I Lied About the Ibanez ICHI10. Here's the Truth.

[@famousdavemusic]

I do NOT need another guitar. I DO NOT need another guitar. I DO NOT need ANOTHER guitar. I DO NOT need ANOTHER GUITAR. I DO NOT NEED ANOTHER GUITAR. I think I need another guitar.

[@DVDFRMN]

I got an Ibanez QX52, same body shape and neck, mine has 2 splitable humbuckers and it is my favorite Guitar of all time...

[@sonyexplora]

I guess im lucky to not feel this aha. I have a quality acoustic, strat and a CE24, haven't really come across anything that would be tonally different enough to what is achievable with these three to buy it. A nylon string acoustic might be worthwhile, If I get that itch.

[@pooritech]

​@@sonyexplorayou don't have a headless though! 😊

[@boonsfrc]

Me too lol

[@josephkalfyt6778]

if youre a mediocre then im the worst guitarist in the world😭

[@realkylehooks]

@@josephkalfyt6778 I've been lucky to be surrounded by superb musicians pretty much my whole life. What matters is the love of music

[@shotgunrebels]

I have a feeling Ibanez is going to owe you some serious commission for sales of these! You did a great job showing off what appears to be a kickass guitar. Got me interested for sure.

[@SilverMusicAndGaming]

uh, or they can pay their artist whos name is literally on the guitar lmfao, im sure Ichikas 2.6 million subscribers are whats selling this guitar.

[@kaanrobertt]

agreed. The only reason I am now considering about buying this guitar is this guy. Also he's just a great guy, I'm glad I've found him.

[@hustlinc3540]

original ones sound better to my ears

[@realkylehooks]

@@hustlinc3540 fair enough, for sure. A lot of folks have suggested going for a HSS setup.

[@beau4638]

@@realkylehooksif you ever go that route, check out the Seymour Duncan lil 59

[@unacuentadeyoutube13]

Because you're listening only to the guitar, and ceramic usually sounds fuller. The new ones seem brighter because they're alnico, and alone sound a little empty, but in a mix they're a bless

[@r0bophonic]

@@unacuentadeyoutube13 Something Ichika rarely does - he plays solo

[@unacuentadeyoutube13]

@@r0bophonic I know, that's probably why the guitar sounds like that standard - that and the fact that ceramic are cheaper

[@adieltm]

None is better. They each have their strengths and sounds. I love both

[@RoomieOfficial]

Is there a buzzing sound from a string/fret or something in this video? Seems to be mainly the low strings. Ignoring that, both versions sound great my man!

[@jcmapula1544]

Buzzing in the low E

[@bcan]

Oh shit hi Joel!

[@realkylehooks]

@@RoomieOfficial yeah, I play 9.5-44, but the tech said they didn't have those, so they put on 9-42. I asked them not to adjust the action since I'll be putting my normal strings back on by tomorrow, and that'll pull the neck hopefully just enough to get that fret buzz out

[@connormccormack5650]

I believe what you’re hearing is preamp tube rattle. It happens, it’s annoying, but yeah.. they’ve gone microphonic

[@RoomieOfficial]

@@realkylehooks ah mystery solved!! Really considering this guitar because of you. Really cool and great playing!

[@samuel_holloway07]

i would say stock sounds better for sitting down and playing with just the guitar, but your version sounds tailored to the sound of a live band and having it in a mix with other instruments! love it man, keep up the good content and thanks for leaving in the bits where ya messed up 🔥

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

I'm quite happy with both sets of pickups. There is definitely a difference but both sets are pleasing to my ears.

[@boonsfrc]

Great video brother 👏 thank you keep the videos coming

[@Monty4G63]

I messed around with a Q series Ibanez at a music shop like a month or two ago and I couldn't fathom how lightweight it was. Just blew my mind. I'll probably grab one eventually.

[@realkylehooks]

@@Monty4G63 oh yeah big time. Just sitting at the house noodling around, it almost feels too light, but when standing with it strapped, it feels great. We did a show yesterday, and I brought out a new guitar for one set to get the guitar initiated to road life, and it was not enjoyable lol. It was pretty lightweight, a 90s Joe Pass hollow body, but that little bit of extra weight, especially at the headstock causing neck dive, was too much.

