Mojo

I believe this is one of my better playing, better sounding guitar. This S470 used to be black but it's now this green-ish gold. I'm still on the lookout for 22-fretted S-Series & I know these can't be had new today. There are a few in the after-market but I'm not agreeable with the fret life of those despite going for good asking prices.

Just a minor revision this time - the bridge pickup is now a DiMarzio Mo' Joe (together with the Area '61 (m) & PAF 36th (n) - these make an unlikely attractive combo for me). Why bother? 1) The DiMarzio was clearing for a good price at SV Guitar 2) The Air Norton that used to be in there is more impressive in clean settings compared to an overdriven application.

I'm totally aware that the Mo' Joe was designed for Joe Satriani but I'm more attracted to what it has to offer EQ-wise. As seen above, it has a strong midrange response which is my staple; blame the extreme metal streak in me & my need to hear very harsh, intense midrange for that intent. Verdict - the Mo' Joe sounds crunchy at high distortion settings, extremely suitable for players in search of that doom-esque grizzle. However, as correctly implied by the EQ settings above, the spike in midrange isn't excessive. If you wish for that bass note chugging to see you through, it got you covered but do not expect a thick, PAF type palm muted motes.Bonus - it has an awesome split tone, very Strat-ish in a modern way. 

S-Gold

It's been a while since I played an Ibanez in the house. I've been trying to move away from my comfort zone. It gets too easy when one is equipped with one's preferences. Gave this S470 a re-string & put up with the DiMarzios in there. I usually stay in the humbucking position in an HSH guitar but there was a significant amount of time spent with the Area 61 single coil. The lower output & less magnetic pull made the tone very enjoyable. 

This is one of the very few guitars I bought used. The condition was still very good when I bought it (unbelievable for less than $200) less the nut lock (which was corroded) & the whammy bar (was stuck in the hole for some time. It's also one of the better made models from Cort's Korean factory.

Face-off: DiMarzio vs Seymour Duncan

I've been playing these 2 guitars a lot lately:

• Left: Ibanez S470- Dimarzios: Air Norton (B)/ Area '61(M)/ PAF (N)
• Right: Ibanez S420- Seymour Duncan: Pearly Gates (B/N)

Ibanez dweebs prefer DiMarzios because majority of the endorsers embrace this pickup brand- Vai, Satch, Gilbert, Timmons, et al. Estranged individuals like me, had an initial rotten episode with DiMarzio so I went with the competitor's brand & I had to say that I was lucky- I bought the pickup that suited my needs so it was no turning back.

So it boils down to this- which pickup brand do I prefer? Simple answer: Both.

These pickups have something different to offer. DiMarzio has this peculiar adaptation to effects & other signal processors; the   more you add to them, they don't seem to be undone by gain overdose. Seymour Duncan has this signature bite that you'd hear if you plug straight through to your amp. Once you get hooked, it's the only thing you'd want to hear. I'm living with both tone options, there are no rules saying I should stay true to only one brand name. It's about liking what I hear coming out from the amp regardless of what were used to make that happen.

The un-blackening (2)

Pickups are in: all DiMarzio affair (because I ran out of Duncans to try...)

Neck: PAF
Middle: Area '61
Bridge: Air Norton