| Author |
Message |
Oldave
Username: Oldave
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 4:53 pm: | |
I am Planning on buying a Ibanez AK86 DVS and I have read that the stock pickups are not the best and was wondering what "Mods" Have been done to this guitar (Or Anything Similar) to better it`s performance in any way...Tuners, Pick-Ups,Pots or Switches..??? etc....
I have played an Ibanez AF 85, and I really like the feel of the guitar, but looking at the "Hardware" makes me inclined to "Mod" the Guitar "Somewhat" ***Only To Improve On These Beautiful Well Built Instruments, at such Low Prices !!!!***
If anyone has heard of, or done any mods to their Ibanez Hollow Body Guitars, I would appreciate any info or tips you might have for a first time buyer of an Ibanez Guitar.(I have been playing for over 40 years and have played Telecasters for almost all of that time.)
Thanks in advance for any suggestions !!!
Good Luck & Good Music...
oldave... |
Wildfield
Username: Wildfield
Registered: 05-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 5:18 pm: | |
I once owned an AF85. I replaced the ACH pickups with Seymour Duncan 59 pickups. It made a world of difference in the tone, especially at medium to high volumes. I also like SD Seth Lover pickups. I once had a DiMarzio PAF on my Epi Zephyr Regent, and if memory serves, it was nice, warm sounding pickup as well.
Good luck |
Andyroo
Username: Andyroo
Registered: 01-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 6:26 pm: | |
Hiya Oldave,
I dropped in two HB sized P-90's into my AK85. Made a world of difference. Side by side with either my instructor's Eastman or his Gibson ES175, it's very hard to tell the difference, if at all. My 2 cents.
droo |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 - 2:03 am: | |
I've never been a fan of doing mods just for the sake of doing mods. I think the best thing to do is live with the guitar for a little bit, and get a good picture of it's shortcomings, and how they might be remedied. Changing strings or pickups would be obvious ways to personalize things. It's hard to make recommendations without any indication of your style or tonal preferences.
-sven |
Oldave
Username: Oldave
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, February 25, 2006 - 9:47 pm: | |
Thanks guys for your thoughts...!!!
I should have mentioned that I`m buying this Ibanez AK86 DVS Mainly for Jazz/Blues (Not Fusion).
I am a "Finger-Picker" using a "Flatpick" and my "Bare" 2nd. 3rd. & 4th.Fingers.
I have played an Ibanez AF85 & a couple of other hollow body types, and just love the feel of the guitar.Tone was somewhat "Muddy" and "Undefined" on the models I tried.NOT Terribly Bad Tone-Wise,but a little too muddy for my old ears !!!
I have played Telecasters (Almost Exclusively), for the last 40 years, but I have "G.A.S."(Gear Aquisition Syndrome) really bad for an Ibanez Hollow Body.!!!
I agree that doing "Mods" on any guitar without reason is silly without knowing your instrument first, but I think in my case I know tone-wise I would like to "Improve" on the sound from the stock pick-ups offered on these models.
Thanks again everyone for your thoughts & info.
Good Luck & Good Music...
oldave... |
Funkle
Username: Funkle
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 4:12 pm: | |
Oldave, it you're used to Teles, I can see why the AF85 might seem muddy. For a clear sounding PAF style pickup, I'd consider Dimarzio PAF Classic, or Seymour Duncan 59s. The PAF Classic has great clarity and note separation.
Or maybe you might want to try a humbucker sized P90. That could be a nice option if you're used to single coils.
Changing out the bridge for an Ebony one should sharpen things up some as well. This is a cheap mod.
-Sven |
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