Ibanez INF1 and INF2 Infinity

Passive Hummbuckers-H/H

Replace the BDSM's in my BC Rich with the INF1 and INF2. Didnt care for the BDSM's range.

Gotta tell ya, big difference! I play thru my Dragon Wha>Line 6 POD XTLive>Crate RFX120>Marshall 4X12. I play older Metal, this change in pickups has me thrilled! I also stuck a INF4 in the bridge on my Kramer, again, much crunchier than the originals.

I would defenatlly replace other pickups with either combo, INF1,2,3 or 4. For you guys above that downplay these pickups, some beginners lessons might be of help!

Humbucking pickups, INF1 in the neck with a ceramic magnet, INF2 in the bridge with an alnico magnet. That's about all I know.

I borrowed an RGT42 locking trem model for about a month from a buddy of mine in exchange for letting him borrow my schecter Gryphon (a drastically better and cheaper guitar). The INF1 neck and INF2 bridge were in an H-H config, no middle pickup here. These are the pickups that come with it, and I don't know why the hell anyone would ever want to replace another pickup with these.

Bridge: The bridge gets a 2/10 for rating. The tone is outright muddy and unclear, harmonics are terrible, they have a very bass/mid heavy sound (undoubtedly leading to the muddiness), and only the absolute brightest and clearest of amp settings could get this pickup to be clear. I don't understand what ibanez intended this pickup to be. It can't be a metal pickup; the harmonics are awful, and it's too muddy and not high enough output. It can't be a classic rock pickup, because the muddiness and medium gain settings would lead to sound like dirt. Most of all, it isn't a blues pickup, because it's just plain awful all around. There are only a couple pickups off the top of my head I can think of worse than this.

Neck gets a 6/10. Harmonics are bad, like the bridge, but it's a decent shredding pickup (not really my style of choice, I should mention), so if you're into that and are unbelievably cheap, you could do worse. It's pretty muddy and moderate output, like the bridge, but it's more excusable as a neck pickup, and it's fairly decent clean. It's far from great, but it's not bad either. Could make a decent complement to something better in the bridge if you're really cheap.

My main guitar is a Caparison TAT-II with a Dimarzio air norton in the neck and Evo 2 in the bridge, and before that, it had caparison pickups, which are legendarily great (I was just looking for a different style of pickup when I changed them), so I have high standards, but by anyone's standards the INF1/2 pair is unexcusably bad. There is nothing I love about it, and everything but a decent amount of shred-based creaminess in the neck is genuinely hatable. They even look bad (satin-ish finish, gloss seems to complement guitars a LOT better). I've since returned the guitar to my friend, but if I actually owned these pickups, I don't think I could even give them away. Avoid these, really.

INF1 (neck) and INF2 (bridge) humbuckers

These pickups came stock on an Ibanez RGT42DXFM that I purchased recently. This guitar is a heavy mahogany beast and these pickups just did not cut it at all, so they are being replaced.

Output level in this guitar was very weak. The neck (INF1) was tolerable, and didn't sound very bad, but it was dark/muddy. The bridge was the worst of the two (INF2). It didn't have close to enough output level to cut through the mahogany of the guitar. The bridge pickup almost sounded weaker/muddier than the neck pickup.

Overall, when placed in the guitar they came stock in, these pickups just don't have what it takes. If placed in a guitar of lighter weight wood, they would probably be fine.

I have 2 passive humbucker, neck and bridge.

I use this pickups on a Cort gold, to replace the originals Select by Emg, very bad and poor pick-ups.

The output level of the Ibanez Infinity is very good for me.
I use a Cort guitar on a Fender amp with a lot of pedals.
The sound of this pick-ups is the one I love! Distortions are very powerful, more than a Di Marzio Paf, and clean is quite good.
I think that the best use that you can do whit this pick-ups is for rock and hard rock. Very good for rhythm distorted guitar with the bridge position, amazing for fast lead alternate picking with the neck position.

