A question of power

[ev1ltwin]

The a-pig replaced an emg81 in that guitar. The things that I didn't like about the emg was that it was a bit bright and brittle while still being compressed. It was really good for certain sounds (obv high gain compressed/tight stuff, but even really sharp mid-gain sounds like acdc surprisingly) but I got bored of it after a while. The warpig was less compressed, darker, thicker, but still as clear as the emg.

As for the series/parallel thing, it just gives the guitar more versatility without compromising anything. The warpig in parallel is essentially position 2 on a strat, and it's dead silent (unlike a coil shunt, where you only have one coil who completes the ground->output loop when the switch is engaged). I would describe the sound as a really full single coil sound. It's got less output, mids, compression, and more pick attack then the pig in series. It's just a nice variation when I feel like doing more technical stuff with less gain, or if I need to do a sultans of swing cover (though it doesn't really sound like a tradition strat pickup).

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/downloads/schematics/profiles/humbuckers/1hum__4_con_pushpull_pot-series_or_parallel.pdf

There are actually some errors in that diagram.  The non-close-up photo of the push-pull pot should have the top right tag soldered to the middle left tag where the green wire gets soldered (he got it right in the close-up). And the instructions at the bottom should say "1. Switch pulled out: both coils in parallel". It appears Tim copy/pasted from the instructions for 1 Hum, 4 Con, Push-Pull Pot - Coil Split lol

[Doadman]

I can't really speak too much for BKPs, but just in general, I haven't really noticed a gigantic difference between neck and bridge humbuckers if the bridge is much hotter than the neck (yes, the neck pickup is less compressed and has less distortion, but if anything is as loud if not louder than the bridge regardless), but I've noticed a pretty big difference between humbuckers and single coils, where the single coils have noticeably less output. It might be due to the frequency response as much as the output...

But do you find a single coil sized humbucker reacts in this way like a humbuker or like a single coil?

ev1ltwin - you're really selling me on a Warpig! I take it you don't find that when you move to leads the treble is drowned out by all that mid and bass.

[ev1ltwin]

But do you find a single coil sized humbucker reacts in this way like a humbuker or like a single coil?

ev1ltwin - you're really selling me on a Warpig! I take it you don't find that when you move to leads the treble is drowned out by all that mid and bass.

Disclaimer: I'm going to ramble a bit and touch on different points... tl:dr style

First: A single-coil size humbucker can sound much more like a humbucker than a single-coil. A seymour duncan hot rails sounds like a high-output dark humbucker (with all of the muddiness too, but that's a different topic), and a Dimarzio pro-track sounds 95% like a PAF (to the point where it'd be damn near impossible to tell the difference unless you were listening for it). Single-coil sized humbuckers and full size are not the exact same because of the size/shape of the magnetic fields, but the coils are wound to compensate for it. It's pretty nifty imo.

Second: I think you're over-analyzing the "darkness" of the warpig. I think there's a lot of negative connotations when referring to something as dark that I think are unwarranted. Maybe a better way to describe it instead of dark is richer, fuller, and, most importantly, less sharp-sounding. Go to the BKP website, and check out the classic rock clip of the Abraxas. Then compare it to the Riff-Raff's classic rock clip. The Abraxas sounds darker than the riff-raff, but not in a bad way (the emg81 was much brighter than riff-raff btw). The warpig is still really clear in that you hear all the notes in the chord; it doesn't get muddy unlike other high-output pssive pickups from other manufacturers. Also, it's not like there's no treble in the pickup! It can shriek if you set your amp that way.

Third: My favorite lead tone is a bridge pickup tone which is dense, "chewy", and with good presence on the top-end. The closest I've found to that sound in my head is 3:15-3:35 of Metallica's "Leper Messiah": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI6Ubb7zJI8. What I've experienced is that it's easier to get the thickness from the pickup and brighten it up with the presence control on the amp. I found myself unsatisfied with the emg81 because it was thinner, sharper, and brighter. What I had to do was turn the presence down on the amp so my lead tone didn't sound harsh. With the warpig, I can get a sound that is denser with more presence at the same time.

Finally: All I can say is that I like my A-pig. I'm not saying that it can get you closer to what you want than a Nailbomb or Holydiver. I'm just not qualified to make that determination! In all honesty, I think you'll be happy with any of the 3, but from what Eric says, it sounds like you should decide between the Holydiver and the Warpig. Especially if you play with a lot of gain, the differences between pickups get less and less. Good luck with the decision.

[Doadman]

I think you're over-analyzing the "darkness" of the warpig. I think there's a lot of negative connotations when referring to something as dark that I think are unwarranted. Maybe a better way to describe it instead of dark is richer, fuller, and, most importantly, less sharp-sounding.

It wouldn't be the first time I've been guilty of over analyzing things  :)

Actually what you say is very true. I think the description of a 'huge bass response' does give negative connotations as it makes me think of something that is primarily a rhythm pickup with highs struggling to cut through and probably a tendency to get muddy. I suppose if the A-Pig had the same EQ as the C-Pig I'd be a little less worried but I suspect that like the DC resistence, there's not as much difference in the EQ as I'm imagining from the figures.

[ericsabbath]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYM-W3vYOUE

this is an alnico warpig in a les paul custom
not dark at all

[Doadman]

It's big and bassy but I'd agree that 'dark' is the wrong word. I certainly want a bigger, beefier sound to my guitar as I love that about Les Pauls; I just don't like playing them. It's big, a bit like the HD but also somewhat more raucous. I'd guess the HD is more versatile as it sounds great on the 'Hair Metal' clip and really good on 'Modern Metal' whereas I can't really imagine the WP doing Hair Metal. The lead tone on that video was fantastic and certainly came through OK (unless of course it's the SD 59 I'm listening to  :lol:).

