Pickup recommendations for Ibanez RGA-8

[Mx]

Hello everybody!

I just bought a Ibanez RGA-8 (8 string with mahogany body) after trying it out of pure curiosity and having a lot of fun with it. Seems like a good value guitar, with very good playability and nice unplugged sound, but the pickups need to go as soon as possible.
After several recommendations and listening to the sound samples i decided to take BKPs, but I guess I need some help with the exact model.

I'm a rather traditional guy in terms of gear - my main guitars are Teles and SGs, and i usually play a custom amp that is based on a Dr. Z Route 66 and a few good overdrives and fuzzes.

My band does post progressive rock, but I'd also like to experiment with the Ibanez playing Jazz/Fusion, or occasional Metal/Djent stuff.

So i'm basically looking for a set of pickups that covers a lot of ground. If I would base my decision on the sound samples alone, i would probably take The Mule or Holy Diver Pickups or a combination of those.

But would do you think?

Thanks in advance!
Mx

[Kiichi]

Hi and welcome!

I am no expert on 8 strings by any means, but my first idea would be to go Emerald. For a 8 string I would think you need something that can really hold definition and is on the brighter side of the EQ to not get swallowed by the scale. That is why I wonder if the very balanced mule might go a little south for this.
The Emerald on the other hand will not have this issue. It can go old school without a problem and being not that high output give you great dynamics and a nice and open sound. But and this is where things get interresting for you, this thing can go heavy as heck.

The forum expert Nolly always spoke very highly of them for metal and extended range instruments if memory serves.
Dunno how djenty they can go, but they can dive into modern metal and fit an 8 string.

The neck is also often cited as glorious being nicely warm, open, organic and smooth. Some call it a CS neck with more live in it.



Well I went off again on my thoughts, hope it helps you a bit until the other chime in.