I play rock/hard rock from the '70s to the Limp Bizkit and I'm very satisfied with this pick-ups.
I think that Di Marzio Paf Pro or Evolution, of course, are better than this Ibanez Infinity, but too much expensive, so, if you want a good rock sound, but you want to save your money, the Infinity are the right way.

Pickup features: Passive bucker
Impedence or other specs: No idea.

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Special II
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock Epiphone bucker
Other pickups on guitar: stock Epiphone bucker (in neck position)
Artists using this pickup: heh, some poor bastard like me.
You musical style(s): various
Reason for pickup change: Well, a friend of mine was putting an EMG 81 in his Ibanez RG420FM so I asked him to give the Ibanez pickup to me. I put it in my old Epiphone, which is a hack-up guitar, basically for learning some D.I.Y. on. So i put this thing in to see if it would be better than the stock Epiphone pup and as a bit of a learning experience at wiring.

Perceived output level: Fairly medium, nothing outrageous.
Tone: Hmm, well, to me it seems fairly balanced, in single coil mode it's pretty dry with a some twang.
Sonic evaluation: Ok, when I play this guitar (not much anymore since I got my Ibanez :)) it's played through an AVT-50 or a Squier 10w/Marshall Jackhammer combo (which sounds pretty damn good considering what it is). It's got pretty good firmness and I generally use it for recording rhythm parts as it's more driving (also an aspect of the fixed bridge). But overall, it lacks fullness and harmonic complexity, you know, the kind of things that separate an average pickup from a good one. I also wired this up with a SPST toggle so the screw coil (closest to bridge) turns on and off. The single coil isn't very inspiring, pretty spanky and bland, does sound good with some chorus/reverb for that kind of cold Metallica clean tone, but heck, no fuss as I don't play this axe that much.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It's decent for scooped things and more standard rock stuff but nothing special, flat cleans, but that's what the neck pickup's for.

Comments: I don't know anyone who'd wanna steal this, destroy maybe, either way, I wouldn't care. As I said, hack up guitar, therefore anything goes. This guitar is basically retired. Have 2 classicals and 1 other electric. Overall, it's not a great pickup, but I try to find a use for everything; if there's rhythm tracks to be recorded, this guitar does it and the pickup does fine, if you heard, it you'd hardly be berating it and cursing it. When my friend tossed it out of his Ibanez, I saw it as a good opportunity for something to learn on. I did compare it to the stock pickups in my Ibanez (Powersounds, ye I know, but you people gotta start listening to the pickup and switching off to marketing crap, yes a Powersound isn't the best but it's good for what it is and suits my purposes) and they were overall richer and more harmonically complex. Searching for the sound, we do that our whole lives, some claim to find it, but then they change again, I guess it's just human restlessness.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez AX320 HBP
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: OEM
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Noodles, Kirk Hammet
You musical style(s): Blues, hard rock, punk, 80's Metal
Reason for pickup change: Original Equipment

Perceived output level: Medium, a little hotter than a PAF but not as hot as something like a JB or Super Distortion.
Tone: Bridge has lots of mids and highs, neck is more balance like a PAF
Sonic evaluation: I am using mine with an Ibanez AX320HBP (SG-ish guitar) and rack amp and a Trace Elliot Tramp 412A cabinet. My rack consists of an ADA MP-1 preamp, Marshall 9005 power amp, tc Electronic G-Major, and a BBE 362 Sonic Maximizer. In fornt of the rack I am using a Boss/Analogman DS-1 Distortion/Pro and a Morley Bad Horsie II wah.
For moderate overdrive to extreem distortion the bridge pickup is great. It has a noticeable boost in the mids and highs that really enhances pinch harmonics and lead playing in general. This same mid & high boost makes it unsuitable for clean playing. The boosted frequencies push a tube amp into overdrive so you have to tweak the volume knob to tame it. The lows are adequate for palm muting and heavy rhythm playing, but lack the chunkiness that many players are looking for. I think this pickup has a similar character to the Dimarzio Super Distortion but with less output and chunk.
The neck pickup sounds fantastic when played clean and handles anything up to moderate overdrive without loosing clarity. But as the OD/distortion level climbs it does begin to get a little muddy (most neck pickups do). The character of this pickup is a little more balanced than the bridge with output and frequency response more like that of a bridge position PAF. Of the two pickups in this guitar the neck is my favorite.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Good for any style of rock, acceptable for blues and metal

