Constantly Different Advice

[Nolly]

I concur with the Holy Diver/Cold Sweat suggestions, though my personal recommendation would be a Nailbomb set.

[mkh02]

Thanks for your input Nolly.

Why would you recommed nailbombs over HD/CS

What are the benefits they have over what I am looking at?

[ericsabbath]

well, they're considerably hotter, so they'll push your JCM harder
picking response is more aggressive and precise, which can be a good thing, depending on what you want

[Nolly]

Thanks for your input Nolly.

Why would you recommed nailbombs over HD/CS

What are the benefits they have over what I am looking at?

I believe the Nailbombs are one of the most versatile sets you can put in an LP - hot enough for any style but with an old school, open voicing that can nail all the classic tones. I don't think you would find them "too metal" at all.
Check out any Marshall demonstration Chris George does, he uses Nailbombs in his LPs and runs the gamut of all of the classic Marshall tones.

I really enjoy both the Holy Divers and Cold Sweats, but to me both have a more contemporary and compressed voicing. Don't get me wrong though, I doubt you would be unhappy with them at all.

[mkh02]

I see.

Mainly playing through my Carvin Steve Vai Legacy II at the moment through the clean channel with a POD HD 500. Blows both my JCM 800 and Dual rectifier away.

Therefore pushing an amp into saturation isn't a huge priority for me.

I am looking more for that sustain and soloing sweetness from the pickups which hopefully the HD and CS combination will give.

['Ash' J. Williams]

I am looking more for that sustain and soloing sweetness from the pickups which hopefully the HD and CS combination will give.

I really think that the Nailbomb and the Holy Diver are the 2 best HB for soloing. Their lead tones are above everything else imho.
Then it's just a matter of which one you like the most : the NB has a great attack and edge and this kind of halfc--ked wah thing going that makes you want to play like Marty Friedman  :lol:
And the HD is just so full of qualities it's scary.

[nickcoumbe]

I'm gonna say RY neck and HD bridge.

A versatile combo and probably my favourite of all BK pickups.