Pickups for a Les Paul Standard

[DimeZakk]

So I want to convert to the Religion of the Holy BKP and need some advice for my first set of Bareknuckles...
I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard with the standard Burstbucker Pro Pickups and I want them replaced as they sound a bit too vintage for me and I need more output. I play through a Randall Tube Combo(home) and a Marshall JVM Halfstack(gigs).

For the bridge I want something in between of Seymour Duncan Sh4 and Sh6, just with a better tone and less noise than the Sd's. I want screaming leads, a punchy low end without being muddy and smooth mids so that I can cover Hardrock aswell as Thrash Metal.

For the neck I need a pickup that has good cleans, enough output for shredding and still a smooth tone for melodies in the style of Michael Ammott (Arch Enemy). I hope you guys can help me out and find the best set of BKP for me!

[Fikealox]

I had Nailbombs in an LP, and they were pretty close to what you're describing. Probably about the same hotness as a distortion (to my ears, and iirc), but definitely not out-of-control output. They weren't the smoothest sounding pickups, but they could definitely do screaming leads, and I thought the low end was punchy without being farty. Someone else might have experience with something more appropriate, but I think Nailbombs would go alright :)

[DimeZakk]

If the Nailbomb resembles a Sh-6 Distortion (only in way better ofc :) ) then it sounds like the right bridge pickup for me. What would be the BKP equivalent of a Sh-1 59 in the neck?

[Fikealox]

I would say a Mule neck, mate. Mules are AIV, and '59s are AV, but I think they sound pretty similar anyway (well, truthfully, I think the Mule is what the '59 should be). Mules are actually my absolute favourite BKPs :D

[Yamhammer]

Mules are in the vintage ballpark

[DimeZakk]

Yes I would definitely need a mule on massive steroids... I am torn between a set of Nailbombs (which might be too much) and a set of Cold Sweats (who might be not enough). Gotta listen to more sound clips.

[Philly Q]

If you want a PAF type tone for the neck pickup, but with a little extra power, the Abraxas or Crawler neck models are great.

They're both AIV but a little hotter than the Mule so they'll match better with a Nailbomb bridge.

[Yamhammer]

The main difference between the Nailbomb and Cold Sweat bridge pickup is that the NB features an A5 magnet and the CS a ceramic magnet. In terms power/cut I'd say the CS is more modern sounding compared to the Nailbomb which sounds more organic, 'chaotic' and therefore less tight/focused. I've heard really nice things about the Cold Sweat bridge pickup having a ceramic magnet, but still with a classic sound.

My advice is to go for a calibrated set because they're matched in output/tone, but that's just my preference (you may ignore me on that).

[DimeZakk]

So I am convinced to take a Cold Sweat for my Neck but still struggling between the bridge pickups but I think I will go for the Nailbomb because it can handle everything from Rock to the heaviest Metal stuff...

[TwilightOdyssey]

I would say a Cold Sweat set will do you just fine.

[gwEm]

you ask about good noise performance - get them with metal covers for low noise

also, i agree with TO's recommendation

[Yamhammer]

Yep, Cold Sweats.

[DimeZakk]

Thanks for the input, so a last couple of questions...

1. How does the Cold Sweat handle Metal, High Gain, Downtunings...
2. When I order a covered humbucker it will be less noisy but will it also loose tone or attack or Volume, etc ?
3. What do I need to order for a Gibson Les Paul: 50 or 53mm spacing? long or short leg? 4 conductors (if I want to split them) ?

[sambo]

1.) I've never tried a Cold Sweat personally, but I should imagine it handles high gain and different tunings as well as pretty much all the others in the BK line (probably with the exception of the vintage range). I do know the next Cold Sweat neck is a particular favourite with with shredders. I'm sure others with personal experience will chime in shortly, to give you some more info on that.

2.) As far as I'm aware Tim compensates for covered/uncovered with the winding so the difference should not be noticeable.

3.) 50mm spacing, 4 conductor wire if you think you might want to try some other wiring options, and probably long leg. Although in my (non-Gibson) LP I actually have a short leg 53mm Black Dog in the bridge, so it shouldn't really matter too much either way.


(Someone correct me if I'm wrong on any of the above^ :oops: :lol:  )

[Will]

I thought this would have been answered many times over, but I shall back Sambo up.
I am a LP player, but only played gwEm's CS in a steinberger style.
Downtuned + Hi gain is fine, the neck actually reminds me of neck dirty fingers, but hugely different spec.

I agree with Sambo on 2 and 3 also. I would personally go for 50 mm, long leg, 4 conductor