Comments: Overall I think that these pickups are very good for the price range. They have a little character and are versatile enough that you could play just about any style of music. I would prefer that the bridge have a little more output and bass, but they way they are they interact very well with the neck when the pickup selector is in the middle position so I won't be replacing it.
I have compared them to the JB, Duncan Distortion, '59, Super Distortion, PAF Pro, Power Sound, and Super 3 and while many of these pickups are better in one or more respects the Infinity's can still prove very musical.
It doesn't have "that" sound for me but it is certainly something that I can use so I won't be getting rid of them any time soon.

Pickup features: Humbucking Bridge, Single Middle and Humbucking Neck
Impedence or other specs: Don't know

Model of guitar or bass: PGM 30
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, Hard Rock, etc..
Reason for pickup change: No change.. Came with guitar

Perceived output level: Medium to Medium hot I'd say.. More medium output than anything really
Tone: Middy middy, middy, middy..
Sonic evaluation: I'm using this guitar thru a practice amp.. Peavey 20 watt solid state, but I also played the guitar thru a couple analog tube amps..

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock.. Rock, blues

Comments: These are not that bad of pickups really for stock pickups.. The only better pickups I've personally had on a stock guitar were the 80's Kramers that were made by ESP I guess.. Those were real Duncans and they were better, but not that much really

Pickup features: Humbuckers -passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 1996 Ibanez RG470
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: They were stock
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Metalica yes that's right! - http://www.encyclopedia-metallica.com/equipment/khiseq.shtml
You musical style(s): Rock, Metal, Blues,
Reason for pickup change: I replaced these with Dimarzios.

Perceived output level: Medium Output
Tone: Well balanced. I think they are a very versitile pickup. They sound nice clean and they sound heavy when distorted. I cannot say anything bad about these pikcups
Sonic evaluation: Ibanez RG470, Berhinger V-amp2, Fender Super Reverb amp, Boss Metal Zone Distortion Pedal.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I think it is a good pickup for just about any style of music, Very versitile

Comments: I did replace them :) I put in a Dimarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton. I like the new Dimarzios better but there is not much difference really. For stock pickups the Ibanez INF are not bad at all. They sound WAY better than a lot of other stock pickups I've used.
I have been playing guitar for over 20 years.
Pickup sound quality is really a matter of taste. What one person hates another will love so you just have to try them and see.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucking Pickup
Impedence or other specs: Alnico

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG470 FM
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: none, these are stock
Other pickups on guitar: INFS1 (middle single) and another INF bucker (neck)
Artists using this pickup: Hopefully none
You musical style(s): Rock, Metal, Funk (anything Incubus)
Reason for pickup change: Didn't change yet

Perceived output level: Mildly Hot, hotter than a 59' much milder than a Duncan Distortion
Tone: Very middy, pretty damn muddy when i play it through my Big Muff.
Sonic evaluation: I am using 2 amps at the moment, a 20 watt quantum and a Fender X-15. Both solidstates.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play Mike Einziger's style; spacey, funked out kind of metal. This pickup is good for my clean sounds through multiple effects i use, but when I try to kick in the distortion, thats when the word "crap" comes to mind.

Comments: If it broke or was stolen (dunno why it would be) then I'd get a seymour duncan invader instead. This pickup has no heat on it, especially the bridge. I would like the single coil to be more twang. The neck pickup is pretty good, for cleans.
I give it a 4 because i need my distortion, those who play Blues and jazz rock, give it a 8.

