Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Cboysen on March 27, 2012, 09:28:21 PM
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Hey, I just ordered a 6505+ to go with my Orange PPC412 or Impulses, upgrading from my 6505+ combo..
.. And I thought it would be time for better pickups than my current EMG81/85 in my Maple Neck-through, Alder wings guitar. (ESP LTD JH-600). - Should I go with the the C-bomb/Coldsweat option?
Long story:
To be honest, I'm quite new to all this pickup stuff, and I'm having a hard time dechiphering the qualities of a pickup based on sound clips from the website. Yes, the recordings are great, and there are tonal differences on the same type of clips, but I'm not sure if it's something that can be EQ'ed / Gated to sound the same anyway?
I'm mostly doing home-recording stuff and looking for a good hardrock/metal tone.. as vague as that may sound..
On the other hand, I do want to cover a lot of ground, despite the 6505+ not being that versatile an amp.
Going from warm cleans to Green Channel Hard rock tones, to crushing metal? - is it possible to do all in one pickup, without sacrificing too much. - In any case, I rather see crushing metal than fender clean ..
It seems like everyone is saying 'this' is tight and 'this' is tonally rich and 'this' is very organic.. Well it all sounds pretty fancy, but tbh I have no idea what to look for in a tone when you genious-guys go all descriptive in a pro review..
So I guess I'll just have to use whatever guitar-pickup vocabulary I got and pray to whomever, that you'll get some of it and try to help me out! :)
What I do like:
Warm, fat, punchy, brutal, rumbling, half-smooth, low-mid/mid-emphasized, clear guitar. (is clear the opposite of fat?)
What I don't like:
Spike'y pick-attack / djenty sound (I -really- don't like the djent tone), Mid-scooped, ice-piercing, fuzzy(like the a Marshall on low volume?), blurry tone.
So what bands guitar-tone do I like (especially stating tone here, not actual genre):
Hammerfall (Chapter V, Legacy of Kings)
Carcass (Heartwork, duh)
Trivium (Shogun)
My Chemical Romance (The Black Parade)
The Human Abstract (Midheaven)
In flames (Reroute to Remain, Come Clarity, Colony)
Rise against (The Sufferer & the Witness, Siren Song of the Counter Culture )
As I Lay dying (An Ocean Between Us)
August Burns Red (Messengers, Thrill Seeker)
Blowsight
Kill Hannah (For Never & Ever)
The Offspring (Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace)
Coheed and Cambria (Good Apollo I'm Burning Star IV vol.1 and 2)
Okay.. That list became rather long - sorry about that, but hopefully you can recognize a bit of similarity in some of them..
So as I mentioned (and as Tim Mills recommended to me) - Should I get the C-bomb / Cold sweat pickups?
Will they suite my genre / tone-preferences? My fear is that, they will sound too scooped or too Djenty...
Other options would of course be the Miracle Man or the A-bomb. Miracle Man being more Mid/high mid where Nailbomb is more Low-mid Growl, or am I completely wrong about this?
If the nailbomb is the right choice, would the Alnico version be too middy, now that Maple + 6505 + v30's is already quite mid-heavy?
Sorry for the novel
Kind Regards
Christian
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The C-Bomb/Cold Sweat would be a very good option, but Miracle Man would be the better option in my opinion. It describes what you want perfectly and it has that Low-Mid emphasis you described. It's really chunky and sounds very full :)
I have a Jackson RR with Miracle Mans, through a Tube Screamer, right into a Peavey 6505. Absolutely awesome tone! I still personally prefer my EMGs, but the Miracle Man really gives you what the EMGs are missing. Maybe add a Pre-Amp bost to your guitar and you have the best of both worlds :)
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The C-Bomb/Cold Sweat would be a very good option, but have you considered the Miracle Man bridge too?
Sorry - I was about to edit my post exactly about that, when you wrote - But yes. I'm very hooked on the MM too, but not sure if it can cover as much ground as the nailbomb. Is the Nailbomb more a jack of all trades, but master of none, where the MM is pure Children of Bodom metal?
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Sorry I edited my post too as I realised you mentioned the Miracle Man lol. The Miracle Man covers a very wide range of metal tones, and youcan always add a different neck pickup to give your guitar a more versatile range.