[@Monty4G63]

@realkylehooks Yeah, that's an issue I've noticed myself with some hollow bodies. So.e are just not too well-balanced and can have some pretty bad neck dive. I do actually own the ICHI00, and I really enjoy that, though I bought it with the plan to modify it. Threw in some Fishmans and a tortoiseshell pickguard. I need to pill that one out and start playing it again.

[@danvr41]

I bought the Q34 after loving your reviews of ICHI10 and the Q34 was the only one in the shop at discount rate. I love it - thank you! I needed a light weight guitar as I broke my back mountain biking (too much information I know and an extreme way to go about needing a new guitar) This one is perfect and I love the variety of tones available and also the high output they offer. I never had a humbucker option in past. I can see why you personally need strat tones on tour and new pups make sense for you as you explain in your videos and needing the ease of small guitar to travel , but I don’t tour (yet ! Lol) and won’t need to change pups as I have a strat at home for that. So for anyone contemplating buying a Q headless - do it for the variety in my opinion, not necessarily pure strat tones - but they are very decent at that too with multiple other tones.

[@zaxmaxlax]

Im loving this series, please continue 😂

[@IvanRx76]

Those new pickups are great man!!!

[@kylewalker386]

So funny- I just watched the first video this morning! Fun video- thank you!

[@ManOrWomanIDK]

This is full circle from that old youtube video of the asian guy playing super mario on two paul gilbert ibanez's.

[@realkylehooks]

@@ManOrWomanIDK Zack Kim! I remember that video from when it came out.

[@slakker321]

u know ur a youtube og if u rmbr zack kim and funtwo/jerryc

[@realkylehooks]

@@slakker321 that Canon Rock video was one of the first videos I ever saw that got me interested in shredding. Then I saw a Paul Gilbert video and proceeded to spend 15 years stealing from him as much as possible

[@jamesred100music]

Yeah id say the main difference to me between the 2 pickup sets is that the ichi set are brighter whereas the new set are more "balanced" if that makes sense. The low end feels more prominent and rounded whereas the ichi set have a lot less low end response which makes sense considering Ichika Nito's sparkly tones. Great comparison vid!

[@realkylehooks]

@@jamesred100music my sound guy describes the original pickups as being just a bit too spicy. But yeah, a little rounder tone on the new pickups. The ICHI pickups are also significantly higher output, though I evened out the volumes in post

[@jamesred100music]

@realkylehooks Oh yeah I didn't even consider output values so that will definitely play into it. Also I think I love your sound guy now! Calling a pickup spicy is bloody funny🤣

[@8KilgoreTrout4]

I just love the vibe man! It's ALWAYS the presenter that makes or breaks a channel! Hey does your band have a channel or some uploads of the shows?

[@realkylehooks]

@@8KilgoreTrout4 our band is the Six Piece Suits. We have a KZbin channel, TikTok, FB, Insta, and Spotify Yesterday I uploaded a minute from our show Monday. It was 96° when we took the stage, and when you see all the movement, you'll see why my guitars degrade so quickly lol. Plus, it's a live look at the new pickups

[@8KilgoreTrout4]

@@realkylehooks Thanks so much! I'm glad to check it all out!

[@NOISREVIEW]

keep making videos, Man.. you have a hilarious and great personality and can make guitar comparisons video enjoyable to watch.

[@kjsdestin]

Awesome!!! I just watched your first review. Was great. New pickups definitely made it more Straty! Just more dynamic. I totally appreciate the roadworthyness aspect!! Also, I own the exact same LP. 1979 vintage. Soooo heavy.

[@realkylehooks]

@@kjsdestin every once in a blue moon I bring out the Les Paul for a gig, and as much as I love playing that thing at home, I always regret using it at shows.

[@pedrocrush]

When I was at school I would hum sunshine of your love, only to have someone else start humming funky town... thanks for unlocking that memory...

[@seanrosedotcom]

I really like the pickup swap~! Sounds good. Great video!

[@LoftyAssertions]

You are weirdly good at melodic trolling

[@rileyhunt3987]

I think the new pickups sound more traditionally stratty, which is a good thing for folks like me who love the strat sound. This guitar seems like a perfect choice to put boutique pickups in because everything else seems solid! I've been eyes the split blade lindy fralin strat pickups myself.

