Duncan or DiMarzio alternative to an EMG 85/89

[scottcald]

Pickup gurus,

I have an old Ibanez RG 550 I'm reviving. It currently has EMGs in it with an 89 in the bridge. I liked the way that sounded but want to move to passive pickups. I'm looking for something with the same tonal properties/EQ curve as the EMG. The guitar is a basswood body with a maple neck and fingerboard. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Scott

[Jeff R]

As much as I prefer Duncans to Dimarzios, I've never had any luck with any Duncans in a basswood-bodied RG and I've tried plenty of Duncan combinations in them over the years.

The best sounding basswood RGs I've ever heard were the original JPM Petrucci guitars with the Picasso graphics. Whatever Dimarzios were in those, that's probably where I'd gravitate first.

[scottcald]

Thanks, Jeff. According to the Ibanez wiki, they're Air Norton and a Steve's special. According to DiMarzio's info, that Steve's Special is about the right bit of slightly less mids that I'm looking for.

[scottcald]

Just to update, I actually got the Air Classics and I really like their sound. Not very powerful, and good clarity.

[scottcald]

I meant not overly powerful.