Cbomb Vs Painkiller

[one]

There's nothing wrong with EVH 5150 III amps.  That someone 'doesn't like' them is irrelevant.  What matters is that you have a certain guitar and a certain amp and you want a certain result.  You are not getting that from that particular pickup.  The expert is right in suggesting that it is the combination of elements that is the issue, but quite frankly he comes across as a dick in this reply.  I don't know how you put the problem to him, maybe that is part of the issue.  But basically you are working with these elements in pursuit of a goal and you are not achieving that goal.

I suspect that the issue is a mismatch between the acoustic properties of your guitar and the pickup.

The reason why I suggested trying the Juggs in your walnut guitar is that I suspect they might work okay there.  Soldering really isn't that difficult, by the way.  Main thing is that you make sure you don't touch the tip anywhere that it shouldn't be (e.g., your lovely wood or other wires in the harness).

Wise words, AO, thanks!

I also have the feeling the pickup doesn't take the wood combination or specific acoustics pretty well. Plus, I don't agree about the 5153 either, because it kills with my other three guitars. Do you think the Cpig will also fit this guitar since there are similar shared features with the Juggs? I'm leaning towards trying it with the C-hawks if not.

I will try to learn solder eventually, when I have a little time, maybe next summer. I think there's something important to learn for guitarrist, but I'll start practicing with an ibanez 520 I also have, before laying my big hands on my beauties :)

[Dave Sloven]

I'm really not sure, because I am not an expert on seven-strings, walnut, or this kind of construction.  I tend to stick to Gibson type six-strings, tune-o-matic bridges, 24.75" scale, lowest tuning C standard.

Has anyone got any wise words on walnut and it's effect on tone? I've heard a number of things but I am not sure how just a walnut top vs walnut body makes a difference.

I would go by how YOUR guitar sounds unplugged.  If it has a relatively scooped sound I would go with a pickup that boosts mids relative to highs and lows.  If it has a middy sound I would avoid middy pickups and try to find a pickup that is more scooped to even it out.

From what I have heard walnut tends to make guitars sound more scooped and from what you say it might be the slight scoop of the ceramic version of the Nailbomb that is the issue.  You might have been better off with the alnico magnet.

Middy ceramic pickups can tend to be harsh.  If you really like the Black Hawks I would tend toward the alnico version.  Apparently they are very tight

[one]

Thanks a lot, AO, splendid answer, I was also wondering about the ceramic kind of magnet as part of the problem here. I'll probably try the alnico blackhawk and come back here to tell you about it. :)

[ericsabbath]

https://youtu.be/7Pu5JEx5Deo
https://youtu.be/-wOUAcGBpws
https://youtu.be/Te9XK8KN5zg
https://soundcloud.com/don7v/skervesen-raptor-6-bare

[Dave Sloven]

Great links.

Also see this one on the two Black Hawks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qacdnnbe2k

[one]

Thanks, mates, the vids are great, though I had already seen most of them.

What is clear to me now is that I probably should go for an AV pickup.

1st option: A-hawk, impulse or even giving a chance to A-bomb (but I'm afraid the very high output also has something to do with my problem.

2nd option: Going more classic sound with Holy Diver, since the Miracle Man seems to have a huge amount of output, not to even mention the warpig, which I probably'd like because of my music preferences but it's too bassy.

[Dave Sloven]

If you are looking for something in the ballpark of the Juggernaut in your other guitar the A-Hawk is probably your best bet.  I have to say though that what little I've heard of the Impulse has been very positive

[one]

Thanks, AO, good points, I'll make you know what I finally go for when I make my mind.

[ericsabbath]

the neck MM is not that hot, despite of the high dc resistance
reminds me of the neck VHII, but with more compression and sustain

[one]

Thanks, Eric, though I don't have plans to change my neck CS, happy with it.

Now I just have to get to know the impulse better, because I know not much about it. The other contender, the A-hawk seems a good option, but I'm a bit scared the hi-fi character of that pickup makes it a bit sterile for me. I don't think so because I own a EMG 81/89 set and as I dig it considering it the paradigm of sterility, ehehe. I think I won't have problems liking the A-hawk at all then.

[ericsabbath]

Thanks, Eric, though I don't have plans to change my neck CS, happy with it.

ouch I actually misread your other post and confused with some other topic about neck pups
anyway, the miracle man isn't that high output
it actually feels less hot than both c-bomb and painkiller
it has a thinner wire, but it's not overwound like the nailbomb and doesn't have triple magnets like the painkiller
cleans up really really well
the leads have that ripping focused thing without sounding compressed

[MetalHeadMike]

To the OP:

The C-pig is not really as bassy as its made out to be IMHO. I had it in a All walnut strat style guitar and played through an Engl Fireball 100 which is an extremely bass heavy amp and it rocked. Don't get me wrong it accentuates the bass frequencies but it is TIGHT as hell and can even quack in the low end if that's what you want.

I moved on to the Painkiller bridge and was a bit worried it would be too bright and thin but turns out this is so far been my favorite BKP for thrash/death stuff. It handles gain amazingly well and with the utmost clarity, aggression and crunch in the mids. I had it in my all walnut Carvin ST300c and it absolutely slayed like no other. Palm mutes were huge, tight and menacing. High notes were open, articulate, bright but never harsh. The mids are so in your face, snarling, pissed off, and just pure awesome, if you like alot of mids of course.  The Painkiller will handle all the gain and bass you can throw at it while remaining articulate and musical the entire time. Truly a work of art that pickup is

I pulled the PK two weeks ago and replaced it with the Rebel Yell bridge. Another awesome, ultra defined, tight aggressive pup. A bit less push and a tad more open sounding than the Painkiller. The low end is rounder than the PK but still tight as hell. The mids are searing with snarl and bite, and the highs again are bright, crisp and very present but not harsh.  I like the Rebel Yell alot but plan on putting the Painkiller back in there because well... Its just that good

Here's a few clips I just put up in a Rebel Yell review thread I started last night.  No studio magic, just a Zoom H2N sitting atop the empty box my Painkiller came in in front of my 2x12. No post eq'ing of any sorts.

 As per always, excuse the slop and ....ty recording.

https://soundcloud.com/user-549632051/rebel-yell_original_savage-120_no-boost-straight-in_zoom0617wav/s-yAmq0


This the Painkiller_guitar straight into a Savage 120

https://soundcloud.com/user-549632051/savage120-no-boost-guitar-straight-in-0552wav/s-HCpDf



This is the Painkiller_guitar straight into a Savage 120

https://soundcloud.com/user-549632051/savage120-0550wav/s-29RR3

[one]

Thanks a lot MHM

superb detailed explanation. Man, you know your pups!

[Dave Sloven]

I found this video of Painkillers in a walnut top guitar

It might help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swoT0fCy3DI

[one]

Well, it does, although I was almost decided for the Impulse, omg :)

Can anybody tell me by the pics of my guitar, what would be the specific ordering details to match the Cold Sweat neck? I mean, it's chrome, but I'm not sure about the screws and maybe somebody knows that for sure at first glance.