Kevin P
I think what you are after is the tone and sound of the music. The tone deals with different things. the type of wood used, the pickups, and the amp. I would suggest you replace the stock pickups first, and then work on something like the Line 6 pod. you can get the pods on ebay cheap.(the 2.0 u could prolly get less than $100) If you like the dime bag sound you can get a "dime bucker" pick up for the bridge position on your ibanez. That along with the pod and the right settings would prolly make you really happy. You dont have to replace the neck pickup, but I would, if you have a guitar center or sam ash just ask the tech behind the counter for something that would go good with the dimebucker. if not you can go to musicians friends web site and talk to them. I know they can help you. I have a cheap mex. strat, with a duncan performer in the bridge. I love it now. I just bought a epiphone Les paul and changed the pickups in it and love it more than when I 1st got it. my point is, Gibsons are a really great guitar, but u could do alot with that Ibanez spend less than half the price u would on a gibson and prolly be just as happy I think. I'm not an expert, but hope this helped.