To describe the C-Bomb to the MM regarding leads, I find the C-Bomb has more weight behind the notes, whilst the Miracle Man is very fluid. But I find the Miracle Man excells in riffs that rumble your stomach haha
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Hmm - Yeah we're out-editing each other .. bad;)
But I don't know.. I have a hard time deciding whether it should be the MM or the C-bomb/A-bomb.. How's the MM on Crunch/Clean and how well does it respond gain-wise to the volume control, compared to the nailbomb?
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Oh and another thing - I was thinking of using my tone/volume control for splitting the Bridge and Neck pickups according.. Does the Nailbomb split better than the MM?
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Hmm - Yeah we're out-editing each other .. bad;)
But I don't know.. I have a hard time deciding whether it should be the MM or the C-bomb/A-bomb.. How's the MM on Crunch/Clean and how well does it respond gain-wise to the volume control, compared to the nailbomb?
Well I find the Nailbomb has more versatility as I use it from Death Metal, to Progressive, to Power, to Instrumental. And it cleans up very well too. The Miracle Man, whilst being versatilish within the Metal Genres, I find to suit the music where you want a really big bottom end for them huge breakdowns; as well as them liquid lead, mega fast solos.
What genres you going to be playing mostly?
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Oh and another thing - I was thinking of using my tone/volume control for splitting the Bridge and Neck pickups according.. Does the Nailbomb split better than the MM?
The answer to that is, Yes! Although the alnico splits slightly better, the Ceramic does very well too with the Cold Sweat. Have you considered Ibanez style wiring? means you don'thave to have a Push/Pull, and you get a versatile array of settings
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Hmm .. I think a 5-way switch would require a bit of drilling, and I'm really not very fond of that. Also I thing splitting leaves me with more options, and when I'm mostly recording, it doesn't matter that much.
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Hmm .. I think a 5-way switch would require a bit of drilling, and I'm really not very fond of that. Also I thing splitting leaves me with more options, and when I'm mostly recording, it doesn't matter that much.
Ahh, you got a 3-way? For the music you describedit's a tough call. But for versatility, you can't go wrong with the C-Bomb/Cold Sweat route :)
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Yeah - I mean, I'm sure I can't go 'wrong' with either but I rather have one guitar 'to rule them all', than investing several thousands on a new.. Also because I really like this one;)
But, to get back to the djenty stuff, which tbh, is what worries me the most. On the recordings (I believe Nolly did?) both the alnico and the Ceramic Nailbomb, has a slight djenty tedency going on.. Is that just a playing-technique/string/guitar-style or something that you can dial out? I seek punchy rather than djenty, if that makes any sense.. Maybe it's just due to the extreme clarity of the nailbomb?
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Djent is more a technique as it is the sound you get from a pickup. Yes, some pickups tend to help bring the technique out more than others, but a mis-conception with BKP is that the pickups are very tight, so that means they are very Djenty. It's actually due to the fact that a lot of Djent players use BKPs as they are very tight and really help them portray the sound they are looking for. So don't misunderstand that just because the pickup is exceptionally tight, that it will sound Djenty. The EMG 81 is as tight as hell, and plays Djent phenomenally, but you wouldn't say that was a pickup specifically for Djent would you?
But yeah, the Nailbomb/Cold Sweat combo is versatile as hell. If you want Petrucci leads, get the Cold Sweat; if you want you neck leads to sound a bit thicker and more smooth/creamy, get the Holy Diver neck; and if you want the ultimate versatile neck pickup, get the Emerald :)
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I would also vote for the miracle man as it fits your description better from my experience.
Also for reference. miracle man doing hammerfall (not aiming for the hammerfall tone just my usual tone)
http://soundcloud.com/boyes/in-memoriam
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I would also vote for the miracle man as it fits your description better from my experience.
Also for reference. miracle man doing hammerfall (not aiming for the hammerfall tone just my usual tone)
http://soundcloud.com/boyes/in-memoriam
Oh that's real nice.. !
The kinda lead tone I like is definitely something along the lines of synyster gates on critical acclaim (live)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDtrYMCCMX8
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I would also vote for the miracle man as it fits your description better from my experience.
Also for reference. miracle man doing hammerfall (not aiming for the hammerfall tone just my usual tone)
http://soundcloud.com/boyes/in-memoriam
Oh that's real nice.. !
