Looking for rawness in an HSS

[Stratinni]

Hi guys,

I have an American Special HSS Stratocaster in all black (with stock's that suck major ass), and would like to turn it into a raw beast. The sound I am leaning towards mostly would be something in the line of Immortal's "At the heart of Winter", if you have heard. A good 'ol blackish sound. Now, I am very happy to see that BKP are offering an HSS configuration, but there are so many on the list and I've never even heard, apart from a Youtube video of a Les Paul with nailbombs which sound awesome but seem like they couldn't pull of anything past Heavy metal and a Strat with warpigs (which sounds a bit too guttery and bassy for a genre like black metal, more like brutal death metal).

So, I hope you guys have experiences with some of these in your strats so I can buy one start jammin'.
Thanks..

[Madsakre]

This is a miracle man:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6647159/sortal2.mp3

[Stratinni]

Wow, very sweet. If this was the only choice I just might settle with it. But there are multiple choices for the HSS; -



Stormy Monday humbucker & 2 Apache single

The Mule humbucker & 2 Mother's Milk single coils

Black Dog humbucker & 2 Slow Hand single coils

VH II humbucker & 2 Irish Tour single coils

Emerald humbucker & 2 Mother's Milk single coils

Rebel Yell humbucker & 2 Slow Hand single coils

Crawler humbucker & 2 Mother's milk single coils

Nailbomb humbucker & 2 Irish Tour single coils

Painkiller humbucker & 2 Trilogy Suite single coils

Holydiver humbucker & 2 Irish Tour single coils

Miracle Man humbucker & 2 Trilogy Suite single coils


- and I would like to put the rawest in the Strat. Are these pup's lined from top to bottom by most tender to most aggressive?

I look forward to more samples and/or recommendations, thank you..

[Madsakre]

Not really. But i think you will be quite happy with the miracle man & trilogy set :)

[Slartibartfarst42]

I'd have thought versatile with a raw edge would suggest an A-Bomb. Based on my limited understanding, I'd say that some of the choices you've listed there rule themselves out because they're either not suitable for the sound you're after or they're too bright for your guitar. Of the ones you've listed, my guess would be that the pickups best suited to your guitar would be Black Dog, Crawler, Nailbomb and Holydiver. The Crawler and Holydiver are usually described as 'smooth' rather than 'raw' so my guess would be that you're looking at Black Dogs or Nailbombs. Nailbombs with Trilogy Suites would be a great combination.

[Madsakre]

I dont like the nailbomb. it has that sound to it like the cab is in some other room. Not very suitable for Black metal

[Slartibartfarst42]

Thanks, I just received mine and they're being fitted tomorrow!! It sounds like they may be going straight back  :?

[Madsakre]

in my opinion*

[Telerocker]

Miracle Man / Trilogies.

[Stratinni]

Guys, thanks for the replies..I've sent a mail to BKP staff and they've recommended Painkiler in bridge and Trilogy Suites in middle and neck, although among the HSS configurations offers there's only Painkiller with Irish Tour's. They probably misunderstood me. Anyway, the Miracle Man seems good, and I am overall not to keen on researching my ass off for the next month or so and wish to speed up the process a bit. Basically, which is heavier - MM or PK?

Thanks, have a nice day..

[Slartibartfarst42]

The HSS options on the site aren't as extensive as those offered in the online store for some reason. If you check the online store you'll find that a Painkiller with Trilogy Suites is a correct option for you.

[llJasonll]

I have a Painkiller set in one of my guitars and it sounds very raw and wicked!  You will be able to get great contemporary and "straty" clean sounds; and the distorted sound is as raw as it gets.  I was very happy with my Painkillers! Oh and btw, I use my guitar with painkillers for the Black Metal band that I am in, and I am always very raw sounding and very "in the mix"

You can also email the sales guys and request a "different than normal option" when purchasing the H-S-S sets.  I purchased a Ceramic nailbomb with two Sinners for one of my axes.

Good luck in your search!  :)

[Madsakre]

The painkiller is wicked too :) And yes, raw. But i would still suggest the miracle man over the painkiller for a Immortal'ish tone.

[Stratinni]

I think I'll go for the Miracle Man and Trilogy Suites. Now, when I go to the online shop, there is an option of 230$ for covered humbucker and 220$ for open. What is the difference in sound here? Or the overall difference? I wish to get open simply because I already have an open stock Atomic humbucker which is aesthetically pleasing (can't say that for the sound), so I'd like to keep it that way.

Thanks..

[Madsakre]

Its simply aesthetics.