mixed HB suggestion please

[paulmapp8306]

So - Im getting there with my choices.  Some who have followed my turmoilt in making a choice will have some background but:

im replacing the stock PUs in both my PRSs. 

My Custom 22 (mahogony/maple body, set mahogony neck, rosewood board) is definately getting Mules.  i want to cover classic tones with this guitar.

My CE22 (Same body and board, but bolt on maple neck) is going to cover higher gain sounds.  not metal, but 80s high gain to instrumental Rock (Vai, Satriani, Morse etc).  Ive pretty much decided the Abraxas bridge would do the trick.  dont want a pickup much hotter than that (in fact a little less would be a preference) but tonal differences over the mule should keep the slightly brighter CE under control while giving a fatter tone needed with more gain levels.  The issue is the Neck.  i want the Neck PU to be hotter than the Mules - and to be more fluid.  The Axraxis neck seems a little under powered for my needs (fine if it were a single set, but not when I want to complement the Mules)

i have boiled it down to 2 I think, those being the 7.9k VH11s or the 8.3 ColdSweats.  So thoughts on how these would complement a bridge Abraxis?  or anyone got a better idea?  (has thought a Crawler but that doesnt seem to have enough power difference compared to the Mule either).

[Twinfan]

How about a set of Holydivers for the CE?  They'll sound great I reckon!

[paulmapp8306]

I did think about HDs, but the DC rating of the bridge PU put me off.

Basically Im using an Axe-FX, and have to set the input sensitivity to my hottest pickup.  that PU will be the CEs bridge.  If thats too hot compared to the others I use (a set of Kinman Broadcasters in my Tele, a set of Irish Tours in my Strat and the Mules in the CE) then the other guitars wont sound right.

I want a power difference for sure, but thats more to give each guitar a different characture, and drive the amp sims a little NOT a lot.  I can set the overall gain level of each patch to suit.  Ill still be able to do modern levels with the Mules should I wish.

14k is the hottest I want to go.  TBH Id prefere 12k, but the only PUs that really fit that are Emeralds which are the wrong EQ.  I suppose I COULD get some HDs and set them further back from the strings, but I would have to ask myself why? 

[Twinfan]

DC resistance alone does not equal power.  The wire used, the magnets, pole height, pickup height, strings used, guitar used etc etc will all play a part.  It's not an exact science  ;)

I'll go again with my HD suggestion - 80s rock tastic!

[Nolly]

DC resistance alone does not equal power.  The wire used, the magnets, pole height, pickup height, strings used, guitar used etc etc will all play a part.  It's not an exact science  ;)

Absolutely this. DC resistance is only an accurate way of comparing pickups if they are of identical spec.

Since the Axe-FX's input gain knob essentially acts as a "pickup heat" control, why not give yourself the luxury of choosing the correct voicing for what you're after, with the knowledge that a small turn of that knob will allow you to calibrate its output to suit your taste?

[paulmapp8306]

Because Im lazy ??

Seriously, If it was just the single guitar I would, but as I have 4 I dont want to have to turn knobs to make the axe suit each one.  I kind of want two choices of S/C (Tele and Strat) and 2 choices of HB (Cu and CE) with differnt strengths and EQs in each catagory.

If There is too much of a power difference between the CU and CE, then I wont get the drive I want from the lower output PU - or if I do the High op one will be too much.


to be fair - I know the DC rating isnt everything, and at present the upper range is the HFS with is 15k and its OK.  i was trying to reduce it a little (hence the Abraxis) but ive also looked at the crawlers - so?
   

[Nolly]

Have you considered the Emerald neck?

[Telerocker]

How about the The Stockholm-neck pu? It's quite hot for a neck-pu, but it has a total different eq then the Emerald.