Ibanez 1527 BP - 2003

[VexHead]

Hello everyone!

I joined Jemsite this Summer, trying to understand which model was Ibanez (RGR570 IPT - 1997 - On 1998 Catalogue).

I had a lot of guitars in this months: BC Rich Kerry King , Epiphone V with EMG, Kramer SM-1…

But my heart belongs to my Ibanez

Recently, I decided to buy my first seven strings. Honestly, the first brand I thought was Schecter. Great sounding guitars with awesome features, but their neck are too fatty for me (I tried a Jeff Loomis FR Signature Model).

I decided to buy an Ibanez, again. Tuesday my Ibanez RG 1527 BP will be mine!
I found a good offer: 350€. Awesome condition (no one scratch etc…) with hard case.

It is a 2003 model, the first year.

I've some question:
What about V8 pickup? I've a V7 on my RGR 570 and it is a good pickup for soloing, but I never tried a V8. Crunch Lab could be a good replace?

Edge-Pro 7 Tremolo: What about that? Is it a good tremolo?

Any tips for that guitar? Does it sound good?

[D.M.RG7620]

Everyone loves putting Crunchlabs in their basswood guitars. It's what it was made for. So yes, go for it if you want it.

[VexHead]

What about DiMarzio Blaze? I head they're pretty good.

[Bones43x]

Originally Posted by VexHead

What about DiMarzio Blaze? I head they're pretty good.

I have a Blaze Bridge in my RG1527, and I really like it. I've been really interested to try the Crunch Lab though.

If you want to know how the Blaze sounds, listen to some of the older Petrucci/Dream Theater albums. He used an Ibby Universe, which has the Blaze pickups, from Awake on. He switched to the D Sonic on Train of Thought, IIRC. Even his 6-strings from that era had the Steve's Special, which is supposed to be almost identical, tonally.

[VexHead]

Which differences did you noticed between V8 and Blaze Custom pickups?

There're any differences between Crunch Lab 7 and Blaze Custom for bridge?

Thanks!

[Torunefu]

DMZ blaze are real good..

[Bones43x]

It's been so long I honestly don't remember what the stock pickups sounded like, except they were a little bit muddy. I changed to the DiMarzios almost immediately after I bought the guitar in '06.

I have the Blaze Bridge, though, which is not the same as the Blaze Custom.

[PBGas]

I'm one of those guys that didn't like the Crunch lab as much. Just didn't work for me....I liked the Blaze that was in my Apex100 though before I sold it and got the Jem FP2. Sounded perfect. That was in an Alder body though.

[VexHead]

Oh.

Can you tell me more about differences between Blaze Custom, Blaze Bridge and Crunch Lab?

I play through a Peavey Ultra Plus 120W Head and a original Marshall JCM800 Cab 4x12 loaded with Jensen C12K.

Obviously I play Progressive Metal, with big influences from DT, LTE, Circus Maximus and Symphony X.

Thanks!

[PBGas]

I found the crunch lab just that....crunchy sounding. Wasn't a fan of it. I tried the bar facing both the bridge and the neck. It's pretty much designed to run with Petrucci's Mark V setup. The Blaze has a nice output and is quite smooth. I liked it for the low end chunk and it had a certain balanced quality to it with solos. It really sounded nice in an alder body guitar.

[Bones43x]

Originally Posted by PBGas

I found the crunch lab just that....crunchy sounding. Wasn't a fan of it. I tried the bar facing both the bridge and the neck. It's pretty much designed to run with Petrucci's Mark V setup. The Blaze has a nice output and is quite smooth. I liked it for the low end chunk and it had a certain balanced quality to it with solos. It really sounded nice in an alder body guitar.

I've been thinking about the Crunch Lab/Liquifire combo for my RG1420F. While I like Petrucci's tone, I'm really more into the Marshall-type sound. I have a Splawn Quick Rod, and I like mids. Because of this, I've been reluctant to try that pickup combo.

Honestly, I like his tone on Images and Words the best. I know there was some Marshall mixed in on that record. I have the Tone Zone and Humbucker From Hell in another guitar, which is what he used then, and I love that combo. It works for just about any style of music too.

I totally agree with you about the Blaze. It has a great chunky sound, and it really sounds great for solos. It sounds great clean, too. DiMarzio describes it as having a "hi-fi" clean sound. My experience is in a basswood RG1527.

[VexHead]

Originally Posted by Bones43x

I've been thinking about the Crunch Lab/Liquifire combo for my RG1420F. While I like Petrucci's tone, I'm really more into the Marshall-type sound. I have a Splawn Quick Rod, and I like mids. Because of this, I've been reluctant to try that pickup combo.

Honestly, I like his tone on Images and Words the best. I know there was some Marshall mixed in on that record. I have the Tone Zone and Humbucker From Hell in another guitar, which is what he used then, and I love that combo. It works for just about any style of music too.

I totally agree with you about the Blaze. It has a great chunky sound, and it really sounds great for solos. It sounds great clean, too. DiMarzio describes it as having a "hi-fi" clean sound. My experience is in a basswood RG1527.

So, the final sentence is?

Blaze Custom in the Bridge? DiMarzio's site says they're pretty similar pickups.
And what about PAF PRO 7 for bridge? Too noisy on a High-Gain amp?

[Bones43x]

Again, I'm talking about the Blaze Bridge, not the Custom. I've been interested in trying it, though.

[VexHead]

Originally Posted by Bones43x

Again, I'm talking about the Blaze Bridge, not the Custom. I've been interested in trying it, though.

Ok, sorry, but are there any differences between them?

And what about PAF PRO 7 in the bridge?

[Bones43x]

I'm sure there are differences, but I can't offer any real world comparison between them. The only thing I can tell you is to see what DiMarzio says about them on their website, and listen to the sound clips.

What are you thinking about for a neck pu? I've got the Air Norton 7, and it works well with the Blaze Bridge.