Looking to maybe try something different

[jleader]

I've been digging through the forum, reading up on what folks are using for basswood guitars as I'm currently working on a 6 string build that I firmly intend to drop some BK's in.  It's nothing too fancy:  basswood body with a 1/4" maple top, maple neck and fingerboard, 25" scale. It's 2 humbuckers, and I'm planning on a 5 way switch with splitting for added versatility, because clean tones are as important as the rock stuff.

It seems the Holy Diver is a pretty common suggestion for basswood, which is fine, I actually have a calibrated set I can use. 8)  But I was thinking of possibly trying something different...  I like being able to roll off the volume to clean things up, so something along a Guthrie Govan sort of vibe would be cool, but would also like to get into the Opeth "Blackwater Park" neighborhood too.  Any other suggestions while I war to hear back from the BK guys?  Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[darkandrew]

I recently transplanted my Crawler set from a mahogany ESP Eclipse were they just sounded too smooth into a basswood Fender Showmaster and I was quite shocked at the difference the woods made - in the basswood Showmaster the bridge pickup is pretty aggressive with quite a forceful high-mid emphasis but the neck is "fluid" and perfectly balanced, offering a real contrast to the bridge. They also split really well giving good single coil type sounds in both positions. As a complete set, I'd say they are a very versatile pairing in the right guitar.

[darrenw5094]

It seems the Holy Diver is a pretty common suggestion for basswood

Not for me, the HD has plenty of mids, but the basswood tone also quite middy and mellow on the high end. That is a mids overdose.

[jleader]

That's what I'd have thought as well prior to searching. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it's also what Tim recommended. So I guess I'll proceed with the matched set I have, for now. He also mentioned a few of them had good luck with an Emerald in the neck of an Ibanez RG since that's somewhat similar to what I'm (slowly) working on.

Also, I can see (hear?) where the Crawler might work well too. I'll keep that in mind if the HD's don't "do it" for me.

[darrenw5094]

Would be interesting to see what an Emerald would sound in a normal basswood RG.