What are the tonal characteristics of ceramic vs alnico Nailbomb?

[DvE]

As the subject says...

I would like to go for a nailbomb and I am not shure which one.
Guitar is this:
http://www.musik-service.de/Gitarre-Ibanez-PGM-30-Paul-Gilbert-prx395361011de.aspx

I am especially interested in how the mids change with the different types of magnets.

Style will be metalcore, but in standard tuning. Bands like As I Lay Dying, Parkway Drive, Anterior, All That Remains etc go in the direction I want this pu to do, but I also play a lot of leads and some solos in my band (maybe more the satriani or kirk hammet style).

I am leaning towards the ceramic one because my amp is dark and sounds a little bit naturally scooped, but would not like to compromise on leads...

[ratspeak]

When I was looking into the C-Bomb, MDV's thread on it shed a lot of light for me. http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18729.0

[DvE]

When I was looking into the C-Bomb, MDV's thread on it shed a lot of light for me. http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18729.0

That was realy helpful - thanks a lot!

Maybe MDV can chime in and comment on how this pu works with Ibanez Basswood guitars?
It should be a replacement for my Holydiver. This is a great pu, especially I realy like that there are lots of mids,
but it could be a little bit more aggressive and a tad more compressed. On the other hand I would still like to have the positive aspects for leads

[MDV]

Ah, my honeymoon rantings on the c-bomb :lol:

I stand by my (colourfull) assesment, save one thing: its not tighter than a painkiller, as the painkiller I switched from was double screw pole and I since tried a standard one in the same guitar it was MUCH tighter (mainly because of a lack of low mid flub).

Anywho, the DX1 is basically an 'RG style' guitar, woods and general design wise. The C-Bomb is still in there. Enough meat to thicken up the naturally bright combo of maple neck and FR (wouldnt worry too much about the basswood; it makes much less difference than the maple neck and the FR, but the DX1 is basswood bodied as well, fwiw), the mids work really well with it, balanced and quite smooth, plenty of attack without anything getting overly trebly, ice-picky or clicky. Nothing sticks out a hell of a lot with the C-Bomb in an RG-alike, its a ballanced sound. Never played a holy diver bridge (only contemporary I havent) so I cant really comment there.

I since switched to aftermaths in my Legras, which are much bassier guitars (hence how heavy they sound with the C-Bomb), but the DX1 and the C-Bomb is the best pickup for me that I expect to ever have in the DX1.

[dheim]

they're both great for what you're after. if you play a lot of leads maybe tha Alnico is a bit more "expressive" (hell, i always use inappropriate terms, i know...), while the Ceramic is tighter and a bit more grindy... both are very balanced, and should pose no EQing problem in your guitar.

[DvE]

Thanks for your input - very friendly and helpful people here  :)

The question for mids is very important for me since I play a diezel herbert which is strong at low mids but not so much at the high mids (which are very important to cut through the mix) and I want do compensate this a little bit.

[MDV]

For the generic sounds that you have there I'd say C-Bomb.

But if youre worried about high mid cut, the painkiller guarantees maximum high mid cut. The others dont lack it, but the PK has the most. Followed by the aftermath, with the C-Bomb last.

[DvE]

I already have a painkiller in my rga and recently oredered an aftermath for my new j custom.
So I think I will give the c-bomb a try :)

Thanks a lot!

[DvE]

Aaaahhh, I recently found these vids on youtube:

Killer lead tone (and I play a lot of leads):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKkMxJiCjTU&feature=BF&list=QL&index=2
But thats a les paul... with the alnico version

On the other hand I find the rhythm/chord sound of this clip (ceramic)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCVMIDp8jt4&feature=BF&list=QL&index=1
much better than on this clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC6EB-7GRjU&feature=BF&list=QL&index=3
(alnico verion)

What to do...?

[dheim]

it's apparently an hard choice, because the Alnico version is my favourite for solos and the ceramic is better for rhythm work and for heavy and aggressive tones, but the thing is that they're both great! i'd choose the ceramic version, if i were you. it fits better your tonal needs, in my opinion...
oh, i've got both models in various guitars, so i can directly judge from my C-NB in a basswood RG (that's similar to yours, only cheaper), and the combination works really well...

i don't know if this one can help you, but that's what i've got... :)

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=22609.0

[ShredHeadJHJ]

it's apparently an hard choice, because the Alnico version is my favourite for solos and the ceramic is better for rhythm work and for heavy and aggressive tones, but the thing is that they're both great! i'd choose the ceramic version, if i were you. it fits better your tonal needs, in my opinion...
oh, i've got both models in various guitars, so i can directly judge from my C-NB in a basswood RG (that's similar to yours, only cheaper), and the combination works really well...

i don't know if this one can help you, but that's what i've got... :)

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=22609.0

Do you prefer the MM set or the S-NB/CS set??

[dheim]

it's apparently an hard choice, because the Alnico version is my favourite for solos and the ceramic is better for rhythm work and for heavy and aggressive tones, but the thing is that they're both great! i'd choose the ceramic version, if i were you. it fits better your tonal needs, in my opinion...
oh, i've got both models in various guitars, so i can directly judge from my C-NB in a basswood RG (that's similar to yours, only cheaper), and the combination works really well...

i don't know if this one can help you, but that's what i've got... :)

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=22609.0

Do you prefer the MM set or the S-NB/CS set??

C-NB - CS. no doubt.
BUT i've just discovered how cool the MMs sound in B, so i'm in some sort of late honeymoon... both sets sound great in low tunigs, but the MMs are a bit weak in standard E (at least in my opinion).

[gwEm]

you guys searching bloodincatsvulva tone are funny :) its probably like i discuss the merits of an a5 mule vs riff raff with twinfan or something like that =D and we all play with a respectable amount of drive too \o/

anyway.. generally speaking, a ceramic magnetic gives a more synthetic tone, with less mids.. but its not so simple - tim naturally knows this only too well, and adjusts the wind of his pickups to compensate - less DC, and perhaps a more symmetric wind with ceramic magnets. as a result, you are best to listen to high gain cork sniffers like MDV!

but miracle men are far from weak in standard tuning - in that case they give you great, but different, tones. in your paul gilbert they would be marvellous for medium gain hard rock. not the tone you want i know, but nevertheless :)

edit: (MDV, I hope you recognised this was a compliment!)

[MDV]

I thought it was more a good natured jibe, but since you clarify; thanks :)

[DvE]

Ok, just pulled the trigger on a c-bomb.

Will report when its here and mounted ;-)