Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: electrickn on July 31, 2014, 06:21:35 PM
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After doing a lot of research on this board I've decided on a BKP for my custom 24. I currently have the Tremonti treble in the bridge and I'm looking for more punch. I play a lot of Prog and heavy Zakk esq kind of squeals and such. The Miracle Man appears to be the pickup for me, however I'm worried about the Custom 24 being so light, that the Miracle Man might make it too bright as it seems (the miracle man pickup) to excel on heavy single cut guitars. Just looking for some opinions from some of the experienced members on the board if this should be a concern...or maybe should I go Warpig for a beefier sound ? thanks
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The miracle man will do exactly what you want. I've used it in various superstrats that are thinner than a cu24 and it sounded massive without being too bright.
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The miracle man will do exactly what you want. I've used it in various superstrats that are thinner than a cu24 and it sounded massive without being too bright.
Hi!
I`ve asked that question somewhere before but presumably it was lost or I`ve lost the answer as recently dont come over here very often due to lack of time. One or the other :)
Anyway. How MM set would behave in LP style guitars (all mahogany with maple cap and rosewood fingerboard) as many of you say that it shines in maple bolt-on constructions?
Would it be too dark for LPs type?
I have CBomb/CS neck in Dean Caddy (LP style) and bridge pup is more on darker side.
many thanks.
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... however I'm worried about the Custom 24 being so light, that the Miracle Man might make it too bright as it seems (the miracle man pickup) to excel on heavy single cut guitars.
"Light" does not necessarily mean "bright". It depends more on the individual piece of wood.
I tried the Miracle Man in various guitars. Even in the brightest of them it was not too bright to my ears. It always had lots of bottom end.
...or maybe should I go Warpig for a beefier sound ?
The ones that I liked best with my Custom 24 were the Holydiver and the Crawler, the Crawler still being in that guitar.
All my talk was about bridge pickups only.
Cheers Stephan
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The honky mids on the CU24 always killed me. A middy pickup would be overkill :)
The CU22 is far more balanced for me, but the scooped feel of the MM would balance better in the CU24
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If it has honky mids a scooped pickup like a MM or CS is the way to go.
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Thanks for the help guys! I can't wait to try my first BKP. I just want something "bigger, hotter and punchier" than the current Tremonti treble I have in there now.
For years I've been replacing PRS pickups with other PRS pickups. I found myself looking at their new \m/ metal pickup....and had an epiphany....hey dumbass...how about trying a different company?? ...and here I am. If this works out then I'll replace the bridge pickup in my other PRS...then, start looking for neck pickups that cater to alternate picking ala Yngwie type stuff.
Thanks again!
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my bandmate has a mccarty that came with a tremonti
he swapped it for a cold sweat and then for a miracle man
the tremonti is more aggressive and compressed, the miracle man is punchier, darker and more refined (and defined)
I think I actually liked the cold sweat better than both, but the miracle man should do exactly what you want
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The honky mids on the CU24 always killed me. A middy pickup would be overkill :)
The CU22 is far more balanced for me, but the scooped feel of the MM would balance better in the CU24
I was exactly trying to eliminate that nasal midrange in my PRS Custom. The HD was an improvement over the HFS but the Crawler eliminated it completely. Nevertheless, I agree that the Miracle Man is what the OP described.
Cheers Stephan
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I'm worried about the Custom 24 being so light, that the Miracle Man might make it too bright as it seems (the miracle man pickup) to excel on heavy single cut guitars.
By all accounts the MM excels in Gibson SGs, which are obviously very light guitars, so you should be fine.
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Is Miracle Man much tighter than Nailbombs (Cbomb in particular)?
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Not sure, as i never tried the MM, but there is a serious lack of low end in the Nailbomb. It seems to only work in the mahogany/set neck type. I would guess it would be a mistake in a alder/bolt on.
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the alnico nailbomb I had was plenty of bass and low mids in les pauls
more than most of the other models, except the warpig and perhaps the miracle man
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the alnico nailbomb I had was plenty of bass and low mids in les pauls
more than most of the other models, except the warpig and perhaps the miracle man
Agree, even that I have Ceramic Nailbomb in the bridge (LP style guitar) it still has plenty of bass and mids, it`s placed rather on the darker side. At some point was even thinking about replacing it with Cold Sweat but got used to it. And don`t regret now at all.
Eric Hellstyle, I know that you are familiar with MM set, what would you say about MM neck? Would it get too muddy on lower strings in mahogany LP style in Eb tuning?
Some people say that apparently MM shines in bolt-on guitars with maple neck. Would all mahogany LP be an overkill with MM set?
thanks
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If you are worried about the MM neck a MM/CS combo should work
I have a WP neck and find it doesn't have great cleans through my Peavey. Apparently the MM neck is very similar. I haven't had this issue with CS and NB neck pickups through the same amp
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If you are worried about the MM neck a MM/CS combo should work
I have a WP neck and find it doesn't have great cleans through my Peavey. Apparently the MM neck is very similar. I haven't had this issue with CS and NB neck pickups through the same amp
Thanks!.
