[Kirk Satrucci]

Hello there!! I'm wondering if you could help me decide which pickups should I get to upgrade my new Ibanez RG370 pbz...a new model of 2016.
It's a mahogany body, poplar burl top, and maple neck with rosewood fretboard. Configuration Hum-Single-Hum, and a five way selector switch.

I'm into versatility; enjoy playing from prog and thrash metal to clean jazz, and all in between... Running it through a Laney Cub Head, valvular, 15 watts, a one-channeled, sort of vintage kind of amp but with enough kick to get heavy. Very nice and warm cleans when you roll back the Gain (that's why I don't use a very hot pickup (I need the cleans to remain clean...).

Already got a PAF pro (neck) and Norton (bridge) in my other Ibanez, and I love the combination, but don't want ot repeat that. I was thinking of PAF Joe for the neck and Air Zone in the bridge, but I really don't know how do these PUPS match together and with the wood in my guitar. I've thought also of Humbucker from hell (neck) and Fred (bridge), but still, i'm a bit foggy about this. I'm afraid that the Air Norton-True Velvet-Tone Zone combination stock in some prestige Ibanezes may sound a little muddy and dark with the mahogany of my guitar...

I'm also very doubtful as concerning as the middle Single coil pickup. What should I use that in positions 2, 3 and 4 I get a pretty strat like voice and still don't loose volume in the way?? Maybe a HS-2?? A FS-1?? A true Velvet?? a Fastck Track 1?? Still, I'm completely lost.

Well, that's all. Really hope if you could guide me along the way. THANKS A LOT IN ADVANCE.

[greenlion]

The PAF Joe and Air Zone go together well. I have those two in an RG450. It is a versatile set that does not have any extreme quirks. The Cruiser bridge would work well in the middle without a lot of volume drop. The Area 67 and regular cruiser neck work well in the middle too, but might have a slight volume drop.  The volume drop on those two isn't nearly as drastic as the True Velvet that comes in higher end Ibanez RG's. I think the slightly lower output of the middle pickups makes for better split tones in the 2 and 4 position. I personally hate the Air Norton neck. It is a mud bomb.

[Kirk Satrucci]

The PAF Joe and Air Norton go together well. I have those two in an RG450. It is a versatile set that does not have any extreme quirks. The Cruiser bridge would work well in the middle without a lot of volume drop. The Area 67 and regular cruiser neck work well in the middle too, but might have a slight volume drop.  The volume drop on those two isn't nearly as drastic as the True Velvet that comes in higher end Ibanez RG's. I think the slightly lower output of the middle pickups makes for better split tones in the 2 and 4 position. I personally hate the Air Norton neck. It is a mud bomb.

Did you mean Air Zone instead of the Air Norton?? Or you mean Air Norton in bridge position, as opposed to Air Norton in the neck... 'cause I think exactly the same of the Air Norton in the neck, it's a bass swamp... I'll do some research then, thanks a lot for your comment!!

[greenlion]

Yes. Sorry. Fixed it. The Air ZONE and the Paf Joe go well together.

[Kirk Satrucci]

Yes. Sorry. Fixed it. The Air ZONE and the Paf Joe go well together.

Great Pal!! Thanks a ton!