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Author Topic: Quick Pickup Advice Needed!  (Read 1854 times)

mkh02

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Quick Pickup Advice Needed!
« on: February 17, 2011, 03:53:18 PM »
Looking to upgrade Gibson R9 Les Paul Pickups to one of the following:

Nailbomb set
Crawler set
Cold Sweat set

Problem is I keep gettin different answers off everyone I ask for advice and I am so confused lol.

I feel like buying all 3 lol!

A lot of my playing is based around solos although I put in a fair bit of rhythm in the band. Will be using the LP to play Zeppelin, Ozzy, Guns n Roses and various other classic rock up to 80's Metal ie Toto, Whitesnake. I have an Ibanez Jem I use for Van Halen, Satriani and Steve Vai and a super strat loaded with 2 Trilogies and a Cold Sweat for Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen and some miscellaneous stuff.

I feel the LP is letting me down. I want a good searing lead tone with plenty of bite. I don't really like the light overdriven sound to be honest nor do I like anything too compressed. I would like the LP to give me good fluid tight lead work without being too trebely or bitting. Smooth leads are what I am looking for with plenty of gain but nothing mushy or compressed. Something that will allow for flowing legato, pinched harmonics and fluid two hand tapping but still retain a distorted snarl in the notes not the classic 'widdly', metal noise.

In regard to chord work I would like rasping power chords akin to a driven Marshall JCM 800. Strong gibson 80's growls not modern metal saturation.

Any thoughts on what would give me the flexibility I am looking for? I am leaning towards the Nailbombs however I thought the Crawlers would give me high gain with a bit more of a vintage vibe. The coldsweats I thought would brighten the set up as I play through a Carvin Legacy II valvle amp which is fairly dark and I need something to help cut through the keyboards and second guitar in the band.

So confused lol any help would be great!
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Roobubba

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Re: Quick Pickup Advice Needed!
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2011, 04:12:16 PM »
Kinda sounds like a holy diver to me... But I don't have one so can't be sure.
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gwEm

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Re: Quick Pickup Advice Needed!
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2011, 09:05:13 PM »
Quote from: Roobubba on February 17, 2011, 04:12:16 PM
Kinda sounds like a holy diver to me... But I don't have one so can't be sure.

I think thats a fair comment
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Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

Telerocker

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Re: Quick Pickup Advice Needed!
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2011, 12:05:16 AM »
From what I've read HD produces big fat leadtones. I don't know if they are to warm for a Les Paul. Crawlers are more vintagehot/blues-rock oriëntated and  I think not the first choiche for metaltones. NB's are best of both worlds, with more agressiveness then the HD, but not as fat for leads.
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Mules, VHII, Crawler, MM's, IT's, BG50's.

kevinr

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Re: Quick Pickup Advice Needed!
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2011, 01:34:04 AM »
Crawlers or Holydivers
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gwEm

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Re: Quick Pickup Advice Needed!
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2011, 11:24:08 AM »
in a brighter les paul, holy divers will work a treat! antag loves his after all.
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Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

mkh02

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Re: Quick Pickup Advice Needed!
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2011, 01:04:26 PM »
My amp is quite dark to be honest playing through a Carvin Legacy II 100w with a Marshall 4x12 Cab.

I am probably going to go with the Nailbombs to be honest. I want some traditional rock sounds as well as the ability to get smooth creamy solos.

Such a problem choosing the pickups, there are so many that I am always changing my mind!!

Any further comments would be greatfully received. I feel that the Holy Divers would be too compressed and metally for my needs!
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Roobubba

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Re: Quick Pickup Advice Needed!
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2011, 02:11:12 PM »
Maybe I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that Nailbombs are more 'compressed and metally' than holy divers...?
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Telerocker

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Re: Quick Pickup Advice Needed!
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2011, 05:16:17 PM »
Quote from: Roobubba on February 18, 2011, 02:11:12 PM
Maybe I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that Nailbombs are more 'compressed and metally' than holy divers...?

I think you're right.

BTW: when the amp is quite dark and the guitar not very bright, maybe Rebel Yell's are the solution. But better ask Tim for advice.
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Mules, VHII, Crawler, MM's, IT's, BG50's.
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