Is the Nailbomb what I want?! opinions please.

[JohnZAH]

Hey everyone. I Just registered here but I've been a reader for quite some time. I am also new to the Bare Knuckle family... or at least will be soon.

So here's the deal: I have a gibson les paul junior (with humbucker, NOT p90) that I love and am using as my main stage guitar. BUT I'm not really into the stock 498T. Do you think The A-bomb would be a good choice in a solid mahogany, set neck guitar? or do you have a different choice?

I play pop-rock/ hard-rock with a good amount of gain. I also play through an Orange rockerverb 50 and Orange 4x12.
I want a fairly tight pickup because I play a lot of rhythm but I do play some lead too, so I need nice pinch harmonics.

Thanks in advance guys! I could really use the help.

[ericsabbath]

if you're sure that you want a high output model, that's it

I'd personally pick a riff raff instead

[mbchepburn]

Yh a nailbomb is the way to go. I've personally got a ceramic nailbomb in one guitar and an an aftermath in another guitar since I play metalcore, but they're still great for playing pop metal stuff etc. But the alnico would be just as good if you're gonna be playing what you said you are. After speaking to Tim a lot, I leart you need to look at pickups with reduced bass and slightly boosted highs when dealing with Mahogony Les Pauls since they're very bassy them self. MOst of the Bar Knuckle range actually has pretty balanced bass anyways (except the Warpig which Tim said the bass would be overpowering on a Les Paul unless you like the Doom sound. All the contemporary (not sure about the others) clips are recorded with a Les Paul custom so you should have a good Idea what you like by listening to them. :)

[JohnZAH]

if you're sure that you want a high output model, that's it

I'd personally pick a riff raff instead

the riff raff eh? i actually haven't really looked in to it at all! why do you suggest it?

i trust your opinions right now way more than mine because i have zero experience with bare knuckle.

thanks again guys.

EDIT: I just listened to some holy diver clips and it has a really good sound also. would that just be ridiculous in an all mahogany guitar??

[richard]

I have a Firebird Studio (all mahogany, set neck) that came with the 498/490 set which wasn't bad but lacked clarity. Tim recommended the Rebel Yells as replacements. If you're looking for clarity and cut these might suit you. It's taken me quite a while to tune them in and I'm still getting used to their brightness after the dark sounding 498. Not a lot of low end but riffs on the low strings are really well defined whereas the 498 used to turn to mud with any degree of gain. Great for big crunchy chords and really nice for arpeggiated stuff with the volume backed off a little. I think your 4 x 12 cab would more than compensate for the lack of lows (I only use a 1 x 12 combo).

[darkbluemurder]

For all mahogany guitars a Rebel Yell is often suggested. Don't have personal experience with that pickup however.

Cheers Stephan

[JohnZAH]

hmmm.... it would seem I have too many good choices.

I do know, however, that I don't want anything too bright because for being a solid mahogany guitar, it isn't super dark sounding and it actually has a maple fretboard, not the typical rosewood.

i need a decent tight low end presence

[Telerocker]

The RY is quite bright, so I would not take a bet on that one. The NB sounds to modern and agressive for pop and hardrock. I think. It has a dominant topend too and you have to like that sizzle. Some don't. I would certainly look at vintagehot pickups like the Abraxas. Balanced, good mids, but still sounds open for pop and will clean up good. If you want a hardrock/metal-tone, look at the Holy Diver. Personally I would go for the Abraxas.

[JohnZAH]

Hmmm...

well I actually have a seymour duncan custom 5 in my les paul classic that sounds pretty good.

does anyone know of a bareknuckle that is similar to that?

[ericsabbath]

Hmmm...

well I actually have a seymour duncan custom 5 in my les paul classic that sounds pretty good.

does anyone know of a bareknuckle that is similar to that?

the nailbomb has a similar voicing, but more aggressive, clearer, thicker and less scooped

you have a very gainy and bass heavy rig, that's why I'd pick the riff raff instead, as it's a really open sounding pickup with a lot of top end sparkle without getting hairy like the nailbomb

just as a note, the holy diver doesn't sound good in SG's, but it did sound great in my friends Epiphone Bob Marley, which is a full mahogany les paul special, similar to the Junior

I still vote for the riff raff, though
a lot more versatile than both NB and HD

[dheim]

rebel yells!

[Grim]

Mules (AV Bridge)

[schantist]

Rebel Yells +1