Advice for my Ibanez SA Series - Upgrading

[jonboyuk]

I bought in 2005 an Ibanez QM - see url below

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/phot...12596_7047.jpg

The SA series is an S-S-H configuration. I like it becuase it's easy to play but sound-wise, it's not that special. Can any of you guys advise me...

What 3 pickups would be good to replace with. I was considering replacing the humbucker with an Evolition DP158. Would I need F-spaced or normal? I don't know what to replace the singles with. Any suggestions? Also, can I get a second Humbucker in there by sanding down the guitar?

There are 2 problems with the guitar as well. When I plug it in, it crackles when I move around, do I need to replace the jack socket? The tone dial doesn't work very well. Sometimes when I turn it, when I get to 100% it's like I haven't even turned it. Do I need to replace this, or does it need resoldering?

Sorry - bit of a n00b here, so I'm hoping you can help.

Many thanks, J

[jono]

Welcome aboard jonboy!

First of all you need to let us know the sort of sounds your going for before we advise on pickups, the other thing to condsider rather than routing a hole in your guitar is the range of single-coil sized humbuckers available from many manufacturers

[jonboyuk]

Cheers for the welcome Jono,

Okay - soundwise, I would like to achieve a rounded range of sounds. I only have this electric, and I don't really want 3 electrics for 3 types of playing. So here's my criteria...

1. I want a nice humbucker for soloing, to cut through other band instruments but to have that Vai-esq tone (hence the Dimarzio Evo?).
2. I would like a single coil that works well for rhythm guitaring (like 'The Feeling' or other rock bands).
3. And with one single coil left over, another useful sound that I can use freqently (suggestions please). Perhaps a lead sound that's non-distorted like something they may use in Pink Floyd/Eric Clapton?

This is a really stupid question, but I don't know the answer. As with the Dimarzio Evo, if I installed it and then selected it, I presume I still have to pass-through some form of distortion filter to acheive distortion? Or does the pickup add it automatically?

Are these things easy to install? I can solder small micro-chips and car electrics, so I'm hoping this is similar in principal but on a larger scale?

Thanks, J

[CityofBlindingLights]

A pair of Area '58s or the True Velvet set in the neck and middle should do the trick for you.

As for the bridge, I think if you want Vai tone, then the Evolution defines his sound. Take a look at the Evo2 as well, though, you might find it more interesting. It's got all the harmonics of an evolution, and the voicing, but with less shrill highs. It's basically an Evolution with Virtual Vintage technology (which tightens up the bass and rolls off the highs). The Evo2 is a much more tame pickup but will also scream like the Evolution when you need it to.

If you want a humbucker in the neck, You'll have to do more than sand; you'll have to actually rout into the body, which if you haven't done before can be quite daunting, intimidating, and scary (though once you've done it a couple of times it isn't that hard). If you absolutely must have a neck humbucker, then I suggest taking it to a pro and having them rout it if you don't want to, but personally I feel a humbucker in the neck is unnecessary unless you absolutely must have that neck humbucker.

Regarding your distortion question, this is a common misconception. A pickup will NOT give you distortion. DiMarzio's distortion-class humbuckers just mean that they have a higher output, and hence drive the front end of your amp harder. This results in throwing your amp into full overdrive or distortion, as necessary. In other words, they will be easier to distort and will reach overdrive or distortion much easier than a lower output pickup. The pickup itself will not give you distortion. If your amp doesn't have distortion, get a pedal; the Boss DS-1 and Ibanez Tubescreamer TS-9 or TS-808 are very popular.

[jonboyuk]

CityofBlinding....that was a beautiful response!!! Maybe I shan't go for a neck humbucker, I'm just going on what I've seen on other people's guitars.

Here's a silly question - what's the point in getting a pair of Area 58's or True Velvet's? Don't they sound exactly the same? I listened to the 58's on the Dimarzio website and they all demonstrate solos. Do they work well for rhythm guitar? (Think Foo Fighters/Feeder/Feeling).

Thanks

**Edit**

After some research, it seems that Evos (1 or 2), don't work properly on a mahogany body? I have a mahogany body so am I stuffed? ToneZone looks good!

[CityofBlindingLights]

Area '58s and the True Velvets each have their own slight nuances in tonal variations, some like one kind and others like another. The major difference between the two is that the Area '58 has noise cancelling technology, while the True Velvet is a true single coil (which includes 60-cycle hum). It's all up to you, but if you go with the Area '58s (or any noise cancelling pickup for that matter), make sure you check DiMarzio's site/customer support for proper wiring diagrams, I think the noise cancelling pickups need a different wiring because of the noise cancelling technology involved.

I also forgot to mention, you might want to look into the YJMs- they retain a very single coil-ish tone, and you can still slop on loads of distortion. For sound clips, listen to pretty much any yngwie malmsteen recording.

Also a cool single coil you might find interesting, and which I think would be best suited for you, is the chopper for neck and middle, or pro track neck (if you want more humbucker-ish tone) with another single coil of your choice (Chopper works great here) in the middle.

ALL single coils work well for rhythm work. DiMarzio shows solo work on individual pickups because it shows the pickup's characteristic a little better on single notes, I guess they think more so than chord work (although I feel chord definition is essential to a pickup).

Now, the Evolution will still work in mahogany- take a look at Vai's "Red Lace", it's just that many don't feel the tone is that great. Although, I don't see how the Evo2 won't work in mahogany tonally (all though I've never tried or heard it, it might sound like poop).

If you want more bridge pickup options, I'm a fan of the Norton. Or, if you'd like to try it, the PAF Pro is a great all-around pickup. Go to DiMarzio's site, and all high-output pickups (save for the Evolution and Evo2) should work in mahogany tonally. Some pickups also worth looking in to: Super 3, D-Sonic, Tone Zone, Steve's Special (if you want that voicing)

The Tone Zone is a cool pickup. A lot of people love that pickup. It does sound cool, and if you do go with it, remember this: the Tone Zone is VERY subjective to height, and the smallest of height adjustments can make a huge difference.

Also if you end up going with the Tone Zone, a lot of people like the Air Norton/Tone Zone combo, so look into the Air Norton S.

Just food for thought.

[jonboyuk]

I was given a 555 in the end (trying to upgrade it as we speak) thanks again though!