can't decide, is pig TOO powerful

[Miracle Man Matt]

Well I already have a MM, but for some things it just isn't quite right as it doesn't have the mids I want.

I like a variety of stuff and love metal, but I need something versatile.

examples

Steve Vai - the crossroads red guitar tone AWESOME
Metallica - Master of puppets
Metallica - Some kind of Monster
Van Halen - anything with cool harmoic stuff
Opeth - a fair judgement
Dragonforce - dawn over a new world
Carcass - heartwork (but a little more defined and less thrash and gain)
Steve Vai - tender surrender

anything like summer of 69' to sweet child O mine (basic pub songs)

and anything clean

basically I need something that is...
- balanced toneally and that will respond well to amp and eq changes
- able to do nice cleans
- be able to spit harmonics out like a stuck pig!!!!!!!!!!!!
- be able to roar like a lion with balls the size of water melons.

I like VH's and SV's way that they crank a lower output PU and so the amp/effects respond well to harmonics, and while being not too sensitive that it pick's up stuff you don't want it to, it can sens harmonics and pick attack well. I don't know if this is true or not theory but someone can correct me.

This should be a challenge.

I love the MM, but it is time to invest in more BKP's and I need something a littl more expressive.

the guitar will most likely be a poplar body RG and maple neck

I was thinking nailbomb, but then I see WARPIG and think YEAA but Im not sure how versatile it is, everyone says it is but im not totally convinced yet... can anyone do me a clean clip??

then I think about lower power and I just get confused between the crawler, VH11 and HD.

Anyway hope someone can shed some light,

thanks alot

Matt

[Twinfan]

I can't do you a sound clip I'm afraid, but I have a Warpig in a Gordon Smith GS1.  It's a Les Paul Junior style guitar made of Spanish Cedar (similar tonal qualities to mahogany).

I bought the guitar with the 'Pig fitted with the intention of trying it, then maybe replacing it with a Mule.  However, I'm hooked on the 'Pig so it's staying!

I play the lighter side of rock - Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, Foo Fighters, AC/DC etc and the 'Pig is great for me!  It cleans up really well as you roll the volume off, and the coil tap thins the sound out nicely too when you want a bit more clarity.  If you add more dirt, then obviously it does a great metal sound.

I must admit that I have a very bass/mid heavy sound, so combined with the 'Pig it's ideally suited to me.  If you prefer a more balanced tone you may find it a bit much low down.

As a suggestion, if you're happy with the Miracle Man most of the time, why not get an EQ pedal (Danelectro Fish 'n' Chips are £20ish) to get the mids or cleaner sounds you want?  You probably need to compromise a bit as I dount you'll get the very heavy sound you want and the superb cleans from one pickup...

[Neemo]

I like my Nailbomb a lot, it has very good mids and good harmonics and it cleans up very nicely. Wish I could record some clips with this thing, too bad I don't have the equipment. One killer pickup.

[HJM]

The Nailbomb never fails in an RG. By going lower in output your amp will have more expression as it's not being pushed as hard. So what you get is more dynamics, if you went up to the Warpig you would get less dynamics and more saturation.

With a VHII you can go from crunch to lead with pick attack - you can really hear the difference in tone. As you go up from the VHII to the Nailbomb you get more saturation in the overdrive.

The VHII would probably be as low as I'd go in your guitar. I found it too bright in a Basswood RG with a maple neck.

The Cold Sweat is another one, the bass is tight from the ceramic magnet and the treble is similar to teh Miracle Man. It has less output and slightly reduced midrange from the Miracle Man too. I've got one in an alder Ibanez RT, works great.

The Crawler is voiced with a lot of mid to push an amp, quite a big powerful classic rock tone.

The Holydiver isn't quite 100% ready yet, so I'd call Tim or Steve!

Hope that helps!

 :twisted:

[indysmith]

I'd say Nailbomb in a flash. I have one in my Ibanez and it can nail all those tones you enjoy with no problems. go for it

[Ratrod]

There's  a clip of my Pig somewhere doing a bit of Stray Cat Strut to demonstrate the cleans. From the styles you listed, it will do Somekind of Monster the best.

[MDV]

Yeah the pigs will see you great if youre carefull with the gain, but with those bands I'd jump at the nailbomb!!

[Tim]

I think you've got several options here: Holydiver,Crawler or Nailbomb.
They'll all give you the mid you're after but with varying degrees of power.
The Crawler in my LP never fails to surprise me at how versatile it is!

[Ratrod]

The Crawler in my LP never fails to surprise me at how versatile it is!

I have the same with my Crawler equipped Yamaha SG.

[Miracle Man Matt]

Thanks guys.

Yea, I think I might go for either the VH 2 or Nailbomb.... or crawler;)

Just gotta wait till I get back to good old England, as Im in Australia at the moment traveling.

cheers

Matt

[The Emperor]

The nailbomb will be my next purchase so i wot for the NB. MM installed in my us neckthru jackson today  :P

/E

[carlaz]

The Crawler in my LP never fails to surprise me at how versatile it is!

I have the same with my Crawler equipped Yamaha SG.

And the initial days with my Crawler equipped LP are working out great :)