Which pickups for black korina Warmoth build?

[Simon D]

Starting planning a second Warmoth guitar - a VW (Bit like an Eddie Van Halen Music Man).

Woods are going to be black korina for the body back and flame maple for the top, ebony fretboard with a (probably wenge) neck. It's going to have a Wilkinson trem, and a LP style control layout.

Tonally, I want it to be punchy, with more clarity in the low end than an LP, and a bit brighter overall. I don't need anything as powerful as the Warpigs in my other Warmoth. I was thinking either Nailbombs (which I've had before and liked), VHIIs or Crawlers. If anyone has any experience with these in a black korina guitar, or has any suggestions for pickups I haven't thought of, I'd appreciate your input.

Cheers, Si

[WezV]

very similar thread about one of my builds a few down from this.

tim suggested Riff-raffs for a korina/limba  guitar with spalted maple top, maple neck and ziracote fretboard (for ziracote think the middle ground between rosewood and ebony.. or cash in on the hype and say it sounds like braz rosewood)... i guess he would say the same for yours.  


I also have a black limba/korina guitar with maple burl top, maple/ziracote neck that has a wilkinsons trem and a crawler in the bridge position.  Its a really nice sounding guitar, i think the combo works well.

The wenge neck and maple top will give you the clarity and punch you need and the korina usually adds a hell of a lot of warmth and depth to the sound without it getting muddy.  I personally would go with a wenge or rosewood fretboard for a little more warmth and a slightly softer attack.... or indeed ziracote if they offer it.. ebony could be a bit harsh with the wenge neck.  Possibly a bit too punchy!!

[Simon D]

Thanks for the reply Wez. I don't know a lot about the Riff Raff, but I assume it's not a one-trick pony. Might be after something a little more powerful though.

Thanks for the wood advice too, that's much appreciated and nicely timed too, because Warmoth have a wenge/ebony neck, with the spec I wanted. I was going to pull the trigger and order it next week. Time for a rethink. Rosewood sounds appealing, and it'll be cheaper than ebony. Do like the look of ziracote though - it's beautiful.

[WezV]

i have just done some rough and ready video clips of some of my guitars which i am uploading to youtube at the moment.  I made sure i included my black limba and maple one in them and will post the links in the players section when i get them sorted... If you want more power than the riff raff then crawler starts looking like a good option - thats hwats in my guitars anyway so you can have a listen in a mo

[Simon D]

That's cool, cheers Wez. I'll be sure to take a look.

[WezV]

just posted them all in the players section... not great quality and i didnt get any real distortion sounds in these clips but it might help.

[Simon D]

Cool, i'll go take a look.