Mahogany Ibanez H-H recommendations?

[Exodus5]

I've had several BKP's (set of CS in a Gary Moore LP/Painkiller LP bridge/Mules in a Goldtop) but with the exception of the Mules in my current LP I've always thought so picked the wrong pickups.  I just bought an Ibanez Puzzle (mahogany RG body with flamed/quilt maple top pieces) and the original IBZ pickups were replaced with an Air Norton/Steve's Special combo.  I do not like these.  The Steve's is ice picky and the AN is muddy.  I'm going to be using this one for my more 80's metal interludes.  Common sense says Holy Diver, but is that right for the Mahogany/Maple with Maple neck and rosewood board?

[skolphy]

I've gotta 7421PB (very similar specs to your axe)....the original Quantums were OK but just not exciting..kinda brash and hollow..I then tried a set of Ionizers..just too hot and a bit noisy..I dropped a set of Juggs in and couldn't be happier..full with no mud..punch in the mids...sweet and present highs..the neck is really nice...full and singing, but with a touch of that nice plinkyness..the 2&4 positions on the 5 way are wired parallel..sooo nice..5 very distinct sounds that are all killer...

[Yellowjacket]

I've had several BKP's (set of CS in a Gary Moore LP/Painkiller LP bridge/Mules in a Goldtop) but with the exception of the Mules in my current LP I've always thought so picked the wrong pickups.  I just bought an Ibanez Puzzle (mahogany RG body with flamed/quilt maple top pieces) and the original IBZ pickups were replaced with an Air Norton/Steve's Special combo.  I do not like these.  The Steve's is ice picky and the AN is muddy.  I'm going to be using this one for my more 80's metal interludes.  Common sense says Holy Diver, but is that right for the Mahogany/Maple with Maple neck and rosewood board?

Hay!  How does the Ibanez sound unplugged? 

Here's a file attached for reference:

1) Solid mahogany guitar with a bolt on neck, mahogany neck, and rosewood board.  VERY dark.

2) Set neck mahogany neck, mahogany body, maple cap, and rosewood board.  (Les Paul STD)  Less dark.

3)  Maple bolt on neck with rosewood board and soft maple body with poplar wings.  Somewhat bright but also balanced.

4) Maple bolt on neck, rosewood board.  Likely pine body?  So bright that it is strident. 

Find where your guitar sits in this spectrum tonally.  If it is between 2 - 3, a Holy Diver should be fine.  I think that even #2 would work with a Holy Diver. 

[Exodus5]

I've had several BKP's (set of CS in a Gary Moore LP/Painkiller LP bridge/Mules in a Goldtop) but with the exception of the Mules in my current LP I've always thought so picked the wrong pickups.  I just bought an Ibanez Puzzle (mahogany RG body with flamed/quilt maple top pieces) and the original IBZ pickups were replaced with an Air Norton/Steve's Special combo.  I do not like these.  The Steve's is ice picky and the AN is muddy.  I'm going to be using this one for my more 80's metal interludes.  Common sense says Holy Diver, but is that right for the Mahogany/Maple with Maple neck and rosewood board?

Hay!  How does the Ibanez sound unplugged? 

Here's a file attached for reference:

1) Solid mahogany guitar with a bolt on neck, mahogany neck, and rosewood board.  VERY dark.

2) Set neck mahogany neck, mahogany body, maple cap, and rosewood board.  (Les Paul STD)  Less dark.

3)  Maple bolt on neck with rosewood board and soft maple body with poplar wings.  Somewhat bright but also balanced.

4) Maple bolt on neck, rosewood board.  Likely pine body?  So bright that it is strident. 

Find where your guitar sits in this spectrum tonally.  If it is between 2 - 3, a Holy Diver should be fine.  I think that even #2 would work with a Holy Diver.

It's definitely closest to #2.  I'm leaning toward HD bridge and CS neck.  I also loved the sounds I got from my PRS with HFS/VB, so I may take a chance on a used set.  A friend directed me to the Aldrich set.  I had one in the bridge of a poplar maple ebony guitar and wasn't impressed.  Maybe it needs to be in a Mahogany guitar?

[Yellowjacket]

#2 is my 2002 Les Paul Standard Plus. 

It currently has an A-Bomb in it which has quite an aggressive cut and attack in the high end.  If you're wanting mids, more body in the low mids, and a more smooth top end the Holy Diver should deliver very well.

#1 is a Godin LG and it is a very dark and low mid heavy guitar but it also has a weird bump in the low treble right below the high mids.  I put a HFS in the bridge and it was a disaster.  The guitar sounded like garbage.  A Rebel Yell bridge was the remedy and that guitar sounds big, open, and HUGE. 

[Exodus5]

So which one was #2?  I am confused.

Mine is like #2 but with just a touch less brightness.  It has 9's, where I'm assuming your LP would have 10's or larger.

[Yellowjacket]

Sorry, the Godin is #1 and the Gibson Les Paul Standard is #2. 

The strings are 10 - 46 and it has an A-Bomb in the bridge and a Rebel Yell in the neck.