First post- choosing my BKP.

[Maltozombie]

Hey there everyone, after looking on the site for a while i've decided to go with Bare knuckle pickups for my next instrument upgrade, but i had a few inquiries about my pickup choice.

but first, my current setup is a Mexican Fender Strat which i've modded quite a bit, i've installed a Dimarzio super distortion in the bridge and 2 Lace sensor hot gold's in the Neck and middle position, I have 2 EMG circuits the Afterburner and The Strat presence control (the presence control is rather useless, but the AB does provide a good boost when used sparingly, especially on the the clean channel).

I run into a Krank Rev Jr Pro with an Avatar 2x12 with Celestion V30's.

I've come to the point that my Super distortion just isnt what I'm looking for, too thin sounding, not enough output imo, and just dosent seem to hold up to lower tunings, i would like a BKP to replace this in my bridge. The tone i'm searching for.....

i've already narrowed it to the contemporary line, I would like a great heavy sound with a lot of output, but something that retains definition and responsiveness and dosent mush together at high volume, (think the sound of TOOL)   

the pickup also needs to hold up well to Lower tunings (however, i doubt i would go below C standard )
for those lightning quick Dethklok style riffs,

it seems like the Nailbomb would suffice for this, but not have quite enough output for really heavy modern sounds.
seems more 80's hair metal/ classic rock

and the Warpig has enough output but probably not as much definition as the others, seems geared toward the LOW low A# tuning crowd.

so..it seems the sweet spot would be the Painkiller? does anyone else thinks this would "nail" that Organic Tool style distortion but also hold true for C-tuned shredding?

thanks for any feedback  :)

[ericsabbath]

so..it seems the sweet spot would be the Painkiller? does anyone else thinks this would "nail" that Organic Tool style distortion but also hold true for C-tuned shredding?

no... Tool = definitely alnico
and I'd never put a Painkiller in a strat

I think most people here will agree that the Holy Diver will be the best for Tool
specially if you don't have a mahogany guitar
but Tim recommended the Nailbomb for someone

[juansolo]

and the Warpig has enough output but probably not as much definition as the others, seems geared toward the LOW low A# tuning crowd.

If you want a Warpig with more bite try a Ceramic Warpig.

[Maltozombie]

i should've been more clear on my intentions.
i'm eventually putting the BKP in a mahogany strat build i'm working on. they'll go in the standard strat for now then i'll just fit in the pickguard in the new build

and TOOL was just the general point of focus i was trying to reach, The Pickup should sound good for high gain drop D tuning style, not necessarily just tool, but you get the idea.

but the real concern i have is about the holy diver performing with drop C tuning, do you think it would hold up to the modern high gain style with the chug heavy palm mute riffs etc. (i still want to say Dethklok, but i know that's EMG 81 sound)...

i guess it's more of a Ceramic or Alnico decision now... :?

[ericsabbath]

the holy diver is awesome at down tunings
it gets even more growly for each step you tune down
it's just not extreme tight like a miracle man ore painkiller
but tighter than average alnico
it keeps all the clarity on downtuning
it can easily do Arch Enemy, for example
unless you're using a Recto, of course

[MDV]

Dethklok is really your reference for fast riffs?

Really?

REALLY?

Anyway, whatever, I think you'd like a miracle man. Can do tool-ish darkn-and-thick, but is tighter than that for the fast stuff.

[Maltozombie]

Dethklok is really your reference for fast riffs?

Really?

REALLY?

Anyway, whatever, I think you'd like a miracle man. Can do tool-ish darkn-and-thick, but is tighter than that for the fast stuff.

haha say what you want, Dethklok is amazing...though it's obvious there's faster,
that high output style sound is what i was getting at, and if i named any other bands that fit the same mold, it would likely be just another band playing through EMG pickups and Krank amps, and imho Dethklok is my personal favorite modern metal group like that (at least on the albums, not so much live).

but thanks for the MM recommendation, i was considering that one as well. i'm just waiting to see if I can whip out the Visa yet.

oh and BTW, Dethklok set out to make coffee metal first...even if Dave mustaine came before them,
so that proves you've watched the show at least  :lol:

best regards

[MDV]

Kranks?!!

Methinks not. Most such guys are using mesa, with notable lookins from Diezel, Engl, Bogner and Marshall. I can only think of a couple of bands that still use kranks (Nevermore and God Forbid).

Anywho, matters not. Yer welcome for the recommendation! Best of luck getting your tone :)

[Yamhammer]

NICE.

[Maltozombie]

Anywho, matters not. Yer welcome for the recommendation! Best of luck getting your tone :)

that's what it's all about anyway man, if i wanted to sound like just Tool i'd go get SD's
if i wanted just metal i'd go for the EMG's....

but i'm wanting that "aliveness" you can only get with passive pups, but with that no mercy, engine like, output
i asked Tim for his personal recommendation just a moment ago, so i'm awaiting his response.

funny thing about the Krank amps...that's currently what i'm playing into  :lol:
but i'm currently looking at an ENGL....may have to use that Visa a little more than expected haha

[MDV]

Anywho, matters not. Yer welcome for the recommendation! Best of luck getting your tone :)

that's what it's all about anyway man, if i wanted to sound like just Tool i'd go get SD's
if i wanted just metal i'd go for the EMG's....

but i'm wanting that "aliveness" you can only get with passive pups, but with that no mercy, engine like, output
i asked Tim for his personal recommendation just a moment ago, so i'm awaiting his response.

funny thing about the Krank amps...that's currently what i'm playing into  :lol:
but i'm currently looking at an ENGL....may have to use that Visa a little more than expected haha

I have a powerball, and its superb for fast rhythm. Fast as hell response. Ultra-tight

Can be a bit sterile, but not nearly as much as a krank ;)