New Pickups. Advice Needed Please

[sjw2k3]

Hi Guys

Firstly I'd like to say how impressed I am with the Bare Knuckle pickups.
The demo's I've heard really show off the quality and versatility of these pickups, and it's clear that by reading through the forum posts they're a cut above the competition.

To my question...
I have a 1986 Charvel Model 4 with Jackson pickups.
I find the pickups a little muddy so I'm looking to replace them
I was initially looking at Seymour Duncans but really want to spend my money on Bare Knuckles.

My style is probably best defined as 80's rock...Dokken, Van Halen, Satch etc...
But I also hail Tom Morello and SRV as two of my favourtite players, so quite a wide range really.

I'm looking for the typical 80's sound in my pickups (i.e. mids) but would like a little bit of creamy-ness is my solo's and less of the harsh shred sound. Rythm must have some clarity and not be a heavy mush.

I need a HSS set so I've been looking at the Irish Tour singles but I'm stuck on a humbucker.

The Rebel Yell really appeals to me but the Charvel Model 4 is Basswood (although I'm not 100% sure mine is, as it weighs as much as a Les Paul so who knows what it is...maple maybe?...but I'll have to treat it as Basswood)...anyway would the Rebel Yell suit my requirements or do you think it may be a little harsh?

Any advice is appreciated

Thanks
Steve

P.S. Just to add for comparison as it may or may not help, another guitar I have is an 80's Kramer Baretta (Alder). It's currently got a FRED in the bridge and I find it just a little too bright and not quite "tight" enough on the bass strings, it did have a JBJ which was even brighter.

[MDV]

I'm not so hot on the medium power stuff, but from reputation and clips (i havent played one) the holy diver might be for you.

I do have Irish Tours, and I believe they're the correct choice for singles for you.

[discofudge]

I'm thinking VHII. Should fill your 80's rock needs nicely.

It's what it was -voiced to do.

[gingataff]

I'd say either a Nailbomb or VHII with Irish Tours for the tones you describe (depending how hot you like your pickups), but if the Fred was too bright then the Holydiver sounds like it might suit you better although I don't think it'll do the tones you want quite as well as the other two.

If you go with the Holydiver you might also want to use Slowhands instead of ITs as I think they're probably a better match. Either way make sure you ask for EMG shaped single coils (they are a bugger to install though!)

[kevinr]

I was selling those Charvels back in the 80s and they had terrible pups they let the guitar down.
I would go for the Holydiver a great bridge pup that will do a good single coil as well, you wont go wrong.

[sjw2k3]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll give both the VHII & HD a closer look

Cheers

[dheim]

it depends on the amount of "singing" highs you like in your lead tone... VHIIs have plenty of them, HDs is much more bassy. mind that i'm judging VHII on second-hand experiences (hunter has got some excellent clip made with those pickups), and i have HDs in a quite dark mahogany guitar, so of course it's not the same thing...
Rebel Yells should be more balanced, and a nice option too.