Ibanez SA Series Guitar Review Scott Grove

[@AL-md3dr]

its been 10 years using this guitar really love my guitar

[@fendergibson2615]

what particular sa model is this?

[@killybilly685]

@@fendergibson2615 hey this could be the 160 model or 260 atleast that’s what I think. I bought an Ibanez SA460QMW in Tropical Squash Burst. It’s very nice looking, neck is very smooth but the bridge is just unusable.. I had to replace it(T102 Bridge) I bought a VegaTrem VT1 now it plays like a million bucks

[@jbrosupra]

I don't know if it was ever mentioned, but the sa is actually a jab at fender. It stands for strat assassin. they made these to beat the strat at being a strat. More versitile, cheaper. Neck thru ( or set neck what ever) I have a prestige sz and love it. It's really comfortable and resonates extremely well

[@groovydjs]

True, you can't do any radical whammy stuff on any guitar that doesn't have a double locking system on it. But, nice and easy stuff.....it works just fine. I too like the "Strat" tones it puts out. Thanks much.

[@caseylee12]

Just picked one of these up in all black (used, made in Korea) for $249. Black is not my favorite in a guitar but, man! Love this guitar! Very versatile! Best guitar I've bought for what I paid!

[@groovydjs]

@strappify I answer each and every request my friend and am happy to do so. If that is the kind of music you'll be playing, it will be 100% about the pickups and it has been proven time and time again that the EMG 81 and 85's are the combination to put in any guitar and you'll be set. Stay away from all things with Seymour Duncans in them. They are honestly horrible pickups. So, I guess from there it depends on if you want a whammy or not. If so, Floyd Rose only. All others go out of tune.

[@groovydjs]

@RemainGroovy Thank you and my total pleasure!

[@groovydjs]

@diossoiio Sure thing. It's a great guitar, but the humbucker pickup back there by the bridge feedsback (squeels uncontrolably as in the video) whenever you turn distortion on. Even at low levels. So, if you replace that pickup (a $25.00 investment at most from Ebay) then you will be fine and dandy and have a great guitar. The pickup that comes in it can be fixed easily by a qualified guitar repairman. It needs to be potted (dipped in wax on the bottom side). I hope that helps.

[@groovydjs]

@Waaaghpower Yes, one of these 2 is that model. Thank you.

[@garailac]

Good guitar but holy shit your amp sounds freakin' amazing

[@groovydjs]

@Lerkow True, the single coil pickups are all fine, it's the Tru Duo humbucker that has a major issue with feedback, if you replace that pickup with another splittable pickup or just another humbucker, all will be wonderful. The Tru Duo is great for clean, but nobody plays clean all the time, so...that pickup is pretty much worthless.

[@groovydjs]

@punkcoustic One is the transparent grey and the other is a trans purple. The Blackberry is much darker.....almost a deep red.

[@groovydjs]

@JoshAndHisGuitar The noise gates and supressors don't get rid of feedback at all while you're playing. The feedback is so intense that it overpowers your playing. At any volume beyond bedroom volume, the feedback (while playing and while your noise gate isn't doing anything) is just going nuts and renders playing impossible. So, it's not an opinion. It's fact. That's why I do the reviews. Because they are backed by someone that actually knows guitars. not just som You Tube Stroker.

[@groovydjs]

@guitarguy316 My pleasure. You won't believe the difference in quality between the old Ibanez stuff and the new. They are not the same company (literally). There is no comparison.

[@groovydjs]

@nomoredd0988 It's Gray the Sa36 and the other one in this video is purple. It only goes out of tune if you use the whammy. Same as any guitar without a double locking system. I got the 36 for $200.00 brand new on Ebay and the purple one even cheaper.

[@groovydjs]

@jegerhode9 I'm not sure what your'e getting at. But no, this is not the SA 120EX-3

[@groovydjs]

@kssband The bold on neck version one is yes.

[@groovydjs]

@algu11 Thank you so very much my friend. I just got a whole new batch in too. So, look for some new video reviews by this weekend!

[@groovydjs]

@bbshooter1221 Oh so very true, they have always made an exceptional effort to make sure you can always reach the highest frets with ease and speed. No finish on the backs of most of the Ibanez necks to slow you down. They are who they are for a good reason.