[@realkylehooks]

@@rileyhunt3987 big time. I was hoping for the traditional Strat sounds + the alter switch positions, and it sounds just as I hoped/expected. Very solid guitar. Neutral neck feel. Durable. Ergonomic.

[@hophopkins3526]

I think the original ones were better tuned for alter switch, but the new ones have awesome single coil tones.

[@realkylehooks]

@@hophopkins3526 for my ears, I like the new pickups on position 1 and 5, but position 3 got thinned out too much.

[@Kahito_Rin]

More high mids, single coily sounding on the new ones. I prefer it to the modern flat almost DI sound of the OG. Basically it sounds more familiar.

[@realkylehooks]

@@Kahito_Rin that's me. I love the familiar Strat tones, and the alter switch gives me those 3 very different tones for more versatility. It should be noted the original pickups are also significantly higher output.

[@georgeboomsmamusic]

Unreal videos these, cheers!

[@Mahh_Nery]

i can totally see what you were going for, so I'd say both they are going for slightly different things, and both sound really good, so if you can have both that's it for me tho, I'd probably keep the OG since I play from home and I already have a strat that gets that tone covered

[@timointrouble]

ICHI was the first one of the Quest Series I tried but liked the QX52 better in the end. If I stumble over a good offer for an ICHI, i will buy it in a heartbeat. I like how you present stuff, it's like the third video I saw of you. The first "your mom" Joke somehow took me by surprise anyway. For my taste, you maybe overdid it slightly towards the end with overdubs and Jokes? Like with guitars, less is sometimes more, I guess.. I subscribed, I hope you put out more content from your viewpoint, it is a very interesting one!

[@DeadKoby]

Similar sound from both pickup sets... but the replacements I hear less noise.

[@jaycielle]

you turned it into a strat with all the QOL benefits of the ICHI10 - goshdarnit now I need two of these suckers

[@Shaunquirk89]

Love the new pickups 👍🏼

[@mlowack]

i agree the new pickups sound better. Nice video again! So, how about the plastic saddle?

[@thebeardeddread]

I wasn't convinced until you hit the alter switch. Either way, both sound good

[@realkylehooks]

@@thebeardeddread the alter switch is a game changer. I played for 20 years without one, but now that I have it, I don't think I can go back

[@surfingmantis6162]

sounds like the new pickups have a louder output! (also, the old one seems to be -very slightly- out of tune which makes me like it less) anyways, great takes on what a guitar needs to be for a tough life on the road. I know what you mean. The switch recalls a great, warm sound. keep on going... (if only it had a vibrato arm...)

[@buckwheat2002]

great sound with the new pick ups

[@dananthony6258]

People making pickup comparison video’s should take notes. For once you can hear it back to back. Great video thank you.

[@skeyreet]

sweet sound, so much better than original pickups

[@LordLemmun]

it could have to do with the amount of wear within that original set. maybe the pole pieces are a bit corroded and its affecting the magnetic field? that would cause the slight differences. I like the balance on the older ones personally, they feel like they match the playing better since it's worn down by your playing. that said a newer set might mold into the player more depending on their use whereas the worn vibe is more fit to the individual.

[@Sammy86]

I like the stock pickups better.. Just need a bit more treble in the mix

[@ericnicolleau4331]

Your choice sounds more traditional and if you close your eyes you can hear a nice fender, but I totally get why the artist chose these pickups, they sound more compress and fit his playing

[@henzig8774]

I have 20ish guitars and I almost never play. You're doing a great job of making me want one of these lol

[@hanovergreen4091]

I was at 28 at the start of the year. I'm down to 15. It's a sickness :). Best Regards and Best Wishes!

[@threejrock]

Ibanez Quest series my beloved

[@chubbsdarcy]

Both sound great but the one with the new pickups is that much greater! I have a ‘60’s Vintera strat with those pickups so it’s no surprise that you are capable of all of the tones that I get with my strat, but that switch allows you more tonal possibilities than I have. Not to mention that Ibanez is too damn cool, I’m gonna have to get one! Thank you Kyle, you’ve given me GAS!

[@mitchellclark6458]

You should put a switch like that on your strat. Its a pretty simple mod if you can work a soldering iorn. But i definitely feel you wanting one of these ibanez needs to cut this man a check.

[@PeteLamont]

In this video, I like the new pickups for the single positions and the originals for the combined positions, hard to tell how it will fit in a mix though. Also, spots where the audio and video don't seem to be syncing, maybe just on my end.

