Ibanez Powersound

Pickup features: humbuckers, neck and bridge
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: prs-copy by cort, name mirage m-600
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock mighty-mite
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: hee hee
You musical style(s): funk, rock, mean rock, a lot of lead work
Reason for pickup change: the mighty mite are all what I don't need: dull, mellow, midrangey, low output. And I had the powersound at hand...so I tried them, and I did well

Perceived output level: Hot. But not overly, which makes them controllable. I have to say that my volume pot has a 270pf capacitor that does wonders when rolling off
Tone: tight bass, solid mids, a little bright highs, always clear in the mix. The first neck pu I have that never gets muddy, always articulated. The bridge responds very well to your picking strength, you do what you want with it.
Sonic evaluation: sans amp classic for clean tones, sans amp gt-2 along with a nobels overdrive(or jacques tube blower, but I prefer the nobels) for rythm and soloing. The all in a power amp to 2x12 or 1x15 closed back cabs.
Powersounds are always clear and precise, even splitted they are good(but somewhat aggressive) and I really don't understand what people here are complaining about. I have several guitars whith reknowned pups in them but I really can't say that powersounds are worse or better, they have their own personality, they don't squeal or feedback, and with the volume down they are very fashionable.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For funk it cuts through the mix(aggressive when splitted, if you play alone you won't bear them), and for mean rock they are good, I really mean it. For jazz the neck with your fingers is clear and warm, but maybe too much articulated.

Comments: Sure I try to get a pair from someone who thinks they are guilty!
I play for 19years, know one thing or two about guitar playing and tone...
I noticed that whatever your gear you same how you are, and I have to admit that despite the fact I own several very different guitars I still sound the same. So long for "the-gear-that'll-make-you-a-man, son"...

Pickup features: humbucking pickup
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG-220
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: who cares?
You musical style(s): classic rock -> metal
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Not as hot as a SD JB, but comparable.
Tone: This pickup has a very balanced tone with a bit of boost in the mid range.
Sonic evaluation: OK, this is where alot of people in the earlier posts go wrong. It doesn't mean that because it's stock it means its "bad". People have to trust their ears and not succumb to marketing techniques. Trust me, I know. I was one of those people. When I first got the Ibanez with these pickups, I did not even try them and was hastely replaced by a Seymour Duncan JB right off the box. Not until now did I actually have a chance to listen to these powersound pickups after removing the JB pickup. To tell the truth, they sound surprisingly similar to the duncan pickup! I'm not going to lie, the JB does sound better because it has a bit more clarity and output. Nevertheless the powersound pickup line arent bad at all.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: very versatily pickup for two reasons: balance and output.

Comments: Like I said, these are very decent pickups. People have to trust their ears. In some reviews, people say the Gibson pickups are described as hunk of junks! Come on... Just because something is stock, it doesn't mean they are bad.

Pickup features: Passive; Bridge Humbucker, Mid Single coil, Neck Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 500k I believe

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez S370DX
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: It's stock, but I'm replacing it with some Seymour Duncans.
Other pickups on guitar: All Powersound
Artists using this pickup: None that I'd respect.
You musical style(s): Blues, Classic Rock, Punk, Rock, anything.
Reason for pickup change: I changed these because let's face it: they blew.

Perceived output level: Bridge is so-so...but other than that..eh. Output doesn't make quality.
Tone: Mud. Pure mud.
Sonic evaluation: I obviously play through an Ibanez S370DX (now with Seymour Duncan Invader at the bridge, Duckbuckers in the middle, and '59 in the neck) with Boss, DOD, and Digitech pedals all running through a Marshall. These pickups are aweful. I have a friend that played a strat-copy in the rain and it's sounds like buzzing..I'd almost take that over these.
Don't take me wrong, I absolutely love the guitar...but that's after I changed the pickups.
They're fine for a beginner who doesn't care about sound. But if you care in the least bit, these pickups suck. Make sure when you buy the guitar, you have money left over for new pickups.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup would work for metal (the type where you can't even differ between powerchords because there's so much distortion) or 80s metal.

Comments: If this pickup were stolen, I would have been thankful. It would most definately would have saved me trouble taking the stupid things out myself.

Pickup features: passive humbucker, stock on most lower model ibanez
Impedence or other specs: I have no idea

Model of guitar or bass: rg270dx
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: havent yet but I will
Other pickups on guitar: some more powersounds
Artists using this pickup: I hope no one is...cuz they frikkin suck
You musical style(s): jazz, rock, blues, classic rock, 80s metal, fusion, anything that requires actual musical talent
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: they are actually pretty hot pups (the bridge is atleast)...they drive anything pretty good
Tone: muddy, overly trebly, no mids, no bass in bridge position, flabby bass, no mids, no treble in neck pos, and just plain crap in the middle
Sonic evaluation: The neck pup is the absolute worst pickup I have ever heard. It is so muddy and crappy sounding. Tone is not even the word for it. For $400 for a guitar, you should get better quality pups than these (at least EMG HZs or Duncan Design)...but what do you know, you dont. The middle is noisy, tinny, and shrill. The bridge is the best sounding one out the bunch...its got good output but the "tone" is completely unacceptable. It sounds like a high output single coil thru some amps. No chug, no muted speed runs, no solid upper fret tone, no definition, and muddy as crap. My dad's 75 LP has 490 and 498 pups and they blow these things away...even on a crap amp. Try a guitar with a JB in the bridge next to this one and be floored at the difference. I play on an old Peavey 210 studio chorus amp with a DigiCrap rp300 processor and it sounds mucho crappy thru this. Yet the LP will sound decent through it. My stuff sucks but I have played a bunch of amps (mostly solid state which=crap) with these powersounds and it always sucks.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play stuff that actually requires skill. Its all original, extremely melodic, jazzy, hard rock. Not some uninspired nu-metal crap. I know what good tone is and this pickup is definitely not it. This pup is a good match for Blink 182 or Linkin Park stuff played through a 25 watt Ibanez Tone Blaster and a Boss Metal Zone pedal.

Comments: I will change these pups as soon as I acquire that all important possesion called money. I have been playing 4 years and a few years ago I didnt know what good tone was. Now I do...and crap pickups through cheap solid state amps is not good tone. I suggest EMGs, Dimarzios, or Seymour Duncans. I imagine it will dramatically improve the sound over these pieces of steaming ape crap.

Pickup features: H-S-H passive
Impedence or other specs: 500k

Model of guitar or bass: Powersound pu's on Ibanez RG370 B
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: all
Other pickups on guitar: all powersound
Artists using this pickup: Music therapy professionals playing to deaf people, Celine Dion and Alyssa Milano
You musical style(s): Classical - H. Rock
Reason for pickup change: Powersound pu's suck big time. OK, you can get a half decent sound after messing with the guitar action, eq, amp settings etc, but these guitars deserve better than these pu's. Still put some decent pu's in as replacements and you have a great guitar for a low price. Ibanez should sell RG370's with a free soldering iron !

Perceived output level: Probably hot, who cares they sound dire...
Tone: Thick river mud and pond sludge with some sump oil.
Sonic evaluation: Peavy 75w, Roland 30w Cube, Marshall JMP-1. Doesn't matter what you plug them into. These are the worst stock pickups ever invented. My stock Epiphone pu's blow them away...Ibanez should sell a model with the pickups missing to save you the bother of removing them.

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

Comments: If it was stolen I would not worry. They would be returned quickly unfortunately...
Have been playing for 20 years and am guitar teacher.
The guitar is great, the pu suck. They will be replaced with DiMarzio's.

Pickup features: Neck bucker, middle single, bridge bucker
Impedence or other specs: ??????????????

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG370DX
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: All the same
Artists using this pickup: Nobody but me and thousands of others who buy Ibanez guitars in the RG170 to RG370 range.
You musical style(s): Rock, Metal, Punk and whatever my ear desires.
Reason for pickup change: N/A

Perceived output level: Alot like a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge. The others all match in output.
Tone: Balanced. Upper mid level output.
Sonic evaluation: I'm playing through a solid state CRATE GX212 120 watt combo, BOSS Metal Zone, DOD EQ, DOD Delay and a Morely Wah. Distortion is cranked, bass and treble heavy with minimal mids and no reverb.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: The bridge pickup reminds me of RATT and Dokken types of guitar tones. I'd say 80's metal all the way.

Comments: I'm no stranger to upgrade pickups. I have a mix of Seymour Duncans, DiMarzios and a Bill Lawrence L500XL. I've played through EMG's and a host of others. This is my third Ibanez with these Powersound pickups. The bridge is voiced like a Seymour Duncan JB. There is a little mud in the sound, but if I cut back on the bass a little I think it would work it out. The middle pickup in conjunction with the bridge split sounds almost acoustical and bright. I bought this Ibanez to have a decent and solid unmodified shredder as a backup. Now it has it's place as my 80's shreddder metal axe. I thought about putting a JB in the bridge and a 59' in the neck, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Id say these pickups are keepers. I like em. I've been playing 20 years this month. I've had alot of guitars and a alot of pickups. The Powersounds are among the best stock humbuckers out there IMHO.

