Best Humbucking Pickup for a Sngle Pickup Super Strat

[mgarrison99]

I know... it's a loaded question. But I need some seasoned advice. I have an 83 Ibanez Roadstar with a single humbucker in the bridge position. It has a basswood body, maple top, and maple neck/board. Right now, it has an IBZ F2 split coil humbucker in it. But I'm not crazy about it. I would like some kind of 4-conductor-type humbucker to drop in instead. Might not need both settings, but the toggle on the front of the guitar would be a waste without it (unless I just used it as a kill switch).

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u53/mgarrison99/Ibanez/DSC00286.jpg

Now, before you jump and tell me your favorite pickup, this is what I already have at my disposal:

- Hamer SATF mahogany/maple with Duncan Jazz(N)/JB(B) installed
- Godin LG mahogany with EMG H(N)/85(B) installed
- Fender 50's Strat alder with Van Zandt Vintage Plus & Rock pups installed
- Robin Medley mahogany with Duncan Custom-Custom in bridge installed

I play straight-forward rock through a Carvin Bel Air 2x12 combo with a Xotic BBE, Blues Pro, and Crunch Box driving it.

Any inspiring thoughts as to a unique weapon for this old Ibanez?

Thanks!:confused:

[mgarrison99]

I just bought a Bill Lawrence L-500XL. Any thoughts on how this will sound in the Ibanez? It looks like it may be the perfect shredder.

[Pylonracer]

My 2 cents: I really like the sound of a JB in the bridge of a Strat. I would use a 250ohm tone pots to give it some beef. IMO series does not do clean very well due to all the upper midrange; but parallel mode and split work better. I have a toggle and use parallel for jangly stuff. Split, like any HB, has a significant volume drop. Have fun!

[mgarrison99]

thanks for the tone pot advice

[doc]

Since you've already got a lot of tonal bases covered, and based on the fact you play rock, I'd consider either something like the WCR Herc pickup if you want a good metal sound or one of the boutique PAF clones if you'd rather stay with more classic rock tones.

[Aaron SS]

Definitely something from the Bare Knuckle guys, i have a Bare Knuckle Cold Sweat in my single humbucker equipped fender celtic strat and i love it. High output but nearly noiseless with incredible string clarity

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a400/Used666_/100_3601.jpg

[Pylonracer]

thanks for the tone pot advice
I've heard many people say the JB is too bright/ icepicky; but I have to wonder how many were using 500ohm pots. I could see how that would ruin the tone; but with the 250ohm tone pot you can cover from AliceInChains to Robben Ford.

[Skipneumann]

I love the Harmonic Design pickups. These guys offer excellent work and service. http://www.harmonicdesign.net/

[slayer]

First off, 1 hum guitars are my favorite!! 2nd, if you bought the L500XL from Bill and Becky it will be smokin!! One of my favorite passives. Any great choice and covers most everything is the rio grande BBQ Bucker-awsome. I also like the SD Custom 5. I alos love the EMG 85 in the bridge position, much meatier than the 81.

Jack

[mgarrison99]

Cool. I have an EMG 85 in the back of my Godin and it is really thick. have the JB in my Hamer, and just bought a SD Custom-Custom to put in the back of my Robin Medley (this is a pre-Rio Grande guitar). The Gotoh pickups in that one just don't drive the guitar enough. Hope putting the Custom-Custom in there and the L500XL in the Roadstar is the right way to go. I bet they both sound great when I'm done.

Later!

[VanStone]

I would go with a Gensis Pickups "Mr. Brownie". I dropped one into one of my strat style guitars, and I love it.

http://www.genesispickups.com

V

[ed84246]

I just bought a Bill Lawrence L-500XL. Any thoughts on how this will sound in the Ibanez? It looks like it may be the perfect shredder.
I think this may be the pickup Nuno Bettencort uses in his guitars and he can sort of shred a little...

[Todd Lynch]

I love the bound-top Roadstar's - I had one at one time (when they were new) and loved it!

Good luck on your search.

[pipedwho]

The Anderson H3 sounds fantastic in my Basswood/maple Anderson guitar. If you want a cleaner tighter more midrangy sound, then the HN3 is also an option. But, I'd say go for an H3.

BTW, I didn't really like the Duncan JB either.