I was thinking about how Ibanez used to include REAL DiMarzio pickups as stock pickups on a lot of models, like the RG3120 and a few others. It seems like even the really high end Prestiges come with those Ibanez/ DiMarzio pickups rather than real DiMarzios, like a Tone Zone, Steve's Special, etc.

From what I understand, only J. Customs come equipped with genuine DiMarzio pickups. So, what's up with Ibanez? Did they cheap out in the past couple of years on pickups or what?

I don't know, but it would surely seem as if that's the case. I've kinda been wondering about the same issue. I know their DiMarzio/Ibanez pickup's are based on the REAL DiMarzio's such as the Paf Pro and Tone Zone.

Yes, they did...

I'm sure some will say "They are still made by Dimarzio in their factory" etc etc, but it sure seems like they are cheaping out. If they weren't getting them cheaper they wouldn't have changed now would they? And if they are getting them cheaper it probably isn't because Dimarzio just likes them sooo much...

Maybe they're still made by DiMarzio (not even sure about that), but they're also all the same. For example, the 3120 came with a Tone Zone and a PAF Pro, which are both different pickups.

All the high end Prestiges come with the SAME pickups... in both the neck and bridge positions.

Listen, why does anyone see it as a bad thing? For starters, the IBZ/ DiMarzio pickups are GOOD, and secondly, it helps to keep the costs down, meaning that the kind of people here who are enthusiasts will most likely change the pickups anyway. By changing the stock "cheap" pickups to whatever you want (and we all want different things) it's no major thing. What Ibanez lacks in high-end pickups, they make up for in cost. Simple.

What would you rather do; have Ibanez put something like PAF Pro or Tone Zone's in there, then feel like you're wasting your money by changing them out, or live with them and not get truly what you want, or swap the stock *very usable* IBZ's with something better when you can afford to?

I'd say they did.

I entirely disagree. Your point would make sense IF the higher end models were cheaper than they were with the real DiMarzios.

However, the simple fact is that all the higher end models come with DiMarzio/ Ibanez pickups AND are more expensive. The RGT320Q goes for about $1,900; the RGA321 goes for about $1,500, etc. Only a couple of years ago, the RG3120 came with a Tone Zone and a PAF pro (later was switched to two PAF's) and was sold for the same price.

I'd rather buy a new Ibanez that came with two awesome pickups (like Tone Zone and PAF) rather than pay the same amount (or MORE!) and pay for AVERAGE pickups, like the DiMarzio/ Ibanez pickups and have to switch them out.

As it is, I paid $1,500 for my RGA321FSPB and another $100 or so for a Tone Zone w/ installation, and if I bought a RGT320Q, I'd have to do the same thing.

They've cheaped out. It's obvious.

x2 you nailed it on the head.. Its a cost move. If im paying $1900 for a guitar it better damn well come with good name brand pickups not a mixture of something thats fine for most people.. I mean if say Schecter can put "Real" Duncans in a guitar thats $800 why cant Ibanez put "Real" Dimarzios in one costing more that 2x as much

I just pulled the Alnico duncans out of my Ibanez and put in the stock V7 and the V8's. The ibanez's sounded better to my ears. Ive NEVER hated them, and they work great for me, and provide the flexability I need (especially when using the 5 way switch)

Cheaping out? Not at all, because we save by not buying expensive duncan and dimarzio's. IF you want em, easy enough to swap out! But I sure like em, and they are staying in my RGA121 now!

gemini... I agree about the V7 however, you could do better than the V8 in your RGA... the bridge Dimarzio/IBZ is in fact way better as is a TZ.

Obviously pickup taste varies from guitarist to guitarist. To be honest, I'd rather have them equipping guitars with mediocre stock pickups such as the V7/V8 combo since I'd swap them out anyway, even if they're original DiMarzios [EDIT: unless it's the model I want].

Dont forget Ibanez could put proper dimarzios in their guitars a lot cheaper than i could (buying in bulk, direct from dimarzio, not paying for fancy packaging etc.).

So, i dont agree with the 'it doesnt matter, i can swap them myself' argument. It might cost me E200 to buy a new set of dimarzios, but would probably only add E50 to the price of the guitar if they came with it.

I think they would artificially raise the price on a guitar with a DiMarzio or Duncan label in the description. Just compare the price between a Prestige and a Dimarzio-equipped Prestige.

Sure, but would you be completely happy with them? Take the TZ, for example -- if you like the pickup, cool, but some people don't like that pickup and it might not be the DiMarzio model they would choose to retro-fit.

This is exactly what I'm saying. Planeflux' post is a good example.