Author Topic: To ceramic or not to ceramic? (Read 3179 times)

Fuzz0r · « **on:** February 24, 2008, 09:26:44 AM »

So I decided to get a Nailbomb pickup to install in bride position for my Gibson Les Paul Standard. The only question is, should I get the ceramic version or the normal version?
I'm looking for a very heavy yet clear rock/metal sound.
Thanx. :)

ericsabbath · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2008, 10:01:41 AM »

Quote from: Fuzz0r

So I decided to get a Nailbomb pickup to install in bride position for my Gibson Les Paul Standard. The only question is, should I get the ceramic version or the normal version?
I'm looking for a very heavy yet clear rock/metal sound.
Thanx. :)

try something in between
alnico 8 :D

Nolly · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2008, 10:04:26 AM »

My guess would be to stick with the standard AV one.
I've asked Tim about Alnico 8 before, and he said it was basically useless as a 6-string pickup magnet - way too bassy and high-output.

ericsabbath · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2008, 10:06:11 AM »

Quote from: Nolly

My guess would be to stick with the standard AV one.
I've asked Tim about Alnico 8, and he said it was basically useless as a 6-string pickup magnet - way too bassy and high-output.

it's not higher output than a ceramic one
but it certainly has more low mids

Nolly · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2008, 10:13:10 AM »

Well, those are Tim's words not mine. I'd definitely be interested to find out more about them though.

gorath23 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2008, 11:57:11 AM »

I've been debating this myself, Nolly how do you like your Ceramic Nailbomb? I'm attracted by the fact that its marketed as being open and organic, but I've heard it isn't very tight - something that a Ceramic magnet might help?

Nolly · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2008, 02:21:40 PM »

I love my ceramic Nailbomb, it's a fantastic sounding pickup. It has that great Nailbomb clarity but with more power and focus. Ceramic magnets are far more efficient, so the bass tracking is a lot more accurate than with alnico magnets, giving a tighter low-end. I asked Tim, and apparently a ceramic Nailbomb resembles a hotter Cold Sweat.

However, you could never call the standard Nailbomb loose. It is still a very tight, but is more open sounding and has a more midrange. If you want to retain the midrange, but want über-super-tight bass and amazing clarity, you should have a good think about a Painkiller.

Philly Q · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2008, 02:31:16 PM »

Quote from: Nolly

My guess would be to stick with the standard AV one.
I've asked Tim about Alnico 8 before, and he said it was basically useless as a 6-string pickup magnet - way too bassy and high-output.

I saw on Seymour Duncan's website the other day that they've introduced an Alnico 8 humbucker, called the Alternative 8.

(That's not me disagreeing with Tim by the way, just though it was interesting!

)

gorath23 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2008, 02:58:46 PM »

Quote from: Nolly

I love my ceramic Nailbomb, it's a fantastic sounding pickup. It has that great Nailbomb clarity but with more power and focus. Ceramic magnets are far more efficient, so the bass tracking is a lot more accurate than with alnico magnets, giving a tighter low-end. I asked Tim, and apparently a ceramic Nailbomb resembles a hotter Cold Sweat.

However, you could never call the standard Nailbomb loose. It is still a very tight, but is more open sounding and has a more midrange. If you want to retain the midrange, but want über-super-tight bass and amazing clarity, you should have a good think about a Painkiller.

Thanks Nolly, hmm its a tough one. I was also considering the Painkiller, as its apparantly quite open too. TBH I would imagine that whichever one I went for I'd be happy!

Nolly · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2008, 03:07:03 PM »

Gorath23, sounds like yours is a question for Tim then! Give him a call or an email if you haven't already. He truly is the man.

Philly, I wonder what that new SD sounds like. In fact, I'm sure I've read that someone on this board has an A8 Miracle Man, if so I'd be really intrigued to hear it...

Fuzz0r · « **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2008, 03:10:27 PM »

Ok, so now I'm truly confused. Ceramic Nailbomb? Painkiller?

Nolly · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2008, 03:14:52 PM »

Hehe, I still reckon the AV would be just the ticket for you, but you really should ask Tim himself before you buy any of his pickups. He often comes out with a great suggestion you haven't even considered.

Hell Hound · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2008, 11:31:29 PM »

On the A8 subject, I have a hand made 6 strings bridge using it. I really like the tone of it, it gots the tight bass of a ceramic and the organic sound of an A5 pickup. I don't know why Tim thinks it's useless, but I'm not a pickup maker :)

indysmith · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2008, 12:01:41 AM »

Stop messing the newbies around!
Fuzz0r you'll LOVE the regular AV Nailbomb - it's a very heavy yet articulate pickup, that should sound the bollucks in a Les Paul.
Enjoy

ericsabbath · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2008, 12:40:55 AM »

the alnico 8 magnet is stronger than the alnico 5, but weaker than the ceramics, but it has less flux density than alnico 5 and more then a ceramic, so it sounds right in between a5 and ceramic
it may get muddy in already low mid heavy pickups cause it adds a lot of mids, especially on the low midrange
the added mids can compensate the difference in output compared to a ceramic, but it's still not as powerful as a ceramic (and Tim uses oversized bars in the ceramic BKP's)
i wouldn't put it in a warpig or holy diver, but it probably would sound great in a miracle man, for example
but they all sound great as they are :oops: