Replacing my EMG set with BKs - but which ones?

[stringtheorist]

Apologies in advance if this subject has been thrashed to death but after doing a lot of reading in the archives I'm still confused about which would be the best choice to replace the EMG set on my ESP Eclipse I (81/60). I like the output and tone of the EMGs but I would prefer the guitar to clean up better from the volume control, and I don't like having to worry about the battery going down at a gig.

It seems to me the best candidates are the MM, NB, PK and HD... but which ones to go for I'm still not sure. I play downtuned stoner rock, grunge, classic metal & thrash, so think somewhere between Zakk Wylde, James Hetfield, Jerry Cantrell and Josh Homme. That's quite a wide tonal range, hence adding to the confusion. Hoping someone out there can help me narrow it down...

[Kiichi]

Miracle Man.
They are like Emgs, but better in every way. They got the tone, the cleaning up and are just great for the sounds you want, so they are a save bet (at least for the bridge. For the neck I am not 100% sure cause you got a 60 there).

[Sancho]

MM sounds like a no brainer. I'm contemplating them myself to get some high octane metal tones.

[stringtheorist]

Great. If the MM neck pickup turns out to be a little hotter but cleans up better with the volume knob, I'm good with that.

[Madsakre]

Or a ceramic warpig(!!)

[Telerocker]

MM's.

[Nephilim]

I got a set of MMs to replace my EMGs with, but for some reason, I really prefered the Ceramic Nailbomb. But I'd recommend the Miracle Man to replace with at first. From there you can see if you like it. If you don;t, you can always send it back and get a replacement :)

[stringtheorist]

I got a set of MMs to replace my EMGs with, but for some reason, I really prefered the Ceramic Nailbomb. But I'd recommend the Miracle Man to replace with at first. From there you can see if you like it. If you don;t, you can always send it back and get a replacement :)

You can? Is that standard BK policy?

[schantist]

You can? Is that standard BK policy?

Yup, two weeks return policy,
check it out:

"If you are unhappy with any pickup purchased directly from Bare Knuckle Pickups or would like to change it for another model, return the pickup in it's original condition by registered mail within 14 days of purchase date and we will either change or refund the pickup. Please telephone to obtain a returns reference as unsolicited returns cannot be accepted. Custom ordered pickups cannot be returned for exchange or refund(aged Strat and Tele sets are treated as custom orders)."

[stringtheorist]

That's awesome! :)

[MAJ Meadows SF]

MMs for sure. They tackle the KsE tone perfectly, and through my Invador 150 I matched the Decapitated tone off "Organic Hallucinosis". Scooping the amp brings out a Dying Fetus like tone; and yes those pickups are prett scooped already. Low mids and a huge low end that punches harder than EMGs, despite not quite the same output. I'd be interested to hear them with an EMG or SD preamp!

Warpigs have rediculous output too and are great for stoner metal. I have one in an 88 Kramer Pacer, and it does a great job with In Flames and Amon Amarth covers. Check out LiamENGL on youtube for an idea of how they sound run through a 5150.

The C-Bomb is amazing and I prefer it over MMs and Pigs as well, but not to "substitute" EMGs. I have a C-Bomb with a PK neck in a JEM 77FP and it is amazing for a Vai-like tone, plus it nails death metal and thrash. However, I'd start with the MMs as you have been advised and go from there. Make sure you have powerful pots and a good wiring job done.

[stringtheorist]

Make sure you have powerful pots and a good wiring job done.

"Powerful" pots?  :?

[MAJ Meadows SF]

Sorry, poorly worded. I ment pots that can handle powerful pickups, like 500K as apposed to 350K. BKP has thier own pots custom made for their pickups:BKP Custom Audio Taper 550K CTS standard shaft pot

They are in the accesories page of the shop. Bad wiring and cheap electronics will affect your tone more than you think.

[Alex]

As owner of the same guitar and someone who has used the Miracle Man in more than one guitars, yes, that would certainly work very well.

However, I have to admit, that if I'd swap my EMGs out, I would personally go with a Black Dog set, because that is my overall favorite pickup.

[stringtheorist]

Cool. Thanks guys - I'll need some new pots so I'll get them from Bare Knuckle at the same time.