The kinda lead tone I like is definitely something along the lines of synyster gates on critical acclaim (live)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDtrYMCCMX8
actually i forgot to mention the main bulk of the lead tone on that is the mississippi queen (neck) and the harmony is the MM (bridge)
I reckon the MQ could very easily get the Synyster gates type tones
especially with your amp
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Hmm - I found your lead tone to be really smooth, maybe a bit too smooth I dunno - Very nice indeed!
But I'm doing a lot of legato and sweeping stuff too - How does the Coldsweat compare to the HD and others?
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Hmm - I found your lead tone to be really smooth, maybe a bit too smooth I dunno - Very nice indeed!
But I'm doing a lot of legato and sweeping stuff too - How does the Coldsweat compare to the HD and others?
Haha you are the only person ever to describe a marshall TSL as "smooth" :D
I personaly didnt like the CS i found it to be too polite sounding in the mids and other than that a wimpy miracle man.
I have only used the MM, AM, MQ, NB
I also didnt like the nailbomb in any of my guitars but i love it in a friends which sucks
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the a-bomb isn't that mid heavy as the chart shows
it has a lot of low mids, but center and upper mids are quite even voiced and not bumpy at all
miracle man has a bit more bass and top end and less upper mids
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Hmm well - Maybe smooth is the wrong word, but it's very rounded, no Ice-pierce stuff, no scratchy or fizz going on, just liquid-sh.. ?
Either way - I did like the tone of the CS equally much to the Holy Diver, just different tones.. (listening to the BKP clips)
But maybe the holy diver will do a better job in a metalcore-ish leadtone?
Then again, I suppose it all comes down to versatility and wood-type..
when using a maple neckthrough, I suppose it's the maple that counts the most, and the alder just adding it's touch..
Tim said that the Ceramic Nailbomb works particular well in an alder/maple guitar, and together with a coldsweat with splitting capabilities, you can cover nearly everything .. which Is really nice..
The MM, being a bit warmer and more low-mid heavy, as what I heard on the BKP clips, I'm still quite unsure.. I really like low-mid heavy stuff, and since the 6505+ tends to be a tad less low-middy than it's sibling (the 6505), it might suite the amp better..
Then again, I read in a previous post, that someone really enjoyed their nailbomb with the peavey valveking amp..
(Oh the horror of options)...
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the a-bomb isn't that mid heavy as the chart shows
it has a lot of low mids, but center and upper mids are quite even voiced and not bumpy at all
miracle man has a bit more bass and top end and less upper mids
Hmm Alright, but the C-bomb on the other hand seems quite scooped like the MM?
Is the lack of mids making the low's and highs more pronounced?
I believe the MM's top end would make the 6505+ seem more fizzy than the C-bomb, or is it all about EQ'ing on the DAW now?
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Hmm - Yeah we're out-editing each other .. bad;)
But I don't know.. I have a hard time deciding whether it should be the MM or the C-bomb/A-bomb.. How's the MM on Crunch/Clean and how well does it respond gain-wise to the volume control, compared to the nailbomb?
Well I find the Nailbomb has more versatility as I use it from Death Metal, to Progressive, to Power, to Instrumental. And it cleans up very well too. The Miracle Man, whilst being versatilish within the Metal Genres, I find to suit the music where you want a really big bottom end for them huge breakdowns; as well as them liquid lead, mega fast solos.
What genres you going to be playing mostly?
To answer your question about what I was going to play.. Well it really depends - I like a lot of fast metal stuff with melodic rhythmic riffs, but also a lot of those heavy, chunky chords that rumbles your stomach as you said.. I do like to play a lot of 80'ish style metal, but with a more 90'ies kinda tone - or well, the tone I described in the list of bands/albums.. But I kinda feel that I'm only playing metal and the sorts, since that's all the EMGs are good for, so moving into other genres is odd at times..
If anything, I guess I'd play some fuse between Hardrock and Death Metal, with a bit of Breaking Benjamin to it.. mixed with some In flames and Hammerfall riffs.. I know.. sounds really strange.. Or maybe some more crunchy Coheed and Cambria or Rise Against stuff.. I like a lot of music.. Thus wanting to cover a lot of ground.. Going from clean passages to very heavy break-downs, is also one of my favourites.. So Tbh.. I really have no clue what I want to play ;) A bit of everyting.. on occasions I really enjoy some Tech Death too, but I'm having a hard time grasping those time signatures.. Guess it's why I stay with my hardrock ;) ..
