Classic Rock Sound

[sick-boy]

Okay, I've been searching around all day on this forum, and I can't seem to find the answer I want.
I'm looking to change the pups in my RG570...
The catch is that unlike a lot of you, I'm not really into the whole shredding and screaming solos thing. I do occasionally play metal, so I don't want to wuss out completely as far as pickups go.
I'm looking for pups that will give a nice warm sound with sustain.
So far some of the ones that seem to fit the bill are PAF Pros, Air Norton, and maybe a Fred.
I'm looking for your thoughts on this, help me narrow it down.

[jaxadam]

PAF Pros.

[Eggy]

Originally Posted by jaxadam

PAF Pros.

+1

I've got PAF pros in my DY and they're awsome for that classic rock sound.

Ben

[sick-boy]

That's pretty much what I had decided on, but I wanted a little more input first.

[jemaholic]

I've got a new tone-zone bridge in my Jackson and it's got GREAT string-to-string definition and yet gets really dirty.

[ashbass]

If you're not glued to Dimarzio, get a set of Gibson Burstbuckers 1&2. That'll do you.

I've just gone through a round of pups on my 540Rs trying to find something classic rocky but with a modern personality as well. I want good tone but also some distinguishing character to separate the ibanez from my gibsons. I did put burstbuckers in and the sound was too classic gibson so those went out. Paf Pro, ToneZone, Evo2, and Breed were all rather generic sounding to me. There was classic sound I suppose, but no YEAH! The Fred has some personality, especially in the neck pos, and put in 'backwards' in the bridge was a very nice choice with full overdrive and classic crunch. However, when I hit the super high gain metal, it's wah-wah mids took my joy away. I can't stand that hollow vowel sound anymore.

I've settled on the Evolution bridge put in backwards for the bridge, and have an Evolution neck due later this week. I'll test the Fred neck against the Evolution neck to see which stays in that position. I've heard many say that the Evolution bridge is way bright. Put in backwards it is very nice. Still brighter than the pups mentioned above, but a benefit of this is that I can play at half volume and keep some definition. When at full volume, I can just tap the tone control back. That bit of option, and the character of the pup itself, are what makes it a keeper for me.

[sick-boy]

Originally Posted by ashbass

If you're not glued to Dimarzio, get a set of Gibson Burstbuckers 1&2. That'll do you.

I only said DiMarzio's because they're the easiest to find in the classifieds. I'm not looking for brand new.

[Algiman]

+1 on the PAF Pro, but the norton works really well in basswood too.

[erikm5150]

Just some suggestions:

Dimarzios
Air Zone in the bridge -- nice fat warm tone, full in the bass and low mids
Norton (regular) in the bridge -- can get a a good balanced "brown" tone.
Breed Neck in the bridge -- like a fatter paf pro, a 10k PAF

Duncan Custom Custom -- warm and thick, nice lo mid emphasis
PATB3 -- a 10k PAF, classic PAF tone, but with more balls

[sick-boy]

Yeah, I was looking at the Breed, too.
What are the advantages and disadvantages to higher output pups?

[540s]

A great combo for a classic rock type sound is Gibson 496/500T pickups. If youre after that type of sound those are hard to beat

[waylay00]

Duncan 59 set or 59/Jazz (in the neck) is the best for classic rock in my opinion. Duncans have a better classic rock vibe than DiMarzios.

[crevis]

Steve special in bridge. Listen to the covers on the change of seasons ep by dream theater, that's the most classic sound I've heard in recent history.

[Moibanez]

Breeds!!

[waylay00]

Originally Posted by crevis

Steve special in bridge. Listen to the covers on the change of seasons ep by dream theater, that's the most classic sound I've heard in recent history.

But it still sounds like Dream Theater, not the actual classic rock tones.