Author Topic: New BKP's for Charvel Star (Read 6637 times)

AngusYoung01 · « **on:** December 25, 2007, 11:47:49 PM »

Right, just got my brand new USA Charvel Star, and it is superb, pickups are quite good too, but nothing on my MM's in the SG. So, if and when the time comes when I have money to blow, BKP's will be the way to go, and I have no idea where to look.

Few things to consider-

>Alder body, floyd rose, bolt on neck.
>Going through a Marhsall DSL50 and MXR Distortion+ (and a few mods etc)

What I play -

>Maiden, etc.
>Van Halen, Extreme, Dream Theater
> General 80's stuff

I like them to be hot, and I like them tight. Pinches are used alot, and I'm looking for something classically 80's shred, like EVH (so I'm looking at the VHII) but is it hot enough?

As I say, I also use the guitar for Dream Theater type stuff and a fair few others, but my band is typically 80's style metally rock shiz.

So, you guys know best, what would you reccommend?

ericsabbath · « **Reply #1 on:** December 26, 2007, 01:25:06 AM »

holy diveeEEEEEEEeeeeeeEEEEEeeeeeer yeaahhhh

:santa:

AngusYoung01 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 26, 2007, 08:47:08 PM »

Any sound clips? 8)

And are they the shiznit for this stuff?

ilÿti · « **Reply #3 on:** December 26, 2007, 09:04:31 PM »

Hot, tight, 80s shred, pinches, DT... yeah you're screaming for a Diver.

AngusYoung01 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 26, 2007, 09:06:37 PM »

Quote from: ilyti

Hot, tight, 80s shred, pinches, DT... yeah you're screaming for a Diver.

You guys are great :D

So I'll get some nice Van Halen-y stuff from that, aye?

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2007, 11:30:41 AM »

Holy Diver, if you need any swaying for it just go to the Players section and listen to a guy called Antags clips.

indysmith · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2007, 11:45:08 AM »

...well I'd go for VHII's personally, but you will be happy with holydivers

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #7 on:** December 27, 2007, 02:01:01 PM »

Quote from: indysmith

...well I'd go for VHII's personally, but you will be happy with holydivers

I second this.

My gut says VHII or Painkiller (believe it or not) over a Holy Diver.

There is a butt load of mass on that guitar, and I'm not sure how the HD would deal with that -- would it get even darker still??

I would definitely check with Tim before pulling the trigger because the wrong choice could actually make your guitar sound worse, especially since you like the current tone of the guitar as-is.

dave_mc · « **Reply #8 on:** December 27, 2007, 03:11:46 PM »

Quote from: TwilightOdyssey

I would definitely check with Tim before pulling the trigger because the wrong choice could actually make your guitar sound worse, especially since you like the current tone of the guitar as-is.

I agree. I have duncans in my edwards, and while there's no doubt my BKP's are better, the duncans are a different style of pickup (JB/'59 versus miracle man/cold sweat), and for the tones at which the duncans are aimed, they're more "authentic" than the BKPs (even though they aren't as "nice" pickups).

That made more sense in my head, and apologies for my inarticulateness, but yeah.

The right BKPs will likely make your guitar better- you just need to make sure you get the right ones. :)

EDIT: the other thing is, if you like the tone of your guitar as is, why the rush to change? Wait a while so you're sure of what you want your new pickups to do to your tone. :)

AngusYoung01 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2007, 11:14:14 PM »

Actually Dave and TO, you're both right. I'm learning to use these pups to their best, and I have to say, they are fantastic, as you say Dave, "Authentic".

I'll leave it a long while to see if they need it :D

AngusYoung01 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 02, 2008, 07:44:16 PM »

OK, the sound isn't as good as it could be. The bottom end is quite flabby tbh, which bugs me. The sound I'm after is John Sykes tone on Whitesnakes 1987 album, and extremely 80's - Van Halen, Bon Jovi etc.

dave_mc · « **Reply #11 on:** January 03, 2008, 05:34:56 PM »

can't help with recommendations to be honest (haven't tried enough BKPs), but my gut is you're going to have to compromise... sykes is a ceramic, reasonably high output, tight tone, while VH (especially) and sambora are more of a lower output, softer/warmer alnico V tone.

I think. :lol:

basically, which do you want more, and which are you willing to compromise on? Of course, there may be a BKP which'll do all those tones sublimely, in which case I'm willing to stand corrected. :)

On another note, and just for interest: do you have any idea why those charvels have plummetted so much in price? Not so long ago they were going for £1500, now they can be had for £700 on andertons, merchant city music, etc.

Any ideas? Cheers. :)

steve · « **Reply #12 on:** January 03, 2008, 06:07:18 PM »

I would say Holy Divers, hot enough to do 80's rock with ease and with a slight volume pot adjustment they have a real warm bluesy tone. I use a set in my new Bon Jovi tribute band and for the 80's Sambora tone they get very near.Very versatile, i may have a demo i could add if you want?

AngusYoung01 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 03, 2008, 07:35:21 PM »

Steve, if you add that'd be great :D

Tim recommends the Cold Sweats

badgermark · « **Reply #14 on:** January 03, 2008, 07:59:30 PM »

Tim is probably right. The Diver isn't that hot I don't think. The one in my Strat is great, but maybe not what you really want. Can't say pinches fly out dead easy either, think my Telecaster with Country Boys is easier to get pinch harmonics out...