Please recommend new pu's for RGT3120

[caprile]

Hey!

I'm kind of disatisfied with the bridge PU on my RGT3120. I think it doesn't "cut" enough to my ears. The PAF Pro sounds too bassy, pinch harmonics do not occur so easily.

Since I don't have a PAF on any other guitar, I really can't tell if the bassy, dark sound I'm getting comes from the guitar (mahogany+maple with the neck thru construction), or the pickup.

I really like the Tone Zone on my PGM, but I don't know how well it would work on the 'T.

I'd love to hear your opinions! thanks!

[Azrael]

The PAFPro bassy? That's what I say about my ToneZone.....the PAFPro should not sounds bassy if you ask me. I have an RG3120 by the way. Might be the mahogany in your guitar that makes it bassy.

You could try lowering the pickup. It would improve sustain , less bass , bit less output but that doesn't matter. Try it! Also lowering the bass side more then the treble side might work.

[BTB007]

I've owned a few Jackson PC1's, with mahogany and maple cap, with the Super 3 in it. That pickup totally cut through and sounded great, plenty of highs.

[Kontalonis]

I agree totally with caprile. The paf pro has way too much bass. I have one in my USRG10 (alder body) and it rumbles a bit more than i like. I would reccomend the air norton in the neck for a little decreased bass and improved high end.

[Uthark]

Originally Posted by BTB007

I've owned a few Jackson PC1's, with mahogany and maple cap, with the Super 3 in it. That pickup totally cut through and sounded great, plenty of highs.

Keep going.

[fishhead785]

I have always liked the Tone Zone personally.......but if pinch harmonics are your thing try an EMG81 or a PRS HFS.......they both get really fat tones and harmonics are really easy to hit

[Kontalonis]

Air Norton/Tone Zone go good in about anything.

[Jemmm]

Blaze-br/Air Norton-n is also great combo, as not everybody is fan of TZ in Mahonagy.

[marianozz]

Yes, i was about to say, i hated both th TZ and the Paf Pro in my 3120... if i had kept it, id have gone with Steve Special / Air Norton combo... (theres no 6 string Blaze, but the SS is as close as youre supposed to get)

Strange enough, i love how both the TZ and PP SCREAMMMM!!!! on my maple RX...

[SpikeSocietySucks]

Stevies Special and Air Norton Combos are Nice in Mahogany, as well as just about everything else...

With a neck-thru the sound should just get nicer, rather than worse...

That or if you can stomach the Active Stuff out there, an EMG 81 Combo is often perfect in this kinf of guitar.

Spike

[Maniaaaak!!]

I'm not biased or anything but perhaps you should look into some Seymour Duncans aswell?

A good PU config for mahogany would be either a '59 or a Jazz Neck humbucker, and a JB Trembucker for the Bridge position. I personally prefer the Jazz over the 59, perhaps you should surf to seymourduncan.com to hear some of these pickups for yourself.

I opted for the Jazz/JB combination in my RG550 and i've been very happy with them...

[BeastofLove]

I would stay away from judging this guitar as 'mahogany' as there is an equal amount of maple. The pickups themselves are direct mounted onto the MAPLE. Which is partially why the RGT3120 has a lot more 'snap' than you'd expect from a supposed 'dark sounding' mahogany guitar.

I have an Air Norton in the neck, and a Tone Zone in the bridge of mine, and they work very nicely for me. Although the original PAF Pros sounded alright to me as well.

-Ben

[Mark DY]

The density & characteristics of the particular block of wood a guitar is made of have a tremendous impact on the tone in each individual guitar. While similar qualities exist in each type of wood, the variances can be dramatic. I've had three RG-3120s and each one sounded entirely different, yet same specs and pups. I think it boils down to trial & error for your guitar, which unfortunately requires changing pups until you get what you want. I just never thought you could make a broad statement that XXX pup will sound awsome in an RG-XXX - you won't know until you try.

Ben - good call on the PAF on an RGT mounted to maple. I never thought about only the wings being mahogany