Recently I found really good deal on ebay on used Dean Cadillac (yes, another one, love them!). Guitar is LP style, mahogany body, neck with rosewood fretboard.
As MM set was alluring me for a long time plus Im a big fan of Zakk Wylde, was thinking what pickup to put into it.
Based on many reviews, youtube clips I came to the conclusion that MM set in LP style guitar, especially tuned to Eb might be a bit dark.
And there`s a problem.
I want that Dean to be 'monster', 'shredding', 'bad azz', 'colossal metal sounding' 'ground shaking' piece of metal mother F**** :evil:
Also I want to keep that Zakk Wylde-ish, Black Label Society sound which MM set can deliver.
I also have another Dean Caddy with CBomb/CS combo, so I would like to avoid Cold Sweat in the neck position and try something different.
Agent Orange, so do you think that MM bridge would do fine in LP style in Eb tuning? Hope it wouldn`t be too dark and muddy!
And what about the NECK?
What other options do I have for big, bad azz, fluid, colossal sounding leads?
VHII neck? I`m really interested in that neck pup, would it match MM bridge despite the fact of huge difference in output?
Black Hawk are ruled out, not my taste.
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I have to admit that I didn't put much effort into experimenting with the volume control on the Warpig neck. That might have sorted the issue out. But the A-Pig bridge was very dark in my Explorer and just didn't give me far to go in terms of brighter tones.
You might want to consider a Nailbomb set with the ceramic bridge option.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp8bYUWMBSE
I like the Nailbomb neck quite a bit. Very different character from the Cold Sweat neck. You might also want to consider a Rebel Yell neck, which is similar to the CS neck but apparently brighter. I would keep it in mind. But you might find that a MM neck does the job if you end up going for a MM bridge, if you are good with using the volume control and/or install a series/parallel switch on the neck.
The only BKPs I have direct experience of are the Nailbomb neck, A-Bomb, A-Pig, Emerald set, Cold Sweat set, and Stockholm bridge. On the MM I can only go by clips and what others have said.
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Many thanks, I do appreciate your help.
I think I`ll try to gather more information about MM set, especially neck one. Have to find any MM set/neck users here. Anyone?
Also, I`ll try to email BKP team for some advise as well, will see that they say.
Anyway, IF MM neck is too dark/muddy in LP style guitar in Eb tuning I reckon that I`m left with 2 options:
Nailbomb neck (which sounds fantastic indeed, have to agree with that. I like that 'woodiness' and attitude which RY neck in my opinion is missing)
VHII neck, but my main concern with this one is output and vintage voicing when paired with MM bridge.
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the mm neck has a quite fat and round sound, with lots of sustai, but not really an aggressive tone
not bitey like the bridge pup, if that's what you want
but I wouldn't say it was overly dark or bassy in my les paul copy
sounded good, but I prefer lower output models
I didn't enjoy the neck nailbomb too much
it was quite hot, but too scooped and stratty for my taste
paired with a bridge cold sweat, it could work pretty well for something like king's x, though
perhaps the neck painkiller might deliver what you're looking for
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Cheers, that was really informative, thanks a million!
Eric Hellstyle, what about VHII neck, as far as I can see you own the set as well? Would VHII keep up with MM bridge?
and how would you describe VHII neck?
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I think littleredguitars2 made a video of a VHII set in one of his Les Pauls.
EDIT: go to 5:30 and you'll hear the VHII neck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_3FzA-RAwY
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Many thanks Agent Orange.
At this point I`m pretty much convinced and leaning towards Nailbomb neck. I`ll email BKP team anyway, will see what they`ll say.
Judging by this clip as well as others on youtube, VHII is too vintage sounding (still nice pup anyway) and (unless pushed by Tubescreamer or something) wouldn`t give that modern, pissed off and fluid at the same time lead tone. Plus I doubt if it could keep up with MM bridge on hi gain settings. I suppose Nailbomb neck will be safer choice but as I mention before, I`ll contact BKP for more info.
What I like about Naibomb neck is that woodiness (more present in BKP website clip anyway) and attitude.
check that youtube clip with Nailbombs, interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hetxfRS3xM&list=UUrCFLaN4SH6U0MiI_2vPo1A
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Would VHII keep up with MM bridge?
and how would you describe VHII neck?
I am not Eric but I own both pickups. The VHII neck is the hottest neck pickup in the vintage hot category and should easily be able to keep up with the Miracle Man bridge. I had it together with an Alnico Nailbomb in two different guitars and it kept up easily with it. Currently I have it paired with the Crawler bridge in my PRS Custom.
The VHII neck is hot for a vintage vibed pickup. It can be creamy but it also lends itself well to aggressive playing styles. The Cold Sweat neck would be slightly brighter and not quite as big sounding.