[@FrodeFender]

Record both guitars and pan each to left and right speakers 🙏🏼

[@Herfinnur]

I think I prefer the originals, but then despite loving single coils I’venever been a big fan of the Stratocaster sound. In case anyone asks: yes there are several other single coil pickups: Burns Trisonic, P90, Jazzmaster, Telecaster, Gold Foil, Danelectro…

[@666dreamboat]

The originals make my solo guitar ears happy (more rounded low end and less harsh top end), the new pickups make my ensemble, recording, and mixing ears happy. (more presence and cut which is important when other sounds are happening) those vinteras sound great! Could you ask your tech to make a video on how he got the neck middle to sound so good? Often on 24 frets the neck middle sounds really gross)

[@BuffaloC305]

EXCELLENT. I just wrote premature comments about your first "Lying" video and here's your Part 2 that answers some of that. Of course, the real questions are: (1) will new pickups handle the corrosion as well, and (2) how long will you leave Old vs. New pickups?

[@realkylehooks]

@@BuffaloC305 I plan to leave the guitars with the different pickups

[@adityapadode]

Love the demo and your energy and vibe man!!! Been following you since the first ICHI10 video. What surprised me the most is how similar both pickups sound. I honestly would have hard time choosing one over other specially in a full mix on the neck pickup.

[@realkylehooks]

@@adityapadode I feel and hear a pretty substantial difference in how the pickups react, but of course I've been playing the paint right off the guitar for a couple hundreds gigs.

[@adityapadode]

@@realkylehooks Yes, I can see the difference in feel of a slightly high gain style ibanez pickup vs the Fender vintage style coil pickups would be huge. On a side note, I thought that Ibanez pickups would have some weird wiring to accomplish the alter switch, but it is such a great news to hear you can install factory fender pickups. Was that process straightforward??

[@pastorkev777]

I like both of them for different things.

[@chrisbatten8]

It reminds me of my top of the line through necked hard tail roadster from C. 1979 - 1982 which is Gorgeous with Flamed Ash Body & 5 piece maple neck & Gorgeous Stacked Single coil Humbuckers in Strat configuration & it's Bolt on Roadster Siblings of the Same era.....All Stunning Guitars easily on a par with especially Japanese fenders....!!!! it's Really Nice to See Ibanez Going Back to their Roots with these ones too.....!!!!! Also Have to Say I do Prefer the Fat round tone of the Stock Pickups though I can def see where you're going with the thinner 60's Strat vibe but it's Def 50's Slightly thicker Bell like tone for me....!!!!! But Super Cool Review demo thing man Thanks So much Lovely Playing & def keep them coming man too.....!!!!! :) :) :) :) :)

[@srinip]

Nice playing, my friend, but I'm not sold on the new pickups. Granted, my tastes are different, but I would have maybe gone with a more overwound set to tame the highs just a little. I bet the Fralin Blues Specials would kill on this guitar.

[@Rex-golf_player810]

I like them both, they sound pretty similar but the new pickups definitely have more of that single coil chime that is often associated with fender style guitars I think personally i prefer the stock pickups but i would see why someone else would want the slight change

[@alextempletYT]

Just looked it up. It’s Ichika Nito’s signature model. No wonder why it’s so good lol. I didn’t know he had a signature model

[@ripit.3457]

Yeah, and he has TWO now! this one, and the ichi100. the 100 is his like, most memorable guitar as it’s modeled after his extremely well-known talman

[@lucasperboni674]

I'm all for old stuff. New guitars smell better but the old ones have character

[@michaelcarrig627]

I really like the original pickups, but it definitely lacks a bit of the sparkle and mid scoop of the strat pups. And the strat pickups definitely standout in the in between positions.

[@realkylehooks]

@@michaelcarrig627 that classic position 2 Strat sound is unbeatable for funky stuff.

[@adamgorka368]

My opinion is in unaltered mode, i think i preferred the sound of the original neck and middle (and their combination). However new bridge unaltered, and all altered positions sounded WAY better with new pickups

[@DeeplySceptical]

Wow, watching your videos I now regret selling my ICHI10. I got rid of it because I felt the high E string was too close to the edge of the fretboard and at times slipped off. I played another Q-series and it had the same problem. The pickups were also a bit weak/dull, so I understand why you swapped them.

