Nailbombs don't work well in my LP Custom

[The Sorbz]

Hi fellas,

I bought some Nailbombs off here to put in my LP Custom and, although they sound great, they are a little hard if you know what I mean. I put the original HB-R and HB-L Gibsons back in and, I think they sound better IN THIS PARTICULAR GUITAR.

These Gibson pickups are limited run ones in the LP Custom for only a couple of years. My problem is I want to find a set of BKs to replace them which will be very powerful and warm at the same time. I was thinking Crawlers, rebel Yells or Holy Divers.  I play all sorts of stuff from Blues to metal.

Anyone wanna swap 'em for RY, HDs or Crawlers. In any case let me know what you think.

(I have a HD in my Warmoth bridge and it is magnificent - different wood, weight etc).

Cheers,
Jim

[Jonny]

Don't advertise for swaps here.

[The Sorbz]

Are you telling me off?

I was saying that they don't sound good in my LP and that I wanted your opinions.

[bucketshred]

What specifically is it about them don't sound good? Just out of interest.

[MDV]

What sound do you want?

What is the problem/s with your current sound?

"Better" and "worse" arent very helpfull mate!

[The Sorbz]

Right - here we go......

I always thought that th Gibson p/us were a little lacking in bite, especially the neck pickup which sounded a little too muddy, and wanted more cutting but gritty sound.

I managed to buy the Nailbombs off this site at a good price and fitted them straightaway. They were awesomely poweful through my JVM at home but live they were loud but a little cold sounding. I know they would sound good in a lighter body, maybe downtuned and through the OD2 channel of my amp (playing Trivium, Sabbath, Bullet etc).

Now, I just replaced the Gibsons as a comparison and they were warmer then the N/Bs but not as pwerful.  I am now looking for a set of BKs which will cut through the mix, enable me to play a variety of rock/ metal styles and have a lovely warm Gary Moore-ish singing neck solo sound.  I suspect HDs or Crawlers.

So maybe you could now advise me ..... mate.

[Will]

Have a look into the Cold Sweat if you are willing to go ceramic?

oops, sorry.  You say there wasn't enoug bite in the Gibson pickups

[Philly Q]

Abraxas maybe?  There's a good thread about them here:

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=15855.0

[LP_LOVER]

Now, I just replaced the Gibsons as a comparison and they were warmer then the N/Bs but not as pwerful.  I am now looking for a set of BKs which will cut through the mix, enable me to play a variety of rock/ metal styles and have a lovely warm Gary Moore-ish singing neck solo sound.  I suspect HDs or Crawlers.

So maybe you could now advise me ..... mate.

You need a lower output/Alnico IV neck pickup for that smooth, warm, singing and woody neck tone. For less 'woody', but more smoothness (through any distortion level) you need the Cold Sweat neck for your Les Paul Custom. The CS neck is
very warm, fluid and sweet on the cleans.

[nfe]

So maybe you could now advise me ..... mate.

Charm and joviality will get you everywhere  :roll:

[bucketshred]

So maybe you could now advise me ..... mate.

Charm and joviality will get you everywhere  :roll:

Not only me that picked up on this then.

The guy was only giving you advice, no need to get a little bit snotty whether it was intended or not. I know that it's pretty hard to interpret someones tone of 'voice' through text but try not to come across as a brat, we're only trying to help!

[ericsabbath]

I still didn't get what you didn't like and what exactly do you want

what do you call hard and what do you call cold?

do you want somthing brighter or darker? smoother? or less hot? less bassy?

[The Sorbz]

Calm downs lads!!!!  I was only responding to another poster's use of mate!! 

So - maybe a HD bridge with a Cold Sweat neck or .... a calibrated Crawler set.

btw .. if you read Harmony-Central reviews on the Gibson HB pickups, they have rave reviews and give a nice 80s rock sound.  It's just that I'd like a little more edge to them.

The neck pickup sounds a little muffled and I'd like them a little brighter but with a nice dirt when pushed.

[dheim]

uhuh... this thread went hot and usually this doesn't happen!  :)
i think you should try a cold sweat in the neck, and i'm quite sure. at least if you want a fluid and smooth tone wich nonetheless retains clarity and articulation...
for the bridge, if you found nailbomb to be "cold" i can't suggest you a cold sweat as well... it's slightly less hot and quite less aggressive sounding than the nailbomb maybe due to smoother mids (at least in my opinion, but i've played NB much more than CS), but it has got a bit more high end and clarity (it's ceramic, after all), so you could find it even colder...
you mentioned 80s hard rock and obvious answer would be holydivers, but i've got still no personal experience. once i get my holydivers installed i can tell you something about the bridge unit!

[LP_LOVER]

Calm downs lads!!!!  I was only responding to another poster's use of mate!! 

So - maybe a HD bridge with a Cold Sweat neck or .... a calibrated Crawler set.

btw .. if you read Harmony-Central reviews on the Gibson HB pickups, they have rave reviews and give a nice 80s rock sound.  It's just that I'd like a little more edge to them.

The neck pickup sounds a little muffled and I'd like them a little brighter but with a nice dirt when pushed.

I think you should calm a bit (with all respect)...Guitarists on this people-friendly forum know what they're talking about. Gibson HB pickups are nice, but just don't compete with the organic and naturel character from BKP's. The only problem is to find the right BKP's and even then it could be frustrating at times to find the right pickups (depending on the guitar, set-up etc.)

You can try the Crawlers (for a bit more blues/rock edge and cut I, while still being warm with enough output to drive the amp really hard).

The Cold Sweats are great too, but the bridge pickup is ceramic which you may or may not like (even if it sounds warm and organic).

It's always a guess.