[@groovydjs]

@iNewmusic23 Yes, this one is the SAS36EX

[@gerardsmith6662]

I got the purple one,took out original humbucker and popped in a iron axe hammer head pickup now she screams,and popped on locking nuts.plays Alice in chains sooo well lol

[@groovydjs]

@JoeyRapps1 Nope, never had any type of bridge problems at all. Actually the bridges on these are the best feature. They are much better than the Fender trem bridges.

[@groovydjs]

@vasilios1994 So very true about drop tunings. I have some 1985 Fender Strats that actually solved all of those problems with their stock and all new trem. Double locking and even if you were to detune 3 strings and break 2 more, the other string would be in tune. That's the great thing about that system, you do the whammy thing and they all do like normal, but if you change the tuning of any string or break a string, it still stays free floating, up and down, but doesn't affect other strings

[@groovydjs]

@TheMetalhead804 Yeah, anything by Duncan would work. None of them are geared towards a clean tone at all. So, you'd be safe dropping any Duncan in there. Then you can decide if you want a pickup that will still be able to utilize the coil splitting switch that is already installed.

[@groovydjs]

@MrCaribbean You are correct, it is the FM. I have since sold both of these and too stick to mainly Strats. The humbucker is a shame though as it is soooo very microphonic and feedsback and low bedroom levels. The single coils are fine and dandy though.

[@groovydjs]

@knutagnarstrand1 I'm not familiar with any metal bands between the frets, it's all wood. Nothing on the Epiphones that would be different than on here. If you could clarify, I'll be happy to help out.

[@groovydjs]

@jadon131 You are correct, it is the 36QM That particular one was the Gray. I've since sold them both to make room for better guitars.

[@valcrist7428]

I used to have this. Replaced the 2 single coils with fender and seimour duncan noiseless.. It still doesn't have the Strat "Chunkieness" which I was looking for and the humbuckers are thin sounding and also weak. It's a beautiful guitar though. I sold mine. Not for me. Then I bought an RG Premium... and found exactly what I want.. but I still don't have the Strat single coil sounds.. only the Metal and Rock sounds.

[@shubhamdasgupta8605]

To make the Humbucker sound heavy, play through a line 6 spider iv 15/30/70/120.... I play through to spider iv 15

[@groovydjs]

Thanks. The pinch harmonics are the same on any guitar, even acoustic guitars.. Just don't turn the distortion on with the humbucker on. Just a HORRIBLE pickup. The single coils are fine and dandy though.

[@groovydjs]

@xVictimOfSocietyx You can play any guitar to play their stuff. It doesn't take much know how to play either of the band's songs. Remember, you'll never make any money learning and playing other people's music. Ok, back on track. If you dump the humbucker and put a different on in it, it's a fine and dandy cheap guitar and will do a good job in any situation. As is, when purchased new, the humbucker is useless and will feedback at pretty much any volume, so it's a must change.

[@groovydjs]

@jadon131 The Grey one with the set neck is the SAS36QM and it would be better with ANY splittable pickup in it. I think that the DiMarzio D-Activator would be wonderful in it. They split really well and sound great as a humbucker and really great as a single coil also where other pickups simply don't split well and do the job of both as well as the D-Activator.

[@groovydjs]

@MrMegatina It was the SAS36QM

[@groovydjs]

@KX36 The single coils are great actually. I'm not a fan of any Duncan pickups at all, but some folks are. I would imagine that the '59 or a Dimarzio D Activator in there would be great. The rest of the axe is superb with the exception of that one pickup. I have sold both of these axes now. I simply had to make room for some better axes. I don't keep guitars that aren't all original anymore, so, without modding these out, they became of no use to me. But they can be great with the mods.

[@groovydjs]

@Fenner1976 My pleasure. It caught my eye too big time. They really are an amazing guitar and there is no way in the world you can go wrong with them. I'm sure you'll love it.

[@groovydjs]

@hothengchun My pleasure. This would be a great axe with a $25.00 used humbucker thrown in it. But stock, neither of these models hold up to anything more than bedroom volume.

[@groovydjs]

@outbook True, they are quite Schecter-ish. I did finally end up getting rid of both of these. I just had to make room for some more vintage stuff.

[@Waaaghpower]

This is the SAS36FM-TGB. For those who want to know :)

[@aaronjenkins2225]

Waaaghpower thank you! I was looking for this info :)

[@skilalax]

Is it not SA260FM?

[@bananasrotate7821]

Waaaghpower it's an SA260FM.

