Crawlers for hard rock/metal?

[Simon D]

Hi all,
Just wondering if anyone uses the Crawlers for heavy rock or metal playing, especially in a PRS or similar type of guitar. I'm finding the Holy Divers in my PRS SE Singlecut are a little too mid heavy. Would Crawlers be a suitable replacement, or should I be looking at something else? I'm not after massive output btw.

Cheers,
Si

[HTH AMPS]

Crawlers are good rock pickups, but I'd say they have quite alot of midrange poke.  

Never had Holy Divers so can't say how they compare.

[7thSon]

Take anything I say with a pinch of salt because I am a complete newbie and have no idea about this personally, but i've been reading about the crawlers on these boards for hours today because im looking to get some myself, and I'm pretty sure I remember someone in one thread described the difference like this: "HolyDiver's have strong low-mids, Rebel Yell high-mids, Crawlers somewhere in between".

[Philly Q]

I'm pretty sure I remember someone in one thread described the difference like this: "HolyDiver's have strong low-mids, Rebel Yell high-mids, Crawlers somewhere in between".

That might've been me... but it was based on comments I've read, I must stress I've never tried HDs personally.

I certainly would say that the Crawlers have a lot of snarly, growly midrange in an LP (or copy), so the same would probably apply to a PRS SE SC.  Probably not the best choice if you're trying to "escape" from too much midrange.

[BigK]

If your trying to lose the mids a miracle man would do the job nicely they are scooped and work well for most styles of rock and metal. I like them because my engl works better with more mids in the eq so they balance my tone out nicely.

[ilÿti]

I think Cold Sweat would be a great rock/metal pickup without having huge output. It's also not as middy as the contemporary alnico pickups, or so is my understanding.

[ericsabbath]

maybe a cold sweat with alnico 5 magnet?  :idea:

[kevincurtis]

I would say the Crawler is a fantastic Heavy Rock pup, certainly works well in my hardtail strat, definitely not mid heavy in that - I wouldn't say it is really a 'Metal' style pup though...but again, I cannot compare to an HD.

[HTH AMPS]

alnico pickups have a natural tendency towards a fat midrange anyway (from my experience), so going to a ceramic magnet might be just the ticket.  Cold Sweat seems like it will fit the bill for you.

[ericsabbath]

alnico pickups have a natural tendency towards a fat midrange anyway (from my experience), so going to a ceramic magnet might be just the ticket.  Cold Sweat seems like it will fit the bill for you.

not necessarily
pickups with paf style winding tend to be a little mid scooped with alnico 5

[Simon D]

Cheers for all the replies guys. I might look into the Cold Sweats a bit more. I hadn't really considered them because I've always thought of ceramic pickups as being sterile and lifeless (based on experiences with other brands).
Miracle Mans might be a little bit too high on output for me on this one - I've already got Warpigs, so that bass is pretty well covered.
It really is surprising how bright the SE SC is, especially for a guitar with a neck and body back made from mahogany.

[hunter]

Hi all,
Just wondering if anyone uses the Crawlers for heavy rock or metal playing, especially in a PRS or similar type of guitar. I'm finding the Holy Divers in my PRS SE Singlecut are a little too mid heavy. Would Crawlers be a suitable replacement, or should I be looking at something else? I'm not after massive output btw.

Cheers,
Si

For my Singlecut SE Tim recommended Holy Divers for a "Silly Grin" rock sound.

[carlaz]

Crawlers aren't "metal pickups" as such, but I think work fabulously for heavy rock and many metal styles (particularly "classic" metal and doom/stoner type derivatives where clinically precise shredding isn't a priority). They are very much like a hot PAF/Mule, though they do have a bit of a mid-bump -- that I find handy for cutting through the mix --  which might make you think about something else if you're already worried about too much in the mids (as others have already noted).

I don't know much about the Cold Sweats, but you're already finding the Holy Divers a bit mid-heavy, then, mm yeah, the CSs might indeed be worth a look.

[ilÿti]

where clinically precise shredding isn't a priority

Just thought I'd add that Crawlers are freakin' amazing for shredding, even the bridge.

[carlaz]

where clinically precise shredding isn't a priority

Just thought I'd add that Crawlers are freakin' amazing for shredding, even the bridge.

Admittedly, my technical skills (:?: or lack thereof ;)) don't really let me make the analysis, though I'll take yer word for it! :)