Pickup features: H-H
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: GRX20L
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: Guess ...

Perceived output level:
Tone:
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: A bit of everything (no metal though ...)

Comments: I thought I reviewed those a long time ago. Seems I'm wrong ...
OK to make it short, those powersounds HB are the worst PU's I've ever come across in my 15 years of playing. The neck especially.
They *might* sound OK with heavy gain but even then I doubt ...
Lacking definition, clarity, articulation, basically everything a pick up outta have ...
Can't tell for the single coils though ...
I replaced them with an DM Airzone in bridge and SD Alnico II Pro in the neck. Happy with the bridge, 70% satisfied with the neck pu now.
Please do yourself a favor, rip them out and replace them with ANYTHING you want because there's nothing WORSE out there (I suggest DI Marzio's though ...).

Pickup features: Humbucking --- -- passive
Impedence or other specs: dont know

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez rg170
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: not replaced
Other pickups on guitar: powersound
Artists using this pickup: me
You musical style(s): metal, blues, hair metal
Reason for pickup change: not changing you jackass!!

Perceived output level: this pickup is in my opinion hotter than any I've tried
Tone: balance on clean channel trebly and muddy distorted
Sonic evaluation: I've played with every pickup ive known to be good. I even own a seymour duncan full shred. I've replaced the bridge and neck pickup with a v1, and v2. I took the powersounds and put them in a shitty Ibanez clone guitar and to my suprise, they still have a punch to them.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: The middle pickup is a keeper, that with any good bridge pickup rings real bright like a bell-like bluesy tone

Comments: I love the pickup,it has proven me wrong every time I've tried to replace it with a high output pickup. I always find myself reinstalling the powersound because it has a very distinct sound. I'm satisfied with this pickup.

Pickup features: Humbucker/Single Coil/Humbucker Passive
Impedence or other specs: dunno

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez Rg 170 blk
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Emg 81
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Steve Vai, Pat Methney and ME
You musical style(s): Black Metal and pop
Reason for pickup change: I needED something with great tone.......

Perceived output level: So-hot-you-don't-need-an-amp slightly hotter than Emgs
Tone: HORRIBLE MUDDY. TERRIBLY UNBALANCED AND HOPEFULLY MEAN
Sonic evaluation: i've played for 6 month, and i own: esp kh2 vintage. esp kh2, gibson les paul 1959 flametop with aaa flamed top, jackson rr 1t, jackson y2kv, ibanez jem 7vwh + tons of other guitars.....(Actually my dad bought them for me). I also use mesaboogie tripple rectifier with two 4'12 cabinetts with celestion 30 speakers.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: dddduuuuuhhhhhh Death Metal, Black Metal and diffrent styles of pop music

Comments: I hate everything about this pickup, even the colour. Almost everything above was pure bullshit (exept my guitars). STAY FAR AWAY FROM THIS PICKUP!!!!!!!

Pickup features: i don't know......
Impedence or other specs: errrrrr

Model of guitar or bass: rg250b
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: i`m not changing it
Other pickups on guitar: guess..
Artists using this pickup: mmmmm...me
You musical style(s): i think it's rock dude
Reason for pickup change: i said i'm not changing it you freaking asshole

Perceived output level: I think they are to die for hot if if you got an amp with powerful distortion
Tone: neck' s really sweet for fast shredding, middle's an acoustic kickass and the bridge is for doing chords at my opinion
Sonic evaluation: i have this ibanez guitar which is really heavy stuff...luv it..but now i also have this fender amp which is good but has about 20 years a distortion which is really light and a special woodstock air...don't ask but i still like it.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: i think it's good for rock but you will seriously need a powerful amp. i think it suits almost everything=-)

Comments: dude i think that i it was destroyed i would cry a lot... but i would go freaking running to the store and get the seymour duncan dimebuckers or any dimarzio. i been playing for really a short time and the first guitar i played was the most strange epiphone in the world( dude, it was kind of metallica style). its tremolo was destroyed so i gave it back to my father ( sorry dad). what i love about my pickups is their versatility. i hate their lack of power. actually my dad gave me my guitar one night and i got classses for like one time each to weeks for some time. i wish it had an ultra hyper super powerful overdrive switch...ahhhh....i have to be satisfied as i doon't have money if my own. dude...as a last thing i tell you: kids learn how to play guitar and buy a jackson guitar... don't form a band until you can play a song of satriani completely.peace out