Pickups for Jackson Randy Rhoads 3?

[Pyro]

Hey, I just bought a Jackson RR3, and I'm going to go the full way to sprucing it up, getting New Pots(1 meg push/pull), have a nice set-up at a shop, and all that, but I'm having trouble picking the right pickups, especially one for the bridge.

It is an alder body with a bolt on maple neck, and it would be played through my late 80's Champ(very simple tube amp, I really enjoy it).

I was looking for something that I could use to overdrive my amp but would also clean up nicely and have a lot of dynamics. That said, I would be using it in a noise band, so it would also have to handle distortion and effects well. So really, I want something thats powerful, but not over the top all the time.

I was thinking Abraxas(I like a lot of latin guitar tones and the description fit well I thought), Painkiller maybe (I love a very middy sound), or maybe a Nailbomb?

Any responses would be greatly apreciated, I really don't have any idea.

Edit: Was thinking of putting the Humbucker from Hell in the neck position, for versatility.

[WezV]

Edit: Was thinking of putting the Humbucker from Hell in the neck position, for versatility.

Personally i wouldnt bother - and its not just because we are on the BKP forum.

The HFH aint a bad pickup  in its own right but i dont think you will like it next to a BKP.  I have used them before and it was only ever a pale imitation of a single coil.

If you are after that single coil kind of sound from a humbucker sized pickup then the MQ or manahttan should fit your needs.  MQ being fatter and more growly whilst the manhattan is clearer and more sparkly


anyway, get your bridge pickup sorted first - you can always do the neck one at another time... I would go with a nailbomb

[Iron Horse]

Abraxas gets Carlos Santana's tone, http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zezwYeik_Ro&feature=related

I'd get a Crawler set if I were you, just my $ 0.02

[badgermark]

I'm curious how the Abraxis manages with chords, I can imagine it nails the silky smooth lead tone. Anyone on the forum got some?

[il˙ti]

Is it just me or is Santana's tone horribly thin and lifeless? It sounds like you're hearing him through a telephone...
Luckilly, the clips I've heard form the Abraxas have been very unlike that. It sounded hot and full, but with Santana-esque "sing", only so much more of it.

Original record of Europa had great tone though.

[badgermark]

His modern tone leaves a lot to be desired. The old stuff is awesome though. Really smooth...

[_tom_]

Is it just me or is Santana's tone horribly thin and lifeless? It sounds like you're hearing him through a telephone...
Luckilly, the clips I've heard form the Abraxas have been very unlike that. It sounded hot and full, but with Santana-esque "sing", only so much more of it.

Original record of Europa had great tone though.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=gpX97eg-W-k

That sounds thin to you? I think it sounds really fat and smooth.

[noodleplugerine]

God he's brilliant.

[il˙ti]

I think it sounds really fat and smooth.

Yep, you're right it does. I still think it sounds a bit nasal though. Does he just leave the wah pedal on?