Pickup advice

Shredder87 · #1 10-11-2009, 01:30 PM

Folks,

I've been thinking about swapping the stock bridge hum (Dimarzio/Ibz) in my 4 year-old RG2550 for something with a little more... "edge" to the sound. Something ballsier, thicker, hotter, better defined, more "shred". The stock hum is okay to be honest but it could do with a little more "bite" to the sound for my liking.

Have been investigating possibilities. Ladeez 'n' Gentlemen, the contenders:-

-Full Shred - Heard one in an RG2610. Very "shred", hot, very what I'm after.
-Evo - No experience but I hear nothing but praise from all quarters.

Also thinking about upgrading to 1 Meg pots for more balls to the sound. Good idea?

So, what should I go for? I want to be absolutely sure before I make a decision!

Cheers

'87

Algiman · #2 10-11-2009, 01:33 PM

Check out the Bare Knuckle Nailbomb too - great pickup, really big sound but it retains note clarity for fast stuff.

Shredder87 · #3 10-11-2009, 01:43 PM

Hi Algiman, good to see you're still around here!

Never gave the Nailbomb a thought to be honest. Bare Knuckles are supposedly among the best available.

'87

jemmaniac · #4 10-11-2009, 01:44 PM

as bad as i think they sound on "Deans". i would definitely go with a Seymour Duncan Dimebucker. i have one on my RGA prestige and it cuts through VERY VERY well and provides a great edgy tone

Algiman · #5 10-11-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shredder87

Hi Algiman, good to see you're still around here!

Never gave the Nailbomb a thought to be honest. Bare Knuckles are supposedly among the best available.

'87

I lurk!

"Best" is very subjective, but I love them! I like Evos in Alder, but I've always found them somewhat lacking in basswood guitars, except the Evo7 which is one of my favourite 7s.

Speedabob · #6 10-11-2009, 02:56 PM

Sounds like you want a Tone Zone?

Shredder87 · #7 10-11-2009, 03:10 PM

I have heard some great things about the TZ, and to be honest I did give it some thought, there again I have also heard some people who weren't too impressed, so I'm a bit unsure to be honest.

Algi, what did you find was lacking with the Evo/basswood combination? Was it a little muddy or dark?

Another one I thought about was the Bill Lawrence 500, gets some rave reviews but I've never heard it.

I have a JB in the bridge of my Jackson, it's a brilliant little pickup but I was after something a little hotter for the Ibanez.

P.S. Incase anyone suggests it... although they're OK, I'm not really after EMGs.

'87

Algiman · #8 10-11-2009, 03:46 PM

They just sound a bit lifeless to me.

nickcoumbe · #9 10-11-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jemmaniac

as bad as i think they sound on "Deans". i would definitely go with a Seymour Duncan Dimebucker. i have one on my RGA prestige and it cuts through VERY VERY well and provides a great edgy tone

+1

They are also supposed to have been designed to be similar to the L500XL. I have one and I love it, and it does do what you describe.

Evos are great if you are using tube amps, but they aren't really a "distortion" pickup.

Breeds are good too

axemanrio · #10 10-11-2009, 08:33 PM

I've had an RG2550E for well over a year and tried many pickups but kept coming back to the Tone Zone + Air Norton. I play 80's rock and metal.

crossbones · #11 10-12-2009, 09:29 AM

+1 for the JB and EMG's here but not for everyone.

Tone is subjective but try searching youtube for your guitar + whichever pickup your looking for, might give you an idea.

I'd also vote for the Duncan Distortion, and its worth speaking to Bryan at BG pickups.

http://www.bg-pups.com/

Hand wound boutique pick ups for the price of any SD'd or Dimarzio's! he will custom wind for you too!

rob777vdy · #12 10-12-2009, 01:28 PM

do not and i repeat do not fit evo's trust me on this 1.i had the same guitar as you and i swapped out those stock pups for evo's,man what a bad move,sounded shocking

.the lads have already named some great pickups combinations go with one of those.

Shredder87 · #13 10-13-2009, 07:15 AM

Well, I trust the opinion of Jemsiters, so I'll give the Evos a miss then

Will consider the other options mentioned. Thanks all for the advice.

'87

rockguitar4ever · #14 10-13-2009, 09:03 AM

dimarzio breed, i got a chrome one from you know where for 30 pounds!! and stuck it in my ibanez 350 ex, the guitar has thanked me for it, great pickup, great midrange punch and harmonics, sounds really smooth and superb get one!!!!!

jc5150dc · #15 10-13-2009, 09:37 PM

I also have a 2550 (with the edge zero) and I was looking for a nice set of pups. I kept the single in the mid and went with GuitarForce Rebel 2 PAF (Alnico 3 mag) in neck and Full On Distortion (Alnico 5) for the bridge. Pretty sweet and edgy. Pretty much a JB, but not as much of the highs...no shrill for sure. Kevin Taylor is the man and he hand-wound to my specs for $75/each. The only thing is the bridge pup is not F-spaced. Doesn't seem to affect tone though.
Also, check out the youtube video of Guitar World review of the Josh Rand signature guitar from Peavey (the one with the camo design). It's a basswood body with a Dimarzio PAF Joe in the neck and an X2N in the bridge and man does that thing sound sick! That might be worth a go!
John