Pickup Choice for Padauk Bodied Super Strat

[nickcoumbe]

The problem with having one guitar with Bare Knuckles is that suddenly every other guitar sounds inferior and you have to upgrade.

I built a Padauk super strat based around an Ibanez RG. It is H-H configuration with a push-push PU selector (to give neck or bridge PU only) with no tone control, and a floyd rose.

Originally, I installed an SD Dimebucker in the bridge and an EVO in the neck. The EVO was just too dark, so I changed it to a Breed. Still too dark and a bit muddy so I want to change it all over. I am basically happy with the output and tone of the bridge, but it doesn't have quite the clarity of a Rebel Yell for example. I'd take a drop in volume and drive for a better harmonic response.

I play mostly 80's rock and metal. Think Steel Panther/Ozzy and you aren't too far off, but I also greatly admire the Les Paul tones of Slash.

I have many Bare Knuckle pickups (HD, MM, RY, VHII plus some singles) in various guitars.

I am thinking of changing it to a Rebel Yell in the neck and possibly a RY, Holy Diver or VHII in the bridge.

I'm open to putting a matched pair of any of those (or anything else for that matter) but I wondered if anyone has encountered this issue and come up with a solution.

To put it in easy terms, I want to be able to play the first solo from Paradise City or the Intro from Sweet Child on the neck and the Rhythm for Mr Crowley on the bridge.

Thoughts?

[darkbluemurder]

Rebel Yell neck should be fine, so would be the Cold Sweat neck. Given the fact that Paduak tends to be a hard and hard sounding wood I would choose the Holydiver bridge.

Cheers Stephan

[Telerocker]

Padouk is a tight and percussive tonewood, so I would stick something beefy and not overly bridgt in the bridgepos. like the HD. For the neck a  VHII or a CS.

[nickcoumbe]

I've just stripped the RY set out of the guitar in my profile picture and I'll shove those in to start with.

I am pretty confident that this is the right choice for the neck. We shall see.

I'll post clips when I am done.