Quantum pickups are line of magnetic pickups for guitars which are designed and produced by Ibanez.
Quantum pickups were first offered in 1994 and were installed in a wide array of mostly mid-range and high-end Ibanez guitars until being phased out in the mid-2000s.
Neck position ceramic, humbucking pickup with a full, clean tone.[1] It was commonly found in higher-end Japan/Fujigen made models. It was generally used in conjuntion with a QM2 (in a dual humbucker configuration) or with a QS1 and QM2 (in an HSH configuration).
It replaced the IBZ/USA pickups in the S540 series in 1995. It was available only on Prestige models starting in 1999 and was replaced by Dimarzio/IBZ USA pickups in 2005. (Image of the QM1).
Warm sounding, punchy single coil pickup which offers a clean treble response. It was generally used in the middle position between QM1 & QM2 humbuckers in an HSH configuration.[1]
Bridge position ceramic, humbucking pickup. It offered a similar tone to the QM1, but with more output and excellent dynamic response.[1] (Image of the QM2).
Modern Quantum pickups as used in the 2023 Ibanez RG 421 measure within or near 8.0k - 9.0k ohms resistance and use ceramic bar magnets. While the pickup resistance is moderate, output remains strong compared to vintage style pickups with similar resistances.
These measurements make these pickups prime candidates for magnet swaps with ALNICO pickup magnets. Several owners have chosen to make this relatively simple modification. The results are described as an increase in clarity, string definition, and harmonic content while only realizing a neglectable reduction in output. As a result, these pickups are regarded by many as the best Quantum branded pickup model Ibanez has offered to date.
Ceramic, humbucking pickup for a seven-string guitar. Provides accelerated bass response for exceptionally fast tracking of high-speed staccato riffing with crushing mid range and precise high-end articulation.
Ceramic, humbucking pickup for a nine-string guitar. Provides accelerated bass response for exceptionally fast tracking of high-speed staccato riffing with crushing mid range and precise high-end articulation. Bridge pickup is 12.4k DC resistance, while neck is 10.5k. The bridge pickup features a 0.198" thick ceramic bar magnets and two ceramic booster magnets, while the neck has only a 0.125" thick ceramic bar and no booster magnets.
