Looking for an Alnico humbucker set for my 7-string

[Emperoff]

First of all, this is my first post so hello everyone!  8)


Recently I ordered a Bernie Rico Jr. 7-string, so I'm looking for an appropriate pickup set for it.

Growing as a player I've discovered that I prefer the more organic tone of the Alnico magnets instead of ceramics so that should narrow the search. The guitar in question is maple neck-through, ebony board, mahogany wings and maple top. Considering that the guitar is very thin as well, a lot of the guitar mass is going to be maple, so it's gonna be a bright $%&#er.

Just to give an idea of the thin body:



I have ZERO experience with Bareknuckle. Currently I'm happy with my Jazz-7/JB-7 set in my Jackson, but to be honest I don't like the JB for heavy riffing at all as it's pretty flubby (and I play in drop A). I play a lot of hard rock and bluesy stuff, as well as modern metal. Tightness is nice, but I'm not a Meshuggah wannabe so it's not critical. I'm looking for an all around set which sound as open/uncompressed as possible, with kind of single-coil tone for the neck (think Timmons stuff, post-rock or Opeth cleans) that will also sound good split for funk/slap stuff. Of course it has to stay defined when playing metal in Drop A as well.

Judging by the new BKP website, I'm considering the Holydiver, Nailbomb or Warpig for the bridge, but I'm completely lost on the neck pickup. 


Please help a fellow to choose the right set and initiate with BKP!   :D

 

[MDV]

Possibly holy diver set.

In the neck you should really like it, in the bridge it may not be tight enough (I never take A5 magnets below drop C personally, but I like tightness, lots...and dont have any A5 bridges any more) but its warm enough to compensate for the woods (or at least its your best shot).

[Nolly]

Sounds like a job for the Black Dogs - meaty and growly, with a very tight low end and great clarity when downtuned. Being lower output and with an AV magnet it's also going to spot on for the open and uncompressed blues and rock styles you've mentioned.

[ericsabbath]

Sounds like a job for the Black Dogs - meaty and growly, with a very tight low end and great clarity when downtuned. Being lower output and with an AV magnet it's also going to spot on for the open and uncompressed blues and rock styles you've mentioned.

+1

[Emperoff]

Thanks for the replies guys.  :D

Tim has recommended me a Rebel Yell/VHII set as well. I know Nolly has used this set in the past, so how do they compare to the other alternatives mentioned (Black Dog, A-Bomb)?

I'm afraid Black Dog's output may be too low for my amp. I play through a Laney VH100R and it's a loud beast, so I don't know if I'll be able to get a good distorted tone with them without reaching deafening levels...

To be honest I like tightness and definition like everyone, but I'm not looking for a compressed/surgical/dry pickup (or anything that could resemble EMGs, which I despise). If I can't find an Alnico 5 pickup that can handle low tunings, then I'd be forced to go ceramic but I'd rather stay with alnico pickups if possible.

[Antag]

Possibly holy diver set.

In the neck you should really like it, in the bridge it may not be tight enough

Don't you believe it - I was surprised at just how tight & clear the HD is in the bridge of my first 7.  There's not much between it & the Aftermath in my other 7...

[Nolly]

The Rebel Yell will give you a more upper-mid focus than either the Black Dog or Nailbomb, but it's still got a smooth top end that won't be harsh in your guitar. It will push the amp a little harder than the Black Dog, but neither would present problems attaining the amount of gain you want.

[MDV]

Possibly holy diver set.

In the neck you should really like it, in the bridge it may not be tight enough

Don't you believe it - I was surprised at just how tight & clear the HD is in the bridge of my first 7.  There's not much between it & the Aftermath in my other 7...

...Fair enough!