Author Topic: Help please - out of my comfort zone - VHIIs or Holydivers? (Read 5743 times)

Twinfan · « **on:** April 02, 2008, 01:01:22 AM »

Vintage style pickups in Gibson guitars I know about, no problems. Now I need some help from you guys as I need something different.

I've got a Jackson DKMG superstrat with a Floyd bridge, a carved alder body, a maple neck and a rosewood 'board. It needs BKPs. It'll be for a new band I'm working on covering mainly 80s rock, but a few other songs as well. These are the kind of bands I'll need to cover:

Van Halen
Ozzy
Whitesnake
Thin Lizzy
Skid Row
Bon Jovi
Def Leppard
Metallica
Aerosmith
etc

The guitar will be used with chorus and delay (in the classic 80s style) through a Plexi/JCM800 style amp and a 4x12 with Celestions. Mainly gained up stuff, but the odd crunchy-clean type tone too.

I think I've narrowed it down to VHIIs or Holydivers, but I'd appreciate your opinions. What should I go for????

Adam.M · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2008, 01:44:57 AM »

I would say VHII's as they're my absolute favourite BKP pickup. Very versitile!

I'm not a fan of higher output pickups and i dont think i ever will be, i could do all you want to do there with the VHII's and my ENGL Screamer when i had them... i miss it so much now :(

FernandoDuarte · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2008, 02:21:04 AM »

I've never played, but I like very much the Nailbomb clips here, but dunno how much it is versatile... :?

shaman · « **Reply #3 on:** April 02, 2008, 02:35:49 AM »

I dig the VH II...have it in my Jackson Pc-1(heavy as hell mahog with a floyd super strat) and my Hmaer Californian (mahog superstrat 27 fret job)-it is darker....i really dont have to work it too much for killer pinch harms...my amps /speakers are unique: mesa II C+ and ev's..this combo allows me to enjoy the gain stages of the amp(treble equals more gain/smoothness...the evs are bright and unforgiving-check your technique at the door!)the darkness , as I call it, allows me to dial in my stuff and enjoy tonal nirvana---has to be my fave..right up there with the rebels...(PS..if Gibson would make me my Amber burst Standard in lefty, I would retro fit it with VH II's)-very robust sounding-the hd's were a little much in the highs and mids with my setup(killer pups!!!just had to turn too many knobs on the amps...)

keano · « **Reply #4 on:** April 02, 2008, 09:40:43 AM »

Keep in mind ppl liking the VH pups here are using high gain amps. Mesa and Engl. If you have a Marshall and boost it use the RY.

Twinfan · « **Reply #5 on:** April 02, 2008, 09:41:30 AM »

Thanks for the replies so far. I've discounted Nailbombs as I think they'll be a bit overpowering. The Jackson's body is a bit thicker than your average strat due to the top carve, so I think it might be a bit thick sounding.

I like a guitar/amp tone that "growls" more than "screams" if that makes sense? VHIIs are the ones to go for then?

Adam.M · « **Reply #6 on:** April 02, 2008, 09:59:00 AM »

I wouldnt say the engl screamer was massively high gain... i never used it high gain anyway! mostly clean or crunchyandthensome type tones.

I think the VHII's are definitely the pups for this jackson, they say a HD is the best for warming up a strat, and maybe the extra mass of the jackson would make it too warm?

I'd love a HD at some point but, i'd have a VHII first...

VHII clean is godly too, which is a bonus!

Woogie · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2008, 10:47:44 AM »

What eras of Ozz?

I play Ozzy, Whitesnake and Metallica out of those bands and I find my Holydiver is perfect for bringing thick lashings of 80's pain.

Twinfan · « **Reply #8 on:** April 02, 2008, 12:02:41 PM »

Thanks Woogie. I gave BKP a call, checked out some more clips, searched the forum and I've ordered.......

VHIIs

:D

Brow · « **Reply #9 on:** April 02, 2008, 12:57:06 PM »

I gave Tim a call a while ago about a similar topic, but mine are going in a white 80s Jap Strat with a maple neck and Floyd Rose II bridge, and I got told (and ordered) VHIIs would do what I wanted :)

Twinfan · « **Reply #10 on:** April 02, 2008, 01:23:17 PM »

Cheers Brow - looks like I've made the right choice then ;)

It was Bainzy's clips that swayed me, given that I have a similar rig.

Philly Q · « **Reply #11 on:** April 02, 2008, 01:25:18 PM »

I'll be interested to see what you think, Dave. Bit of a departure for you!

Twinfan · « **Reply #12 on:** April 02, 2008, 02:43:53 PM »

Yeah, something different. The new band will be a bit more of a challenge for me, different tones and playing style etc. I've never really USED a superstrat before, even though as most of you know I own quite a few. All the Ibanez's I've bought bought are for my collection, rather than for playing.

The Jackson is the only 'players' superstrat I have and it plays great and sounds OK at the moment, but it really needs BKPs to be excellent and to do justice to the rest of the rig.

I'm looking forward to something new :)

Antag · « **Reply #13 on:** April 02, 2008, 02:46:47 PM »

Quote from: Twinfan

All the Ibanez's I've bought bought are for my collection, rather than for playing.

:o :!: :o

Philly Q · « **Reply #14 on:** April 02, 2008, 02:56:47 PM »

So are you going to have to do a bit of hair metal shredding in this band Dave? I didn't think that was your bag.