Suggestion for pickups

[Id XoX]

I got a RG570 new and I really don't like the stock pu's. I cannot stand the muddy sound. I play metal and shred. I'd like a nice hard metal sound for the bridge pick up, but with enough flexibility to solo and shred with, and for the bridge I want something really nice to shred with.

A couple fellows recommended the Air norton + Tone Zone combination, which I am seriously considering. The only thing is I heard that the air norton isn't good with a floating trem, because it needs to be really close to the strings for the best tone. With the tone zone, I heard the scooped mid sound simply is not possible with it, also. For this reason, I was considering a super 3, but overall I think the tone zone will probably be better. I was hoping someone could either affirm or dispel these things. And generally, how do you think these pickups fit my needs in comparison to say something like a FRED/PAF pro combo which was also suggested.

Thanks...

[sniperfrommars1]

Well the tone zone is more of a typical evh sound. The sound you want really sounds more emg based. Duncans have that glassy high end they are known for, but not enough bite in some areas. You may wanna check out the dimebucker in the bridge, its clean sound is metallica and glassy, but a very crunchy scooped lead tone.

[rty13ibz98]

personally i use the AN and TZ combo almost exclusively, but i like them cuz their versatile. whereas i love EVH, i don't go for his tone. even tho that is what he used for his EBMM. personally i think what you may want to look into is the evolution in the bridge and the breed in the neck. for a single...WHO CARES?!?!?! no seriously, try the virtual vintage series from dimarzio. i don't particularly like EMGs. they sound great, but don't go well in my rig. the majority of my workhorses are passive and integrating active is a pain due to the differences in output. if you want all active, tho, the 85/81 combo is really agressive. i used to have 3 guitars loaded with them and they do smoke, but lacked alot of character compared to the duncans and dimarzios i own. they are excellent studio/recording pickups: super quiet=no hum. for single coils, i owned the sa1's those are very strat sounding but lacked a bit of the quack that is immediately associated with a strat single. 2 sa1's and a 85 are excellent for mean sudio axes. i know, i used them alot...so did steve lukather and reb beach.


rich

[Lonely Raven]

IMHO, Fred/PAF Pro pickups don't get you the rhythm sound your
looking for. The Fred had LOTS of mid and high harmonics, but doesn't
have that rich of a low end harmonic content. And it's really difficult to
get low end squeals out of it, ala Zakk Wild.

While the PAF Pro is pretty sweet all the way around. You can get some
pretty good (intentionally fat/muddy) rhythm out of it.

I have a Tone Zone in my Root Beer Jem, and it just RIPS. I've never
heard it called the EVH sound...but now that I think about it, that's pretty
accurate! I think that would pull off a warm heavy sound!!

I'm not familair with a AN, I've not found one in pink yet for my Jem so
I can't say anything about that. But I've heard a lot of good stuff!

EMGs can do a lot. But one they can't do is be warm. Their harmonics are
practiacally digital, and their frequency responce is very even and
uneventfull. If all you're doing is rhythm, they might do just fine for you.
But once you start wanting some fat tone, silky leads, etc, you'll find
yourself switching back to passive really quickly.