Explorer pickups (last time!)

[Doadman]

I'm surprised you're not a fan as they are so much the sound of that era. Everything you've said up to that point screams out 'Cold Sweats'  but if you don't like them, you just don't like them. When I got mine everybody told me the Miracle Man was ideal for the style I was after but for some reason they just didn't do it for me. To each his own I suppose but they really are the sound you describe.

[Crazy_Joe]

Cool, it's probably just because i haven't heard enough Cold Sweat sound clips.

Does anyone know how Mules would fair in it?
I see Tim has some in his Explorer.

[Doadman]

The Mule sounds a good pup and seems to be well thought of here on the forum, though it may be a little lightweight for what you're after. I agree that soundclips for Cold Sweats at the bridge are too rare though this one I found quite useful:

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2708

Have you asked what Tim thinks?

[_tom_]

I was never a fan of Cold Sweats but i think i'll give them a go if it means that i won't have to sell my Explorer.

Have you even tried a Cold Sweat?  :?

[Crazy_Joe]

No, but if they are going to be like all the other contemporaries that i have tried then it will be a waste of time.

[Twinfan]

I say again, Riff Raffs  :)

[Doadman]

No, but if they are going to be like all the other contemporaries that i have tried then it will be a waste of time.

To be honest I don't think they are like the other contemporary pups, except for the obvious fact that they are 'hot'. They're certainly nothing like a Warpig or a Miracle Man. Perhaps the Holy Diver would be the closest to Cold Sweats as they share a warmth to the tone but the ceramic magnet will allow it to cut through the mahogany far more than a Holy Diver could. It seems to me that while Cold Sweats aren't the only suggestion you've got here, they are a very popular one and having used them myself in a similar setup to the one you describe I can vouch for the fact that it is a good suggestion. Nevertheless, regardless of the advice offered you seem determined to choose something else and that is obviously your choice as it's your money. As a result, I will change my advice to this:

1) Contact Tim and explain to him exactly what you're after and then buy whatever he suggests, even if it is a Cold Sweat!

OR

2) Buy whatever pup you think would be best as you seem very keen on going your own way.

[Crazy_Joe]

I'm not saying i won't get the Cold Sweat, but i would rather wait for Tim to reply and tell me what would work well.

[Doadman]

I'm not saying i won't get the Cold Sweat, but i would rather wait for Tim to reply and tell me what would work well.

That seems to me like a very sensible thing to do as instances of Tim getting it wrong seem to be very few and far between. I tied myself in knots trying to work out what would be best, especially as I found the soundclips to be of limited help as the recordings contain too many variables. I eventually just abdicated all responsibility for the decision to Tim and bought whatever he suggested regardless of how surprising I found his choice. It simplified the process beautifully and would you believe it, he got it right again! :D

[Johnny Mac]

When I first tried Cold Sweats they were in Tim's Les Paul Custom at last years LGS and they just blew me away! Just listen to John Sykes's tone for an idea of waht they sound like.

[FELINEGUITARS]

My Ibanez with Holy Divers (old versions) played through the same settings on the Laney has a Godlike tone and i love it to bits!

I don't know what it is, i think it's too dark so i might need brighter pickups like the Rebel Yells?

The old Holy Divers were Ceramic bridge 13.1k and Alnico 5 7.6k neck
Don't forget body wood/hardware makes a difference too so a Floyd equipped RG will be bright
 
I would tend to go for Cold Sweats or a Rebel Yells
An old spec Diver might work as well
Painkillers would work well in an Explorer too but they are a bit tougher sounding.

[Davey]

That seems to me like a very sensible thing to do as instances of Tim getting it wrong seem to be very few and far between. I tied myself in knots trying to work out what would be best, especially as I found the soundclips to be of limited help as the recordings contain too many variables. I eventually just abdicated all responsibility for the decision to Tim and bought whatever he suggested regardless of how surprising I found his choice. It simplified the process beautifully and would you believe it, he got it right again! :D

exactly what i do.

i talk to ben, ask him a question about tone, since he knows what music i like and play, then ask tim the same question, as he knows his pickups best.
the pickup they both mention i buy. much easier than listening to 50 people give you different combinations, due to different perception and likes, then listen to clips, that arent that accurate showcases of the real tone. more like an instance what a pickup can do with that amp and that guitar in that kind of sound setting. which might be what you are looking for, but it also might not.


soooo... all this is just a +1 to Trust Tims advice. it will make your pickup search MUCH easier

[BloodMountain]

Tim's decision is always right. he recommended me a CWP, and i'm happy as a hamster (eh?)

+2