You said you ran an MM loaded RR jacksion guitar (same wood as mine right?) into a 6505... yet you preferred the EMGs... why is that?
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I just found the EMGs provided the Ooomph factor for metalcore regarding tightness, speed and clarity. I just hate EMGs for slower stuff.
What your describing is like a C-Bomb/Miracle Man hybrid haha. I'm really at lost as what to recommend as both play everything you play perfectly. The C-Bomb edges the MM in versatility and the MM edges the C-Bomb in terms of sheer bottom end. I think you should try the C-Bomb/Cold Sweat combo as it will give you more of an organic tone, with plenty of weight in your leads. I find the Miracle Man less organic and better suited to fast pace stuff, and crushing breakdowns. But the Nailbomb is also very well suited to this
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Have you thought about the Warpig too? In your guitar woods, it would sound great. Very Synyster Gates smoothness. Check out this comparison vid of the Warpig/Aftermath/Invader/Duncan Distortion. I love the Duncan Distortion and Warpig in this clip.
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Have you thought about the Warpig too? In your guitar woods, it would sound great. Very Synyster Gates smoothness. Check out this comparison vid of the Warpig/Aftermath/Invader/Duncan Distortion. I love the Duncan Distortion and Warpig in this clip.
Hmm.. Well no I haven't thought about the warpig - could you post that clip? Or is it just on youtube? ..
I really think bottom-end is subjective though, recording-wise.. it depends if its 150-300hz-buttom end or 50-150hz bottom-end.. if it's peaking at 60-150hz, it might not matter anyway, because most of it is going to be dialed out anyway, to avoid freq. bleed of the bass, kick drum and guitars.
In a merely live-situation, I guess that the MM would be a definite winner, due to the oopmh-factor it provides with a suiting floor-mounted cabinet, like the Orange PPC412 - But for recording, much of that goes away and is provided by the bass and kick obviously..
I do play live at times, but it's no where near enough to choose the MM over the C-Bomb, in that regard..
So well hmm..
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Whoops. Sorry thought I'd posted it - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFjMGHuNpOg
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Personally (and I may be biased) I don't think the Nailbomb is for you at all. I tried an A-Bomb in my Jackson (maple neck-thru with alder wings) and it had all the qualities you said you don't want. I didn't find it that versatile at all, whereas the Holydiver I changed it for is very versatile. I'd say you'be be better off with a Miracle Man for what you're looking for, though I don't have the same level of experience with that pickup. The Holydiver could also do what you want with a boost. The review I wrote of the A-Bomb is here:
https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=24270.0
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Personally (and I may be biased) I don't think the Nailbomb is for you at all. I tried an A-Bomb in my Jackson (maple neck-thru with alder wings) and it had all the qualities you said you don't want. I didn't find it that versatile at all, whereas the Holydiver I changed it for is very versatile. I'd say you'be be better off with a Miracle Man for what you're looking for, though I don't have the same level of experience with that pickup. The Holydiver could also do what you want with a boost. The review I wrote of the A-Bomb is here:
https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=24270.0
I haven't read your review yet - Ill do that later when I got the time. But you said A-bomb? - Tim specifically said the C-bomb.. I guess there is quite the difference.. or am I wrong?
How would you go on about boosting the Holy Diver, and how does it compare to the MM?
I really liked steve steevens clip of the Rebel Yell - It was just outstanding, but then again, I guess it's to expect:)
I'd love to have those qualities for a hardrock-scenario.. But don't know how the RY would perform on a regular Death metal / metalcore-basis with those chunky breakdowns and fast riffs?
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Personally (and I may be biased) I don't think the Nailbomb is for you at all. I tried an A-Bomb in my Jackson (maple neck-thru with alder wings) and it had all the qualities you said you don't want. I didn't find it that versatile at all, whereas the Holydiver I changed it for is very versatile. I'd say you'be be better off with a Miracle Man for what you're looking for, though I don't have the same level of experience with that pickup. The Holydiver could also do what you want with a boost. The review I wrote of the A-Bomb is here:
https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=24270.0
I haven't read your review yet - Ill do that later when I got the time. But you said A-bomb? - Tim specifically said the C-bomb.. I guess there is quite the difference.. or am I wrong?
