Getting some tone and sustain

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grinder

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I've been through tons of guitars in my 24 years of playing. The one axe I can't let go of is my RG 570. I love the way it plays but, have never been quite satisfied with the sound and sustain. I play a mostly hard rock but, also venture into blues and other stuff. I've tried different pickups in the bridge position, Duncan invader (too dark), Lawrence XL 500 (not enough sustain), Dimarzio Super distortion ( best sound of the 3 but, not enough sustain). I added a trem setter, it helped some. Added a stainless steel plate to the back of the headstock, didn't make a difference. I removed the neck shim and planed the heal of the neck to the angle, that helped some, but I still can't get the sustain I want. Any suggestions for getting a good screamin' sound out of this thing or for a different guitar that will play and feel similar but, sound better? My only other thought is building a replica body out of mahogany, with a tiger maple top, but worry that I still might not be happy.
 
get a sustain pedal and seymour duncan APH-1 alnico II pro pick ups
 
Well, a Les Paul and a PRS ain't gonna feel anything like an Ibanez RG570.

If you want the same sort of guitar, why not up the ante and go for a nice neck thru model from Ibanez, Jackson, ESP or the like? Something with a maple cap even. An ebony fretboard would be nice for sustain as well.
 
IMO, a Seymore Duncan PATB2 will give you what you want. Huge tone. and great sustain...not too dark...crisp and clear on the top, and not muddy at all. VERY punchy actually. It's worth a shot at least, and will fit into you RG pretty easily. It's passive, so it still retains good dynamic response as well...
 
I got the Satriani, it was kinda expensive but I freakin love everything about it.
 
Does your 570 have a floyd rose? (imho the floyd seriously dampens sustain) A neck thru rg type will be better, even with the floyd. .02.
 
Sirnothingness, I like the sound of a Paul, totally different feel, though.

I would be interested in trying a neck through Ibanez or a Jem but, none of the local stores carry them.

ibleedburgundy, The Satriani model is 22 frets, isn't it? I really want to stick with 24.

As for amps, I'm using 1988 Carvin X-100B head, a little 50 watt Marshall and a couple different modelers. I usually use the modelers for recording.

Thurgood, I put a trem setter on the original Edge trem, it helped some.

I'll look on Duncan's site for sound clips of the PATB2 and the APH-1.


Thanks for the replies, Grinder
 
First off, I don't think any pickups I have played give more lasting sustain than an EMG-81. And they are great with just about any guitar.

Other than that, I really liked the Dimarizio Evolution when I had my Jem WhiteVine.

If I bought any pickup that was not an EMG81 or 85 I would try an Evolution before anything else again.

I don't know how the Carvin X-100B sounds but do realize they were popular back in the 80's.

Might consider getting another amp in your collection.

Plenty of great used amps out there like the 5150, 5150II, Triple XXX, 6505+ will give you awesome sound.

Maybe throw in a Tube Screamer.
 
Arsis uses RG450 guitars with EMG's, All That Remains uses RG's/S/Prestige with EMG's, and Necrophagist also uses EMGs.

All have impeccible playing and lead tone.

But with 24 guitars you must have tryed them already..........
 
joswil44 said:
First off, I don't think any pickups I have played give more lasting sustain than an EMG-81. And they are great with just about any guitar.

Other than that, I really liked the Dimarizio Evolution when I had my Jem WhiteVine.

If I bought any pickup that was not an EMG81 or 85 I would try an Evolution before anything else again.

I don't know how the Carvin X-100B sounds but do realize they were popular back in the 80's.

Might consider getting another amp in your collection.

Plenty of great used amps out there like the 5150, 5150II, Triple XXX, 6505+ will give you awesome sound.

Maybe throw in a Tube Screamer.
Click to expand...


EMG81 tend to sound the same no matter who is playing or what amp is used. It is a good sound...but not real flexible...
 
True, which is tough because it probably works best for metal.

But I was assuming that the RG570 was probably for shred.

So it should work fine.
 
joswil44 said:
Arsis uses RG450 guitars with EMG's, All That Remains uses RG's/S/Prestige with EMG's, and Necrophagist also uses EMGs.

All have impeccible playing and lead tone.

But with 24 guitars you must have tryed them already..........
Click to expand...

Wish I had 24 guitars, I said I've been playing for around 24 years. I had a EMG 81 & 85 in a Les Paul, sounded great for distorted sounds, not so great clean. If I remember correctly, you can't coil tap EMGs, either. I play alot of hard rock stuff but, I also like to be able to do some split coil bluesy stuff, too. The stock single coil and Duncan Pearly Gates, neck pup work great for clean and bluesy stuff.


The Carvin actually sounds great, it's pretty versatile for a tube amp.

I need to get a cable to hook my computer to my recording system, so I can listen to pickup sound clips. They all sound the same on my computer speakers.

Thanks for the suggestions, Grinder
 
The suggestion for the EMG's is dead on. You can also try the Sustainer from Fernandes.

If you build the body out of a heavier wood though, it will change the balance that you are used to.
 
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