DiMarzio ISCV2 Evolution BK

Guitar; Ibanez JEM 7DBK
Body; Basswood
Neck; maple with rosewood fingerboard
Bridge; LoPro Edge
Position; Middle
Pickups; EVO II (bridge), Breed (neck)

Having bought my JEM 7DBK minus electronics and pickups, I tried a Tone Zone, Tone Zone S and Air Norton in the guitar in white. Upon buying a Japanese Ibanez PGM30 with upgraded LoPro Edge bridge, I found I needed three white Dimarzio pickups to replace the stock Infinity pickups and out came the pickups from the JEM 7DBK to be replaced by a black Dimarzio EVO II, ISCV2 (JEM single coil) and a Breed neck pickup.

The Breed is reviewed by me elsewhere however the JEM or ISCV2 single coil is stunning. The output of the pickup is strong enough to compete with the EVO II and the Breed neck, it blends really well in positions 2 and 4. Reducing the volume pot brings out more clarity in the pickup, it's like glass, middle pickups are often overlooked however this is infinitely usable with chorus and delay or with heavy muting and gain. I tend to use my guitars to record with, I'm going through an Avid Eleven Rack which responds really well to the pickups in the guitars I have, bring out their nuances.

I've owned three 777 series JEMs, the single coils in the middle position are which this pickup is derived from. If you are struggling for a single coil to fit into the middle position of your guitar, this is worth trying as it will balance well with hot humbuckers, there's a reason you see it partnered with the two Evolution pickups in a JEM 7V WH. As with all pickups, play with the volume and the tone pots, the ISCV 2 reacts well to both. I will certainly buy another to fit into a JEM 505 Prestige I've just bought along with two Evolution pickups, I can see that being my next purchase from Thomann!

Thomann's price is excellent as always, super fast shipping, what more could you ask for?

I’ve owned an Ibanez Jem since 1996. It has been my guitar “best mate” throughout the intervening years. One of the things that makes the guitar so versatile is the addition of this pickup. Teamed with the Evolution neck and bridge humbuckers in split coil mode you can produce some pretty convincing Stratty tones. The ISCV2 is also hum cancelling so what’s not to like?! Although designed to work with the Evolution humbuckers, I’m sure it would complement any split coil passive pickups.