How would you go on about boosting the Holy Diver, and how does it compare to the MM?
I really liked steve steevens clip of the Rebel Yell - It was just outstanding, but then again, I guess it's to expect:)
I'd love to have those qualities for a hardrock-scenario.. But don't know how the RY would perform on a regular Death metal / metalcore-basis with those chunky breakdowns and fast riffs?
The Rebel Yell is more focussed in the High-Mids as to the Low-Mids, and it would be quite bright in your guitar. So I don't think it's really an option for you when there's other pickups that suit your needs much better.
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I haven't read your review yet - Ill do that later when I got the time. But you said A-bomb? - Tim specifically said the C-bomb.. I guess there is quite the difference.. or am I wrong?
How would you go on about boosting the Holy Diver, and how does it compare to the MM?
I really liked steve steevens clip of the Rebel Yell - It was just outstanding, but then again, I guess it's to expect:)
I'd love to have those qualities for a hardrock-scenario.. But don't know how the RY would perform on a regular Death metal / metalcore-basis with those chunky breakdowns and fast riffs?
Yes, I did say A-Bomb and yes, it is different. The reason I mentioned it was because alnico powered pickups generally have a smoother and rounder tone to them while ceramics give a tighter response, hence alnico pickups are generally seen as having greater versatility and a sweeter lead tone while ceramics are far more modern sounding. Just look at how many bridge pickups in the Vintage and Vintage Hot ranges use ceramic magnets. You'll find that none of them do and that's one of the reasons why alnico pickups in the contemporary range tend to be more versatile.. Make no mistake, an A-Bomb is still tighter than any non-BKP ceramic pickup I've ever tried so it occured to me that a C-Bomb might be even more in that direction and that didn't sound like the tone you're looking for. The Nailbomb, to me, has a very 90s Metal feel to it and it was a characteristic I just couldn't dial out. I understand the Nailbomb can be quite picky about which guitar it works in so I assumed that it just wasn't a good match to a maple neck-thru with alder wings. My own impression was that it needed a darker sounding wood to tame it so I'd happily get one again if I had an all-mahogany guitar for it to go in. Perhaps the C-Bomb is very different but that's my experience with the A-Bomb and the reason why I chose to mention it.
As for the Rebel Yell, I agree that clip demonstrates incredible tone but it's equally true to say that it's quite a bright pickup so is more designed to go in a mahogany guitar like a Les Paul.
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Hmm - Yeah I figured that much about the RY.
I didn't really like any of the tones Kieth Merrow pulled out of his Axe FX and Agile guitars (that's what he uses right?) with neither the BKPs or the SDs.. Either way - For his style, the Aftermaths surely suited him the most, as it presented his very technical skill level the most. The way he plays requires extreme tightness, and I found the Warpig, Distortion and Invader to be a but mushy in the low-mid area, where this oomph-factor was actually to his disadvantage.. but...
I don't play that kind of music, at all - I find it fascinating, but not something I'd do seriously in a million years.. or well.. never say never.. but you know..
I found the review on the A-Bomb very rewarding, and I can see why it's not for you .. and I think you're right, it might not be for me either.. now the question is just whether or not the C-bomb will have similar characeristics, or as you mentioned, would be even colder, even more ice-picky, and even more low-tight / Djenty sounding..
I Guess I need to do a bit more lurking to figure it out.. But I really liked the sound from the safety fire.. and they use a holy diver.. it was the only 7-stringed 'djenty'-ish tone that I found pleasing.. the genre not so much.. So maybe the holy diver IS for me? .. question is, will it be too cold in output? and if so, what kind of trouble would I run into then?
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So I took some more time listening to the various clips..
And well.. Tbh, I don't like the Nailbomb clips at all.. they got a certain edge/scratchy sound, that I find unpleasant.. is that just me?
Right now it's a run between the MM and the Holy Diver.. the Holy diver being the lower output pickup, not as defined, not as hot, not that much high compared to the MM.. but I really like it on the Hairy Metal clips.. too bad there are no such clips featuring the MMs..
lows, mids, highs, are all something you EQ to pref. but I fear that upping the highs on a recording with Holy divers, will just make it sound fizzy rather than more sparkly.. Also for Metalcore/hardrock and huge breakdowns the MM might do a better job - Although the HD is listed as an Hard rock pickup..
