Jab9000

Sup guys! 

I feel a bit stupid even asking this since I've been building and modifying guitars for a little over 15 years, but basically I'm completely overhauling my baby: a 2004 Ibanez RG370 I've had for over a decade and grown quite fond of. It's getting all new hardware and electronics. Got most of it already, like locking Wilkinson TUNERS, EMG F-ALX (the Alexi Laiho signature pickup with active EQ and gain boost for the bridge and a special Axesrus Devastator built just for me off-menu by the wonderful guys at Axesrus for the neck, and a nice set of anodised pup rings and a grey pearl truss rod cover. Haven't yet decided on a middle pickup, maybe a nice DiMarzio or Seymour Duncan.

The originals, I believe, are the old Ibanez Powersounds? As this RG predates the changeover to the new INFs and INFSs, I think. I'll hang on the originals to slap in one of my many other projects. I do actually also own a 2008 (I think, I'd have to check the serial number again) RG370 from after the changeover in matte red that I bought a few months ago, which is fitted with the INF/INFSs. Not entirely sure what trem is on that one either, whether it's the same as the one on the 04. I bought it used and y'all know what that means: the trem arm was missing. So were the truss rod cover and retainer bar, actually. That was strange. 

Anyway, I've never really liked that particular Ibanez licensed low profile FR trem that came on my 04 RG and honestly it feels like its pivots are deteriorating. It's a shame because the Ibanez licensed low profile FR on my 1998 RG320 (in dark metallic blue) is fantastic, probably because it's a lot closer to the genuine article in design.

So, before pulling the trigger on a licensed low profile FR (because the price of a genuine one makes me want to cry), I just wanted to be absolutely sure it'd fit. I don't see why it shouldn't, but these kinds of things have come back to bite me before.

Now, I've made you read all this ramble, and I feel like I owe you all some pictures of my baby and its Ibanez friends (excluding my Ibanez bass). It's been a great, reliable workhorse all this time and it's the guitar I always go back to, but now feels like the time to give it a makeover and refine the sound closer to the styles I'll be playing on it in the future since it doesn't have to pull double-duty with the heavy and brutal stuff as well as the more mellow and contemplative anymore. That's what my Strats and Les Pauls are for (and hopefully soon, a Tele!), except for my Charvel and Zakk Wylde signature LP which sorta blur the line.

Fear not, I will be removing the sticker because I'm no longer trying to get Dunlop to endorse me and give me free stuff. Sorry for the last two shots. I always thought the glittery silver looked awesome under stage lighting, and during Covid while gigs were cancelled and the gear was just sitting in mothballs in my workshop, I got into photography because I'd always wanted to and thought I'd mess around with the lighting. 

Right then, I should really go to be bed now as I feel the sleeping pills starting to work and I'm exhausted from having just been to see the new Jurassic World, which was AWESOME. Thanks in advance for all your help and support, and I look forward to hearing from you!

On 6/24/2021 at 11:53 PM, daddymack said:

have you considered changing the value of the bleed cap? Too high a value can suck the hi-end off leaving you with a muffled tone. Maybe compare the value to the one in your other guitar with the same p-ups.

as to tuners...just replace them. If one cracked, then the others likely will as well eventually.

That is an excellent suggestion, thanks! You could very well be right. I may be overthinking it and overcomplicating the issue, but I guess it makes sense for a guitar designed for metal to go for a midscoop. And with a 6 year gap between my two, it's definitely possible that there are differences in the parts. After all, they have different trems and noticeably different neck profiles, so different pots and caps isn't beyond the realms of possibility. 

In any case, along with all the other excellent suggestions, I'll crack them both open and have a look. They're both due a bit of work. Thanks so much for your help. I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I wouldn't have thought of that, or at least not until I'd torn the thing apart and come up with nothing. 

On 6/25/2021 at 7:01 AM, Grant Harding said:

If you haven't already I'd mess around with the pickup heights first. Most guitars I come across have them adjusted too close to the strings.

Any specific recommendation will be based on the type of music you play. 😎

Excuse me for a moment while I slap myself for being an idiot. That's the first thing I should have tried! Is it possible that I have too many guitars to keep track of? Setups are done on an as needed basis, and since they're all on a sort of rotation (so they all get played regularly) some of them are occasionally overlooked. 

