software

I find ths stock QM2 in the bridge really weak and brittle sounding. I want something thats a much thicker as far as the midrange goes more similar to my gibson explorers 500T, but without the treble being as piercing. I want something not stacks of bass, but it has to be tight. I suppose i essentially want a high output PAF-ish sound with a generous serving of mids, something that will cut through for leads. nothing too fizzy.

The guitar itself is locking tremelo, Mahogany with a bubinga top, rosewood fretboard with a maple neck.

Dimarzio as well as seymour duncan suggestions are accepted.

You need the TB6 distortion , it's similar to the 500T but with more bass and midds and no ice pick treebles ( in a guitar that's not too bright )

C5, trem spaced .. no question .. i have experience with S body ibanez guitars (see avatar) and had the same complaint about the bridge as you describe ... the C5 fixed me right up ... now, with the 21 day period for exchange, you could change it out for a custom custom if the results arent exactly to your liking ... but i think they will be

good luck
t4d

k.. looks ok, but the fairly scooped midrange on the custom-5 worries me a little. I was thinking more along the lines of a custom custom, or a trembucker from seymour, or something like a Super Distortion, Breed, Tone Zone fomr Dimarzio.

I'll say... Distortion Trembucker. On the Dimarzio front, have you looked into the Evolutions? Very tight, not ear splitting in the treble department, and well balanced bass. The Breed is a fatter sounding pickup, it has good cutting mids, but it might not be as focused as you would like it to be. That guitar is my favourite ibanez as well... i wish i had one

From what you described as your need the Duncan Distortion , i repeat the Duncan Distortion is the one you've described , the custom5 doesn't have enought thick mids but clear and jangly .