Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: TheyCallMeVolume on July 13, 2012, 04:50:55 PM
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Hey guys. Back to the pickup search again after taking a break. I just wanted some opinions. Do you think it's overkill to have 2 of the same pickups in basically the same guitar? I already have a RY-loaded Les Paul, and I'm considering getting a second LP. But what do I put in it? I love the RY's alot, but I feel like it might be a bit too much to have 2 of them in the same guitar. Are there any other pickups in the BKP line that will complement a RY really well? I'd be using them for the same kind of stuff, music in the vein of GNR, Metallica, Sabbath, VH, etc. I'd like something pretty versatile too.
Also, I'm fine getting something pretty different from the RY's, but would that be an EQ issue with the amp? I don't really wanna mess with my EQ in the middle of a set to go from a guitar with one pickup in it to the next. Also, if it helps, my luthier says the guitar will have a "snappy midrange and a full bottom end, so a pickup that cuts a bit of the bass and adds some nice top end would be great." What do you think?
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I would say either PK or CS - good luck in your tone quest :-)
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cold sweat or vhII
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I don't know if I like the idea of a contemporary pickup. It took a long time to sell me on a RY, and I feel like any more output would just be too much for me. I've always liked the idea of using a bit underpowered pickup for heavier stuff, so I'm not sure if I want the PK or CS. I guess the pickups I was considering at the moment were VHII and RR, with the Mule as a dark horse.
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And if it helps at all, I'm not worried about lead tones at all, I just want the best pickups for huge, chunky and crunchy power chords and rhythm playing.
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And if it helps at all, I'm not worried about lead tones at all, I just want the best pickups for huge, chunky and crunchy power chords and rhythm playing.
That would point to the VHII. I am yet to try a bridge model though.
Cheers Stephan
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Alright, good to know. Also, forgot to add, with my neck pickup, I use it almost exclusively for clean tones, so I'd like the neck to be able to clean up well.
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Even in my ash strat the VHII is a rocking jem, so in a LP it will be the dogs bollocks. Very balanced pickup, with enough from everything. Highs are there, but not piercing. Bass just enough, just as the mids. The VHII is articulate and dynamic and you can steer it really with the pickattack. Harmonics jump out with no effort. Wicked pickup.
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This is tough :?
I like the VHII's alot, but there are a few things I'm a bit unsure of. I've heard the neck is a bit hairy, which isn't something I'm too fond of. Do they get good cleans, or will I need to match them up with something else?
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This is tough :?
I like the VHII's alot, but there are a few things I'm a bit unsure of. I've heard the neck is a bit hairy, which isn't something I'm too fond of. Do they get good cleans, or will I need to match them up with something else?
Also, will the EQ of an amp that is set to a guitar with RY's in them be a problem with a guitar loaded with VHII's or RR's, and vice versa? Or does it not matter.
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For gigging purposes I want my back up guitar to sound as close as possible to my main one. Depends what you want from the new guitar. If I was getting an LP for a different type of sound I'd be very tempted by the Abraxas set. If I had the cash and the guitars I'd love to try them all.
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On the other hand it doesn't take long to figure out the right EQ settings for different guitar. Just make a note of them.
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Richard,
I looked into the Abraxas at one point but I feel like it's the exact opposite of where I want to go with my sound. From what I gather from them, they're pickups used for leads most of the time.
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Three leap to mind that should work and be close enough on EQ. The Cold Sweat is a hot pickup but my memory of it is that it retained a kind of PAF open and organic feel to it that you'd never expect from a hot ceramic. The second option could easily be a VHII as it seems tio fit your requirements well and the third option would be an Emerald. I think any of those three could be fantastic options.
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So everyone thinks to try something different?
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I bought a holydiver for an epi lp, loved it, then bought a used one for my lp style prs. Same pickups in neck and bridge but both guitars have their own voice
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So VHII over RY or RR?
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So many BKP's and not enough guitars. :P Not seen to many with VHII's in a LP, but it should still rock, they do in my PRS CU22. Can't see you being disapointed with any one of a number of BKP's.
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So VHII over RY or RR?
I've just installed a set of VHII's in my Les Paul Custom, I think they'll fit really well for what you want. Pack quite a punch for relatively low output pickups, great for chunky rhythm playing, clean up really well and also great for coil splitting. Very versatile, they'll easily cover the bands you listed before. And if you ever do feel like a bit of lead playing, they'll handle that great too!
I've tried three other BK sets in my Les Paul - Miracle Man, Holydiver and most recently a Black Dog/MQ combo - the VHII's are the best match for this guitar by far; much more open in the midrange and much less compressed in general. Although I did really like the MQ and was tempted to go for a matched MQ set instead, but the VHII's are staying put I think!
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So VHII over RY or RR?
For me, yes.
The VHII and RY will give you a nice range of sounds but are similar enough in terms of EQ for you to not have to change your settings much.
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rebel yells have got a really addictive stadium rock sort of tone.
but if you want to try something different, but in the classic rock territory, why not try a set of mules? they still have enough definition for the harder end of the spectrum, and you'll get a good contrast with the rebel yell guitar. you'll get a vintagey, very versatile, open tone
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So Tim said that he thinks Riff Raff's would be my best bet. Waddya think?
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Tim is the man. 8)
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Even though he said RR, all this research on a VHII has me really interested in one. Just had a few more questions on it. I just want to be sure they will sound good in a LP. Also, does the VHII have good neck cleans? If not, what could I pair it with that would work well?
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The VHII-neck is praised a lot here, but will be a tad darker then the RR-neck.
RR and VHII both are great pickups, just different. Choiche is merely a matter of taste, where the RR is more or less a brighter, punchier and tighter version of the Mule (talking bridge here). Personally I like the open, dynamic, full, deep yet crispy qualities of Mules. If you want to get close to a 59 PAF-sound, these are the one. They handle gain very well. For classic rock they have all the necessary qualities. The VHII will take you hardrock-terrority if necessary, but can handle blues, bluesrock and rock too. I still think the VHII fit your needs best.
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Black dogs, or Riff Raffs
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Ugh, this is such a hard decision. I emailed Ben just to get another opinion from the BKP team, and he picks RR over VHII, by a hair. This makes it really hard, cuz I don't really wanna go against 2 of the people who make and sell them, but something still has me leaning towards VHII now. Should I really go against their advice?
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Ugh, this is such a hard decision. I emailed Ben just to get another opinion from the BKP team, and he picks RR over VHII, by a hair. This makes it really hard, cuz I don't really wanna go against 2 of the people who make and sell them, but something still has me leaning towards VHII now. Should I really go against their advice?
It seems to me like you want the VHIIs. It's a sort of "gut vs brain decision" I guess. When I chose the Holy Diver over the RY and the Cold Sweat it was what my guts were telling me to do.... I'm very happy with the decision.
I would personally go for the VHIIs because:
1) It seems like you want it more.
2) The RR is just too similar to the RY to my ears. I feel like its pretty m Ich just lower output and slightly more open. I don't feel like you'll be getting anything new if you go for it whereas the VHII is also similar but different enough to offer a wider variety of tones.
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Yeah, my gut is definitely telling me to go VH, as I just feel like it'll get the job I want done better than the RR, but it's really difficult because I had gone in favoring the RR, but after really doing my homework on the VH and the RR as well,I just have that feeling about the VH. But having Tim steer strongly towards the RR really makes me wanna turn on my gut.