Ibanez Mezzo Upgrades

[Alabaster]

I’ve been playing an Ibanez Mezzo for a year now and I really like the body, the neck and the way it fits my hands.  34 inch necks always seem a bit too big and the 30’s are a little small for my fingers, The 32 inch seems to be in my sweetspot, but there are a couple of things I don’t like.

I’ve tuned it to BEAD and strung it with Rotosounds 130 100 80 60.  The B string is difficult to get in tune past the fifth fret.  I’ve removed the spring on the saddle screws and fitted nuts to the outside of the bridge so that the string is lengthened as far as possible.  Can anyone suggest a better bridge that would be easy to fit?

The machine heads are adequate but could be better.  Is there an Ibanez upgrade that would fit the small headstock?

I don’t like the sound coming from the pickups.  It’s good but it could more defined especially with the B.  I’m thinking about getting two passive J types probably Seymour Duncan.

Overall I think the neck and body are fine but upgrade most of the rest.  If anyone has any advice, I’d be very grateful.

[fretmeister]

My 4 string is tuned to C.

I fitted EMG PJ-X set with an EMG stack 2 band, and the ABCX active Balance control and I’m really impressed with the sound.

 

Also, Roto B strings suck like gravity. D’addario B are much better. Can get tapered ones too if that helps the intonation.