Help! HSS set for indie/brit rock/rock

[Telerocker]

So it's probably the black dog in the bridge, but I'll wait for the new samples just to be shure :)
And could someone tell me the pros/cons of a covered/non covered black dog

The single coils still bother me, I really can't decide. :(


PS do you think I could get a quantity discount because I was planing to get:
1x black dog
2x single coils (the ones I can't decide on :) )
1X nailbom calibrated set
1x irish tour middle pickup
and I might order a Aftermath calibrated set for a friend

For Chili Peppers the MM's.

[Foxter]

the crawler sounds great but it seemed a bit compressed on the sample on youtube.
Is it a bit compressed or is that just the video quality? I would really like to have a dynamic pickup.
And how does a black dog split with the IT's or MM's does anybody have any experience?

Ps what are the differences in sound between the covered and non covered versions of humbuckers?

[Telerocker]

I don't find the Crawler very compressed, but is has a softer creamy character then the BD. Say round. Don't worry the BD/Mule will split wonderful with the MM's.

[Foxter]

I think I made up my mind! :D
(I discovered the unofficial clips on the forum, before that I only listened to the official clips and the ones on youtube  :oops: )

So I think I will go with the crawler in the bridge and the mother's milk in middle and neck.
After I did a bit of compareing somehow the crawler just sounded better for my taste. I usually don't like signature models because I don't want people to think that I'm copying anyone, but after a bit of thinking I said to myself that that is nonsense because the guy is a professional and he played in a couple of famous bands and probably tried a couple of hundred guitars, so he must have a lot of knowladge of how a pickup should sound like.
(only the official clip on youtube sounded compressed, at least to my ears)

But could somebody please tell me the difference between the covered and non-covered versions??

I like the clean sound and the cluck of the MM's. The IT's are to gritty and the slowhands are to fat, almost like a humbucker.

Thank you guys for your help, it's been hard to choose because I wasn't sure what I wanted exactly, thank god for the clips. I'll still wait for the new clips just to be shure (and I need to raise the remaining money I need :) )

Cheers

[WhiteRam]

I'm quite sure you can mix & match two single coils and a humbucker for the discounted HSS set price, call or email BKP to get the instructions to do so.

I like the open poled pickups, the covered ones sound great too and I would play them.  I've owned both types, I don't really hear a difference as much as I feel a difference, but it's just a personal thing, as you see Steve Stevens uses the covered ones and he's a tone freak like us, so no worries or difference to speak of really.

I've been holding off on an opinion, after owning / playing / adjusting and really getting to know the BD in my HSS, I most surely would have the Slow Hands for my single coils.  The BD has a low growl and a thick bottom, its highs are very clear and rich and do not lack treble.  However I want the EQ on the amp to respond great for all my pickups without adjustment, so I realized why BKP matches this set up.

Crawler is a great set for you too, MM's or IT's or one of each might do, either way you're gonna love them.  :)

WR

[Telerocker]

Crawler non-covered. Cover will take off some highs and that could be too much for the Crawler.

[Doadman]

At the risk of confusing things further; if the Mule is a great choice but not powerful enough, you should look at the Abraxas, which is similar to a Mule but somewhat hotter. Don't be put off by the Santana connection, they're a great pickup with plenty versatility. Paired with a couple of Slowhands I think they'd be superb. I'm planning on using that combo in my back-up guitar when I eventually have the spare funds.

[Telerocker]

I agree with Doadman the Abraxas could be considered too. It's balanced, what I heard from clips. For Chili Peppers-stuff I would stick to MM's rather then the - compared to MM's - midrangy Slowhands.

[Foxter]

I listened to the abraxis, I kind of like the crawler/mother's milk combination the best, but tnx for the suggestion :D

[Doadman]

It's your choice and I'm sure that's a good combination but I'd keep an open mind until after the new site is launched on 3rd January. There will be loads of new sound clips, done in more controlled conditions so it will be easier to determine exactly what the characteristics of a particular pickup are. The players section is a great resource but there's simply too many variables. I've heard clips of a Holy Diver on there that sound muddy and I've dismissed the pickup and then I've come across others where it seems super tight and I'm really interested in it. The same thing has happened with Nailbomb clips. The new site will also have EQ charts so that will also help you to decide which pickups are best for you.

[Telerocker]

I listened to the abraxis, I kind of like the crawler/mother's milk combination the best, but tnx for the suggestion :D

As I said I have Crawler/IT's, but my friend has Crawler/MM's installed in an alder strat. Sounds really great. But, also the tonal character of the guitarwoods, the amp and the combi guitar/amp influence the sound, sometimes dramatically. But hey, you can't go wrong with this HSS-set.