I hate to be the guy

[Four]

Who makes another damn "which pickup(s)" thread, but alas, it can't be helped :/

Every so often I meander over to the forums and have a look at what people say about specific things ect., but I haven't been able to get a clear cut decision on anything. I think the biggest reason is while I'm really into guitar and have been for quite a few years, I'm still young, in high school, and relatively poor. I have my own job, so I can afford things, but it's not the best paying, so I do want to make sure any investments I move towards are 100% something I actually want to invest in.

That being said, for a long time I've been thinking of doing one or two things. Originally I wanted to maybe opt for a Mississippi Queen neck and a Nailbomb bridge, and then it's alternated between that and a Nailbomb Neck and a Warpig bridge, just because what I've heard of those particular pick-ups, both from reviews and clips, I really, really dig them.

My problem is style though, because I'm not really to conventional with my band, and we don't stick to just one thing. The best way I can describe what I play is probably touching base with The Mars Volta, At The Drive-In, and Hendrix, but at the same time, a lot of stuff similar to Protest the Hero and Shadows Fall. I'm also big on blues, but I feel that's getting sacrificed a bit here.

I'm also picking up a new guitar soon too, but that decision ties hand in hand with this. I was thinking either a cheap HSS Strat (something with a decent body and that configuration, that I can just upgrade all the parts on as I go) or an HH Ibanez.

My main question really is can a Mississippi Queen cover blues and that sort of grungy sound nicely? Or should I go the Strat route and go with an HSS set? The thing that's sort of turning me off onto that idea, which I do like more, is neck playability, because some of the things I wanna play need to be fast, and I'm still only within four or five years of playing, so necks are still having a big impact on how fast I play. Point is, I've never been able to play incredibly fast on any Fender necks.

I think my main problem is just being indecisive and at the same time, too finicky. Maybe I just don't know what I want >_> But any help or advice you guys could offer would be appreciated loads, and thanks in advance!

[Nolly]

Hey mate,

I can't speak for the Mississippi Queen, but it sounds like the Nailbomb would be spot on for what you've described.

[ailean]

Make sure you put your thoughts to Tim before you part with your cash, he's spent years designing and building the pups, he knows them very well and will help decide.

If it eases your mind any, BK's are very versatile and generally do well outside of their 'core' area.

[MrBump]

One thing I'd say is that ANYTHING made by BKP is top spec.

If you're used to playing stock generic PUPS then the move to BKPs is a serious step up, and will affect how you play.

For example, it seems like you're after a characterful vintage hot type PUP, and yet you want to lay down the blues with the rest of them.  WHat I've found is that my Nailbomb set gives me such a huge wall of midrange it's just phenonenal.  However, rolling back the volume changes the characteristics of the sound - no drop in volume, but it rolls off the bite, giving a real digging blues tone.

Hope that helps.

Mark.

[Four]

Ah, the Nailbomb is starting to sound more like a winner then.

And I've gone through pup changes on my other guitars, just never to something like BKs. Just popular name brand stuff, and I think I've actually only ever invested in a set of Duncans, to be honest.

But thanks for the help all. Really appreciated.

[MDV]

Call Tim.

Detail your requirements. In full.

He will sort you out.

(In my experience Crawlers would be great for you. The most versatile pickups I've ever heard: they can do everything from old school blues to thrash without compromising on any of it. But you have complex requirements, so talk to Tim)