How good are V1 and V2 pickups?

[70Seven]

On my 91 Rg550, I have V1 and V2 humbuckers and I though about changing them originally, but I don't find the pickups that bad. how good are they really, are V1 and V2 considered good pickups like the Dimarzio IBZ? If so, in tone what dimarzio would they compare to, are they PAF-ish or Tone Zone-ish, Norton-ish? Just so I have an idea.. oh and what's the output like, would they be low output, medium output or high output. I really have no clue. Its just if/when I decide to swap them out, I can know what I have so I can choose something different.

Thanks,

[mike570]

I really like the stock V1 and V2 humbuckers. I have Dimarzios in all my other guitars but my RG550. My guess would be they're somewhere between a Super Distortion and a PAF Pro. I also notice a difference in gain between the V2 (bridge?) and my higher output pickups like the Tone Zone and Evo so I'm guessing they're medium power.
IMHO, I would leave them in!

[70Seven]

Yeah I have PAf Joe and Mo Joe in my 2550 and I do notice less gain in my 550, but I thought maybe it was because of the maple fretboard. Its funny you say there kinda like a PAF and a super distortion because I made a similar thread a few years ago to know how good DMZ/IBZ were and people told me they were close to a Super Distortion and a PAF. I think I'll be keeping the V's.

[LordGrendel]

I have those in my Saber and I am recording an album with that Saber right now and it's exactly the sound I want!!

[Darin]

I found them to be quite lifeless myself. The don't 'suck'. They just don't inspire.

[bringer of torture]

Better than the newer Dimarzio/IBZ pickups and FAR better than the V7/V8 combo, in my opinion.

[Sam D.]

I swapped 'em for a Fred and a Joe. I found the ones in my SA were too noisy and muddy. Excellent for blues though

[jaxadam]

I really like 'em.

[Dee]

The ones in the RG20th sound great.

[Hikey Mikey]

Originally Posted by Dee

The ones in the RG20th sound great.

I agree, love them in my RG! Very clear to my ears.

[kotornut]

I got a V2 in my RGs bridge and it really does sound great. The S1 and S2 single coils are good too.

[buckovic]

I have the stock V1/V2 in my 550 and they sounds great, heaps better than the V7/V8 in my opinion.

[Darin]

Ahhh. Disregard my previous post. I confused them with V7/8.

[ibanez_rg760]

Great thread here. Seems to me that this is one of the great mysteries of Ibanez RG players everywhere. I have an 87 RG550, an 89 RG560 and a bunch of RGs with INFs and V7,V8 and for the last few years found tha the only guitars I will play live are the old ones with the V1 and V2, I have found some pickups on **** and started swapping them out but it's a pain in the ess tracking them down that way. I have found that I prefer the V2 bridge to every other pickup i have tried. I had a Steves Special in one, too hot for me, a Bill Lawrence, too much feed back, and the INF and V8 suk in my opinion. I have a Mo Joe in an RG 320QM and I like it in the bridge but I have to dial my amp in different for that one guitar so I just stopped playing it and use the old RGs exclusively for live shows. I just Contacted Dimarzio about whether they are still making the V1 and V2 or if they have a pickup by another name that is the equivalent so I can get all these swapped out and give the old guitars a rest!! If anyone knows any more on this subject please let me know, and if I get any answers from Dimarzio I'll post them here for everyone.....

[Ibanezza]

I find them to be a well-rounded sounding pick-up ...and they clean up admirably, with no feedback even hinted at.
They really don't make them like this anymore! And if you do swap them out, whatever you do, keep them safe somewhere

Enjoy!