BKP Newbie looking for new 'metal music' guitar and BKPs to add into it.

[A Call For Repentance]

Hi all. I'm new to BKPs, so as you can imagine, the pickup choice seems very overwhelming. To start off first: I'm looking for a new guitar to play metal with similar style to band such as Parkway Drive. Me and my other guitarist are having debates on whether to play in Drop C or Drop B, so I'm looking for a guitar that can handle those sort of tunings. I want the guitar to have 24 XJ frets, as well as being neck-thru, with very good upper fret access. My price limit is up to about £800, give or take. But I'd like to spend as little as possible. Regarding the bridge, would I be better off without a trem since I'm in a low tuning, as well as playing heavy palm mutes?

Could you please recommend me some guitars like the one I've described above, as well as a set of BKPs to compliment it. The sound is quite heavy metal, like Parkway Drive, Asking Alexandria, Bullet, etc. Cheers

[Telerocker]

Neck thru I say Miracle Man, but I'm not the expert here when it comes to downtuning.

[fltlll]

As far as handling tunings, in regards to pickup selection, I would say Aftermath should be one of the first pickups that come to mind. Handles the wonkiest tunings you can think of, and has an overall AWESOME metal tone. From there, only your personal taste would dictate if there is something better for you.

Guitar-wise, low tunings don't necessarily exclude trems; set up correctly, a trem will function well in most situations. Your playing style will dictate trem, as well as most all other guitar options. Safe to say that there have been all kinds of guitars used for many different genres (including low-tuned metal).

The reason why I would be quick to select a pickup is because it is much easier to sell and replace a pickup than it is to do with a guitar :D

I think most "modern metalcore" guys use hard-tail guitars with decently big frets and decently large neck radii. For that, you could look at Schecter, ESP (LTD series), SG and LP style guitars from various MFG's, etc.

Currently, I'm using a schecter c-1 classic with an aftermath in the bridge. I can easily get those Parkway Drive sounds.

[A Call For Repentance]

Yh, I've had a look at Schecter. I've also been looking at BC Rich if anybody has had any experience with these?

[Dr.Pain]

I have a BC Rich Jr V 7 with a ceramic warpig and it's brutal.  I need an eq to give the mids a boost as this combo offers a lot of bass but the eq boost just gets it in a nice zone.  It sounds nice through my 60 watt Peavey.  The c-pig is great, lots of output and clean too.  I need a noise gate though so that's next on the list.  I like playing Fear Factory, Carcass, Entombed as it sounds good.

An Aftermath could be good too as the c-pig may have too much bass depending on the guitar.  Took me a while to get mine sounding right but it was more tweaking my eq and easing back some bass where an aftermath you'd be letting the eq and amp do all the work rather than those trying to tame what's coming through.  That's from my findings and I just noodle around at home for enjoyment.  Tim did recommend an aftermath for my V but I'd already had the c-pig.