Recommend pickups for a Charvel type guitar

[bobbtoz]

My current set up is a Musikraft/ Chavel guitar double humbucker w/ OFR.  I currently have a Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge that I'm thinking about replacing. My amplifier is a 100 watt JMP modded by Mike Fortin- Cali Mod. Lost of distortion/ saturation/ sustain from this amp. It seems like the pickup combined w/ this amp is compressing my tone a bit to much. Backing off the gain takes me out of the sweat spot, so I'm thinking a pickup change might be in order. I've heard great things about these pickups, but to be honest the other factor that has me interested in them is that I can get them in double cream. Its an aesthetic thing w/ the Charvel type guitars.

What would you guys recommend and why?

Thanks
Bob T.

[gingataff]

Welcome.

What's the guitar made of? What kind of tone are you looking for? Would you still like a high output pickup or something lower in output? (a high output BKP would be less compressed than other makes, though a lower output would be even more so)

Based on what you've said so far and my own experiences I'd choose between VHII (medium output AV, clarity, bite and good punch), Nailbomb (high output AV, good balance but punchy upper mids that cut through) and Miracle Man (high output ceramic, flatter EQ but very tight and can be aggressive).
I also have a custom pickup that's similar to a Holy Diver (high output AV, smoother and fatter than a Nailbomb) and that could also work but a little more info would help :)

[ericsabbath]

hmm... holy diver? maybe a crawler?
need more details

those fortin amps sound badass

did you try his wizards and larry dino?
which one of his models/mods sound closest to them?

[bobbtoz]

The guitar is swamp ash w/ a maple neck. Ressonates very well and I'm digging the characteristics of the swamp ash. I also have a big block (brass) on the floyd rose as part of an upgrade.

My main complaint about the dimarzio super distortion is the compression it adds to my amp. Its works pretty good w/ my other amps, but I'll be playing it as my main gigging guitar w/ the Fortin JMP.

Really need a pickup that sounds open (the amp will take care of the compression), cuts very well, clarity w/ good dynamics. If I can get this in a hihg out put pickup that would be great. The more volume the pickup has is a plus.

Never heard anything about Fortin inregards to the wizard/ larry dino, but you're right his amps are badass.

Thanks for the help.

Bob T.

[hunter]

As mentioned on RigTalk: VHII

The diver might be on the more compressed side, too, while more usefully compressed than the Dimarzio.

[Ribboz]

Holydiver. I have a very similar guitar, and the holy diver with Ash/maple = Huge, punchy, distorted will tons of tone. But you have to keep the pickup set rather high, or close to the strings. I originally tried the MM, but with ash and one piece maple neck = way too much treble, and lacked a bit low-mid girth.

+1 For Holydiver

[ericsabbath]

As mentioned on RigTalk: VHII

The diver might be on the more compressed side, too, while more usefully compressed than the Dimarzio.

I don't it would sound compressed in that guitar
it's already a very open and balanced pup
strong but clean midrange
you can hear every note on open chords
big sounding, but not really dense
for example, the nailbomb is tighter/more articulated, but more dense, so the notes don't ring so separated
maybe what you call compression, I call fluidity
the super distortion is much harsher and undefined

I think a VH2 would be a bit too bright for his guitar and he's also looking for something hot
I guess his amp tends to brighter tones too

[Vilches3]

As mentioned on RigTalk: VHII

The diver might be on the more compressed side, too, while more usefully compressed than the Dimarzio.

I don't it would sound compressed in that guitar
it's already a very open and balanced pup
strong but clean midrange
you can hear every note on open chords
big sounding, but not really dense
for example, the nailbomb is tighter/more articulated, but more dense, so the notes don't ring so separated
maybe what you call compression, I call fluidity
the super distortion is much harsher and undefined

I think a VH2 would be a bit too bright for his guitar and he's also looking for something hot
I guess his amp tends to brighter tones too

im pretty sure evh's guitar was ash/maple.......though that might not be the tone he wants........what about an overwound VHII or an alnico Cold sweat or an Alnico 2 VHII? idunno

[ericsabbath]

As mentioned on RigTalk: VHII

The diver might be on the more compressed side, too, while more usefully compressed than the Dimarzio.

I don't it would sound compressed in that guitar
it's already a very open and balanced pup
strong but clean midrange
you can hear every note on open chords
big sounding, but not really dense
for example, the nailbomb is tighter/more articulated, but more dense, so the notes don't ring so separated
maybe what you call compression, I call fluidity
the super distortion is much harsher and undefined

I think a VH2 would be a bit too bright for his guitar and he's also looking for something hot
I guess his amp tends to brighter tones too

im pretty sure evh's guitar was ash/maple.......though that might not be the tone he wants........what about an overwound VHII or an alnico Cold sweat or an Alnico 2 VHII? idunno

and his tone was quite bright
the holy diver is still pretty good for VH anyway, especially considering the amount of mid boosting he used before the amps

[bobbtoz]

I went w/ VHII as recommended by Tim.

[hunter]

I went w/ VHII as recommended by Tim.

It's gonna be great. Depending on how much fizz/output you like, you can also go pretty close towards the strings with it. Mine is at like 1-2mm at the bridge.

Enjoy!!