Bridge pickup recommendations for both my guitars, please.

[Rex Rocker]

So I've got two guitars: Ibanez RGA121 and Ibanez RG570. RGA has a maple neck, THICK maple top, and mahogany back. RG has a maple neck and basswood body. RGA is naturally bright, tight, and snappy. RG is naturally smooth and middy.

Right now they have an EMG JH-B (RGA) and a Duncan Blackout AHB-1b (RG570).

Love the Het on the RGA, but I wouldn't mind trying some different stuff out. Would like something bright, tight, and aggro with lots of emphasis on pick attack, but I wouldn't mind a wee-bit fatter (not too fat, though), and not as high-output as the Het.

Hate the Blackout. Well, hate is an overstatement, but sounds kinda bloated compared to my other guitar. Would like something tighter, with more emphatic attack, and less tubby low-middy. Would like to make my RG570 sound more like my RGA121.

So what are my options? I play high-gain chunky stuff. As a reference, I'm going for something like the tone on Shadows are Security by As I Lay Dying (I think they used Gibbo Burstbuckers here on a LP?) and Khaos Legions by Arch Enemy (Dean Tyrant whatever signature pickup?).

Thanks.

 

[ActiveCape]

I've owned both these guitars and still have the RGA121
It's currently loaded with a Dimarzio Norton, which is one of my favorite pickups (ever)
Although, if you like fast attack, I would suggest a Ceramic magnet pickup
Seymour Duncans are generally brighter than Dimarzios I find, so I would look at those models
I think Dimarzio also has a "pickup chooser" tool which will suggest a pickup with a few criterias

 

[Rex Rocker]

Thanks!

Yeah, I think I'd prefer ceramic, though both the tones I mentioned used alnico-based pickups?

Have owned the DiMarzio Super Distortion, and used to have the Crunch Lab in the RGA and a PAF Pro in the RG. Didn't dislike either, but didn't reall love them. My experience with all the DiMarzios I've had suggests many of them are low-mid-heavy with a wah-like tone? It's cool, but I don't think that's what I'm going for.

Honestly, I'm considering just a run-off-the-mill Duncan JB, but I'm afraid it may not be ceramic-y enough? LOL.

 

[ActiveCape]

I think you're right about the nasally thing, a lot of people have that comment about Dimarzios
I never really noticed that personnally (must vary with amps, settings, volumes, etc.)

Technically the JB was designed to be used with 250k pots (or so I have read)
And supposedly, the Duncan Distortion is the same (or similar) as the JB, only with a Ceramic magnet

 

[thenine]

Cant hurt to try a JB and see if it is what you are looking for. They arent expensive. Definitely my #1 pup but YMMV.

 

[dirtyfunkg]

I think Duncan JB is a good option.

 

[jsp]

Hey Rex

If you go Duncan, I would recommend the Custom/Custom 5 over the JB/Distortion. Just a case of less is more; you get way better clarity and tightness and still have enough power and output.

 

[Rex Rocker]

Thanks for the replies!

Heya, Jung!

Yeah, I was looking at the Custom 5. Don't really dig the clips of the Custom I've heard, I tend to dig more mid-focused pups, but the Custom 5 seems interesting. How would you compare it to something more familiar like an EMG 85?

 

[jsp]

The C5 is not so thick on the lows, it has a bit of a dip in the mids (more on the low mid side), has good present upper mids, and overall a tighter, more crisp sound. It's definitely my favorite Duncan. If you took a JB and fixed everything I don't like about it, you would end up with a Custom 5. I definitely highly recommend it, particularly for the RGA.