Updating a classic shredder

[fdesalvo]

Well, well, well.  A bit of a backstory -

When I was first exposed to the guitar back in the 90s, a friend invited me to his show.  Little did I know how involved I'd be, as his lead guitarist's footswitch went on the fritz during soundcheck.  I sat onstage next to his amp and became a human channel switcher.  A glance over the left shoulder would signal the switch.  I was glorious.

Anyway, before the show, I met the guys while they were loading in.  I noticed the lead guitarist had an Ibanez hardcase, so I hung around to see what the big reveal would bring about.  As the case opened, my eyes drank in the Jewel Blue paint, sleek lines, and bound fretboard replete with the coolest inlays I ever saw - shark teeth!  This was a impactful moment for my young eyes to behold and it really burned this image into my mind, where it was stored away in the back - next to the way I remembered boobies striking me for the first time. 

Fast forward to this month when the opportunity to buy a mint 93 S540LTD was presented.  Do I like double locking trems?  No! Do I consider myself to be a shredder?  No!  Do I cast leering glances at the camera every chance I get?  No!  Do I have long, tussled hair and pouty, feminine lips?  No!  Something about this guitar sent me reeling back in time in a fit of nostalgia.  Maybe, like most things, time has played its game, rendering what was mediocre into something mythically cool.  Who cares?  She arrives this week and I'm excited to see her.

The original pickups IBZ/USA F1, F2, and C3 were harvested by the seller for a restoration project, so it was shipped with the less-than-ideal V7, V8, and S1(which I hear is pretty decent); I was really hoping to have those original pickups, but oh well.  Life moves on and I can always source them later.  In the meantime, I've got two DiMarzio Gravity Storms at the ready.  I may have jumped the gun.

Now, I haven't strayed from BK for the past 5 years of life and that speaks volumes.  I'm going into this blind, knowing that several characteristic "S" possibilities can play out -

1.  The guitar is bright/trebly, lacking sustain.
2.  The guitar is too bottom heavy, with masses of sustain.
3.  The guitar is perfect!

Once I audition the stock pickups and instal the DiMarzios, I can make the determination regarding a pickup change.  Before I go any further, I need to determine what this guitar will be tasked with - a little of everything, but mainly lead work for instrumental rock/prog metal music; if the guitar is overwhelmingly cool, it may see stage time.  That said, I go for:

1. Fluid and expressive neck tones.  Don't like bass heavy sounds; prefer a bit brighter, more vintage tones that could potentially split well.  Great clean tone is important.
2. Fluid and expressive bridge tones.  Looking for rich midrange and smooth top end.  Something that can split well or go into parallel nicely would be an extra.

Again, all bets are off until I hear this thing, but I believe I'll have to treat that thin mahogany body tonally as ash.  And my prior experience with BK leads me to believe the following combos could fit the bill (B-M-N format):

1. Abraxas (have yet to hear this sound less than stellar in any guitar I've put it in, but a bit more width would be nice.) - 63 - Emerald/Abraxas
2. Crawler - 63 - Emerald/Abraxas
3. ?

I don't know if I can ask for recommendations at this point.  Again, just theorizing until I have my hands on this thing.  I've been through the Ibanez Saber threads here, but haven't seen anything relatively current.  Feel free to weigh in or consider this a placeholder for updates.  Pics below - not my amp lol.

Cheers!

[Yellowjacket]

1.  The guitar is bright/trebly, lacking sustain.
2.  The guitar is too bottom heavy, with masses of sustain.
3.  The guitar is perfect!

1.  Juggernauts

2. Rebel Yell or Painkiller.  Painkiller has more upper mid content while Rebel Yell has a rich harmonic sheen and is very even in the highs.

3.  A-Bomb.  ^_^

Of course, we're just talking what I would put in a guitar.  Funny thing, I have all 3 of those bridge pickups!!! 

In my bright  / lacking sustain guitar I have a Juggerset, in my all low mids / sustain guitar I have a Rebel Yell bridge and a VHII neck, and in my more balanced guitar I have an A-Bomb bridge and a Rebel Yell neck. 

As far as the juggernauts are concerned, they're just so much fun to play.  Even the old 60+ year old guitar tech loves them haha. 

[fdesalvo]

Haha!  Thanks for that :)

[Slartibartfarst42]

I can't see an A-Bomb working in it as I don't think there will be enough mahogany to tame the aggressive upper mids. I likewise suspect the Rebel Yell will be too bright. I'm less sure about the Juggernauts because they always sound too modern to me for what you seem to be after but I may be wrong as plenty people seem to like them even if they don't appeal to me. I can't really argue with much of your own suggestions as if you want a vintage flavour the Abraxas should be perfect and the Crawler will certainly add beef to your guitar. For the bridge, I'd also throw a Holydiver into the mix as it will suit your proposed styles and should add a bit more weight to the guitar without being as dark as the Abraxas. For the neck, I'd never fault anyone wanting an Emerald but again, I'd also suggest a Holydiver as a credible alternative.

[fdesalvo]

Thank you ^^