So now the question is
Whats the better pickup regarding
1) Cleans
2) Coilsplit
3) Volume/gain-control
4) Suited for Maple Neckthrough / Alder wings
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Referring back to the bands you quoted I'd say Miracle Man.
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Yeah - I came to that conclusion as well, after all this topic-talking.. it's a great help really!!
Now still, I'm going to split the MM, no matter how good it'll sound, unless it's gonna compromise anything?
What neck pickup suits the MM the best - Holy diver maybe? .. THE MQ was mentioned earlier too, trying to nail something like a synyster Gates-kinda tone?
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I know I'm biased as I went for the Holydiver but I'll do my best to be objective.
The Miracle Man is the usual suggestion for our type of guitar because maple neck-thru guitars tend to be quite middy so the mid scoop that is characteristic of that pickup fits it well. It will also have the tighter bass response with its ceramic magnet and in many ways may remind you of an active EMG, as you may guess from its name. It is certainly a Metal pickup and I've read many comments that it can be a bit of a one-trick pony. When I played it some years ago now I really liked it but the sound just wasn't thick and warm enough for my tastes. It does have a lot of highs which may well make it more 'defined' but it will also therefore give a tighter, thinner and colder sound. This is all relative of course.
The Holydiver is quite different in that it is thick, warm and fluid but like all Bare Knuckle pickups, it doesn't do 'mush' at all. Sure, it's not as tight as the Miracle Man but compared to something like a Seymour Duncan JB, it's super articulate and defined. I know because it was a JB that came out of my Jackson to make way for the Holydiver. Please don't do what I did and confuse 'tight' with 'articulate'. While the EQ of the Holydiver suggests it's all mids, I think that's a bit misleading. I did another review of the Holydiver that you can find here if you're interested:
https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=24376.0
I've never found it to be fizzy and I primarily play lead so I need solos to cut through well. If you want it even tighter and more articulate than I have it, just get it open poled instead of covered. I certainly wouldn't say it's not a hot pickup. DC resistance doesn't tell the whole story and I'd say the Holydiver isn't too different from the Nailbomb and while I think the Miracle Man is more powerful, I don't think there's as much in it as you might think. As for your specific questions, the cleans on the Holydiver will be better, both will coil split perfectly well, both should respond to the volume control well and both will work well in your guitar.
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So I finally spent a good while comparing clips of the MM and the Holy Diver.. I don't think I've gotten that much closer to a decision, since to be honest.. I don't really like many, if any of the clips people have posted of them throughout.. maybe a very few.. But that might be because of the amp choice. Usually some ampsim or podXT...
My personal sound-experience with the BKP modern metal clips were quite similar to the DC resistance charts..
The MM being the less mid-middy but way more low-middy and oomph-y in the palm-muted stuff, where the HD sounded horn-like in comparison, and overall less aggressive..
Although on the lead stuff, the MM seemed to have a certain spike at something around 300-400hz making it sound like a whining cat, where the Holy Diver had an overall more beautiful tone.. but I guess that doesn't matter much since that's neck-pickup stuff, and I'm going for a CS in the neck anyway...
I've read that the MM has a very characteristic pickbuzz - What does that mean?
Whenever I hear buzz as a quality, it doesn't seem like a good thing..
I'm kinda circling right now .. but I think I should go with the MM/CS combo, and then I can always EQ to taste with all the billion of adjustables I got down the road..
That is based on
1) The dynamics are a bit more compressed in the MM, which might be a good thing for metal stuff anyway
2) It seems more powerful/aggressive which suites the style
3) the HD being a quite middy pickup in an maple neckthrough guitar might not be the best idea for this kinda of stuff (Also again, that is something that can be dialed out I guess.. )
4) Palm-muted riffs seems larger and more oomph-y on the MM, than the HD
5) Cutting through won't have the biggest impact, since it's still just an EQ thing..
6) Going from an EMG81 to a much lower output pick up might be weird? - Playability-wise I might have an easier time getting used to the MM..
Only thing that worries me is the fact that BKP says the MM has an "... accented hi-end with a thoroughly percussive feel" .. Percussive feel? What does that even mean.. is it kick-drum percussion or Marimba-percussion? .. I'm really lost about that bit?
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And then I found a few posts saying they found their MMs too bright in their Jackson RR1s and RR3s.. and recommending a C-bomb instead..