Our set is very mixed, hence I need some variety. I think the heaviest song we do it Metallica's 'Whisky in the Jar' and most of the rest of what we do probably sits somewhere between Iron Maiden and a heavy Metallica sound. There are, however, some exceptions so there are some clean and lighter gain tracks in there as well.

[ev1ltwin]

I think both pickups will suit your guitar and the tone you're going for, but I dont have first hand experience with the HD to compare them. Why dont you ask Tim, and if you're in the states, ask Nick at the axe palace. They've played both holy diver and warpig and are very helpful.

[ericsabbath]

The lead tone on that video was fantastic and certainly came through OK (unless of course it's the SD 59 I'm listening to  :lol:).

that's definitely the neck pickup

damn, I hate the '59
it was one of the main reasons I first tried BKP

[Transcend]

I hate to say this but if you are wanting a heavy metallica sound there are only two options for you

BKP miracle man is the closest youll get but isnt spot on
http://www.infocus.ho8.com/media/46-And%20Justice%20For%20Jason.mp3

and the other option without a doubt is the emg81/60 (which will nail it with the right amp)

Don't shy away from the miracle man as it is ALOT more versatile than people would have you believe
A lot of the versatility i found is in the end user and how well they know there amp & guitars limitations It even nails those metallica/megadeth style clean tones if you know how to EQ it

[Transcend]

Oh yeah also there was no after EQ done on that clip at all it is exactly as it was recorded

Ibanez TS9 boosting the crunch channel of my TSL60 with Eminence Man O War recorded with a SM57

[Doadman]

Sorry, I didn't make that clear. When I think of guitarists who have the tone I like, they invariably seem to be either players who use Gibson Les Pauls or PAF style pickups or both. Think for instance of the best elements of Slash, Gary Moore, John Sykes, Santana etc. Unfortunately, I really don't like playing Gibson guitars as I prefer neck-thru construction, 24 frets and locking trem and that does seriously limit my choice and gives me a guitar that is rather brighter and thinner in tone. In an ideal world I'd get a mahogany Soloist but I can't afford that. I appreciate I'll never get a Les Paul sound as it's not a Les Paul but if I can a pickup that has a beefier, more PAF type tone I will at least get part of the way there. The reference to bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden etc. was merely an indication of the gain levels I tend to use and not the core tone I'm after (though I do like Metallica's 'Whisky in the Jar' tone well enough). It's very hard to articulate exactly what I'm after and I'm not sure that I always fully understand the terms used. I assume I must like a 'compressed' sound because I like my JB a hell of a lot more when the MXR compressor has output and sensitivity maxed out and the attack virtually on zero. It's that kind of effect with the gain levels I mentioned but also smooth and organic like a PAF. I give up, I just can't effectively describe it,  :lol:

[kevinr]

Have you gave any thought to the Crawler?

[Transcend]

Sorry, I didn't make that clear. When I think of guitarists who have the tone I like, they invariably seem to be either players who use Gibson Les Pauls or PAF style pickups or both. Think for instance of the best elements of Slash, Gary Moore, John Sykes, Santana etc. Unfortunately, I really don't like playing Gibson guitars as I prefer neck-thru construction, 24 frets and locking trem and that does seriously limit my choice and gives me a guitar that is rather brighter and thinner in tone. In an ideal world I'd get a mahogany Soloist but I can't afford that. I appreciate I'll never get a Les Paul sound as it's not a Les Paul but if I can a pickup that has a beefier, more PAF type tone I will at least get part of the way there. The reference to bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden etc. was merely an indication of the gain levels I tend to use and not the core tone I'm after (though I do like Metallica's 'Whisky in the Jar' tone well enough). It's very hard to articulate exactly what I'm after and I'm not sure that I always fully understand the terms used. I assume I must like a 'compressed' sound because I like my JB a hell of a lot more when the MXR compressor has output and sensitivity maxed out and the attack virtually on zero. It's that kind of effect with the gain levels I mentioned but also smooth and organic like a PAF. I give up, I just can't effectively describe it,  :lol:

i understand exactly how you struggle i do it myself. Putting a sound into words is one of the hardest things possible.

As for mahogany superstrats with locking trems have you looked at the ibanez RGAs? theyre very nice and some of them arent ridiculously overpriced.

The only problem with them is that they dont tick your requirement of neck thru but the neck join does give just as much access.

I hope you find what you are looking for as its always a tough decision

[Doadman]

It's a hell of a lot easier offering advice to other people than it is deciding on your own that's for sure!

I'm not going to change my guitar as I've not had this one a year yet and I was trying to get away from the super thin necks that Ibanez guitars have anyway. As for the Crawler, I did look at that and ironically it was the pickup that first got me looking at a Nailbomb because I noticed on the forum that people kept saying that they were similar but one was Blues to Metal whereas the other was Metal to Blues. Half my problem is that I can't do anything but think about it until my old Ibanez is sold as that's funding the pickups. Once that's sold (eventually) the decision will be made very quickly one way or another.

[dave_mc]

But do you find a single coil sized humbucker reacts in this way like a humbuker or like a single coil?

I don't have that much experience with them, but I think it very much depends on the model- and also the position. rails types, to my ears (and the ones I've tried) sorta sounded halfway between single coils and humbuckers, and in the neck position sounded closer to a humbucker (as that's a warmer pickup position). Something like dimarzio virtual vintages (stacked humbuckers) sound pretty close to single coils. I haven't tried any of the dimarzio rail pickups.