Never played the Nailbomb neck or Miracle Man neck. Going by specs the Miracle Man neck does not seem like something I'd be interested in since I rather like bright low output pickups for the neck position.
Cheers Stephan
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I wouldnt call the neck vhii hot or aggressive but it's quite loud and sounds bigger and punchier than a mule and the cold sweat
The cold sweat has a more dense and focused tone, though
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The neck vhii sounds pretty good in the bridge and pretty close to the bridge riff raff, but a bit scooped in comparison, so maybe the bridge riff might do well in the neck as well, but delivering more mids
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What I like about Naibomb neck is that woodiness (more present in BKP website clip anyway) and attitude.
check that youtube clip with Nailbombs, interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hetxfRS3xM&list=UUrCFLaN4SH6U0MiI_2vPo1A
I'm not much of a lead player at all but that clip is pretty much on the mark. If you like it I'd go with the NB neck
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Thanks guys for great input (like always!)
Hahahaha Now I`m even more confused that I was before :cheesy:
I remember I wasn`t even that much confused when I was getting my first BK pup - Cbomb, just went through all clips, liked CBomb and bought it. Simple as that :wink:
When I was getting my second one - CS neck, I followed BKP staff recommendation. Easy enough again. Was replacing Dean DMT Michael Angelo Batio neck pickup which sounds fantastic on Dean website, but not as good in reality...
And now I`m really torn
Anyway...
Ok, Miracle Man neck is completely out of the game now.
So it`s only Nailbomb vs VHII
Which one is more precise for fast sweep picking, appregios ect.? I don`t want the neck pup to be loose and muddy and getting lost with fast leads. Precision and defined tone with 'attitude' that`s what Im after. Think Zakk Wylde 'tone' on the Bridge (that`s already sorted) and Zakk`s crazy 'leads' on neck pup.
I`m intending to create a 'monster', 'shredding', 'bad azz', 'colossal metal sounding' 'ground shaking' piece of metal mother F**** from that guitar. No prisoners! :grin:
Ps, I already have CS neck in another Dean so now want something different all together.
Cheers and thanks a million!
You guys rock!
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why don't you consider a neck painkiller? it should be hotter and middier than those two
the vhii is not in your description, in my opinion, but I'm no shredder
it's pretty much a bigger sounding PAF tone, kinda "acoustic" sounding
the nailbomb has what it takes, but it has a quite scooped and single coilish sound
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I haven`t consider Painkiller neck, sorry.
It seems to quite popular especially in the neck position.
As I was reading some reviews, one forum member was praising Painkiller`s highs, apparently they`re very musical and great sounding but at the same time stated that pickup gets muddy on lower strings.
Due to it`s focus in mids would it not be too much in all mahogany/ rosewood guitar tuned to Eb?
cheers
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maple neck les pauls are even middier than regular les pauls in my experience, and that was never a problem
I had a '78 greco lp standard with maple neck and a black dog
that thing was absurdly middy and awesome
the holy diver doesn't work well in SGs, but I heard the painkiller set sounds great
I don't think that should be a problem at all
if the lower strings get bassy, just lower the pickup and screws
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Well, Im back :grin: Haven`t been here for few days, was going through some hectic days recently but now back to shredding :grin:
Anyway,
First of all I would like to thank you all for great help and input.
After endless hours of thinking and going through vast wastelands of the internet I decided to go full Painkiller set instead.
For that application I suppose PK set will do better. More pissed off, more balls due to pronounced mids, more aggressive, more in-yer-face, more bad azz metal sounding mofo ect
Once I`ll get pickups and install them I`ll be able to make a direct comparison between Cbomb/CS combo. both same guitars, both tuned to Eb ect
cheers again!
Lucas
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Here's a video of a PK set in an SG.
Sounds fairly pissed off, especially with a boost pedal on. (after 3.20)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imPQUg1NK1I
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Here's a video of a PK set in an SG.
Sounds fairly pissed off, especially with a boost pedal on. (after 3.20)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imPQUg1NK1I
The Painkillers sound amazing.
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I was never paying any attention to Painkillers once Ive read that they`re ice-picky, harsh and overly bright. Until the point when Eric Hellstyle recommended Painkiller neck.
After that I started browsing for more info about PK and have to admit that they`re (based so far on clips/reviews) great pickups for aggressive, lower tuned metal application when you`re aiming to achieve monstrous aggressive metal tones (in LP style axe).
What`s more I really like PK cleans, even that both pups are high output and ceramic, cleans are quite interesting and not that sterile and 'flat'. Yes, bright, stat-ish but remaining loads of body as well at the same time.
For example my CS neck is totally different. It`s in comparison with PK, more fluid, more vintage sounding, more 'woody' and more polite.
Like PK`s cleans.
Can`t wait to get that guitar sorted. PKs looks like a totaly different animals than more versatile CBomb/CS combo. More modern sounding for sure.
and that thread started with MM bridge... :grin:
cheers