Van HalenII bridghe/Cold Sweat Neck?

[ACK!]

Hey all!

Great place you've got here, glad to take part in it.

I just bought a Dean Black Gold V with a mahogany body and maple top. Of course the stock pick-ups stink and am set on putting in some BK's.

My sound is along the lines of KISS/Motorhead/Maiden/Priest/Micheal Schenker. But I also get into Warren Haynes territory and also into heavier stuff like Anthrax, Opeth and Megadeth.


I've been all over the map on which ones to get and I think I've got it narrowed down to the VHII for the bridge. Any opinions on if that would get me into the sonic territory I'm after?

As for the neck, I'm seriously thinking of the Cold Sweat. Or wouyld a matching calibrated VHII be better?

Any feedback/opinions would be appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[Twinfan]

VHIIs are great pickups, and if you're going for that in the bridge I'd get a pair.  The Cold Sweat neck is quite hot I think, and this may overpower the bridge?

For what you're suggesting, I think I'd lean towards a pair of Cold Sweats as I think they'll handle the really heavy stuff better.  What amp are you using by the way?

Our resident V expert 'gwEm' will be along shortly I'm sure - he'll know what you want  ;)

Oh, and welcome!

[gwEm]

i've not tried VH2s in a V (yet) but Feline has and always tells me how fine they are.

With a maple top one might suppose it to be a bright sounding guitar, so I might be tempted to try a Holy Diver. Obviously it handles all the stuff you mentioned well, I've been impressed by the more vintage tones you can get - it does a decent "High and Dry" period Def Leppard for example.

I have a Holy Diver loaded bright sounding V which is currently "in favour". It'll nail Priest, Maiden, Anthrax and Megadeth. Motorhead (Fast Eddie) period would be better with a more open PAF like sound I think - he used a Les Paul occasionally, you need cut for Motorhead above everything else - ues a Rebel Yell or Riff Raff if you must pick a V. Schenker (UFO period) is nailed with a Riff Raff loaded V, but MSG period stuff could definately be at least handled with a Holy Diver.

A darker sounding V would be better with Cold Sweats (or Rebel Yells for a really dark V) as Twinfan says. Cold Sweat in particular great for a sort of "Defenders of the Faith" sound.

I don't have all Vs with all pickup combinations though ;) But I have tried a few - see sig.

[ACK!]

You're correct, it IS a bright guitar. I'm trying to warm it up just a bit. So I don't want anything that's really gonna make the top end thin, shrill and harsh..I like enough treble to sharpen  and sparkle things up a bit but I don't want any ears to bleed.  Nothing too over the top

And the Motorhead sound I'm referring to is the later Phil Campbell tone.

I don't play with super high gain (like death metal territory). Looking for something with alot of punchand definition with a solid but not overpowering bottom end, that can clean up really well but can also get chunky, grinding and nasty.

[shaman]

welcome aboard, Virginian!what amp(s) are we talking about??

[ericsabbath]

You're correct, it IS a bright guitar. I'm trying to warm it up just a bit. So I don't want anything that's really gonna make the top end thin, shrill and harsh..I like enough treble to sharpen  and sparkle things up a bit but I don't want any ears to bleed.  Nothing too over the top

And the Motorhead sound I'm referring to is the later Phil Campbell tone.

I don't play with super high gain (like death metal territory). Looking for something with alot of punchand definition with a solid but not overpowering bottom end, that can clean up really well but can also get chunky, grinding and nasty.

that's the nailbomb description :P

[Antag]

And the Motorhead sound I'm referring to is the later Phil Campbell tone.

that's the nailbomb description :P

That was my first thought too - with the right amp, NB absolutely nails the "Everything Louder than Anyone Else" tone.

[Antag]

As for the neck, I'm seriously thinking of the Cold Sweat. Or wouyld a matching calibrated VHII be better?

Can't comment on the VHII bridge as I don't have one, but I would always advise a calibrated set over trying to mix/match different bridge & neck models without having tried them.  The product pages on this site don't make it clear that the neck models are totally different pickups, wound specifically for the neck position to compliment the bridge model, not just the bridge model turned around.

FWIW, the VHII neck is quite powerful with a really nice warm "hot PAF" kinda tone.  In terms of power it's about the same as a CS neck, so I doubt that a CS neck would overpower the VHII bridge.  The only concern would be whether they are a good tonal match - the CS is quite a modern, cutting sound.

Have a listen to my clean shootout, as well as the CS & VH in my 2-part lead/strumming shootout.

[Philly Q]

From what I've read and been told, I wonder if the VHII bridge might be a bit bright if you're wanting to warm up your guitar.

[Twinfan]

I don't find the VHII that bright to be honest, but I think it depends on the guitar.  I find it quite balanced, but the high end harmonics do come out pretty well.

[Catalyst77]

I don't find the VHII that bright to be honest, but I think it depends on the guitar.  I find it quite balanced, but the high end harmonics do come out pretty well.

I have the vh2 in a maple guitar, i agree with twinfan in that it's certainly not too bright at all.  even playing throug a jcm 800.

[Philly Q]

I don't find the VHII that bright to be honest, but I think it depends on the guitar.  I find it quite balanced, but the high end harmonics do come out pretty well.

I have the vh2 in a maple guitar, i agree with twinfan in that it's certainly not too bright at all.  even playing throug a jcm 800.

Ah OK, I stand corrected.  I was just going by what we discussed in this thread.

[Twinfan]

Ah - in that thread I was specifically talking about the treble frequencies as "thin biting".  I mean pinched harmnnic squeal stuff come out, not a bit fat round treble.

If that makes sense!

[gwEm]

sounds like a cool axe - i love bright sounding Vs!

[Will]

sounds like a cool axe - i love bright sounding Vs!

You love all V's :P