Pickups/Guitar Woods for Marty Friedman style of Music?

[Nephilim]

Was just curious as to what kind of pickups would be good for that type of music - the instrumental type like Marty Friedman, Joe Satriani, etc. I'm really looking for a very musical sounding pickup that produces lead tones to die for, but is also capable of doing rhythm and clean tones.

The guitar I'll be getting will be either an Soloist shape or a Tele shape (looking at Warmoth if anyone has experiences with these? Also been looking at USACG, too).

I haven't yet decided on the body wood, so if you could recommend me a pickup for Alder, Basswood and Mahogany. Or if you any ideas on woods, feel free to say. I'm also torn between getting either a Mahogony or Maple neck, although I'm edging more to Maple. I'm definitely getting an Ebony Fretboard though.

I'm more or less just curious as to what Pickup/Wood combos would sound really nice :)

[Nephilim]

Oh and I'm also interested in whate pickup config you'd recommend as well - HSS, HH, HSH, SSS, etc

[Nephilim]

Just done some research, and I've read that Basswood would be a good guitar wood for solo work due to its midrange. So I've narrowed it down to Mahogany Body/Maple Neck or Basswood Body/Maple Neck. Which wood combo wood be better? I'm also going to have a trem on it. I plan on ordering it on Friday when I get paid, so hopefully I'll make a decision on peoples thoughts :)

[dave_mc]

i'm not too familiar with marty's newer stuff, but i know his stuff with megadeth pretty well. Far as i'm aware a lot of his guitars only had a single bridge humbucker. Satch generally uses twin humbucker guitars (though he has that new 24 fret one which is HS, though admittedly the neck pickup is a single-sized humbucker).

Woods... it's really up to you. I have a bunch of superstrats which use different body woods and no body wood really makes the guitar incapable of playing that type of music, it's just whichever one you prefer. Mahogany's a little darker, alder a little brighter, basswood sorta in the middle.

I can't help with the specific BKPs unfortunately, as I've only tried the MM/CS combo (and that's probably a little hard-edged for what you want, in the case of the MM anyway... the CS in the neck works very well for that type of stuff, but there may be better options too).

[Nephilim]

Well I've got a Les Paul atm with MM Set, so I'm looking for something that's not as contemporary. Although I like the sound of the Holy Diver :) I can tell it would probably suit Basswood better than Mahogany though. If anyone has any other suggestions, I'm all ears.

[dave_mc]

ah right well if you've tried the MM then you know what I mean- it'll do those tones, but there are other pickups which'll do them better if that's your main priority. Good luck :)

[Transcend]

Marty uses the stock ibanez pickups in most of his guitars that are mahogany bodies with a maple cap and a maple neck thru.

on the older stuff i believe he used a JB & the EMG81 at various times

[Nephilim]

I'm not after his exact tone, I'm more after a pickup that can play that type of music. Something that really 'sings' to be more precise. Not necessarily something that 'screams' jut something that 'sings' lol.

[Transcend]

Hmm my first guess would be something like the VHII 

[Nephilim]

Hmm my first guess would be something like the VHII 

It's actually one of the pickups I was looking at. I was looking at that and the Black Dog. But would you think the Black Dog would have too much mids to mix with Basswood?

[Transcend]

I havent personally tried the black dog so i cant really help

[gwEm]

i've listened to a bit of his new stuff and think holy diver. not sure about the basswood though..

[Nephilim]

I'm thinking of the Holy Diver now. Ben at BKP recommended that or the Cold Sweat, but tbh, the Cold Sweat has just too much treble for me and doesn't sound fat enough. What are people's opinions on the Holy Diver? What's the bridge like? And what's the neck like? Also how does it respond to in Alder and basswood?

Cheers,
Mike

[ericsabbath]

holy diver is definitely the most singing pickup
the alnico miracle man could be interesting for a brighter guitar

[Alex]

The Holy Diver, Nailbomb and Black Dog would all be good candidates. It would depend on your personal taste, there isn't one that's really better.