Ibanez ART320 Pickup advice

[jwsbrew]

Hi,

I own an Ibanez Art320 and am looking to replace both the active stock pickups with passives. The ART320 is a fantastic guitar but with some top notch BKP's it could be a real gem (for the price).

I play through a VoxAC30 with a Micro Amp pedal, I use lots of effects in my playing - bands I enjoy are Radiohead, Muse, RATM, Arctic Monkeys, Black Keys, White Stripes, Foofighters. Already own another Ibanez guitar (sz520fm) that is fitted with a Bridge Nailbomb and neck MQ combo (its brilliant). Looking for something a little different on the ART320 but a pickup combination that will ultimately suit what I like but also prove quite universally versatile for other styles.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
James

[darrenw5094]

That could be a lot of BKP's. First, you need to give more details on the guitar, body wood etc.
The VHII, Holydiver are my 2 favourite all rounders, but i am sure there are 4 or 5 others that you would be happy with.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I think a VHII would be great here. Gives you something different than the Nailbomb but still can easily handle all those band's tones and more.

[Slartibartfarst42]

Holydiver is a fantastic pickup and surprisingly versatile.

[Telerocker]

I cover a lot of sytles with Mules. If you want it a bit hotter: VHII's.

[jwsbrew]

Cheers for the advice

Extra details for my guitar:

ART320 body - Mahogany with Bound Flamed Maple top
Neck - Mahogany with Bound Rosewood fingerboard


So VHII, Mule, Holydriver have been mentioned so far. Would you recommend just getting calibrated set or a combination of different pickups for Neck & bridge?

[Slartibartfarst42]

Abraxas could be a great option as it's basically a hotter version of the Mule.

There's no problem mixing and matching; it just depends on what you're after out of the different positions.

[darrenw5094]

Looks like there are about 5 or 6 options that would all sound great. Suprised that nobody has mentioned p90's with the list of bands the OP likes. Anyway, i have no experience with the P90's. :(

Doesn't have to be a calibrated set, but mixed set will cost a bit extra.

[Cpt_Gonzo]

I play RATM, Muse and Foo Fighers in my band.

Holy Divers. Seriously, they are pretty much golden for everything.
Tight enough for chugga-chugga, vintage vibe for Foo Fighters (they actually behave like a PAF if you turn down the Vol. or apply less gain!), enough harmonics for Muse.

And I haven't found a bridge pickup that sings as much asthe HD does.

[ericsabbath]

riff raff bridge/mule neck is an amazing all rounder set for a lp style guitar, and excels in most of those bands styles
that would be my first choice for modern foo fighters, white stripes and arctic monkeys

if you want something middier and a little more compressed, then you want a black dog
not as bright and clear as the riff raff, but more full sounding and more fluid on leads

you already have a nailbomb loaded guitar, so I would not pick a holy diver, as it's still in the higher output ballpark and the voicing has a quite different vibe from most of those bands materials