Pickup Suggestion

[evilz06]

Hey guys I have a 1997 Ibanez JEM with the stock pickups and I am considering some Bare Knuckle humbuckers(bridge only) My style is from 80's metal to modern metal.Which ones would you suggest?...Also would my guitar require a long-leg or short-leg baseplate? Thanks

[MerlinTKD]

Depending on your modern metal tastes... Holy Diver, or Black Dog, or maybe Cold Sweat?

[evilz06]

Thanks for the reply...Here are two examples if you can call them modern is the rhythm sound from Rammstein on the song "Du Hast" and the song "Snap your fingers snap your neck" by Prong.....Thanks

[Lucas]

I would say Holydiver.
Dont rule out Miracle Man it`s fantastic pickup, it`s not modern metal flamethrower type of thing though.
depends how aggressive you want to go.

Regarding legs, short ones.

[evilz06]

Thanks for the suggestions Lucas 

[Lucas]

Sorry, didnt see your previous post about rhythm sound.
I`m just after listening to that Prong song, and if you`re looking for that type of sound, I would say Miracle man would be too 'chewy', thick and a bit too much bassy.
I would definitely recommend ceramic pickup (so Holydiver is out).

If your guitar is not overly bright what about Painkiller?
Cold Sweat is a good option as well, it would steer more into 80`s and more into hard rock though.

So I would say between Painkiller or Cold Sweat.

[evilz06]

Lucas the JEM is not really a bright guitar compared to my other Ibanez Prestige S which has hotter stock pickups in it.I installed DiMarzio Tone Zone/Air Norton in my LTD and it sounds awesome.I just want to make the JEM sound a little meaner like the Rammstein/Prong tone.... ....Thanks I appreciate your help.

[Lucas]

Lucas the JEM is not really a bright guitar compared to my other Ibanez Prestige S which has hotter stock pickups in it.I installed DiMarzio Tone Zone/Air Norton in my LTD and it sounds awesome.I just want to make the JEM sound a little meaner like the Rammstein/Prong tone.... ....Thanks I appreciate your help.

Miracle Man but expect 'chewy' and thick sounding pickup or Painkiller. I absolutely love my Miracle Man, but amp makes big difference too. I run it through Orange Dual Terror, which is not typical hi gain amp.

You definitely want ceramic pickup without the doubt.

[MerlinTKD]

The JEM is basswood, right? I really like the Painkiller in my basswood 7, but in your case I'd go Cold Sweat. On the other hand, if it's an alder JEM... well, still probably the same thing. 😆 Between the two, I'd say the PK is more aggressive, snarlier, but the CS is no slouch!

[evilz06]

Merlin in 97 the white JEM 7V had a Alder body

[darkandrew]

The JEM is basswood, right? I really like the Painkiller in my basswood 7, but in your case I'd go Cold Sweat. On the other hand, if it's an alder JEM... well, still probably the same thing. 😆 Between the two, I'd say the PK is more aggressive, snarlier, but the CS is no slouch!

If it is basswood, you should also consider the attack of the pickup as well as the actual tone; basswood has a tendency to soften the attack somewhat so to counter this you would ideally go for a pickup with a fast attack such as the Cold Sweat - I was advised this by one of the BKP team and having tried a number of different pickups in my basswood Fender Showmaster I can back this up as being the case.

[ericsabbath]

the miracle man bridge works really well in regular basswood body Ibanez guitars
not sure about alder, though

[Lucas]

I have MM in alder Ibanez copy guitar. It`s fantastic pickup indeed. It`s thick, aggressive, tight but not ultra modern tight. First thing that came up to mind mind after first minutes of playing was word 'chewy' . It`s thick and chewy. Quite a lot of bass. Works perfectly with my alder body guitar, prefer it way more than Cbomb. When it comes to versatility it is more metal pickup anyway, but nothing extreme despite being hot. 
I keep it a bit further away from strings, 3mm. That`s my sweet spot, the closer you get it to the strings the more metal EMG-ish it sounds. For me 3mm from strings is the best sound without the doubt.

[Dave Sloven]

Miracle Man, short legs, 53mm spacing is my recommendation