Man.. If I have to take every contradicting post into account, I'll never get this done.. the curse of the forums..
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That is because everybody hears things differently and sometimes uses different catch words to describe tones. The only thing to do to get more clarification is to be as specific as possible in the description of tone.
Ultimately you will only know how a pickup sounds after you put it in your guitar and played it through your rig at home AND in a band setting (if you play in a band).
Your comparison between the Miracle Man and the Holydiver matches my actual experience with them in an alder bodied strat with a maple neck w/ rosewood board. I think the Miracle Man would be the better choice for your situation.
Cheers Stephan
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Oh thanks!
Yeah I believe the MM is the right choice for me, but all this second-guessing is killing me..
People tend to say that the MM is an upgrade from the EMG85 and the HD being and upgrade from the JB
Having only played the EMG81 bridge and EMG85 neck, and a Seymour Duncan Invader, in that regard, it doesn't give me much to go on .. On the other hand though - KSE and BFMV uses a JB, and got a certain warmth to the tone, that's very pleasant. Is that just an EQ thing?
Again, will the MM have a nasty pick-attack buzz/scratchy sound? As I stated earlier, I rather see a more rounded pick attack with a lot of oomph to it
I guess the tone that's closest to what I hear (and then again not really.. ) is this BFMV's Hand of Blood album.. something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ0X7d7aWjY
I like the pick-attack and low-rumble feel they got, and the leads are alright too.. could use a bit more clarity, in general it's a bit too comressed and mushed and well.. It's better than anything else I can find around.. Rise Against actually coming up on a close second, tone wise..
Now if BFMV uses a JB, and the HD resembles a JB somewhat in characteristics - Will the MM still be the better choice for my guitar, considering wood and aggressiveness and what not?
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Oh thanks!
Yeah I believe the MM is the right choice for me, but all this second-guessing is killing me..
People tend to say that the MM is an upgrade from the EMG85 and the HD being and upgrade from the JB
Having only played the EMG81 bridge and EMG85 neck, and a Seymour Duncan Invader, in that regard, it doesn't give me much to go on .. On the other hand though - KSE and BFMV uses a JB, and got a certain warmth to the tone, that's very pleasant. Is that just an EQ thing?
Again, will the MM have a nasty pick-attack buzz/scratchy sound? As I stated earlier, I rather see a more rounded pick attack with a lot of oomph to it
I guess the tone that's closest to what I hear (and then again not really.. ) is this BFMV's Hand of Blood album.. something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ0X7d7aWjY
I like the pick-attack and low-rumble feel they got, and the leads are alright too.. could use a bit more clarity, in general it's a bit too comressed and mushed and well.. It's better than anything else I can find around.. Rise Against actually coming up on a close second, tone wise..
Now if BFMV uses a JB, and the HD resembles a JB somewhat in characteristics - Will the MM still be the better choice for my guitar, considering wood and aggressiveness and what not?
BFMV actually use EMGs on 90% of their recordings. I know Matt Tuck used to play live with Jackson guitars which used to have stock JB/Jazz, but in the studio, a lot was actually recorded on Les Pauls/etc. with EMGs, with the occasional JB stocked Jackson RR. I remember I wanted that Bullet tone and was shocked when I read the interview about his equipment. I have a Holy Diver in Maple Neck-Thru, and it does that fat, melodic bullet tone extremely well mind. I actually prefer it to my EMG for that music as that style usually contains a lot of leads and harmonised riffs. Check out a band called "If Destiny Remains", there's a guy on this forum, in that band, who uses the Holy Diver and ,he loves it :)
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Hmm .. I'm starting to see the traits of the HD, and I think it's quite a bit of compromise..
MM wins on rhythm
HD wins on leads..
that band does have a little bit of 80's vibe in their tone, and the fast 'blast'-picking, seems to get a tad blurry at times..
Also I see how it relates to some great BFMV riffing.. but the stuff I do (or try to..) is a little different.
I really love their tone when they sing the clean vocals, just a great wall-of-sound kinda tone, but I think I might be able to achieve similar qualities on a MM, or am I wrong?
Either way - I think I'll go for the MM, but mail the BKP team too, just to see their opinion once more.. It is after all about a year since I mailed them last time. (yeah I'm no impulse guy..)