Strangedaze
SS.org Regular
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2024
- Messages
- 22
- Reaction score
- 2
Hi all. I'm hoping to get some feedback from anyone who has swapped (or is familiar with swapping) pickups in an Ibanez RGA742FM. I haven't selected a replacement yet, but will likely be going with either a DiMarzio or SD passive humbucker in the bridge (at least as a start). I very much want to avoid any routing; I'm trying to keep it as relatively straightforward an upgrade as possible. I have seen at least one post here where a user said the cavity is a bit shallow and their replacement pickup wouldn't drop in properly without either cutting the screws or using alternative, shorter screws (the pickup they were referring to was a SD Nazgul, which coincidentally is on my list of contenders). Have others found the same and did you come up with a workaround?
Alternatively, can anyone explain to me how I would go about determining this PUP size compatibility for this guitar? If I could find a schematic or get the exact dimensions for the Quantum 7s that are currently in the RGA, I can compare it with the dimensions of the new pickup. I'm not certain but I believe the cavity would be the same as the RG7421 (and possibly other RG74XX models), so if anyone has experience with those I'd also be keen to learn from your experience.
Some additional questions:
Alternatively, can anyone explain to me how I would go about determining this PUP size compatibility for this guitar? If I could find a schematic or get the exact dimensions for the Quantum 7s that are currently in the RGA, I can compare it with the dimensions of the new pickup. I'm not certain but I believe the cavity would be the same as the RG7421 (and possibly other RG74XX models), so if anyone has experience with those I'd also be keen to learn from your experience.
Some additional questions:
- Do all/most of the standard-issue SD humbuckers have the same dimensions (I mean for fitting/mounting purposes, not F/G pole spacing), or does it vary between model? How about for Dimarzios?
- If the compatibility can be solved with shorter/cut screws, does this have any negative consequences?
- Currently I am thinking of only swapping the bridge pickup (with the neck perhaps at a later date if all goes well). Is it simple enough to wire if I swap in only the bridge but keep the Quantum 7 in the neck and keep all switching the same? A trusted guitar tech will install it; while he could of course do some routing if it was necessary, I would prefer a directly compatible pickup if I am able.