Pickups for my Les Paul (Hot output)

[everyemptyvein]

So I have a 2011 Epiphone Les Paul Studio and I have finally decided to go ahead with a set of BKPs. I play pop-punk like New Found Glory, All Time Low, Four Year Strong and The Wonder Years. What do you guys suggest? (For tone references listen to Dismantling Summer by The Wonder Years or We All Float Down Here by Four Year Strong.

I had been thinking Nailbombs but I'd like other options. Also, for the neck I enjoy a nice bluesy solo sound.

[Dave Sloven]

Alnico Nailbomb in the bridge.

NB neck might also work, but given your comments maybe consider an Emerald neck as well

[everyemptyvein]

Alnico Nailbomb in the bridge.

NB neck might also work, but given your comments maybe consider an Emerald neck as well

What's the difference for Alnico and Ceramic? I do like the rawness of the ceramic but how would it effect tone?

[Kiichi]

Ceramic will generally be a tad tighter with a more reighned in top end, whereas the alnico will be more organic, raw in the midrange, and more open in the top. The BKP ceramics are much more organic than other manufacturers though, like shockingly so. Depends a lot on your taste. I am an alnico man myself, but damn...

I am intrigued that you say "the rawness of ceramic" as I always feel that alnico is more raw. Ceramic strikes me as often more agressive in a screaming, clean, modern way, whereas the alnicos have more of earthy growly and singingly natural overtones....ok, even I admit I am getting lost in adjectives here. Maybe I still get my point across. Otherwise I will try again later.

I do second the Emerald neck idea though....

[Dave Sloven]

Basically all of the things Kiichi said

Also, from what I heard on the clips (of the bands you mention) there is a punky undertone there, which the A-Bomb does better than any other HB in the BKP contemporary range.  The C-Bomb has less punk, more metal, if that makes sense

[everyemptyvein]

Thanks. And about the Neck PUP, I've been thinking since it has its own volume, I'd prefer something where it is trebly enough that if I roll of the volume it sounds like a clean channel. This way, I can switch between clean/dirty on my guitar. Any recommendations from that standpoint?

[CommonCourtesy]

For pop punk get a Mesa dual rectifier and a high output bridge pickup, f**k the rest and play loud haha.

Personally I use a footswitch to go between clean and dirty channels on the amp. I run my 'clean' with the crunch button pushed in to give it some dirt if I dig in. Then for all rhythm sounds I switch to my dirty channel.

[Dave Sloven]

Thanks. And about the Neck PUP, I've been thinking since it has its own volume, I'd prefer something where it is trebly enough that if I roll of the volume it sounds like a clean channel. This way, I can switch between clean/dirty on my guitar. Any recommendations from that standpoint?

Emerald neck isn't trebly but most BKP necks clean up pretty well with the volume knob, especially if you switch the wiring to '50s style

A more trebly neck would be the Holy Diver

[darthphineas]

Thanks. And about the Neck PUP, I've been thinking since it has its own volume, I'd prefer something where it is trebly enough that if I roll of the volume it sounds like a clean channel. This way, I can switch between clean/dirty on my guitar. Any recommendations from that standpoint?

just put an Emerald neck on one of my Epi Lesters.

I'll qualifiy this by saying that I'll be spending more time with it to get it a little more dialed in...but...I think it's going to be going into one of my super strats, if I even keep it...the upper mids and the highs are alright for my style, but it does come off a little thicker and heavier in the lower mids and the lows, especially for an A4.  I think it might come off a little warmer than what you say you're looking for.  I'll be trying a VHII neck in there next.

[darthphineas]

following up to say that I put a VHII in the neck of that Lester and it's something I think might be a good option for what the OP mentioned in the follow up posting

[Dave Sloven]

The A-Bomb/VHII combo has been proven to work well together too