Suggestion for les paul custom

[psalterium]

Hi,

In the end I'm changing the stock gibson humbuckers in my 2010 Les Paul Custom ( actually I don't think they're so bad, I just think a $2000+ guitar should be equipped with something more than just "fine"a, and yeah, it's a shame that Gibson does not think the same). Now, I'm playing through an orange rockerverb 100 with EL34s, and I mainly play alt rock with a touch of math/progressive stuff. I use lots of open chords with complex voicing, so definition is a big concern of mine; I don't need tons of output, I'm thinking of something with a fair amount of aggression, great clarity and an overall organic kind of sound. I've just ordered an aftermath for my 7 string guitar (just to give you an idea), but I'm not sure it would be a wise choice in a Les Paul. The first choices that came into my mind were:
-Nailbomb (maybe c-Bomb for the bridge?)
- Black Dog
- Rebel yell

I will greatly appreciate your suggestions :)

[BigB]

-Nailbomb (maybe c-Bomb for the bridge?)

Never tried the CBomb (nor any ceramic BKP), but the ABomb bridge is tighter than most ceramic pups I ever played while retaining the much more organic nature of alnico - and this is on a dark, full mahogany SG. Incredible definition even under lots of gain, very clear and articulate, never fizzy, and, yes, it's kind of aggressive :twisted: - while still being able to clean and/or warm up very well.

FWIW we're playing a mixture of alt/punk/grunge/fusion/post-rock/whatnot - well, it's hard to classify because we all have very eclectic tastes and don't bother trying to fit into any existing genre, it's definitly NOT metal but OTHO I'm the only non-metalhead in the band -, and I'm really pleased with what this pickup delivers, from almost crystal clear to full out raspy aggression to warm leads just playing with the guitar's pots.

[Telerocker]

You might even consider the raw energy, screaming tones, articulation and great balance of the VHII's or something hotter in a the bridge like a Rebel Yell or Nailbomb paired with a VHII-neck, which is much praised here. Btw, so is the CS-neck.

[ericsabbath]

I was looking for the same description you gave for my '73 lp custom
after trying a lot of pickups in this guitar (nailbombs, cold sweats, holy diver, aftermath, black dog and a motor city set), I ended up with a mule on the neck and a custom riff raff on the bridge (it has a thicker magnet)
I use a heavily modded '73 marshall jmp that's very bass heavy and gainy, a lot like an orange but more open, a bit bognerish maybe
if you have a booster for the heaviest stuff, you won't miss high output pickups at all
with my other amp, I don't even need one, but I like setting the amp gain very low, as I never use actual clean channels, so the boosters get very useful

[psalterium]

I was looking for the same description you gave for my '73 lp custom
after trying a lot of pickups in this guitar (nailbombs, cold sweats, holy diver, aftermath, black dog and a motor city set), I ended up with a mule on the neck and a custom riff raff on the bridge (it has a thicker magnet)
I use a heavily modded '73 marshall jmp that's very bass heavy and gainy, a lot like an orange but more open, a bit bognerish maybe
if you have a booster for the heaviest stuff, you won't miss high output pickups at all
with my other amp, I don't even need one, but I like setting the amp gain very low, as I never use actual clean channels, so the boosters get very useful

Yeah, I get your point. I was looking into the riff raff too (I've read great things about it in LP customs), but it seems like the Nailbomb has the amount of tightness I'm looking for while still retaining an overall organic sound. Sounds like I'm heading towards an Abomb/VHII combo.

[darkbluemurder]

but it seems like the Nailbomb has the amount of tightness I'm looking for while still retaining an overall organic sound. Sounds like I'm heading towards an Abomb/VHII combo.

Which is a good one no doubt. I have that combination in one of my guitars but if I were to choose again I would go Rebel Yell/VHII. The brighter RY should balance even better with the VHII than the darker A-Bomb. And since you emphasised clarity and aggression as important points I believe the RY fits these better than the A-Bomb.

I'd be interested in what Tim has to say about that.

Cheers Stephan

[ericsabbath]

the riff raff is at least as tight as the nailbomb in my guitar and definitely more organic and open on chords
obviously, not as aggressive, though

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=26398.0

[Alex]

To me it sounds like a perfect match for the Blackdog, given your music style, the ebony fretboard and the suitability of the Blackdog to LesPauls.

[psalterium]

To me it sounds like a perfect match for the Blackdog, given your music style, the ebony fretboard and the suitability of the Blackdog to LesPauls.

This is very interesting. The black dog was one of the first pickups that I could think of.
By the way, I'm still far from choosing. Basically I can't decide between the Abomb and a PAF-style pickup (black dog or VHII). Maybe the Abomb would be a better match for my rockerverb 100...?

[Alex]

I think that would work fine well. I have the Nailbomb in a Voodoo LesPaul and it works well with the ebony board on the treble strings; it doesn't sound brittle or thin like some pickups I had before. It's warmer but still has this amazing articulation.
IMO the Nailbomb is the "progressive metal" pickup; it reminds me of Dream Theater all the time somehow.

[Telerocker]

To me it sounds like a perfect match for the Blackdog, given your music style, the ebony fretboard and the suitability of the Blackdog to LesPauls.

This is very interesting. The black dog was one of the first pickups that I could think of.
By the way, I'm still far from choosing. Basically I can't decide between the Abomb and a PAF-style pickup (black dog or VHII). Maybe the Abomb would be a better match for my rockerverb 100...?

I have the Rockerverb 50 head/cab and to my ears vintage/vintagehot-pickups sound better through it, I might even say it's the ideal marriage with singlecoils. That does'nt mean a NB could not work.

[psalterium]

Ok, I'm gonna try with a black dog first, and see how it goes. In the end a vintage-hot humbucker might fit my playing style a little better, and the black dog seems to possess that kind of "in your face" attitude with great clarity and dynamics, which is pretty much what my lp custom is begging for. Thanks a lot for your input!

[Telerocker]

Just as some extra info: played today my all mahogany St. Blues with a calibrated Mules-set in it through the Rockerverb and even Mules do heavy riffing/metal-sounds quite good. I bet the BD in a LP thru an EL34 Rockerverb (mine is loaded with 6V6's) will push way more... :)

[ericsabbath]

the black dog seems to possess that kind of "in your face" attitude with great clarity and dynamics, which is pretty much what my lp custom is begging for.

the riff raff goes one step further in each of those qualities
I still own the black dog in another guitar, though  :D