Agressive Alternative to the Holy Diver

[metalmaniac93]

Does anyone have any recommendation for a slightly more aggressive alternative to the HD especially in an Alder body - maple neck bolt.   

[Telerocker]

Miracle Man.

[metalmaniac93]

Miracle Man? Well I never thought of that one.   Might look into that one.  Can you get a good George Lynch tone out of the MMs? 

[Telerocker]

By hindsight it might a bit too bright in alder/maple. You may have a look at Nailbombs, they have more mids then the MM and are more aggressive then the HD and some users stated it has more output then the Diver.

[metalmaniac93]

I was wondering how the Rebel Yell would sound in an alder/bolt type of guitar for hard rock/80's metal/thrash metal?  I know it would have a more open sound that the HDs, but would it be too thin for leads?

[metalmaniac93]

I have a bridge NB for my ESP NTII, but the guitar build has been delayed and I wont get it until mid-Dec.

[Telerocker]

RY's are all about the midspectrum. They have quite some presence too, which could be too much in alder/maple. I think they excel in  mahogany-setneck-guitars, but that opinion is based on clips I heard and things I read on the forum. I don't own an RY.

[Nolly]

I don't think you'd find the Rebel Yell to be over the top if you're after a more aggressive sound, but if you are worried about it then the Nailbomb is the logical choice - it's almost an overwound Rebel Yell so has a beefier sound but with a noticeable "family resemblance" in the voicing.

[metalmaniac93]

Nolly, thanks!!!!    I was thinking of the NBs. My buddy had the RY in a Schecter Tempest (mahogany body/maple top/set-neck) and I played them through my amp and they rocked.  I might wait until I get my ESP NTII which will have the NB bridge/CS neck as soon as the guitar is finished.  I bought the BKPs for it back in Sept, but they are at a shop in Minnesota and I am in IL.   I do love the leads of the HD, but I cannot get along with the rhythm sound (low end strings) for heavier metal riffs ala Metallica and stuff like that through high gain.  They sound great in the crunch channel of the Engl Savage for hard rock tones, but when driven with a lot of distortion, they do not sound as dynamic/open as I would like and I have to turn the presence up almost all the way!!  I do have another amp coming that is more Marshall/Jose mod-like (Cameron CCV-100) so that might changes the sound for high gain.

[Nolly]

No problem, I think the new amp might change things substantially - as you say, it might be worth waiting until you have your NB-equipped axe the new amp before making a decision :)