This one in particular is generally used for metal and hard rock, and kept in either E or D standard depending on what gauge strings end up on it. Usually 10-52 or 9-46, and it's just about due a restring. I'll have a play around with the pickup height beforehand. Thanks a million for the suggestion. If I can get the sound I'm after out of this one, that'd be ideal. It's not like the pickups are bad as I'm sure they've sounded great in the past, so you're probably right and it's just the setup. Actually got a set of anodised pickup rings to go on anyway, so that works out pretty well. 

Thanks again, man. Your wisdom and guidance are much appreciated! 

On 6/25/2021 at 4:20 AM, mrbrown49 said:

One of these little guys?

 

https://www.guitarpartsresource.com/tuners_partsbushings.htm

 

The also have the little spring washers.

 

THANK YOU! Seriously, that's exactly what I was after. It's irritating as I'm a mechanic and my workshop has washers and o rings of all shapes, sizes and materials, but nothing I would deem a suitable substitute for those plastic ones. I mean, the o rings are doing the job, but for how long, y'know? 

Anyway. Again, thank you so much for your help. That is the ideal solution. No bodging and no attempting to justify a set of expensive Gotohs. You, sir, are a diamond. 

Aight so as the title implies, I'm after some suggestions for pickups to slap up inside one of my guitars. I'll consider any brand and any price, as this particular guitar is one of my favourites and probably the one I use most. It's the one I always come back to, and it's been a reliable workhorse for over a decade. 

The guitar in question is a 2004 Ibanez RG370DX in silver (I'll add pictures to this thread if I find any), and it's all original. I haven't changed anything on it. And actually, if I may digress for a moment, I have an issue with the machineheads. One of the little plastic washers has cracked, and I've done a temporary fix with a little rubber o ring which is holding for now. Just wondering if that could be a permanent solution and I can change all the others to match, or if I should just throw the baby out with the bathwater and get new heads, which I am prepared to do. Like I said, I love this guitar and where it's concerned, price is no object. 

Back to pickups. According to the original spec sheet, it's fitted with Ibanez PowerSound humbuckers. Can't remember what the middle single is. I'm willing to change them all (and maybe put a single sized humbucker in there. Got one in the mid position on a custom Strat and it sounds great), but the priority is the humbuckers. They sound alright, but they're a bit... Dull? They're not as bright as I'd like. It's kinda like if you didn't change the strings for a year, but regardless of whether the strings are old or new. I'm after a bit more bite and better definition of tones. Closer to a single coil/single sized humbucker, I guess. 

Leaning towards DiMarzio/Seymour Duncan/EMG territory, but any and all suggestions are welcome. The weird thing is that I have an RG320 from 1998 with the same pickups, and they sound much better. I'm assuming it's down to a difference in how they're each built, as there are minor differences between them. 

TIA guys! As always, you're the best. PS: Enjoy a photo of all 3 of my Ibanez axes, as it's the only one I could find! 

Thanks for the welcome and kind words, folks! I think it really speaks volumes for the strength of the community that it's still here and still active. This place was always so helpful when I needed advice. Plus it's nice to have a place to talk guitars, and I'm keen to pick your collective brains.

Sup folks! 

So, reintroduction:

I'm Jab, 29 and based in southern England. I was a member of HC way back in 2008. I don't recall any specific reason for leaving, but I do remember the forum kinda drying up after a mass migration to Facebook? I could be wrong, but in any case it's great to see that the community is back and thriving. This place was always a lot of fun and a great source of collective information and support. Primarily a guitarist, builder and collector, and been playing for about 18 years. The collection numbers around 30 guitars I think, but I'd have to check the inventory list to be sure. Currently filling the position as bassist in two bands with my old man (the lead guitarist and vocalist), playing covers of a variety of popular songs from the 60s-80s after the previous bassist unfortunately contracted COVID-19 and passed away. Naturally, it feels like some pretty big shoes to fill and obviously I want to make my dad proud as he's the whole reason I play at all, so I'm giving it my absolute all and having a lot of fun doing so. 

Now, without further ado, onto the NGD. I believe what we have is an old Aria Pro II TA40, but the neck is not the original. Technically it's not new as I got it a year ago last week. It was a belated birthday present from my dad, and it's my first semi. I'm not sure what hardware it has as I've not cracked it open (there's been no need), but it has that semi sound I wanted and plays nicely enough. All I've done to it is add a truss rod cover since it didn't have one, and some amber top hats as it had no control knobs either. 

Right, that's all for now. There have been a number of NGDs and NADs which I'll get around to posting, and I'm looking forward to hearing what you guys think.

Hopefully you're all well and staying safe. It's good to be back!