Why does Ibanez continue to run single coils with 500k pots?

[Mr. B]

One easy, and greatly needed, mod for Ibanez Hum-single-hum RG and S-series guitars is to add a resistor (to ground) in parallel with the middle single coil's hot lead so it "sees" a 250k volume pot instead of the 500k it is actually connected to. Every Ibanez I have done this mod on sound immeasurably better with the resistor in place. The in-between positions that split the humbuckers with the middle sound better too. Right now, you pay over 1000 dollars for a Prestige RG only to get a middle single coil that is thin and tinny sounding. Pretty much unusable on its own. I don't get it. All of the instructions on Dimarzio's website say those pickups need 250k pots. Has Ibanez not listened to its own guitars? Its a ten-cent mod.

 

[Downrazor11]

Re: Why does Ibanez continue to run single coils with 500k pots?

So, basically, from the switch lug that the middle pu's hot wire goes into, running a 500k fixed resistor from there to ground, correct?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Why does Ibanez continue to run single coils with 500k pots?

They probably either *want* that voicing for whatever reason, or don't want to increase production costs. Or both.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Why does Ibanez continue to run single coils with 500k pots?

I think nowadays many of their solidbody models are aimed primarily at high gain players.
It may be that the extra treble helps add definition when playing with lots of distortion.

 

[JesusCrisp]

Re: Why does Ibanez continue to run single coils with 500k pots?

To be fair, most people running HSH-configurations don't use the middle pickup on it's own anyway and the split positions are usually reserved for crystal clear clean tones (from my experience).
Even on SSS or HSS Strats the middle singlecoil is rarely used on its own by most players.
Personally, I really don't care for HSH configurations, they usually take away the HH middle position and compromise the neck + middle position as well.
You can use your tone pots or amp settings on the clean channel to tame the extra treble if needed too.

 

[Diego]

Re: Why does Ibanez continue to run single coils with 500k pots?

They're not going for the Texas Flood tone, you know.

They probably want all that glassiness to contrast with the meaty hot humbuckers and to open up the split sounds a bit more.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Why does Ibanez continue to run single coils with 500k pots?

I doubt many people using that setup care. Or, they’re aware that the volume and tone knobs are adjustable.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Why does Ibanez continue to run single coils with 500k pots?

Most companies do dodgey stuff. Like putting out frets that won't possibly play. I basically won't play a stock guitar anyway.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Why does Ibanez continue to run single coils with 500k pots?

Most companies do dodgey stuff. Like putting out frets that won't possibly play. I basically won't play a stock guitar anyway.

One guy's dodgey stuff is another's design feature. If you're plugging straight into a tweed Champ, that Ibanez single coil will likely sound terrible. If you're using a multi channel high gain amp with a long signal chain, that added brightness might be enough to make your cleans really pop.

 

[Jacew]

Re: Why does Ibanez continue to run single coils with 500k pots?

Well... I'm sure I'm not only one who likes 500k pots with singlecoils.

These days I actually only use 500k pots.

It's easy to dial excess out if needed, but it's not possible get that glassiness and thump with 250k.