Pickup features: humbucking passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: rg470
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: none all ibanez
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): alternative rock
Reason for pickup change: purchased guitar with this this pickup

Perceived output level: a little to low
Tone: picks up all tones well(to be honest)
Sonic evaluation: i use a mosvalve amp and a digitech GSP21 Legend processor...From there
i go into two cabinets with two 12" Celestions in each.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: alternative.....

Comments: i have been playing the guitar for about 12 years. I bought this
guitar because i wanted something cheap to play around with (for
heavier licks). But to be totally honest with you. It was not worth it.
these pickups are horrible. They redefine the term microphonic feedback.
i have to keep the tone as low as the guitar will go if i plan on turning on so gain.
This pickup is horrible..i wouldn't never suggest it at all. The guitar
sucks also..in case you are wondering..don't let anyone fool you into buying one.
A nice tex-mex strat for $300 bucks with a seymore duncan Pearly Gates
and maybe two Fender Lacers is probably the best ax you'll ever own,
and will walk all over this piece of garbage.

Pickup features: 2 passive hums,1 sc
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG470L
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: Infs1 sc (middle)
Artists using this pickup: Hell if I know
You musical style(s): Hard rock,Metal(all kinds),some country
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Mid output level,not too bad.
Tone: Mid,bassy kinda tone
Sonic evaluation: Park(I know i'm going to hell),I feerget what model(scratches head)Ok to tell the truth I've never known.And DOD Death Metal

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Metal(all kinds),Not really,neck

Comments: I would SURE as hell not buy them again,been playin bout 1 1/2 years,I got a stomp box a shitty amp and thats about it so far(but occasionlly I borrow my buddys wah.)I didnt choose these pickups
I dont really like them too much but I love the damn guitar and I'll probaly be replacing them soon.I wish I had some EMG's in the bitch.
Im still searching for THAT sound.Thats about it.Im taking 5 points off for the lack of Krunch and 1 point for everything else.

Pickup features: stock passive humbucker from Ibanez
Impedence or other specs: Alnico V

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG470
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: came from factory
Other pickups on guitar: INFS1 single-coil in middle position
Artists using this pickup: Who knows . . . Does it matter?
You musical style(s): Hard rock, alternative
Reason for pickup change: New guitar

Perceived output level: The Infinity pickups are Ibanez's midgrade pickups they put in their RG guitars. Mild-to-medium output.
Tone: Exceptionally clear for a stock pickup. INF2 (bridge) gives a suprisingly nice full-bodied tone that's great for rock, but it may give too much midrange for some players. I like it because it allows my amp to control the overall tone coloration. INF1 (neck) tone is balanced, allowing for some thick, creamy distortion. Nice to mix w/middle single-coil for cool blues tone.
Sonic evaluation: Guitar: 1996 Ibanez RG470. Amp: Fender Eighty-Five 12"solid-state combo. Preamp/processor: BOSS ME-6. Dunlop Original Crybaby wah pedal.
I use my Fender's clean channel with all EQ knobs set at 50%. I prefer to use my ME-6 for distortion and EQ. These stock pickups through a Marshall JCM sound better than stock Jacksons/Duncan Design through a Hughes & Kettner plexi. The stock Jacksons sounded hollow.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: INF1 neck, INF2 bridge, INFS1 middle. Good all-around pickups for a variety of styles, though I play mostly hard rock and alternative (Judas Priest to Nirvana to No Doubt to Queensruch). The pickups could stand to be slightly hotter for the hard stuff, and offer more sustain -- but that's probably my amp's shortcoming.

Comments: I've been playing for over 10 years, gigged a handful of times, but now I'm a woodshedder. I have (may still have) guitars from Washburn, Kramer, Harmony, and most recently, Ibanez, as well as amps/effects by Peavey, Fender, Gorilla, Digitech, and BOSS. I've compared the RG470's Infinity pickups to those in Ibanez's more expensive S540LTD, and have found the INF pu's (and the RG guitars in general) so sound better and be a better value. S Series IBZ-USA and AH pickups were too chunky-sounding.
FYI, the 1998 Ibanez RG470s come with even better humbuckers, the V7 and V8. I should have waited a year!