Holy Diver in a Les Paul firebrand deluxe.

[Gibson 1964]

I had a les paul firebrand deluxe made the day I was born. Solid mahogany, was a thinner sounding guitar, almost sg like.

Well I thought the neck pickup was okay, but the bridge sounded a bit shrill. A holy diver came up on ebay cheap... I bought it figuring if it wasn't my thing, I could pass it on at little to no loss.

Well...

The holy diver revealed the guitar was a big sounding guitar that had been choked. That neck pickup I thought was okay sounds like a stinking transistor radio next to the holy diver which sounds like a good bridge pickup should, but currently possesses more of what a neck pickup should than the actual neck pickup did.

I must confess the tone chart had me fearing the holy diver might not have enough highs for an all mahogany guitar (which I experienced with an abraxas)

Sign me up for looking for a holy diver neck now.

[Twinfan]

Divers rock  8)

[Dazza1004]

Divers rock  8)

Agreed, plus (shameless spam) I have a set for sale, pm me if you're interested

[Vladimir]

Divers rock  8)

Agreed, plus (shameless spam) I have a set for sale, pm me if you're interested

If the bridge has 53mm spacing, than consider me as a potential buyer. :)

[Dazza1004]

Divers rock  8)

Agreed, plus (shameless spam) I have a set for sale, pm me if you're interested

If the bridge has 53mm spacing, than consider me as a potential buyer. :)

It has but sorry they've already been sold (and apologies for the threat derail)

[Philly Q]

I must confess the tone chart had me fearing the holy diver might not have enough highs for an all mahogany guitar (which I experienced with an abraxas)

Interesting, I'd have expected more highs from the Abraxas than the HD (despite the AIV magnet).

By the way, I was assuming from your name that you were born in '64 (same as me).  But if that Firebrand was made the day you were born, I guess that's not the case....!  :lol:

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Yeah, I feel the same. Abraxas actually should have more highs, no?

[darkbluemurder]

I have had them both in the same guitar and the Abraxas was a bit brighter and a bit more open (= less output). Not much in either department but noticeable.

But ultimately it's what the OP likes in his guitar and if the Holydiver works better in there than the Abraxas then all is fine. Maybe what you have interpreted as "less highs" was "less overtones from less output and overdrive". Anyway - enjoy!

Cheers Stephan 

[Gibson 1964]

I must confess the tone chart had me fearing the holy diver might not have enough highs for an all mahogany guitar (which I experienced with an abraxas)

Interesting, I'd have expected more highs from the Abraxas than the HD (despite the AIV magnet).

By the way, I was assuming from your name that you were born in '64 (same as me).  But if that Firebrand was made the day you were born, I guess that's not the case....!  :lol:

Nope a 1964 melody maker is just kind of my typical guitar. It has one 1950s Gibson P90 in it and it roars. Supposedly, that guitar has quite the past, but it is kind of a perfect guitar for me.

I was born in '81. The abraxas was in an all mahogany guitar, but not the same all mahogany guitar. However my abraxas is 53mm and creme so it would look out of place as well as be mis-spaced. I may cycle in some other bkps through the guitar, like a nailbomb set I have. But the diver seems to be a strong contender. It is a bit darker than I would normally go for in an lp, but the cleans and low to low mid gain tones are pretty awesome. The harmonics are great and it sounds mean and thick, but not muddy. I would try a proper spaced abraxas in it and I suspect that might be an even better choice for that guitar. But, I have a newborn and I don't have the abraxas to really try it... so, we shall see.

[Philly Q]

Nope a 1964 melody maker is just kind of my typical guitar. It has one 1950s Gibson P90 in it and it roars. Supposedly, that guitar has quite the past, but it is kind of a perfect guitar for me.

Sounds excellent!  :D

I was born in 1964, but the nearest I have to a guitar made in my birth year is a '65 Melody Maker - not entirely original, but it hasn't been carved up or refinished.  That's my only vintage guitar.  :)

[Slartibartfarst42]

My mahogany guitar is a PRS SE Custom 24 and Tim told me to use an Emerald in the neck to go with a Holydiver bridge so I'm guessing that would work for you too.