Need advice for Charvel replacement pickups - Holydiver or Rebel Yell?

[veniceguy]

Hi guys, I'm new here - I have heard great things about BKP, and I'm trying to find the right set of pickups to replace the SDs in my Charvel San Dimas - strat HH body, alder.  I play almost exclusively rock (Satriani, Van Halen, 80s stuff, etc.), lots of lead.  I play through a Budda Superdrive 18 amp.  I really like Satriani's tone, for reference. 

I'm leaning toward a Holydiver or Rebel Yell - any other suggestions or input? 

Many thanks, much appreciated.

[Telerocker]

RY will be on the bright side in alder/bolt-on. Definitely Holy Diver, thought an Abraxas does Satch-tones quite good too.

[darrenw5094]

The VHII would work too. Abraxas or VHII.

[Telerocker]

The VHII would work too. Abraxas or VHII.

Yeah, forgot about the VHII. Performs well in bolt-ons too. I have one in an ashstrat. Great balance, good mids, enough bass, chimey topend, though not shrill at all.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I'd say Abraxas.

[darrenw5094]

Actually i would love to hear the Abraxas in a Charvel.

\m/  8)

[Telerocker]

Nolly has a strat with Abraxas, Pat Pend 63 veneer board and Slowhand. If he likes the Abraxas in a bolt-on alder guitar, it for sure works great.

[darkbluemurder]

Hi guys, I'm new here - I have heard great things about BKP, and I'm trying to find the right set of pickups to replace the SDs in my Charvel San Dimas - strat HH body, alder.  I play almost exclusively rock (Satriani, Van Halen, 80s stuff, etc.), lots of lead.  I play through a Budda Superdrive 18 amp.  I really like Satriani's tone, for reference. 

I'm leaning toward a Holydiver or Rebel Yell - any other suggestions or input? 

Between those two my vote goes to Holydiver.

Cheers Stephan

[ericsabbath]

holy diver/cold sweat

if you're using boosters, the black dog might give you a little more versatility
it can sound quite satrianish
also works pretty well for some paul gilbert stuff as well, specially his last work with mr big

[case report]

holy diver/cold sweat

if you're using boosters, the black dog might give you a little more versatility
it can sound quite satrianish
also works pretty well for some paul gilbert stuff as well, specially his last work with mr big

Same guitar for me... interesting about Black Dog solution, 'cause I'm looking for a PAF sound on neck
so, in your opinion, what about Holydiver bridge and Black Dog neck?

[ericsabbath]

didn't try the neck black dog
I'd probably pick the cold sweat as it's still paf voiced, but will push more sustain for leads and it does pair well with both black dog and holy diver
black dog, holy diver and cold sweat neck have pretty similar specs, but with an ascending output level
darkbluemurder might give you a more detailed comparison

[darkbluemurder]

darkbluemurder might give you a more detailed comparison

I will try.

The Black Dog neck is a bit lower output than the Cold Sweat neck. It may be a bit too low for the Holydiver bridge. You may be able to balance that out by setting the BD neck fairly close to the strings and the HD bridge a bit further from the strings but that - IMHO - is not the way it sounds its best. Hence I feel the HD bridge / CS neck would make a better balance with each other.

Cheers Stephan