Ibanez Super pickups are a line of magnetic pickup which were introduced by Ibanez in the mid 1970's. At least some models in the line have been in more or less continual production since then.
Some of them are very exclusive pickups which are found on non-standard series.
An "anti-feedback" version of the Super 58. "This extra quiet version of the Super 58 is an Alnico magnetic humbucker with a classic warm and versatile tone. The covers and coils are immersed in a special sound isolating gel for even quieter operation and feedback rejection."[2] "The Silent 58 pickups feature the classic, warm tone of Super 58's with an anti-feedback treatment. Dark jazz tones from the neck pickup are not muddy, but full, rich, and lush." "Classic, warm and versatile. Handles both jazz and rock without feedback."[3] Gold covers.
An "anti-feedback" version of the Super 58, presumably being wax potted. "This extra quiet version of the Super 58 is an Alnico magnetic humbucker with a classic warm and versatile tone. The covers and coils are immersed in a special sound isolating gel for even quieter operation and feedback rejection."[2] "The Silent 58 pickups feature the classic, warm tone of Super 58's with an anti-feedback treatment. Bright, open tones emerge from the bridge pickup for added versatility." "Classic, warm and versatile. Handles both jazz and rock without feedback."[3] Gold covers.
Ibanez claims these were the hottest single coils of their type. They have a new magnet structure and twice the windings of a traditional single coil of their era. They deliver high output with clarity, fullness and excellent top end.[5][6]
A version of the super hot Super 6 single-coil pickup with coil-tap functionality. The Super Tap 6 is a very high output growling single coil which can be coil-tapped to deliver the bright and ringing tone of a standard output pickup.[5][8]
Delivers warm, bright tone. 42 gauge wire and plastic cover. Offers powerful clear sound even at low volume. Polarity is reversed for middle pickup application.[4]
Offered with three separate covers with identical internals: ○ Super 7 has exposed pole pieces ○ Super 7F has a flat cover (hidden polepieces) ○ Super 7FT has a "tub" style direct-mount high tech cover which is designed to offer increased sustain.[9][10]
Super 50s are not wax potted, so they can tend to be microphonic.[12] Unlike Super 58s they are mounted with one screw on each side.
Super 58[]
Several different pickups bearing the "Super 58" name have been produced. These were produced in different countries and have different construction, although they all are "vintage" pickups in the mold of Gibson's '57 PAF.
Covered pickup. Classic, warm and versatile. Handles both jazz and rock without feedback.[3]
The original Super 58 pickups had a 3-screw mounting layout (one screw on one side and two on the other); this was switched to a more standard 2-screw mount (one screw on each side) around 1994.
Vintage style open coil pickup with bright, crisp tone and plenty of output. These were initially made by Maxon, but sometime in the early 1980s Ibanez (or FujiGen?) began producing them in-house. Sometime around 1980 the magnets were changed from Alnico 8 to ceramic.
Modified version of the Super 70 pickup.[21] Epoxy potted with integrated brown plastic 3-hole mounting cover, which eliminates the need for separate mounting rings.[22] They have a response curve that is equal to most other humbuckers, but with reinforced output.[23]
Covers have an etched design of a hand with butterfly wings. This design inspired the nickname Flying Finger. They were introduced at the 1976 NAMM show,[26]. It is believed that development may have begun as early as 1974 and that pre-production versions may have been used by artists associated with Ibanez such as Bob Weir, Jerry Garcia or Bobby Cochran.[27]
The Super 80 pickups were developed in the mid-1970s at the behest of Elger, which was Ibanez' American subsidiary. They were looking for a pickup that was more sensitive and easier to play than Ibanez' existing pickups such as the Super 70. The hand/butterfly design on the cover reflected these design goals.[26]
The Super 80 was available with either chrome or gold plated covers and in versions with either 2 or four conductors. They have been seen potted with beeswax or with either clear or opaque epoxy.
High output (at the time of their development) humbucking pickup with the rare combination of power and fidelity. Bright, punchy, clean and full. Both 2- and 4-conductor versions were produced. The 4-conductor versions could be coil-split, typically with the use of a Tri-sound switch.
A recent review in Music Radar describes the original Super 80s as "pretty poky, bright-voiced PAF-alikes."[28]
Modified version of the Super 80 pickup.[21] Epoxy potted with integrated brown plastic 3-hole mounting cover, which eliminates the need for separate mounting rings. Plenty of output, plenty of top end and plenty of warmth.[22]
The Super Single is a humbucker-sized single-coil pickup. It was made specifically for the 2618/12 Artist 12-string. They were designed to provide excellent clarity and definition but with more mid and low frequencies than a typical single-coil for a mellow balance.[30] It was originally designed for Jerry Garcia.[29]
