So here's the thing: I have a Fernandes Ravelle (set mahogany neck, mahogany body, maple cap, weighs a flippin' tonne), currently with a F. Sustainer in the neck position and the stock SD JB in the bridge, the latter of which I'm looking to replace with something else. Now, my other guitar, a Gibson V, has an EMG81 in the bridge, and while I know active pickups somewhat divide opinion on here, what I particularly like about it is the level of articulation I get from it, if that's the right term – everything seems a bit 'crisper' on the v and it seems less forgiving of my sausage-fingered playing, i.e. it forces me to try not to play like a chump. But for the Ravelle I'm loath to go down the EMG route as there's very little in the way of space to accommodate a battery without gouging bits out of the body. Plus, due to the sustainer, the electronics inside it are complicated enough already, thanks.
So basically, I'm looking for something to drop into the Ravelle which will do the following:
• give me a similar level of clarity to the EMG
• retain the warmth and thickness I get from the Ravelle which is a bit lacking on the V
• sound awesome when I'm tuned down to drop B going chuggachuggachugga through my 5150
Any suggestions, people?
