MM's, CS's or NB's...?? ESP Horizon FR-II

[ventura]

I know the 1st two are ceramic, the 3rd, alnico.  The guitar, if you're not familiar with it is a maple topped mahogany body (sides, anyway), and a maple thru-neck with ebony fingerboard.  Original Floyd Rose equipped.  Currently loaded with EMG 81/85 active pups.  I find them beautifully quiet, but sterile and inorganic.  I'd be going with the coil split 4 wire config with whatever BKP's I pick up...  I own the RR's and the PK's.  So far so good.  This guitar is a shred guitar, sonic stunts, loads of heavier styles of playing - however - standard tuning.  Think EVH, Hammett, Vai, Gilbert, and overall - just a lot of fun, leaning-towards-metal playing.

The amps this guitar goes through are Diezel VH4S and Herbert, and sometimes, a 20thA XTC.  Im a puritan, little FX and if so, typically through the loop (usually the Eventide TimeFactor/ModFactor/PitchFactor/EHX Cathedral reverb and a WAH - sometimes).  My other Horizon NT-II is loaded with the PK's - sound terrific, albeit I've had some issues with the neck position in single coil mode being way too quiet to be normal...we're working on it.

I want raw, gnarling, bubbling/boiling power chords in the mid-gain department; rich harmonic lively and colorful in the higher gain arena.  In the single note solo department - screaming.

Any opinions?
V.

[ratspeak]

I have the hardtail version of the Horizon. I just put an order in for an alnico Nailbomb in the bridge and CS in the neck with my local BKP dealer. I'm told the Nailbomb is a more organic and darker sounding Painkiller. Considering I haven't actually played one yet, I think of it as a Painkiller that wishes it was a Warpig.

[Alex]

Check out the Miracle Man clips in the Players section, is that close too what you're looking for?

[ventura]

Check out the Miracle Man clips in the Players section, is that close too what you're looking for?

Yes, this is what got me thinking about the MM's.  Now, I've been told the MM's split coil neck position is pretty weak, is this true??  Otherwise, my thinking is MM's calibrated throughout - done.

Your thoughts??
V.

[Alex]

Sorry, I never split mine, I wouldn't know.

[ericsabbath]

miracle man sounds glorious through the XTC

http://netmusicians.org/?section=id&value=2473
http://netmusicians.org/?section=id&value=2653

[ventura]

Thanks for the tips...  I don't know why it is I'm leaning towards the MM's over the CS's.  Something just tells me they're the ones.

So hard to tell with the clips and the data - I mean, everything changes in anyone else's hands...a lot of the tone is FROM the hands.  But there's something to be said about the MM's - and granted, Tim's little freakfest as a recent sound clip did nothing to hinder my curiosity  :lol:

I guess it's coming down to the fact I really dig the 'edge' that ceramics give me in the hi-gain style of playing, so what's the difference between the CS and MM...  Ultimately it would appear the MM's are high output, but that doesn't mean much in the tone department.  Furthermore, single split must be good if not excellent...

That's it - decision will be made shortly - any more feedback, GREATLY appreciated  :D

V.

[Serratus]

Just an idea - have you thought about VHII's? They sound awesome for all that EVH, Vai, Gilbert stuff! I have a VHII bridge pickup which sounds great thru my Herbert!

[ventura]

Thanks - greatly appreciate it, but I was using those examples as peeps using standard tuning (for the most part) and delving into all types of antics and stunts and fun shite with their ax's.   Their actual sound and tone, is NOT what I'm seeking.  I want brutal, boiling, hot chugs, with screaming lead tones....  Simple. 

I think as per Tim's reco, I'll go with a calibrated set of MM's.  What's there to lose??

V.

[Transcend]

I have a miracle man in the bridge which is awesome for chugs squeals and all general 80s style riffage and can also do the more modern stuff with ease i would highly recommend this for the bridge as i have owned 2 i also had a nailbomb but wasnt as keen on that it just didnt do it for me.

In the neck i have a mississip queen check my review in this section of the forum on that one.

from what you've described i do think the mm is for you.

afaik the CS is pretty similar to the MM just lower output and cleans up a bit better.

I have no issues with the cleans on the MM however i do use the MQ for the majority of my clean work.

[ventura]

Guitarded - hahahahahahahaha!!!  BRILLIANT avatar - thanks for the laugh on that one.  My wife will be ever so pleased with that term, as I am sure that's what I am to everyone around me - think, breath, live, taste, dream guitars....and surfing of course.

MM's - not quite sure about the cover to choose, I'd love a dark chrome, so I'm guessing the raw nickel is the way to go.

Peace,
V.

[ratspeak]

What colour is your axe? In North America they only sell it in red, which IMO wouldn't look great with most covers except maybe burnt chrome and black. But that might be too contrasty for some people. Raw nickel might look out of place next to a buffed and shiny floyd.

In comparison, my Horizon is blue (not the lame looking blue on the american ESP website, a deeper more aqua blue). Contrary to my earlier post in this thread, I'm actually getting a C-Pig set for it with camo covers. I considered camo, distressed and black covers.