[@pooritech]

Come on ibanez pay this guy money. He's just single handedly outdone any advertising you could wish for!

[@WhiteEntertainmentTelevi-oc3dg]

I actually like the older stuff, the things that most people throw the side and forget why they should play. Rickenbackers are 1 of those. At least Gretsch gets a comeback everytime. Fenders frets are too built they don't let you do as much movement as Squiers and the bodies are way too heavy.

[@TheGreatBaronOBeefDip]

Now let me get this straight, you consider yourself a mediocre guitar player? I have only seen 2 videos, but I already know just from your amount gigging, you are an exemplary musician, I wish I had the endurance to perform that long.

[@donald-parker]

I'm not sure raw sound at full volume tells the whole story. I feel the tone of the originals is warmer while the new PU are thinner. And for my tastes and what you played, I think I like the originals better. But what about versatility? For example, maybe it is easier to coax warmer sounds out of the new PU with some EQ or just the guitar's tone control, than it is to get the glassier sound out of the originals?

[@realkylehooks]

@@donald-parker in my experience, it's easier to get a warm sound out of thinner pickups than it is to get a clear, glassy sound out of fatter pickups. Using the alter switch on positions 1 or 5 gives a fat, warm tone, so I'm really happy with the new pickups tones. I can't complain about the old pickups though. They're quality pickups and have certain advantages over the ones I swapped for. Just a different flavor of guitar

[@InThePlnes]

You got a great personality, keep it up

[@realkylehooks]

@@InThePlnes it distracts from my guitar mediocrity. Smoke and mirrors

[@InThePlnes]

@@realkylehooks I don’t know about that, haven’t heard you play, I just know the good energy will take you far.

[@roebuckmckinney]

I really can’t hear much difference, but I don’t doubt there is one if you’re actually sitting in the room with the amp. Great playing.

[@realkylehooks]

@@roebuckmckinney it's pretty noticeable in the room to my ears, but not a huge difference like swapping out for humbuckers or something. The new pickups are substantially lower output, so I have to adjust the amp volume to equalize it

[@gunnarmarks5754]

Stock pickups are great for playing by yourself, the new are are sound amazing with a bass player and cut through the mix real good

[@realkylehooks]

@@gunnarmarks5754 exactly. Using the new pickups the last two weeks for shows, the guitar is able to cut through with less volume, so it's still heard well without getting in the way of vocals, keys, or horns. Then using the alter switch, I can get some VERY fat tones when I want them.

[@gunnarmarks5754]

@@realkylehooks it’s always odd setting tones alone, sounding nice and warm, getting in a band context and just being all mush and washed out. Almost want to be too biting playing alone and it ties together within a group. Obviously dependent on the context sometimes you want to be lost in the mix … but that’s what volume and tone knobs are for.

[@TheMasterMacc]

I feel like it just does a different thing. My Strat does the 60s sound and frusciante chilly peppers really well. Now the big thing. The ICHI10 for some reason does the John Mayer and Cory Wong sounds so such better. It also has a really fast transient, which makes it perfect for my Funk playing.

[@jenserjenson4407]

Love your chops, love your humor. Sorry, I am in love. Just a little bit. Also, I am not sorry.

[@Hajin_kr]

literally my dream guitar. Not only because ichika nito inspires me but that guitar is so good and has bunch of tones variaty.. Im broke anyways

[@realkylehooks]

@@Hajin_kr I hope you're able to save up and get one someday!

[@Hajin_kr]

@@realkylehooks Thank you 🙏🏻 Im still young so Ill probably be able to get this guitar at age 18 or more.. I don’t get allowance or any source of income from parents or anything since I’m in an asian family lmao.. And I’m not in American where people find 14 years old work in mcdonalds, which i would if its a thing here

[@02dusk]

I like your ICHI10 review. Have you seen the Strandberg Bowden Essential? Without the fan blade. Can you compare those 2? I would love to hear your opinion on it. Is it actually lighter than the ICHI10?

[@ProfToad]

Nee pick ups are great dude! I’m thinking about putting in some bare knuckle pick ups in mine as I love the guitar but the origins pick ups can be quite dark compared to a Strat

[@JTACTR]

Underwound pickups sound much clearer. You can compansate the lack of mids & meat with amp eq. But you cant make an owerwound pickup sound clearer.

