Need some pickup help, my holy divers aren't doing it for me

[rsf1977]

So I bought an Ibanez RGD321 http://www.ibanez.com/ElectricGuitars/model-RGD321 it's the hard tail extended scale 26.5" basswood body they just released. I thought the stock pickups were ok, so I figured I could get something better in there. So I talked with Bare Knuckles, who has been aces with helping me try to find the right pup, and based on my description and experience with the Warpig they recommended me the Holy Divers. Don't get me wrong I think the HDs are great pickups, I just don't think they are quite right for me. I'll list what I like and don't like about each and maybe someone can give me advice on pointing to another model that would better suit me and my gear.

I play modern metal with a mix of post-metal Isis type tones and more aggressive metalcore articulated riff based stuff. We also do some clean passages as well I mostly use the center pickup position for this using both the bridge and neck pups. You can checkout some tunes at http://www.myspace.com/empier to get an idea of what I'm doing these were done with an RG321 with a Warpig which was just too dark overall. 

Tuning: Drop-A (A-E-A-D-F#-B)
Strings .072 -.014

Ibanez VK Down-Tunz Stock pickups:
LIKES
1. Really massive tight palm mutes
2. Really biting/sharp attack
3. Lots of clarity
DISLIKES
1. Kind of thin for rhythm work
2. Top end is a little harsh
3. Seems a tad bit too scooped

Bare Knuckles Holy Diver Matched Set
LIKES
1. Thick tone
2. Lots of good mids carves it's space in the mix
3. Pretty punchy
4. Single notes sound nice and fat
5. Highs are nice and smooth
DISLIKES
1. The attack isn't aggressive enough, not enough bite.
2. Feedback happens to easily, had trouble using high gain
3. Tone seems really compressed/spongey
4. Cleans especially the neck seem really thin, I need more body/mass and woodiness
5. Possibly a little more mid freq focused then i need

I think the Holy Divers are a lot closer to what I need then Warpig, but it's just seems like it isn't aggressive enough. I don't play dejent, but a little more of that kind of bite on the attack would be great while still having some thick massive tone.

[Doadman]

The fact that you like the fat tone suggests Alnico V to me and if the Holy Diver and Warpig aren't quite right, I'd say the Nailbomb is the natural option for you. It's known as a very versatile pickup and, to me, always seems to have a tighter bottom end than the Holy Diver that I think you'd like. I get the impression it lends itself to Metal better than any of the other Alnico V pickups as well so overall I'd say it would be a good match for what you're after. It's not as middy as the Holy Diver but should still have enough to cut through the mix.

[rsf1977]

yea i was noticing at my band practice that it was really mid-focused it was cutting through like crazy but not in a way that was pulling the sound together. It felt like the guitar owned the mids but wasn't gelling with the drums and bass to create the massive unified sound that owns a room. I don't play leads really I just want a great unified mix that is huge. I think I'll do some research on the nail bomb.

[Transcend]

Hey i also have the RGD but mine is the 320wh

I have put an aftermath in there and it is super tight, great for rhythm and leads and it splits really well for cleans.

I have a few clips in the players section and can make some more for you in a particular style if you wish when my replacement saddle block arrives

it is also super punchy with lots of attack and has a great amount of mids and will cut through anything.

[rsf1977]

Hey i also have the RGD but mine is the 320wh

I have put an aftermath in there and it is super tight, great for rhythm and leads and it splits really well for cleans.

I have a few clips in the players section and can make some more for you in a particular style if you wish when my replacement saddle block arrives

Hey that would be fantastic I'd love to hear some clips. I have to admit I'm pretty intimidated bythe Aftermath after reading the reviews lol. I'm not the best guitar player in the land and I fear my shortcomings will be put front and center with that baby. At least from what I've read, what's your opinion on that?

Also did your guitar come with the same pups as mine? What did you think of the stock pups? I thought they were ok but seemed a little thin overall

[Transcend]

Yeah it came with the same pickups.Its the same guitar essentially other than the trem & finish.

The stock pickups were ok and as you said they had great attack and were great for palm muted riffs.

The bass on them was a bit OTT though and the highs was a bit fizzy.

I am not the cleanest player in the world and i do just fine with the AM if anything it has improved my playing and technique.

The gain on it isnt as huge as you would think from the official clips it is perfectly balanced and articulate and possibly the tightest pickup ive ever played and that includes most of the emg & duncan range.

[ericsabbath]

c-bomb?
the alnico nailbomb is very tight and aggressive (a lot more than the holy diver), but a bit scooped in the upper mids
it might work for you, though

[rsf1977]

How do the aftermaths compare to the c-bombs? Also I read somewhere that there are different pole piece options? What's that about lol? So many options lol.

[Transcend]

I have no experience with the Cbomb but if its anything like the NB i know ill hate it :P.

The Aftermath has double screw pole pieces. for more adjustability (i have no idea what else this would be for maybe better bass response?)

I however have a solid black cover on my aftermath with no visible pole pieces as i wanted a really clean look as my RGD is white

[rsf1977]

I have no experience with the Cbomb but if its anything like the NB i know ill hate it :P.

The Aftermath has double screw pole pieces. for more adjustability (i have no idea what else this would be for maybe better bass response?)

I however have a solid black cover on my aftermath with no visible pole pieces as i wanted a really clean look as my RGD is white

What didn't you like about the A-Bomb?

[Transcend]

I have no experience with the Cbomb but if its anything like the NB i know ill hate it :P.

The Aftermath has double screw pole pieces. for more adjustability (i have no idea what else this would be for maybe better bass response?)

I however have a solid black cover on my aftermath with no visible pole pieces as i wanted a really clean look as my RGD is white

What didn't you like about the A-Bomb?

it just really didn't work for me at all it was nowhere near tight enough and felt a little tame & spongey.

But i guess thats because i'm a ceramic user through and through.

i was actually surprised how tight the VK downz were.

However i have heard a lot of great tones from the NB it just doesn't work for me at all.

I found it to be very choosy with what guitar you put it in and just never really found the right match.

I've had 3 NB's now in about 6-7 different guitars and not really enjoyed it in any

[rsf1977]

Yea the down-Tunz are almost there for me they just lack a bit of thickness in the middle and a little too spikey on the high end

[Transcend]

i would definitely recommend the AM then.

Also i tried the MM in the same guitar and it also worked really well.

A touch tighter than the VK but more raunchy tonewise and much thicker

[rsf1977]

How is the aftermath compared th the down-Tunz and what made you ditch the miracle mans

[Madsakre]

I also have the RGD320. I use a Ceramic Warpig in it. For me its the perfect combination for ultra low chugging. I use it in a extreme metal band which fuses Death, black and grind together. We tune to G# standard.
This guitar has become Satans vibrator, and shes a pleaser. I have all that i need in a grinding package.