[@groovydjs]

@TheSilverhawaiian Cool, it should pull up really easily, especially with those easy grip knobs on them. So, the pickup would've clearly been advertised as a Tru-Duo if it has that splitting capability. My total pleasure my friend.

[@groovydjs]

@Harvey529 Yeah, so it would be hard to say then. It's just the True-Duo pickup that has that problem. I've never experienced it with any of their other pickups. But, all of the SA series that came with the True-Duo in them.....it happened with each and every one that came through here.

[@groovydjs]

@Fenner1976 Thank you. They are really quite a great guitar. Just the humbucker could've been better. Other than that, these are a keeper for sure. I can't say a single things bad about them other than that. They are easily one of the best looking and playing guitars on the market at any price.

[@groovydjs]

@Harvey529 Well, you would have to let me know if your guitar is loaded with the True-Duo pickup (that is what the problem is and what causes all the feedback) all the other pickups are great in these guitars. So, let me know what magic pickup is in yours and just how huge that Vox amp is and we'll try to analyze why yours works and all of the other ones don't.

[@groovydjs]

@Annonymus121 Yeah, they are cool axes. I really wish they would've used a different pickup in the bridge position though. But that's easily fixable in about 10 minutes.

[@robertclarkguitar]

Love mine. It's the red charcoal burgundy nice chunk of mahogany. Wish my 120 had split

[@groovydjs]

@ciann15 Thank you very much my friend.

[@001mladen]

Hello people!! I have an Ibanez sa 260 TQM, quilted maple in gray black colour, but i changed all pickups, I've put Duncan Custom 5 on bridge and two custom wounded single coils. I've changed pots, switch, added treble blend, a new bone nut, I've changed all frets and replaced plastic dots on neck with pearl dots, and I've put Grover mini locking tuners and new set of Elixir Polyweb(10). The guitar is now a beast. I love it cause its small and lightweight. Now with all these customization it really sounds very good and it looks so great. It became my first guitar on most gigs i do. I would recomend it to anyone. Greetings from Croatia!!!!!!!

[@groovydjs]

@guitarguy316 Thank you my friend. It does have a great clean sound indeed. That humbucker really lacks in the distortion department and feeds back so easily, but clean, it's good to go.

[@groovydjs]

@ForOrAgainstUs I'll help you find it, it could very well be The Ibanez SAS32EXFM Which has the 2 humbuckers that still retain the True Duo split coil functions via the push/pull pots. That is the hard thing with the SA series......they all just say SA Series on the neck as you said. They should at least put the model number on the neck plate, back of the headstock, somewhere. lol They are so nice and light and play amazingly.

[@groovydjs]

@sirsmokey1984 The SA260FM is a great guitar, I've owned it also. It is just the humbucker pickup is not good at all in them. If you want to spend $25.00 on a used Dimarzio Super Distortion pickup to put in the bridge position, you can still wire it to do the coil split thing. But, that is what those bands used back then and you'll get the exact same tones as they did with that pickup. So, the guitar is great, do that one modification and you'll be set for many years.

[@steffyweffy777]

Cool guitar except the humbucker. I might be able to buy a decent one used, for $182. Do you recommend it if I can stock a Dimarzio humbucker in it ?

[@groovydjs]

@udi112 I do at times, but I'm here more to talk about the guitar and let you hear what each pickup sounds like and what sucks and don't suck about it. Almost every guitar sounds the same once you slam distortion on it and do speed licks past the 12th fret, so really no reason to go there. It sounds like every other guitar does up there.

[@raulacevedo-esteves9493]

Are the pickups ceramic magnets?

[@blessedheavyelements8544]

Yes.

[@groovydjs]

@Fenner1976 The Yamaha Pacificia is a great guitar too. Better pickup in the bridge position too.

[@groovydjs]

@MyFallenIdolMusic The headstock reads SA SERIES. Nothing more other than IBANEZ. This is a set neck and my other SA SERIES has a bolt on. Both have IDENTICAL SA SERIES printed on the headstock. Not SAS SERIES.

[@Harvey529]

@groovydjs Unfortunatly it doesn't say what the amp model is, because Ibanez have an annoying habbit of not marking the model codes on them, but its like your one that alternates between a single and humbucker coil and I have a 30watt Vox AD30VT amp.

