Need insight on next set of pickups

PV3120 · #1 07-20-2009, 08:09 PM

I have an Ibanez S520EX. I bought it with the stock INF 1, and 2, 3 way humbuckers. After a time of playing with the stock pu's, I upgraded to Zakk Wylde EMG 81/85 active's. Now I think it's time for another switch.

I love the ZW emg's, but for what I'm playing, they aren't right for me anymore. I play in a church worship band playing all style's of music, and I myself mess with jazz, blues, blues rock, rock, etc. My amp tone is just a kinda 80's rock/standard rock tone.

So I'm looking for a more versatile set of pickups. I've been looking to get a set of pu's with coil tapping capabilities.

Since I've heard that different people (depending on style and tone sought after) sometimes place a neck pup in the bridge and vice-versa, let me specify that I reserve my rhythm tone for my neck pup. However with the 81/85's, I have my 3 way selector switch in the middle position for 3 fingered power chording. So, I like to have rhythm tones for the neck and middle positions, with my harmonicly rich, soaring lead tones for the bridge pup.

I've been thinking of getting a Dimarzio PAF Pro (neck) and Fred (bridge) with a coil tap pot, similiar to what Satriani has used on most of his JS series guitars. By researching on Ibanez's site, I see 6 possible different pup modes that I can get from such a set.

I've also considered an Air Norton/Tone zone combo, along with an Air norton/fred combo.

Again, I need a versatile set of pickups that will allow for:

1. humbucker pups for guitars with a 3 way switch and coil tapping via push/pull pot for the TONE control.
2. chunky rhythm playing, and soaring, harmonicly rich leads in a driven channel/state
3. good tones coil tapped in a clean channel for picking, standard chording, etc.

If anyone cares to share any comments, experiences, or recommendations on this, I truly appreciate the feedback!

Thanks!

callen3615 · #2 07-20-2009, 08:13 PM

The fred and paf pro sound good for wat you want. You could also get the mojoe instead of the fred.

jallen · #3 07-20-2009, 09:53 PM

Are you sure the pickups are the answer? I mean, EMGs are very high quality, and not as one-dimensional as some think. Maybe an amp change would be better. In my experience, pickups changes can fine-tune your tone, but if an all-out change is what you want the pickups alone can't get you there. Just a thought.

PV3120 · #4 07-20-2009, 10:15 PM

Yes indeed, I'm thinking pickups. I play through the all new PEAVEY 3120, which goes through an Egnater 2x12 Tourmaster Two-tone. The EMG's do sound good if they are cranked all the time, with the tone wide open. When I look to back off the volume, they sound like crap, and stop being as responsive for me, as far as rhythm goes. On lead, the 85 is wonderful, as long as the volume and tone are wide open.

Also, playing in the clean channel, I'd like the chords and picking more vibrant, clear, and articulate that I believe only a coil tap can provide. Again, even with my EMG 81 on the neck, I'm not getting the tone I'd like to have, with it always being in humbucking.

And yes, I looked at an 81TW, and no, I won't try it. I want to get away from EMG completely...

PV3120 · #5 07-21-2009, 06:40 PM

Come on now. This is a place for discussion/recommendations. Send me some more input!

Right now I'm seriously considering a PAF Joe/Mo' Joe combo.

Any thoughts/ideas/recommendations?

Thanks for any and all input!

_FR0D0 · #6 07-21-2009, 09:40 PM

I think the perfect DiMarzio Bridge pickup for you is the Norton.
About the neck pickup the paf pro, paf joe, air norton are all good matches. Also check aout the new liquidfire that has been reported to be something between the paf pro and the air norton.