Which are the most versatile single coils??

[Serratus]

I've not had that many BKP single coils (I've had many more humbuckers!), and my son wants a single coil set for his Strat and I'm not really sure what to recommend to him 
This is tricky because he doesn't exactly have a sound in mind, which is why I'm looking for the most versatile set. He's really into metal and heavy rock and his other guitars have humbuckers, but he does want something different to them in this guitar (otherwise I'd immediately suggest a Sinner or Cobra set). But I still wonder if (as his heart is really with higher-gain sounds) in the long run he'd find a proper vintage set (like Apaches) a bit limiting.
At the moment I'm thinking of suggesting a Trilogy suite bridge with Irish tour middle and neck, because I think they'd still have a lot of single coil character but would handle gain better than a true vintage set. But I wanted to get some opinions from people with more experience of the different BKP singles?
If it helps, I would say that he doesn't want too much treble; he's probably looking for a really plummy, round tone with plenty of character and bass.
Also, he really likes Ian Thornley of Big Wreck who often plays a Suhr classic, although I can't find any info of what single coils he has in that 
Anyway, any advice/opinions much appreciated! 

[AndyR]

My experience is at the vintage end of things, I have Apache, Irish Tour, and Sultan Sets... so a slightly limited view here...

But when you say "If it helps, I would say that he doesn't want too much treble; he's probably looking for a really plummy, round tone with plenty of character and bass." -

My first thought was Apaches. Out of my three sets, that's what fits the description. If you're after more output, hopefully others will chime in. I understand Mother's Milks are brighter than the ones I have, so I'd happily advise against those. ITs are "harder" and less plummy than Apaches. Sultans are smoother and less punch at the low end than Apaches. Yep, I'd recommend Apaches, especially as he has humbuckers already. But I suspect you'll end up going for more output?

[Telerocker]

All handle gain good, but I think he should look at Slowhands, which have a rounder topend and extra mids. Maybe the bridge too, with a baseplate. Not the most vintage of the bunch, but they handle highgain-sounds very good.

[seancorker]

All handle gain good, but I think he should look at Slowhands, which have a rounder topend and extra mids. Maybe the bridge too, with a baseplate. Not the most vintage of the bunch, but tehy handle highgain-sounds very good.

+1 for Slowhands - much more versatile and preferred them to Mothers Milk or IT's

[gwEm]

Slowhands with a baseplate on the bridge I reckon

That was my first BKP strat set. They sound meaty with gain, not too much treble, but still have a strat character and can do all your favourite clean strat things if needed.

[Kiichi]

If the routing allows I would not count out a P90 bridge. Still SC, but pretty awesome.

Sides that the SH is most versatile in the not yet modern direction.

Baseplate for the bridge is a must I think, yet possible for all positions.

Wonder how a more modern SC bridge plays with the SH in neck and middle...

[Serratus]

Thanks for the advice so far, guys!

I messaged Tim and asked him how hot we could go with the bridge pickup if we went for Apache neck and middle pickups, and he said a Cobra would work well! Hot, but also matches well with vintage single coils, apparently.
In the light of the advice on here, I might ask him how that combo would compare to a slowhand set with a baseplate on the bridge :)