[@groovydjs]

@doralman6661 Yep, throw out the bridge pickup and you'll be good to go. Just don't use the whammy.

[@groovydjs]

@XxAwakenDarknessxX They are all pretty similar. Just a guitar not actually made by Ibanez, just has the decal on the headstock. But they are good enough to get you by with little to no problems.

[@AeolianReflex]

It's good to see a review of an Ibanez that is not all djent and grind. I'm not surprised that this guitar can do country tones as most Ibanez can with the right pickups in them. After 30 years of playing Gibsons, Fenders and PRS's I can honestly say my Ibanez JS is the most tonally versatile and easiest to play guitar I've ever owned. It sustains for days and stays in tune no matter how much I abuse the trem.

[@groovydjs]

Many thanks my friend. I agree, guitar reviews and trying to show the axe's REAL tones, are seldom seen (or heard). I'm glad you enjoyed the variety. I hear you about their trems, the Edge trem I have on my JEM acrylic, just won't give a bit.

[@aldor159]

Is this guitar good to play metal? I don't mean like death metal or djent or things like that, I mean like getting a 80's glam tone or maybe Megadeth as the heaviest thing I would play. I heard that the humbuckers aren't that good with heavy distortions, could you give me an opinion on that?

[@groovydjs]

I gave the opinion. The humbucker on this sucks ass. It needs to be thrown away. The single coils are fine. The humbucker will feedback and low, bedroom volumes. Quite a shame. It looked good on paper, but lost big time in the distortion arena.

[@aldor159]

Yeah sorry, I was commenting before finishing the video, my bad. Thanks!, One more thing, will you consider it profitable to buy the guitar and change only the humbucker? Or just get another guitar? I really love the design and color of that guitar and I like the to have a stratoish thin sound (as I mention above I sometimes use distortions) so I'm kinda in love with the guitar and it's difficult for me to accept the idea of not getting that one, though if all pickups needs to be changed I would consider getting a different guitar.

[@groovydjs]

Yeah, just swap out the humbucker with something like a Dimarzio Super Distortion or Dual Sound. You'll still be able to split it for the single coil sound, but the distorted tone in humbucking mode will be amazing.

[@aldor159]

Groovy Music Lessons Thank you very much!

[@rblyle382]

aldor159 why would you consider this guitar for that style? It's Ibanez version of a strat. If you want metal of any type go look at their other models.

[@RandomRockas]

I'm picking a SA 260Fm up for the equivalent of 160 dollars next week, can't wait! :D

[@groovydjs]

@TheTranslator100 Nope, I'll show it. It is the True-Duo pickup that sucks. Watch the video. If you just turn on the distortion with that pickup on, away it goes, no matter what else you think about the review or my playing. I've had a bunch of these guitars with this same pickup come through here and it's all about the pickup being a piece of crap, not me. So, lay blame where it belongs. I don't know who Mark is, nor do I care. I'm here to give MY review, and I gave it. Thanks anyway.

[@mr.augustus]

After watching this video , I decided to buy myself This guitar and I tell you too; am so glad I did buy it

[@Alan-zl5il]

I have the same guitar. The pole pieces on all pickups are the same height. Flush with the plastic surrounds. Does this make any difference?

[@arricat5e311]

My Dad is a fan of the S Series Ibanez guitars. The Ibanez S771PB-NTF in particular has a great looking top.

[@groovydjs]

@MrRobbrocker I have a few of the SA guitars and they all feedback at very low levels with any kind of distortion on them at all. It don't matter if they are in single coil or humbucking mode, they are simply a cheap pickup. Too bad, because they aren't a bad axe otherwise.

[@blackdogxx]

I found a yellow one in eBay for $249 shipped in like brand new shape with nice gig bag. A really nice guitar and a fine neck. We owe you, Scott!

[@groovydjs]

Hard guitar to beat for that price huh? Thanks man! Way better than that shit from RONDO huh? lol

[@JoeyRapps1]

Ever have a problem with the high-E snapping behind the saddle (at the chrome plate between the ball-end and the saddle)? Just got an SA120 and it's sitting in the repair shop because of that. Not cool.

