What is considered the best BK "Lead" pickup?

[kmanick]

I've got a dimarzio Crunchlab in the bridge of my BRJ 7 string and I don't like it's lead tone very much.
I play thru a Mesa Mark IV, and I'm trying to figure out which BK 7 string pickup has the best lead tone
and still stays pretty tight for rhythm playing.
I've had an alnico Nailbomb in a previous 7 that I really,really  liked for lead playing , but felt it could've been  bit tighter.
this guitar is all mahogany (neck thru) with a maple top /ebony board.
is the Nailbomb my best bet?
I've always wondered about the Holydiver but I'm hesitant to put it in this much Mahogany
I don't like the sound of Ceramic magnets so I'm interested in alnico based only.
(pulling out the Painkiller in my Rg7CT for a Rebel yell)
What would be some good options?

[ev1ltwin]

I have a feeling people are going to start chiming in with a chorus of Rebel Yell.

I have a BRJ 7 with the exact same specs as you that's currently on order (apparently still in his woodshop though). It's gonna ship with the Crunch Lab. I play through a Mark III (similar to you), so I'll be keeping track of this thread. Good luck dude.

[ratspeak]

I've had both the JP signature bridge pups, and to be honest I think any BKP will have a better lead tone. No anti DiMarzio bias, the CL just doesn't do it for me (I loved my Evo 2). My Ceramic "Brutal Bass/Low-Mid Heavy Metal-Rhythm Pickup" Warpig does a better job than the CL or D-Sonic IMHO.

Based on what you're saying (alnico, tight, rhythm/lead), sounds like the obvious choice is a Rebel Yell, but wait for the Holydiver users to drop in. I seem to remember a lot of conversation about the HD in darker guitars a while back. Also, although you said you don't like ceramic mags, I can recommend the Aftermath for a mahogany guitar. It's very thick and tight, a lot different than the Painkiller. Out of curiosity, what experience do you base your dislike for ceramic on?

[ericsabbath]

best lead pickup ever = holy diver

most fluid, thick and clear single notes I've heard
and the pinch harmonics sound huge and come out a lot easier than with the nailbomb

not really tight in low tunings, but still clear
it does get pretty tight with a TS or SD overdrive, or an EQ before the amp, though

[kmanick]

Out of curiosity, what experience do you base your dislike for ceramic on?

I've always used Alnico pickups until my 2 current 7's (painkillers and  the CR/LF) set. I find the Ceramics have a single coil "clickyness" to them that I don't like. With super high amounts of gain it kind of goes away, but I don't use super high amounts of gain. I do clean boost up front when using my 7's but that is more for sustain than gain (if that makes sense ).
I don't play death metal I am wanking around playing lead probably 80% of th time I'm playing.
I've been writing a bunch of stuff lately that would be in the vein of 7 string heavier "Greg Howe-ish"
instrumentals from his Parallax era, (If that helps at all), and the Ceramics just don't sound right for that type of style.

[Doadman]

I hate to be predictable but I'm going to have to say Rebel Yell as well. It has all of the alnico sweetness you're after with a tightness to rival ceramics.

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3433&highlight=rebel+yell

[kmanick]

cool Well I guess I will try the Rebel yell that I have on order in my BRJ instead of my ibanez, and
see how I like it.
thanks for the input guys!

[Alex]

Both the Holy Diver and the Black Dog have that as their strong parts. In comparison, the BD is clearer and cleaner, the HD has more smoothness.

I totally understand your problem with the Dimarzios. I had a ToneZone and a D-Sonic. Slamming rhythm sounds, but the leads just never did it for me.

[kmanick]

I totally understand your problem with the Dimarzios. I had a ToneZone and a D-Sonic. Slamming rhythm sounds, but the leads just never did it for me.

Exactly, if I was just playing rhythm, no problem.

[MDV]

Miracle man.

[kmanick]

Miracle man.

had one in a 7620. Loved it for rhythm, not so much for lead .
Isna't that a Ceramic magnet?

[MDV]

Yes it is. But then I didnt so much as read the OP as....not read it.

Nailbomb then.

[kmanick]

seems the Rebel yell/Nalbomb/ Holy diver are the 3 that are getting the most mention here.
anybody play all 3 of these (well I know Nolly has) and let me know which of the 3 is the tightest?
I'm guessing all 3 will be good for lead playing.

[MDV]

Rebel yell is the tightest of those.

[Doadman]

Rebel Yell is the tightest, Holy Diver has the sweetest leads and Nailbomb is usually regarded as the most versatile with nice leads and still very tight.