[@jeshely]

I think I would go for original neck and new middle and bridge.

[@LeakyJAZZ]

Least important of all: the newer pickups look nicer with the cream finish

[@aeugmk2]

It might be cool to have a stacked single coil in the bride if you need a bit more oomph.

[@svilendenchev9984]

Yeah i was thinking of an HS 3 in the bridge for heavier stuff. Or an Injector

[@joe-hl9rl]

The strat pickups are slightly more chimy sounding, and that sounds better for what you were playing.

[@semyonboyk0]

Weirdly, I prefer stock pickups on single pickup positions, but new ones on 2 and 4. But both sets sound really cool, just different.

[@realkylehooks]

@@semyonboyk0 when I got the ICHI10 initially, the only position that gave me any disappointment was the bridge/middle position (I just found out officially Fender calls that position 2) because I couldn't get that classic funky twang Strat thing. New position 2 and 5 are my favorites, and I typically use 1 with the alter switch for high gain sounds

[@Solo-gx2xc]

I enjoy them both differently. Still nice

[@ThatOtherAndi]

both guitars have a fresh set of strings? if yes, the new pickups sound brighter and more detailed to me

[@flaitom]

Definitely an improvement, although I liked how the old pickups looked, I'd chance the plastic cover for the silver ones on the original, but sounds great!!

[@realkylehooks]

@@flaitom I like the silver look, too. I wonder if I could swap the covers. I still have the original pickups set aside.

[@WolfgangSambs]

If the silver is metal it will do something to the tone…would be interesting to hear. I’m guessing that the metal cover would soften the tone a bit („un-chime“), so that would push the new pickups a bit in the direction of the old ones tone-wise…or vice versa when removing the covers from the stock pickups. Keep us posted!

[@sedoyotec]

I tried Fender CS 60s' set in my PRS Silver Sky SE and didn't like it, ended up putting Suhr V70 set - costs the same, sounds much better.

[@milkmansada]

New has almost a lofi “broader” range maybe but I think I prefer the old pickups tbh

[@thomashalley7258]

I wonder if it was originally voiced with video production in mind cause it didn't translate well over KZbin.

[@Zaotar1]

Sounds like a telecaster now. I can see how that would be better for a live mix, but for solo noodling I like the original pickups better.

[@realkylehooks]

@@Zaotar1 for me, noodling is just as fun, but the positions I prefer have moved. With the original pups, I stuck to the middle position w/ alter switch on a lot (like a Tele middle). Now I like position 2 and 5, and 5 w/ the alter

[@Hiei999]

Lol I love it. I want one of these headless Ibanez guitars. I already have the 5 string, fanned.

[@realkylehooks]

Oh heck yearh!

[@thaedleinad]

The Fender pick ups sound better to me, but not thaaaat much. For the kind of sound you play, at least. I personally would slap two Seymour Duncan Hot Rails on it, get rid of the middle pick up and play some Nlrvana and other stuff from my teen years on it.

[@realkylehooks]

@@thaedleinad I had a '90 Strat with a hot rail bridge. Hell of a sound on that one!

[@rexposadas]

Thanks for the vid. It was helpful. Did you happen to also change the brand and gauge of the original strings?

[@realkylehooks]

@@rexposadas great ear! Not the brand, but the gauge was accidentally changed. I play 9.5-44, but the store was out, so I settled for 9-42 for this one string change. It caused a little bit of fret buzz (and of course any notes I missed) but I've been back to 9.5s since

[@Nickshreds890]

I reallyyyyy like the new pickups ! And I own an Ibanez quest so I may have to get some pickups ! It’ll most likely be Dimarzios or bare knuckle pickups . I love Ichika so I bought the Ichi 10 . Edit: I don’t shred so please if anyone goes to my channel please don’t expect me to shred . I play with all my might and I’ll keep on practicing

[@Nickshreds890]

But 😂anyway dude you’re brilliant and I appreciate that you’re funny and you make both sets of pickups sound pretty ! Edit : it’s not easy talking to a camera ! Nicely done !