[@groovydjs]

@MrCaribbean Thank you, you are correct, they are perfect for the country thing. I don't think that Ibanez ever saw that in them, but that is where they fit best. Good ear. Scott

[@groovydjs]

@Scalibq When ordering the guitars, the SAS does appear with the rest of the model numbers and both guitars simply say SA Series on both headstocks under the Ibanez label.......why they do this.....who knows. It is Ibanez ...so, that could explain it, they are a little confused these days. lol

[@edwardkennedy5500]

I have owned more Fender and Gibsons and its hit and miss in reference to good playing instruments, however my Ibanezs never fail me. Grove on!

[@groovydjs]

@slayterise Thank you, the are amazing looking guitars. A new bridge pickup (still splittable) and they would be superb.

[@groovydjs]

@1961marshall Nope, the amp is just fine. My other 150+ guitars sound great through it and don't have that problem at all, just those 2 Ibanez guitars with that bridge pickup. To get 2 identical ones that aren't identical would be pretty funky. So, I have my head up high and proud knowing that they have been sold and are gone. A good pickup in the bridge and they would've been worth keeping for sure, but I keep all things stock and just couldn't live with them......just a head's up.

[@Paride1988]

hello, does it keep the tuning? does the bridge fit on this model? because I have read many who complain

[@roadsterman]

Hi Scott, That abalone trim is called purfling. I like your videos!

[@wadestrickel7068]

Correct! And the second, bolt on guitar he shows DOES have binding but it's called "natural binding" due to the edge of the maple top is masked off when staining the figured top!

[@groovydjs]

Very true, the humbucker in this thing HATES any kind of overdrive or distortion. That pickup needs to go away. I can't believe that Ibanez makes such a big deal about that horrible pickup. I call them like I see them. That one pickup is nasty.

[@groovydjs]

@Quailee141 With different pickups, sure. But not even close with these. Plus, there's not a chance in the world of the whammy staying in tune either.

[@cortez121219933]

Hey Scott, great review! What's your opinion on Ibanez guitars today? ive been thinking of getting a low end model, but i'm barely learning whats good quality and whats not. They seem decent enough. I've been playing a nameless Brownsville with 3-inch action at the 12th fret for 2 years. It's crippling lol.

[@hymen1847]

what color is the back of the guitar? the appears to be the Ibanez SA460 ive been looking at the sa 260's and they are red/brown on the back. is yours black?

[@GrantConklin]

The new ones appear to have a different humbucker. Ibanez describes the bridge pup as "Quantum (H) bridge pickup (Passive/Ceramic)." In the other vids I've watched, it seams like they may have solved the problem. www.ibanez.com/products/u_eg_detail.php?year=2016&cat_id=1&series_id=5&data_id=438&color=CL01

[@groovydjs]

@vasilios1994 At least you were smart enough to get the double locking version. No other system can take the whammy abuse, no matter how close to the nut that the locking nut is. Plus for others reading. If you use a system that allows the ball ends to remain on, those ball ends become unseated and placed differently after a deep dive bomb. Therefore, anything other than a double locking system CAN'T stay in tune. Congrats on the PRESTIGE! Super Guitars!

[@andrewlane2348]

hello, I'm beginner here. Are bare knuckle pick ups any good in this guitar? I'm getting an Ibanez SA series this weekend that already has them. Just wondering if i'll be replacing them or not. Thanks in advance.

[@groovydjs]

Hello Andrew. I'm sure that you will be VERY happy with them in there....especially in the bridge position. You'll end up keeping them in there forever I bet. Congrats on picking up the axe!

[@groovydjs]

@ravenshield56 Sounds like just typical feedback. Do you have any other guitars with single coil pickups to plug in at the same volume? There are Metal players playing stock Telecasters through tons of Marshall stacks all turned on 10 all over the world and they get by with it fine and dandy. It has to be louder than band practice. lol You could have some microphonic pickups. It's rare these days, but it still happens. I have an 80's Tele that will feedback clean at a whisper.

[@groovydjs]

@thronaesMusic Cool, they are beautifully done guitars. The finishes are amazing.

[@groovydjs]

@TheTranslator100 It's true. You just don't want to hear it is all.

[@Harvey529]

I have almost the exact same guitar (not sure on model) but the pop-out switch is the Tone control and i get absolutly no feedback and excellent distortion from about 1 and a half feet away from my Vox.

[@TheSilverhawaiian]

I think the used guitar I just bought was the same style as the purple one you showed toward the middle of the video. I've tried pulling the volume knob up but it seems to be stuck. I wanted to make sure before I break this thing trying to pull up the volume knob that that guitar has the same feature as the first guitar you show. Thanks for your assistance.

