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Ibanez Mezzo Upgrade Path
- Thread starter technocraft
- Start date
One very odd thing I found when doing the Neodymium magnet mod is that the bridge pickup has pickup poles exposed on the underneath of the pickup with bar magnets either side of the poles rather than one large magnet under the pole pieces, kind of like how the Dimarzio model P looks like underneath.
I am almost 100% sure that the pole pieces are steel (or similar) with the magnets underneath to magnetise them as the unmodded bridge pickup is way too weedy sounding to be alnico supplemented with ceramic magnets
I am almost 100% sure that the pole pieces are steel (or similar) with the magnets underneath to magnetise them as the unmodded bridge pickup is way too weedy sounding to be alnico supplemented with ceramic magnets
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Thats why I junked the Ibanez stock pickups from those Basses. Specifically the Jazz pickup, the P sounded fine even when soloed but that J is god awful. Not surprised what you discovered for what is.
Yeah the J is pretty bad but then I'm not often happy with the J pickup on PJ basses.
Imo the biggest upgrade was ditching the stock preamp, I have gone fully passive and it sounds so much better, no more brittle highs and scooped mids, of course the Duncan SPB-2 helps but imo it was once I got rid of the preamp that the bass clicked with me tonally.
Yep. Those J's are a pain. I luckily had a GC tech route the J to be a little wider for easier installation in the near future. Before I gutted this bass I had on the Dimarzio PJ's and Bartolini Preamp installed in the Mezzo almost a year ago. Really loved the tone from the combination but I am looking for a more Hi-Fi sound despite the Dimarzios sounding deep and scooped (especially from the P pickup).
Not disregarding the Dimarzios at all but I would HIGHLY recommend these pickups on a Mezzo!!!
I have a video on my phone months back going through each tonal aspect with this combination. I'll upload that over the weekend as I went over the 30 minute mark so editing will eat up a lot of my practice time
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My Black Mezzo, finally finished..WD Custom Pickguard, Zero Mod Thumb Rest, EMG Gzr Butler PJ Set, EMG BTS preamp, Hipshot HB-6y tuners
That's odd, the model p and j are usually known for being mid heavy, could it be your preamp is scooping some mids?Yep. Those J's are a pain. I luckily had a GC tech route the J to be a little wider for easier installation in the near future. Before I gutted this bass I had on the Dimarzio PJ's and Bartolini Preamp installed in the Mezzo almost a year ago. Really loved the tone from the combination but I am looking for a more Hi-Fi sound despite the Dimarzios sounding deep and scooped (especially from the P pickup).
View attachment 4376931 View attachment 4376932
Not disregarding the Dimarzios at all but I would HIGHLY recommend these pickups on a Mezzo!!!
I have a video on my phone months back going through each tonal aspect with this combination. I'll upload that over the weekend as I went over the 30 minute mark so editing will eat up a lot of my practice time
It’s possible. I would play the bass passive only a lot of the times though. When I would engage the preamp it would make the volume a bit louder and the tone more cushioned. Still working on the video edit on those pickups and preamp I recorded way back in April.
Hey - just to let you know, I took a white pick plate on a P bass and painted with Duratek roll on finish (same as what people do on cabinets) it is a ruff paint but looked good.
I just picked up a Mezzo and starting to upgrade - will do my white guard in Duratek again. Pics to follow.
Nice job. Did you put clear on top of the color? It looks satin which matches the bass perfectly.
I was going to sell - but decided to keep it - just have to get to know the smaller neck better. Also, blk/wht/blk pick plate coming.
I saw here in this post somewhere that one person mentioned how soft the pick plate was.
Well, when I got my Mezzo and took the plastic off the plate - it felt funny. And it scratched up really easy.
Last night changing the string - I noticed that it had another layer of plastic over the plate. So, I took that off and it is all ok, just as hard as any other plate I have ever had.
I have never seen this before - but mine had 2 plastic sheets on the plate - but now great feeling. I do not know???????
Well, when I got my Mezzo and took the plastic off the plate - it felt funny. And it scratched up really easy.
Last night changing the string - I noticed that it had another layer of plastic over the plate. So, I took that off and it is all ok, just as hard as any other plate I have ever had.
I have never seen this before - but mine had 2 plastic sheets on the plate - but now great feeling. I do not know???????
Kev
How do the Geezers sound in your Mezzo for you sofar.
The last thing I need to change is the pickups. TKS
Thanks for this post - got a set - great stings. Thanks again
Geezers sound good, they are passive, so smooth ramp and clear tone, i put the BTS preamp in also. Just went the whole EMG wiring on it pots pickups and preamp. All Solderless easy install. Since they are passive worth shielding the cavities. Please any questions ask.
Those Precision flats have to be the best flats out in the market that delivers clarity on each note register!!
