New pickups for J-Customs

[buddroyce]

Seeing that about 90+% of the J-Customs come with the Dimarzio Air Norton, Blue Velvet and Tone Zone combos (or just AN/TZ for H-H configs), I'm wondering what other options would the rest of you consider to be an awesome combo to add more variation to the J-Custom pickup config.

After owning a bunch of J-Customs with most of them having the same pickup combo, I've decided to expand my tonal horizons with new pickup combos. While the TZ/BV/TZ combo is nice, I'd like my guitars to sound a bit different from each other.

So let's hear your favourite combo's. NO AN/TZ combo's since that's what's being replaced, but it could be AN+something or TZ+something. You don't need to limit your options to Dimarzio's, it could be something else, or even half and half. eg Duncan neck+Dimarzio bridge.

[voodoo_child]

A Steve's Special in the bridge is probably just as boring as the usual AN&TZ, but it's worth having in at least one of your JCs.

[_FR0D0]

1) AN + D Sonic
2) AN + Norton
3) Air Zone + TZ
4) Breed Neck + TZ
5) Feed + TZ
6) Evolution Neck + TZ
7) AN + Mo Joe

[neptoess]

Bill Lawrence L-500R/L-500XL
Dimarzio Evos
Seymour Duncan 59/EVH
Seymour Duncan Antiquities(be kinda weird but w/e)

anything really. considering the high quality of the woods used I'd say the Bill Lawrences. They'd sound amazing in a J-Custom or any guitar for that matter. I've never played another pickup(and I've tried just about all of them) that has the dynamic range or harmonic complexity they do. After playing them, you just don't like other pickups anymore. For only 50 bucks a piece and 7.50 shipping you have nothing to lose either considering if you don't like him he'll refund you for free. www.billlawrence.com

[mi2tom]

TZ/X2N

[zEr0]

I like the way my TZ/BV/AN combo sounds in my RGMETAL but that's because she's a basswood body.

Most JC's are mahogany and I find that they simply give a too bassy sound. I think a Steve's Special / Humbucker from hell combo would give great results specially since they were both designed for being splitted as well. Don't know about the single coil though.

[eviltwin]

on a baswood JC:

PaF pro bridge
EVO neck

[jaxadam]

I would imagine something along the custom line, like a Custom 5, or Custom Custom would sound great.

Or better yet, how about a Distortion/Custom hybrid bridge, with a 59/Jazz hybrid neck!

[buddroyce]

Originally Posted by jaxadam

Or better yet, how about a Distortion/Custom hybrid bridge, with a 59/Jazz hybrid neck!

I was thinking the exact same thing. Two Duncan hybrids.

I'm also wondering if the D-Activators will eventually replace the EMG's in the RG8320/RG8327 models. Seeing that Ibanez probably has a better working relationship with Dimarzio, I'm pretty sure that it's pretty feasible that they'll phase out the EMGs with a similar Dimarzio.

[erikm5150]

yeah duncan hybrids are cool!
i'd go with a 59/custom or jb/custom for the bridge.
I use a handwound 59/custom hybrid clone in my RGA and it rocks... although if your JC has a floating trem, maybe the jb/ciustom would work better.

i've never tried it, but i've always thought the PATB3 blues saraceno trembucker would sound awesome in ibanezes with floating trems.

I also think a bare knuckle holy diver would sound great in there.

[jaxadam]

Originally Posted by erikm5150

yeah duncan hybrids are cool!

Yes, they are.

Originally Posted by erikm5150

i've never tried it, but i've always thought the PATB3 blues saraceno trembucker would sound awesome in ibanezes with floating trems.

I haven't tried that one either, but I've heard great things about it.

I'm going to make a Distortion/Custom soon, and I'm excited to see how it turns out.

[Dee]

Originally Posted by zEr0

Most JC's are mahogany and I find that they simply give a too bassy sound. I think a Steve's Special / Humbucker from hell combo would give great results specially since they were both designed for being splitted as well. Don't know about the single coil though.

+1 on this post.

[jim777]

Neck: Bartolini V88C
Mid: Rio Grande Muy Grande
Bridge Dimarzio Steve Morse Bridge

[Dee]

Nice original selection there, Jim. I wonder about the Bartolini's. Do you have some installed?

[buddroyce]

Originally Posted by jim777

Neck: Bartolini V88C

Sounds clips please!! even better if you can a/b them against the Air Norton!!