Blackdog for Metal?

[DoomBuggi]

Howdy Folks,

 I recently ordered a Nailbomb (ceramic) set for my Les Paul.   I got them in and replace all the caps and pots as well.  Turns out that they aren't really for me.  I believe that the Higher Mid range profile pickups are more or less my style. 

 I tried making all kinds of adjustments to get it to work, but I simply couldn't get it to happen.  I believe its because I need more Mids, probably high mids. 

 I contacted Tim, and he is more than willing to exchange them.

 So, my thoughts are on the Aftermath set or the Blackdogs.

My question to you folks is;  can the Blackdog set keep it together under high gain?  Can it stay tight in C# tuning?  I listen to the samples and I think that they sound awesome for rhythm.  Better than the Holydiver (for my tasted). 

I just want get the right set.  I hate to be a pain in the a$$ for Tim.   

I think that I like the output a bit lower, because to me, it sounds a little more clear when distorted.  I definitely like the distortion to be defined in the sense of being able to hear all the strings clearly.  Although, it can be some what controlled with the pickup height.

Wondering if the Blackdog would be noisy being that it is of lower output.   

So my choice is either the BD or the AM. 

I am ordering the Painkiller for a different guitar, so no need to suggest that one.

Any information will be well appreciated. 

Thanks.

[Alex]

Believe it or not, I've never downtuned my Black Dog. But it used to do Megadeth/Metallica sounds nicely with my 5150.
It has a bit a fatty midrange vibe which either you dig or not. Hard to describe.

[Telerocker]

The AM and BD are different worlds. The AM modern, djenty, surgically tight with a lot of pickattack, the BD being more softer, say more vintage, in that respect, though the BD is reckoned to be tight enough for metal and it's being used for this style by several players. You might consider the Rebel Yell and C-Bomb too.

[ericsabbath]

get the holy diver
it sits right between the aftermath and black dog voicings and output
and I had them in my les paul in that exact order as well  :lol:

aftermath was too scratchy, too loud and too saturared
diver has the same eq response but smooth and organic, and also less loud
black dog was like a tamed down diver, even smoother and a lot darker, but still center midrange based

the nailbomb was punchier, bassier, treblier and less middy than all three

if you want strong upper midrange, you should get a rebel yell

[DoomBuggi]

Thanks everyone,

 I ended up sending the NBC set back for the PK set.  I figured it was a safe bet, since I was already getting them to put into another guitar anyway. 

 These are all interesting points.  The Holydiver was the first actual pickup to attract me to the BKP site.  I have to say, on the audio samples listed on the site, I really like the sound of the Black Dog.  To my ears, judging from the samples, the are more to my taste in the tone wise, but Eric I totally understand what you mean by them being louder in the sense of unwanted noise.

 I am happy to read as much as any one is willing to share.  There is a Les Paul standard that I have my eye on.  I think a set like that would be fantastic in it. Though I am open to suggestions.

Also,
 
  Any suggestions for what neck P90 would do well with the Blackdog bridge?

[Alex]

I think the Black Dog is a really cool pickup and does metal with its own "twist". I'd probably pick the Mississipi Queen as neck based solely on the description. Why don't you send the BKP people a quick mail to see what they'd suggest.

[DoomBuggi]

I think the Black Dog is a really cool pickup and does metal with its own "twist". I'd probably pick the Mississipi Queen as neck based solely on the description. Why don't you send the BKP people a quick mail to see what they'd suggest.

Alex, let me ask you this;

 When you were using the BD, with high gain, did it squeal or give you any unwanted noise?

I'm think that I am pretty much going to get the Black Dog.  I just ordered a set of Painkillers that is for my back up, but Im going to try them out in the Les Paul.  They seem to have the same eq curve as the BD. 

I'm not really interested in the HD anymore, the Rebel Yell seems cool, but out of those style of pickups, just from judging from the audio tracks, the BD totally rules my ear in comparison to the former two mentioned. 

[DoomBuggi]

I'm pretty tempted to jump on a set of Blackdog.  Just want to be sure that it is going to handle a high gain environment.

Hook me up with more info, folks. 

Vintage Hot output and high gain.  What is your experience?

