Pickup recommendations for a Mayones Duvell 7

[sdrizis89]

I am looking to possibly replace the SD Nazgul/Sentient set in my Mayones Duvell 7. I tune this guitar to Drop G#. The guitar is has a bolt on neck, mahogany body, and ash top.  The Nazgul is too twangy on the middle strings. The lower register sounds great andbthe chugs are crushing but the upper mid spike is too present on the higher register. I use an Engl Savage 120 when using an amp but usually am plugged into my Kemper using a Savage profile. I want a tight but thick bottom end, grinding low mids, balanced high mids and highs (enough to cut and give clarity but not sound overly sharp). Clarity is a must for large chords. I really enjoy a full and singing lead tone (John Petrucci-ish). I like the rhythm tones that Periphery and Killswitch Engage are able to achieve. I am interested in the Black Dog and Nailbomb at the moment but I am open to anything. Thanks!

[Lucas]

Please stay away from Nailbomb, you`ll thank me later. This pickup will definitely NOT give you what you want. I used to have Ceramic version and although I used 9 different BKPs, Nailbomb was always black sheep, never liked it so much and ended up selling it.
But let me explain why Nailbom will not tick your boxes.

First of all even ceramic version that I had never coped that well with lower tunings,  due to its hairy and raspy nature it`s not precise enough for complex riffing especially on lover tunings. Clarity in my opinion is opposite to Nailbomb, especially clarity in large chords is not achieved very easily with Nailbomb. You`ve mentioned lead tone... Ant it`s the weakest point in Naibomb, as many will agree with me it`s not lead pickup at all. Maybe alnico version will perform better but generally speaking Nailbombs are not for leads at all.

I don`t know Black Dog that much so I would let anyone else with any experience to speak about this pickup.

My suggestion would be Miracle Man. It`s my favorite pickup of all time adn I know BKP line quite a bit as all my 4 guitars have only BKPs (look at the list below my post). I like Miracle Man to that point that I have it 2 guitars  :)
But to the point. I think it will tick all of your boxes especially in the guitar like yours.

-thick bottom end, really chewy as I say,
-balanced mids, slightly scooped in mids
-lovely highs, slightly pronounced but in healthy and tasty way (same as bottom end)
-has amazing clarity
-quite versatile, can be metal pickup but can play modern heavy blues with dignity as well (I use MM for different styles and I`m always happy)
-good cleans (modern sounding) for ceramic pickup
-PLUS amazing lead tone, I mean it

The whole set is amazing to be honest, not only bridge. I really like middle position on cleans to. Regarding neck model is shares similar vibe as bridge, great for cleans and solos.
Many people say that Miracle Man sounds like Zakk Wylde. I woud say that bridge model does not that much, but neck Miracle Man reminds me a little bit of Zakk neck tone,

Summing up, I have 4 guitars with different BKPs but 90% of time I only use those ones with Miracle Man. Really. I think that it will tick all of your boxes.
Although I don`t know Black Dog.

hope it helps.
Lucas

[ericsabbath]

Miracle Man sounds great for classic Petrucci and KsE, but I'm not sure you'll enjoy the strong treble response in the upper strings
If you want a rounder top, maybe you might prefer a Juggernaut
the boot camp humbuckers (true grit and brute force, specifically) sound like a great alternative for those seeking a flatter and more balanced response than the regular flagship models

[one]

I totally subscribe the words from Lucas, I can't understand why people love the Cbomb, I also have a friend which says it's his most hated pickup ever, being a person who has also experienced dozens of different pups. I tested it in myself and everything is true, bad downtuning, chords unclear, icepicky in a trebblish way and terrible solos. However my Juggernauts and Warpigs are just superb.

[sdrizis89]

I have a C-Bomb in my les Paul and feel the same way about the highs being a little too much at times, esp for leads. Really interested in the Black Dog. The modern metal clip is monstrous.

[Sarkasis]

The C-bomb must be very different from the alnico version. I think the alnico Nailbomb is good for leads and doesn't have any frequencies that are going to be a problem. I have a 7-string A-Bomb and it sounds like it might be what you want

[Dave Sloven]

I think people don't like the C-Bomb because it's not well suited to leads.  I think a lot of people who like that pickup use their neck pickup for leads and cleans.  The Nailbomb neck is quite nice.

Personally my favourite pickup in the range is the Black Hawk.  Such a great pickup!  I have the alnico version in my Schecter Stiletto and hope to fit the ceramic version into a Schecter C-1 Blackjack ATX that I have recently acquired.  Lovely for rhythm, lead, and clean on either pickup.  The Blackjack is darker than the Stiletto so I think the ceramic would be a better choice for it.  I can't recommend the BH highly enough.  The neck pickup in the set is especially nice

You might want to watch the BKP videos comparing the ceramic and alnico versions of the Nailbomb and Black Hawk bridge pickups.

Nailbombs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2kvQkpz5sM

Black Hawks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qacdnnbe2k