What pickup for my Charvel production model?

[CrankedMarshall]

So, I dont really like the JB in there.

I have at the moment 2 strats with VHII's so I want something differant but similar lol.

I have had the Holy diver and in the end I got tired of how thick it was, too much lows for me.

This is my band www.myspace.com/denderauk

I love Van halens tone around the fair warning CD and Lynch's tone on Back for the attack. I used to have a Cold sweat in a strat and loved it so im thinking a Cold sweat or a Mule. For my tone I like alot of bite, but not dry and too tight I would rather have the tightness come from my  playing and the amp. I also like bright tones contrary to the dark tone on my bands clips and I think having my tone brighter will allow more seperation in recording with my other guitar playing with a similar rig to me.

I play through a Marshall JVM, JMP100 into a framus 2x12 with V30's/

What do you reckon would work best?

Cheers Tony

[Antag]

My Cold Sweat is in a LP, so not sure how it would go in a Charvel, but I guess it would tick most of your boxes (though it is plenty tight).

Failing that, a Nailbomb:  Plenty of brightness, aggression & "grit".  Similar level of power to the HD (perhaps a little less), but not as thick - more of a "cut" versus the HD's "chunk".  Very versatile.

[CrankedMarshall]

Do you think it would really overpower my other strats live?

[Antag]

Can't really answer that as I don't have a VHII bridge, however IIRC Twinfan has guitars with VHII & Holy Divers that he swaps happily between: my guess is that if the HD doesn't overpower a VHII then no way will a NB...

I should also point out that I only try to recommend pickups on this forum that I've actually owned (or at least tried), which is why I didn't comment on Mule, RY, Crawler, Abraxas, Emerald etc...

[CrankedMarshall]

Okay thanks. Hopefully Twinfan will get in here and give me the lowdown.

[kevinr]

I have both HDs and NBs and I feel as though the power is simular, however I would say that the NB is a little more "vintage voiced" and does split well, these are in the same type of guitars! I will be interested in what others with both say.

[Dr. Vic]

From what you said, and in addition to the NB recommendation above, I would say the Rebell Yell might be really worth considering.

I would suggested you to listen to Hunter's clips of the RY, especially the one played with his Marshall vintage modern (which is a good pairing, and dunno why, but with your name, I guess it will be a good argument for you  :lol:)
Maybe ask him more details on that one-of-a-kind beautiful classic rock pickup. (and of course listen to the S. Stevens demo  8))

Seymour Duncan says the George Lynch "screamin' demon" SH-12 was designed by their custom shop with a more big open sounding than their 59', with more growl.

I only expect the RY to absolutely slays it...  :twisted:
I haven't one at home yet, but when I tried it in the past months I was blown away by it's voice : growly, straight talking, focused, cutting with a real agressive temper. I tried it on a SG type body (another story than the charvel) but I didn't find it bassy or fat, at all. It wasn't too bright or harsh either, just biting but in a tasty way...

[gingataff]

I think the VHII and Nailbombs are close cousins.
They share the same cutting high mids, the VHII is has a fatter bass and a clearer high end, whereas the NB is tighter but still VERY organic and very punchy in the highs without being piercing.

Edit: I don't think you'll get any difference in volume playing live, you'll notice a change in gain/saturation though.

[Twinfan]

...IIRC Twinfan has guitars with VHII & Holy Divers that he swaps happily between: my guess is that if the HD doesn't overpower a VHII then no way will a NB...

I actually swapped my VHIIs out for HDs as I found the VHIIs too thin for my tastes.

From what you've described, I think a Rebel Yell has to be worth considering  :D

[Muttley]

I have a Miracle Man in my Charvel and that's a truly beautiful combination.  :)

[CrankedMarshall]

The rebel yells sound cool. Im going to drop Tim an email, and order what he says lol too many choices.

Cheers Tony

[Denim n Leather]

Miracle Man!!

[hunter]

Pics?

[Muttley]

Pics?

Of what?

[hunter]

Pics?

Of what?

The Charvel!