[@groovydjs]

@guitarguy316 Yeah, the Ibanez Roadstars from the early 80's. Smokin' guitars and they can be had for far less than these and they are ten times the guitars that these are.

[@groovydjs]

@TheRAMA1295 Van Halen is great at what he does. No doubt about it. This guitar would be fine for it if you replaced the pickup in the bridge. The bridge pickup in these are horrible. The Trem system would also have to be replaced with a Floyd Rose system to be able to handle the major Whammy usage that Eddie did. The harmoic response is fair. But then again, this is a low priced guitar, so you can't expect too much from it.

[@TheMichaelseymour]

oh , PS : mine didnt come with the vibrato bar ...hmmm....do you think i should chance my cheap squire bar into it ? If i strip it - i will be angry with mysef though ....hmmmm.

[@MrMt67859]

im planing to buy a guitar this fall.whats the exact name of the model.i mean the first you played?

[@groovydjs]

@FatGuyWithAKatana Yeah, these are a really sweet axe and the finishes are stunning. They really did a great job with these models.

[@ForOrAgainstUs]

I've been looking for people with my exact guitar, and that model is so close to mine. Literally, the only difference is that I have a dual humbucker. The finish and the avalon binding are exactly the same. Do you know what kind of Ibanez is it? On the neck it just says "SA Series" and I can't find anything with the serial number. Any ideas? I love my guitar by the way, probably mostly because it's so light and versatile. All other guitars weigh me down too much.

[@punkcoustic]

i just have a question, is that the blackberry sunburst, well it doesnt look lik it is. so which color is this?

[@MrWiccan69]

Dude I love the sound of the guitar. I had NO IDEA that an Ibanez could be used for Country Music. When you started playing the country on that made me remember my late father who was a professional guitar player in Texas. When you started playing it sounded like his old G&L Broadcaster he had. I wish I could learn guitars from you as he never taught me a damn thing.

[@groovydjs]

@guitarguy7480 If you want a great Ibanez at that price, get a Roadstar or Blazer, they are way better than these things. Yeah, these have the typical Ibanez Wizard neck profile. The others that I spoke of have more of a Strat profile to them and are twice the quality and won't let you down the way this one does.

[@groovydjs]

@bond00777777 You are correct. These things don't compare at all to the great Japanese models. They are by far the best axes around. Gotta love the Japanese made guitars for sure.

[@groovydjs]

@MrMegatina I think you'll actually be better off with the RG570 It's a really great axe. Keep me posted on it after you grab it up. I'd like to hear your opinion of it.

[@groovydjs]

@diossoiio 100% Yeah, just drop any great pickup in there and the guitar will be awesome. That particular pickup is it's one and only weak point. Other than that, it's an awesome guitar. So, a Dimarzio Super Distortion would work great, anything that is still splittable so that you can utilize that feature would be cool too. It is simply a bad pickup design is all.

[@guitarguy7480]

That's a shame about the distortion on the humbucker. Still looking to get on at some point, they go for $250 used at alot of places. Great way to get a quality non-Fender Strat, I would think (had an Ibanez before, it was QUALITY for sure). What about the neck? Is it more Strat-like, or is it that Ibanez Wizard B.S.?

[@tiago5a]

Are the frets jumbo or medium jumbo?

[@groovydjs]

@MyFallenIdolMusic True, I actually sold them both and really liked the Bolt on much better. I'm just a bolt on type of guy. Still, they both had that same bridge pickup and it was impossible to deal with, so....they had to go away.

[@bibi236]

+Groovy Music Lessons Thank you for the test! I have the first guitar you showed (SAS36FM). I agree the distortion is not that good. Which pickup would you consider for a good rock sound to play most of common songs (RHCP, Led Zeppelin, Lenny Kravitz, AC/DC,..). I am not really into metal so I am not sure that Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio would fit. I am a mid level player so I am not looking for a very very specific sound, just a good one that can fit for rythm part and solo. Thank you in advance :)

[@BeforeTheDarkAge]

Well I have changed out a few pickups in my time and did a few partscasters. My personal favorite bridge pickup is the Di Marzio Norton. (not to be confused with the air norton which is nice too but not as good. The pickup splits good with a tele type snarl. IMHO most pickups do not split well so that is a great feature Also it is clear sounding but still pretty hot (not overpowering)