Pickups for Ibanez S570b.

[mbchepburn]

Hi there. Just wondered if you had any opinions on what I should get for an Ibanez S570b. Normally I play metal in Drop C, but I've got a pair of Aftermaths on the way to drop into a trusty Les Paul, so this guitar is going to be more versatile. I'm probably going to be playing a lot of Petrucci, Satriani, style stuff so I'm after a pickup thats really got heart and sings when playing melodies, but also has the ability to track shredding riffs whilst regaining warmth. At the moment these are my choices, but I'm open to anyone elses opinion:

1. Nailbomb Calibrated Set (with Ceramic Bridge)
2. Nailbomb Calibrated Set (with Alnico Bridge)
3. Alnico Nailbomb with Coldsweat neck
4. Ceramic Nailbomb with Coldsweat neck
-- All above with Trilogy Suite in middle position --

Of course I know there is plenty of other pickups so I'd really like to hear your suggestions.

Mike

[Telerocker]

Holy Diver/ Cold Sweat. The Diver is great for fluid leads, and is tight enough. It sounds big. The CS is great for fluid leads too.

[Slartibartfarst42]

I thought Holydiver when I read this thread earlier as I think it will work really well in that thin mahogany body but I didn't want to say it first as I've just written a very positive review of it so it would seem a bit 'obvious'. Now that Telerocker has suggested it, I'm happy to second the motion  :D I know a Cold Sweat neck will work well and I believe the Holydiver neck would also be a good option.

[darkbluemurder]

I also think HD bridge and CS neck would be the first choice if melody playing is your priority. A-Bomb bridge with CS neck would also be good - I have both pickups but have not used them as a set. Unfortunately I don't have experience with either the C-Bomb or the NB neck.

Cheers Stephan

[cedrac]

Cold Sweat neck in my Ibanez s7 is great ! in single coil too.

[Telerocker]

The Nailbomb is not the first choiche for this melodic Petrucci-stuff. From all the reviews on this site and clips I've heard, the HD scores better as a leadpickup for thick tones, especially in the upper registers.

[mbchepburn]

I just don't think the Holy Diver. It's made for brighter guitars, hense the the reduced higher end. You've got to remember that the Ibanez is a mahogony body so it has a deep sound. Tim said the highs would get lost compared to other pickups. It was actually Tim that said the Nailbomb has proven to be fantastic in the Ibanez S series. I just wanted to get peoples opinions first. I'll just keep getting peoples opinions before I make a decision. Thanks for everyone upto now whos replied
:)

[Slartibartfarst42]

I take your point on mahogany but the 'S' series guitars have a very thin body so the mahogany isn't having the same impact it would on something like a Les Paul and a Holydiver will work on a Les Paul so I can't see why it wouldn't work in yours.

[darkbluemurder]

My two Holydivers are in a PRS Custom (mahogany body and neck, maple top, not really a bright guitar) and in an alder body strat (this is also not one of the brightest). But I agree that the overall tone of both instruments is very warm although not dull by any means. If you need cut however the Nailbomb may be better suited.

Cheers Stephan

[Telerocker]

I take your point on mahogany but the 'S' series guitars have a very thin body so the mahogany isn't having the same impact it would on something like a Les Paul and a Holydiver will work on a Les Paul so I can't see why it wouldn't work in yours.

Some people use the Diver in Les Pauls...

[Slartibartfarst42]

Yes, I appreciate that and they sound fantastic. I was merely wanting to point out that even if he was worried about the mahogany, in an 'S' series, it wouldn't make the difference he might be concerned about.