfectly *.
I have a modified Ibanez IC-200 - the cheapest one with a screwed-on neck. With an EMG-HA pickup in the neck position, it sounded very Fenderish. With an EMG-85X or an SD LWC2, it sounded congested. Reluctantly, I tried an EMG-60X. Turned out to be THE right pickup for my guitar.
The Iceman manages to capture most of the pose value of the Explorer and Firebird into a shape that does not dig into the ribs and hangs properly on a strap without neck dive.
I always liked the Iceman Shape...if I ran across a ICT700 at a decent price I would probably pick it up. That said...this fits the Maple Neck & Floyd Rose Category for me with a bit different twist and compliments this DiMarzio Equipped LTD KH-503 nicely for a fun pair.
As to the Seymour Duncan set...I wired these up with a DiMarzio Pushull pot to split the humbuckers and each pickup has a Fender TBX Tone Control.
I have never used a SD Jazz before and I must say, it is an absolutely fabulous sounding neck pickup...very "lush" sounding...no wonder it's "Seymour's Favorite".
At one point I was going to sell the Jazz/JB-Custom Custom Hybrid A2 set but, in hindsite, I'm glad no one bit. I did have a few people inquire what the "JB-Custom Custom" Hybrid sounded like...so here goes...to me...the JB-Custom Custom Dual Adjustable Pole Hybrid A2 Trembucker is a pretty sweet sounding bridge humbucker; not as brittle as a JB - which I have used in the past on a few guitars but never really liked...too trebly and kind of sterile IMHO. Now the old MJ Wound JBJ Humbuckers I love, but the Custom Custom always seemed more pleasing to the ear to me over a Stock Non-MJ JB. This Hybrid is a pretty much perfect blend of the two; smoother and less trebly than a stock JB but a bit more bite than a Custom Custom and a very nice overall tone for a Maple Fretboard Floyd Rose Equipped Guitar. Would make an excellent choice for a one pickup Baretta style guitar w/o a doubt. it really makes me wonder how the Custom Shop MJ Wound RTM that's going into the Butala Kramer PCI will sound in comparison.
That's really nice! I was going to say, I'd have gone with a neck that had a different headstock but then I read the part about the neck fitting into the pocket perfectly and that's what really matters.
I've always wanted an Iceman, and this looks pretty awesome. Forgive me for saying that I'm filled with jealousy right now. I confess I am coveting your axe with great desire, so it's in your best interest to not be in my presence alone with that guitar. Temptation might get the better of me and... :chairshot
Sweet! I love the look of the combo of the white body with the maple neck! And I think it looks better with a Fender headstock than an Ibanez...IMO. I've always loved the looks of the iceman, I had one but my dad liked it so much he decided he would keep it for a while. lol Again, looks amazing!
Thanks for the kind comments. I questioned the Stratish HS with the Iceman Shape so I bolted it together and kept it out in view until I got over the "Fender on an Ibanez" association and began to appreciate the pairing without "Label Prejudice" and came to the conclusion that (IMHO) it actually looked good together. I can definitely appreciate the Charvel Star comment.
I kept thinking of EVH slapping a Dano Neck on the Charvel Star and all the unusual Neck/Headstock Combos he tried on Frankie; Strat Head, Kramer Beak, Kramer Banana, etc. At one point in time it was considered "odd looking" to put a Lefty Neck/Rev HS Strathead on a Righty Strat Body.