[hilljack13]

I'm thinking of changing out the V7/V8 in the 570 for Dimarzio Super D and Liquifire. I have read that the liquifire is similar to the Air Norton. I have that in a S model so if it is similar I might consider something else. Any thoughts on this particular setup? I haven't decided on the middle pickup yet.

I'm mostly playing metal and have the Tone Zone/Air Norton and a set of duncan Black Winters. When I switch to the 570 it just doesn't have what I'm looking for. Also playing through Peavy 6505+ Combo.

I might swap the vol/tone pots but not sure on which to get. I was thinking CTS based on what I have read on reviews but the short/long etc has me confused. Ibanez doesn't do the best job of full description...or either I'm just not getting something. Thanks in advance.

 

[sepulchrave]

I wouldn't worry about the pots unless they're faulty, just give 'em a clean up with Servisol or something similar.

If you're playing metal with a high-gain amp then it all becomes a bit of a moot point since the levels of distortion and saturation will mask most of a pickups inherent tonal character and you simply have to tweak the EQ on the front of the amp to suit whatever pickups you're using.

I actually quite like the V7/V8 but not quite as much as the earlier V1/V2, to be perfectly honest they're not bad pickups, I think my fave set for rock/metal are the DM Evo's and for blues/rock the SD JB/Jazz combo, EMG 81/85 are super versatile.

Maybe SD Blackouts and a 3-way switch leaving the middle S1 single coil as an unwired dummy pickup would float your boat and return your 570 to the front line, the tone should be crushing with that amp!

 

[hilljack13]

Thanks! I guess I should have said the pot replacement would be for the Black Winters. I have an issue with the vol pot going from 0 to 3-4. I might have got the pot too hot when soldering so I thought if I start from scratch it might help.

I have ran the V7/V8 through a Digitech Hot Rod pedal and it sounds pretty good, but I would like to take it to the next level. I might also need to consider keeping it as is for times when I don't want the neighbors calling the cops on me ....

 

[Ego Fum Papa]

What are the Black Winters lacking in your 570? I ask because I also have a '99 570 and a brand new Black Winter bridge PUP waiting to go in, as my 570 is taken apart about to get a new paint job (all prep is just about finished, going to start spraying it today). I haven't decided on the pots yet, I have a couple 1 meg pots I might use but I also have a no load I might use for the tone pot instead...

Also, how do you like the Tone Zone? I know Ibanez uses them as the stock pickup on some of the Prestige models. I've heard they can get a bit muddy, but the basswood of the 570 might balance that. Then again, so many people dislike the V8, but I love it. I have a DiMarzio D Activator in another of my RGs and I do like it, but I wanted to try something a bit hotter with clarity in my 570.

Anyway, I agree with Sepulchrave if you go with Blackouts (or any active) don't hook up the S1. If you stay with with passives, the DiMarzio True Velvet is a nice sounding middle pickup and 1 meg pots will give you a brighter sound (assuming you have the stock 500k pots in there).

 

[hilljack13]

The Black Winters are in an RG920. I love them! Honestly I haven't messed around with the tone zone too much, but I think it is better than the V8. It isn't that I dislike the 570 pickups, but I would like to try something else along the Dimarzio line that might rival the duncans. I did the pickup selector and based on all the parameters I used the Super D/Liquifire came up the most so I would like to try them out. The True Velvet came up as well and I have seen some good reviews on it. I've never used active pickups so no issue there, though I have thought about it. Maybe in a different rig.

 

[hilljack13]

So I finally got the SD and Liquifire. $119 for the set so I think that is a pretty good deal. Going to work on the install within the week.