[@realkylehooks]

@@Nickshreds890 I had actually never heard of Ichika before I bought the guitar. From road life, I just knew there were certain problems I had with my guitars, so I started searching for a guitar that fixed those issues like the weight, length, and tonal options. The ICHI checked all the boxes I needed

[@Brainplastics]

Were the new pickups just plug and play? I'm going to swap mine for the 57'/62's but i'm confused about the "hot" "cold" and "ground" on the dyna mix switch

[@WildWildWeasel]

2:41 man I absolutely love that chord progression. Is that from an actual song or just a noodling?

[@realkylehooks]

Sorry for the late reply. Just noodling around. I haven't found a use for the progression in a new song yet.

[@Sumeguy1126]

Im almost wondering if switching 2 out of 3 pickups would fix the one position that thinned out too much? Might even contribute to some thicker sounds

[@realkylehooks]

I've thought about it, but what I'm running into is that I love the new neck pickup. It's got that glassy, bluesy tone I love so much. Then I love that funky 2nd position, so my two favorite tones use all three pickups. I'd hate to lose those, plus I prefer the new alter switch neck position. That little bit of extra clarity makes a difference.

[@Daclaem]

meh i prefer the stock pickups, except for the bridge+ mid position

[@dio1304]

New pickups gave it that sweet fender tone for sure. Original pickups have that traditional ibanez sound, that has no charisma in my opinion, but a lot of people like it so who cares. My main guitar is ibanez too, tho I swapped pickups as well ;P

[@alexrtaudio]

New has a bit warmer sound, but oh well who am I to judge Btw nice "Old Love" over middle

[@realkylehooks]

@@alexrtaudio it's tough for me to play that riff and not sing it.

[@alexrtaudio]

@@realkylehooks feel ya brother! Same!

[@War4theWest]

Have to hear it in the mix of your band, but solo I like the originals. They are fuller across the spectrum, imho (just a picker and grinner here).

[@WEIRDONG_MARINO]

Now it sounds like a real strat

[@realkylehooks]

@@WEIRDONG_MARINO it is studio worthy now.

[@SLURPAUDIO]

have you tried the HH or HSS versions of the quest series? they have awesome combinations with their switches too

[@realkylehooks]

@@SLURPAUDIO I had an HH, but I got it used and it had a couple little issues from the previous owner. The next guitar I plan to get will be either a HILS Next headless or another Q52 with the burl wood top, and I'll swap the pickups for Burstbuckers *Edit* I really liked the Q52 design overall. The pickups sound great, but I tend to prefer a little more vintage voicing in my pickups. The Q52 is very modern sounding

[@SLURPAUDIO]

i totally see it 😂 you could combine burstbuckers with fender single coils, that's so cool tho! i plan on getting a 7 string Q sometime because i want to get back to the stage soon ​@@realkylehooks what are your thoughts on the slanted fret X versions? mine is slanted but i kinda wish it was a real fan fret design instead, it is kinda weird

[@realkylehooks]

@SLURPAUDIO I've only played a couple of slanted fret and fanned fret guitars. They felt fine after a few minutes getting used to them, but I personally like as much consistency in feel from guitar to guitar as possible. Because of that, I basically just stick to classic straight frets.

[@Duskydog419]

The new pickup give a coffee house vibe. The originals sound like they can cut through drunk girl screaming at the bar.😂

[@realkylehooks]

@@Duskydog419 that's a perfect description. My band has horns and keys and lots of vocals, so I'm not always trying to have a guitar sound to cut through. I'm just giving a little extra texture and flavor to the sound

[@leo._.vincent]

It sounds like there may be a bit of rattle coming from the amp? is it the tubes or like the speaker rattling?

[@realkylehooks]

I haven't properly diagnosed it yet, but likely a misaligned reverb spring. I moved recently, so my amps likely got bumped around more than I'd like in the process.

[@benjaminwisch5075]

For the money it’s a fuckin amazing guitar! Love ur vids!

[@GigiVerino]

Hi, I really appreciate your live-efficient approach. With that in mind, could you please tell me which wireless guitar transmitter and wireless IEM system you use (if any) for live use? Thank you!

[@realkylehooks]

@@GigiVerino I use the Sennheiser XSW-D for guitar. For IEM, we mostly use Phenyx Pro. There are certainly better units, but since every brand we've tried ends up having hip packs that break, our approach has been to use a brand where we can afford to have backup packs for when they inevitably fail.

[@GigiVerino]

Makes absolute sense. Thank you.