[Roobubba]

I used a black dog in my baritone with really pleasing results. I've swapped it out since, but I was specifically looking for more surgical tightness, so got the aftermath. Different beasts, but both awesome in their own right. What I loved about the black dog was its grindy, snarly midrange and openness. It could handle drop A tuning with ease, and I didn't find noise a problem. If anything, it was less noisy to use than the MM and AM I've had in the same guitar. BKP levels of noise aren't a problem for me in any case - it's not much and is very easily taken care of by the ISP decimator ProRackG in my signal chain.

It sounds as though you have your head screwed on and have done the research - I'd say go for it!

[DoomBuggi]

I used a black dog in my baritone with really pleasing results. I've swapped it out since, but I was specifically looking for more surgical tightness, so got the aftermath. Different beasts, but both awesome in their own right. What I loved about the black dog was its grindy, snarly midrange and openness. It could handle drop A tuning with ease, and I didn't find noise a problem. If anything, it was less noisy to use than the MM and AM I've had in the same guitar. BKP levels of noise aren't a problem for me in any case - it's not much and is very easily taken care of by the ISP decimator ProRackG in my signal chain.

It sounds as though you have your head screwed on and have done the research - I'd say go for it!

Awesome, and thanks Roo.  I think I am going to get the set for diversity.  I like the way the samples sound, and I like vintage gear that is used in a modern way. 

On tightness, thats why I ordered the Painkiller Set.  But, I don't believe it will kill me to have a set of Black Dog either.  Not to mention, I haven't heard many people use a lower output pickup for extreme music.  Though, they are definitely out there.

 I like to learn about sound, the more I know the more useful I am to others. 

Whats up with that guitar on your avatar?  It looks killer.

[ericsabbath]

http://www.myspace.com/colidium

not metal, but we have some heavier metal oriented riffs
all songs were recorded with a PRS McCarty with a Cold Sweat in the bridge and my '73 Les Paul Custom with the Black Dog in the bridge
don't remember the sides, but you can easily figure them out with a headphone
the PRS track is bright and aggressive, as expected (check the intro on 'Limbo'), and the Les Paul is dark and deep

leads on 'Alterego Torto' and the main solo on 'Bendito Fruto' were done with the Les Paul (and a lot of wah effect)
lot of the other leadwork was recorded with the LP too, but I won't remember which parts

each guitar was single-tracked and the post processing wasn't heavy, so there isn't any masking
I might post the pre-master versions if I find the files

[Alex]

HI

I still have the Black Dog in my SG btw, didn't get rid of it!

No noise or feedback problems, like Roo said.
It is a bit softer in the attack than typical metal pickups, but still works fine. I feel a booster in the signal chain makes difference fairly minimal.

[DoomBuggi]

Thanks allot everyone.

I have a set of Painkillers, and a set of Black Dog on the way.  I also have a Holy Diver on the way for my friend.  I'm going to try them all out on the Les Paul.  The Painkillers will eventually end up in my Explorer.  I suspect that the Black Dogs will do well in the Les Paul, even if I do extremely heavy music. 

 I still would like to know more about low output pickups in high gain scenarios. So if you have more info, please keep it coming. 

 Thanks

[DoomBuggi]

Thanks Eric, I like the tone you have going. I listen to all kinds of music, sounds like you guys are doing good

[DoomBuggi]

Well,

 I got the Black Dog set, and the Holydiver bridge.  They are both awesome.  I'm going to sell them now.

 The Holydiver reminds me of a JB, but a more improved version of it.
 
 The Black Dogs are freaking awesome.  Unfortunately, I need more of an accelerated bass response. Hmm. I wish I didn't have to sell the BD set, but I can have a set up pickups laying around that aren't going to be used.  They would make a severely good DOOM pickup, IMO.  

 The Holydiver is going to a friend, I believe.  This seem s more like his flavor.

I have a set of Painkillers on the way from BKP.  

 Now I am going to order a set of Aftermath.  I'm not sure which one will work better in my Les Paul.  I suppose the Aftermaths will end up in the Les Paul, because the explorer is really dark, and Tim suggested that the PK's would clear it up.
  
 Wonder how the painkiller neck would fair with the aftermath?  

Wonder how the aftermath set will fair in the Les Paul?

 You folks have any more info that you can send my way?  This has been a very awesome learning experience.  Even it has cost me a little bit, it has been totally worth gaining knowledge through experience.