Drop Tuning, Prog-Metal with ATMOSPHERE!! Ceramic or Alnico??

[ventura]

Hello AGAIN Cats...

Alright, got my previous dilemma well sorted with the recommendation being RR's for my Hamer.

Now, onto my ESP NT-II, currently loaded with SD JB/59's - I'd like something with more bite, power, and atmosphere...I drive this guitar through an Uberschall TJ and a Diezel VH4S, it's typically in Drop C tuning.

What, in your opinions, is the best pup for this application (think Tool, ISIS, etc) and something that will rise out about the crowd in the hi-gain arena.

Cold Sweats?

Nail Bombs?

Painkillers?

THANK YOU!
V.

[pagan7]

In those tone woods I'd have to say a calibrated set of Painkillers, though IMO to get the best out of them, seperate tone and volume controls for each pup are essential unless you're happy with a one trick pony. Maybe a pair of CTS dual concentric pots and some quality tone capacitors to go with the new pups.....and maybe a mini toggle switch for phase reversal  8)

[BigK]

I would say nailbombs personally, I think painkillers would be a little too tight/ aggresive for the bands mentioned. I would say nailbombs fit the bill with more bite, power and atmosphere than a JB and the neck nailbomb is like an awesome version of a 59.

Im with pagan on the concentric pots and maybe a 5 way super-switch.

just for your info, the guys from isis actually use the neck pickups on their teles for the main distortion and the bridge singles for the cleans.

[ventura]

You guys are very kind to have replied so quickly....  I've read SO much about NB's, so taking the path less travelled, opted for the PK's and am fine with it.  It's hard to explain - the music I listen to isn't the music I am trying to recreate.  I have some project guitars and these are 2 of them - the Hamer Archtop falling in with Riff Raffs and a home modified Class A 30W Alnico powered combo; and this ESP NT-II powered by soon-to-be PK's because I wanted to maintain a scooped metal sound through the amps, but have plenty of mids on tap on the guitar - and I know the PK's are sick in the mids...  Mids cut in any recording or band setting.

So, there we have it - and for fun, the PK's are ordered with burnt chrome covers just to pimp up the natural dark brown sunburst maple top on the NT-II.  Should look pretty trick...  But the true test will be in the sound - of course.

As for pots, and coil taps.  I'll be checking with my tech...primarily, the one-trick-pony scenario could work as I won't be using the guitar on stage/studio alone...  So for single coil, I'll adapt perhaps.  But again, I've got one of the very best techs in the NW who works with grunts and pros alike.  I prefer to just say "here" and let him sort it out.

Thanks for the feedback (no pun intended),
V.

[ventura]

And once again, THANK YOU TIM for your detailed and assuring response.

PK's it is - for certain.

By far, this is the best company I've ever worked with when talking details and technicalities of guitar upgrades (namely pups).  I'm impressed and can't wait to hear the difference in my 2 guitars soon-to-be adorned with BKP's.

All the best,
V.