Pickup suggestions for something walnut

[Kyle]

Hey Folks,

New here, but I do hand out now and then (although abstain from posting most of the time).  I am curious as to what you think would go best in a prodominantly walnut 7 string, with a similar neck (walnut or maple), bolt on.  I do the metal thing a bit, but require good cleans.  Prefer round smooth leads to harsh ones.  I play hard rock, classic rock (more laid back stuff like Dire straits), prog (dream theatre and rush) and lead solo type stuff.  My own work is primarily instrumental/experimental.  I like a bottom end to remain tight.  The one thing I am not interesting in is Rebel Yells, as I have a set incoming for my 6 string, so wouldn't want the same pickups in a future build.  My current amp is a Mark V. 

Cheers,
Kyle

[ericsabbath]

holy diver

[Telerocker]

Yes, sounds like Holy Diver.

[Kyle]

Thanks for chiming in.  8)

[alfienoakes]

Hi there, I built a custom maple thru neck with a walnut top last year. I initially put a pair of VHIIs in it with a lipstick pickup in the middle for a H-S-H configuration. The VHIIs sounded lovely but were just a little thin for any distorted bridge pickup sounds. I ended up replacing them with a set of Holydivers which sound absoultely amazing, its difficult to overstate how good and how versatile these pickups are. The tone is full with emphasis on the lower mids and a slightly compressed 'high output' sound which I love. I've used mine through JCM800 Marshall and Mesa Dual Rectifier, very different amps and the guitar sounds great through both. The tapped sounds are a total joy, the clean sounds are lovely and the distorted sounds you can really do anything from blues to tight technical metal (well enough for me, I'm not making pinched harmonics and dive bombs every 10 secs though). I would strongly recommend for what you've described.

[Kyle]

Good stuff, to save confusion though I am going walnut body, not top alone.  I love me some walnut, the only downside is the stuff is heavy.  Not a fan of neckthroughs though, they never do it for me, the crispness of a bolt on is imperative.  I guess maple and walnut is close as far as wood combo goes in a neck through scenario however. 

[ericsabbath]

I'm not making pinched harmonics and dive bombs every 10 secs

well, you should :D
the holy diver is the best pup for harmonics I've ever tried
the guitar almost pinches itself  :lol: