Pickups for SL2-MAH?

[Thrust]

Okay,

I don't have a Sl2-mah (I wish) but I'm wanting to replace pickups in my ibanez rgt2020 (mahogany neck-thru). I believe that the wood characteristics would yield a very similar tone. I've posted this question on jemsite and didn't receive much of a response (and they're blindly biased toward DiMarzio's).

I currently have DiMarzio Tone Zone (B) and Air Norton (N).

The TZ is muddy and the AN is lifeless.

I'm considering the new Duncan Livewire Mustaine set but I'd like to hear other options as well. I'll be playing through a Engl Fireball and Mesa Stiletto so I've got a range of tones.

Anyone had success replacing the pups in their Sl2-mah?

Sorry for the misleading title

[busdriver]

This is probably only my opinion, but an SD Pearly Gates in both positions is a great choice for a mahogany body+neck guitar

[Tashtego]

I use Bill & Becky 500XL's in the bridge and a SD Jazz in the neck on both my SLATQH and my LPC. I'm really happy with these.

[axeman81]

I would go for a Duncan Custom in the bridge position, not sure about the neck though but I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong with the Custom in the bridge...
if you want actives you can always go for EMG, I am an advocate of 85 in the bridge but that may be too dark combined with the already warm/dark characteristic of mahogany body wood.

good luck,

- Rune.

[Inazone]

I like the DiMarzio PAF Pro in the bridge for mahogany, and it's supposedly a great neck pickup too. I have one (bridge) in my mahogany Hamer Californian Elite, and it really lets the natural wood tone come through, even with loads of gain.

[Thrust]

I appreciate the responses. I had another ibanez (almost identical to this one) with a PAF Pro in both bridge/neck positions. It's, without a doubt, my favorite neck pickup but I wasn't impressed with its performance in the bridge. I'll look into some of the other suggestions as well. I've heard good things regarding the Bill Lawrence (real bill) and the duncan custom. As for EMG's I've got a set in my slsmg and I'm one of the few who thought the 85 in the bridge is just a "touch" too muddy, and it's a mahogany guitar.

[toejam]

The Tone Zone is possibly the best bridge pickup ever!

Though, if that's not working out for you, I'd suggest a Super Distortion or X2N with either a Super 2 or Duncan Jazz for the neck.

[Jack71]

The Tone Zone is possibly the best bridge pickup ever!

Though, if that's not working out for you, I'd suggest a Super Distortion or X2N with either a Super 2 or Duncan Jazz for the neck.

I agree. The Tone Zone sounds phenominal in my Solar (also a mahogany guitar). I'm not sure why yours sounds muddy Thrust. Maybe you need to play with the height adjustment or something.

I have a Custom in my alder bodied Wayne and it sounds excellent as well, but I think it might have a little too much bass for a mahogany guitar. I just picked up an alder body with maple top GMW with a Duncan Distortion in it. Hasn't arrived yet, but I'll let you know how it sounds when it does...

[ChickenScratch]

My default pickup is the Dimarzio PAF Pro. It sounds great in pretty much everything.

[slash-ed]

I agree. The Tone Zone sounds phenominal in my Solar (also a mahogany guitar). I'm not sure why yours sounds muddy Thrust. Maybe you need to play with the height adjustment or something.

I have a Custom in my alder bodied Wayne and it sounds excellent as well, but I think it might have a little too much bass for a mahogany guitar. I just picked up an alder body with maple top GMW with a Duncan Distortion in it. Hasn't arrived yet, but I'll let you know how it sounds when it does...

+1, I had a TZ in a PGM I used to own, AND an Air Norton (wait I think it was a Norton), they sounded killer!

[NextInLine]

The tone zone is one of the most overrated pickups imo!

One more thing about tone zone, people who like it don't like the jb, and people who like the jb (me!) don't like the tone zone...

I'd go with a duncan custom or distortion, and the dimebucker can also be a good choice...

[Jacksonite]

my suggestion

Duncans... Custom/ 59 or Jazz
Dimarzio Steves Special/ Humbucker from Hell

[toejam]

The tone zone is one of the most overrated pickups imo!

One more thing about tone zone, people who like it don't like the jb, and people who like the jb (me!) don't like the tone zone...

This is true, and I think the JB is overrated! The TZ and JB are like tonal opposites. The TZ has more low mids and bass, the JB had more treble and high mids.

[slayer]

I have tried many pickups, including the SD JB and Distortion, and while they are good in different applications, I just bought a special addition Dean EVO that was made in Checkoslovacia and they came with a SD Custom 5 in the bridge and can now say, Holy Shit what a great pickup!! Jack.

[quiksilver]

Evolution for the bridge.
PAF Pro for the neck.