Author Topic: Pickup Suggestions - Ibanez SZ520 (Read 13385 times)

YT · « **on:** June 20, 2005, 05:36:35 PM »

Well the guys over at the Guitarist magazine forums are always raving about the pickups here and since i'm in the market for some I thought i'd give them a go...

I'm after some pickups for an Ibanez SZ520QM. It has a Quilted Maple top on Maple/Mahogany body with a mahoghany set neck. At the moment it has the stock Ibanez/Duncan pickups which are an Alnico magnet neck pickup/ceramic magnet bridge pickup. (Not that this means much to me to be honest!!) I have to admit they are not too bad but the bridge is a little bright so usually need to roll the tone off. They get a bit muddy and lack clarity with too much gain.

I play through an Ashdown Fallen Angel 40W valve amp usually boosting with a Boss SD-1 to push the valves, and a Line 6 guitarport when they neighbours complain :twisted:

I already have an Epi Les Paul with an EMG 81 and 85 so got the extreme metal thing covered so was looking for something still capable of doing metal but a little more versatile rather than all out metal non stop.

There was a few I was thinking of after listening to clips etc. but I won't say which ones yet... i'd rather hear what people reccomend based on what i've said.

Sorry for the essay by the way, just thought more details might help!! :D

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2005, 05:52:47 PM »

I would say Nailbomb off the top of my head; you should check out the clips in the Players section. I didn't get my Nailbomb yet, so I can't say fer sure, but it sounds like you're not looking for a Miracle Man!!

steve · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2005, 06:35:08 PM »

Hi,
I would personally recommend the Nailbomb for many reasons,most of all its versatility. Its a big fat warm tone that has a very wide sound.Makes my 2/12 cab sound much bigger. I have done some clips in the players room that may help.

Ced777 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2005, 07:47:25 PM »

My Ibanez S axe (S470) is loaded with Nailbomb. ANother vote for this one! :P

Tim · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2005, 07:57:40 PM »

For a seriously versatile p/up check out the VHII-it's not super high gain but has a huge tone and is very dynamic.Other than that I'd have to jump in line with the rest of the guys and say Nailbomb-it's name covers one extreme, but it's capable of an aweful lot.Between Steve and my demos there's a serious amount of different tones going on!

Ratrod · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2005, 09:23:51 PM »

One more vote for the Nailbomb!

So you think you got the extrteme metal tones covered with EMG's, eh?

You haven't tried the Warpig and the Miracle Man yet. :twisted:

Both of them will blow the EMG's away. :twisted: :twisted:

YT · « **Reply #6 on:** June 20, 2005, 10:15:47 PM »

Excellent, cheers for the replies guys.

Gotta admit I was looking at the Nailbomb and liked the clips.
Will check out the VHII as well then... think there will definitly be an order coming your way just as soon as i've made my mind up!!

Quote from: Ratrod

One more vote for the Nailbomb!

So you think you got the extrteme metal tones covered with EMG's, eh?

You haven't tried the Warpig and the Miracle Man yet. :twisted:

Both of them will blow the EMG's away. :twisted: :twisted:

Don't say that... making life even harder for me now!! I do really like the sound of the miracle man too. Maybe its time the EMGs took a trip to Ebay :lol:

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #7 on:** June 20, 2005, 10:20:52 PM »

I think there are VHII clips up in the Players section, and I will be adding some very soon, as well. :)

Chris · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2005, 10:25:18 PM »

I'd also vote for the nailbombs, I just got mine installed at the weekend and they are amazing! Good output and bags of clarity, even with the gainey stuff.

My first set of bare knuckles and they won't be the last :D

Killerwhale · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2005, 09:46:12 AM »

:twisted: WARPIG - Evil "chuggah chuggah" & nice cleans!!
Ask for a calibrated neck pup vintage style and you are set to go!!

YT · « **Reply #10 on:** June 21, 2005, 01:45:51 PM »

Right I think Nailbomb is probably the pickup for me. Well for the bridge at least...
If I could afford a calibrated set I would but for now I can only really afford the one.

Would it make a massive difference if I brought the bridge one now and then ordered the neck pup at a later date? (Not sure whether that will be a nailbomb or something different yet...)
Or would it be best to hang on a few months till I can afford both?

Secondly... what colour/style! Bear in mind the guitar is a translucent blue flamed maple top. I was thinking open coils would look better. Maybe zebras?

Ratrod · « **Reply #11 on:** June 21, 2005, 04:56:55 PM »

Zebra's would look best, I think. Normal or inverted zebra's?

Choises, choises, choises...

YT · « **Reply #12 on:** June 21, 2005, 05:05:00 PM »

Oh I dunno!!! Dam you all for giving me so much choice... :lol:

Well I get paid next Tuesday so have a week to decide...

38thBeatle · « **Reply #13 on:** June 21, 2005, 08:16:29 PM »

Do you have any children- if so you could send them up some chimneys- it worked for me. I'd sell me granny if it'd get my Tele "bareknukled" though sadly she'd dead so I can't. It'll be interestig to see how long you can hold out on the LP once you've done the Ib.

YT · « **Reply #14 on:** June 23, 2005, 12:06:33 AM »

Unfortunatly no kids and dont plan on any for a while... if that happens ill never be able to afford to fit all my guitars with BKP's!!

Well i'm almost certain on the Nailbomb for my Ibby.
Just trying to decide on colours etc. Originally was thinking of Zebras, then I wondered whether the camo covered ones would suit the guitar?

What do you reckon?

Author Topic: Pickup Suggestions - Ibanez SZ520 (Read 13385 times)

TwilightOdyssey

TwilightOdyssey