Fairly simple question

[Slartibartfarst42]

Have you got your Holydiver installed yet? I'm really looking forward to hearing about how it compares to both the A-Pig and C-Pig. The A-Pig sounds like it has that smooth, fluid tone of the Holydiver while the C-Pig seems to have the more attractive EQ based on the website.

I take it you've not found that comparison with the JB Eric?


EDIT: I meant to say, last night one of the people I teach guitar to came along with a guitar that was loaded with a Seymour Duncan Invader and I had a go on it. My expectations weren't high given how unimpressed I was with the JB and Hotrails I had but it was a really nice pickup. It did everything I seem to be looking for in a new pickup for my Jackson. It was really 'big' sounding and gave that lovely thick tone that I want in the Jackson. It was also really powerful and I'd certainly describe it as a saturated tone that seemed surprisingly fluid. In the short try I had, it seemed reasonably articulate too but I imagine it would struggle to retain that articulation as the volume  and gain rose. If I wasn't such a loyal BKP user I'd simply buy an Invader for the Jackson but I assume there is going to be a BKP version that is 'the same but better'. Actually, probably not quite the same as I'd still like it a little less harsh than the Invader and a bit more smooth. Anyway, I thought I'd mention it as so far it's the closest thing I've come across to what I'm after.

[CanadianMetalhead]

Not installed yet :( don't even have it yet lol. I think the tracking info has it at vancouver on it's way to edmonton (( that's where i live )). Great thing is that i do my own guitar stuff so once i get it i can start the comparisons. I can do the CWP too if you want :P

[Slartibartfarst42]

Well I've been in touch with Tim now and explained the situation to him. I said I loved the Holydiver and also liked an Invader but without the mush. I said my 2 options were either a Warpig in the Jackson and move the Holydiver to the PRS or leave the Holydiver in the Jackson and put something like Abraxas in the PRS. This is what he said:

'I wouldn't worry about the WP being a one trick pony, the Alnico version is extremely versatile and in a bright, light timbered body will still reproduce a very percussive and rich tone - this can also be tailored by pot value too, ie 550K -1meg pots for extra cut if required. I love the idea of the HD in the PRS and partnered with an Em neck you'll have an excellent palette of classic rock tones both clean and dirty.'

So there it is. A-Pig for the Jackson, move the Holydiver to the bridge of the PRS and put an Emerald in the neck. No idea what the Emerald neck is like but as it's a PAF style pickup I assume it will cover those early, creamy Dave Murray tones I like so much.

[CanadianMetalhead]

I'm actually very interested in the emerald neck for my basswood guy. BTW just switched the Alnico warpig to my basswood guitar and added 1 meg pots and it $%&#ing rocks lol. I hope the holy diver will react the same way with 1 meg pots. I'll have to buy more now  8).

[Slartibartfarst42]

I assume that what's in my guitars at the moment are 500k pots so am I right in thinking that 1 meg pots will give the pickup more treble, thus increasing the cut and 250k pots will increase the bass?

[CanadianMetalhead]

The best analogy for the pots is that the 250k pot is like putting a blanket over your amp and the 1 meg pot is like taking it off. 500k being in the middle.

So it's not just a treb/bass thing but more a brightness/openess vs dark/closed sound if that makes sense.

All i know is that the 1 meg pot made my sweet sounding but aggressive AWP to sound very crunchy and open with the same cut as my ceramic warpig but without the ceramic modern metal sound lol.

I'll be installing my new neck later (( Wenge maple striped / Ebony fingerboard with stainless steel frets baby YEA )) so i hope the holy diver reacts the same kinda way as the warpig did cause man this guitar is gonna be KILLER when it's done lol.

[CanadianMetalhead]

Just installed the Holy diver. The differences I noticed were more crunch, grind and thickness to the mids but not less of them. Tighter and a little less lows and a bit more treble. Both have that smoothness in the trebs too.

Btw if you ever get bored of your guitar neck in either of your guitars and wanna try something new. This Wenge neck has rediculous and I mean REDICULOUS low-mid punch and howl. I think it'd be better suited to guitars with a tighter low end though. The holy diver can barely handle the lows lol and i had to back off the AWP a bit so the chunk wouldn't get muddy.

Anyways GL with the new pickup when you get it!

[explorer76]

So there it is. A-Pig for the Jackson, move the Holydiver to the bridge of the PRS and put an Emerald in the neck. No idea what the Emerald neck is like but as it's a PAF style pickup I assume it will cover those early, creamy Dave Murray tones I like so much.

The Emerald neck is just GORGEOUS, got the combination of Holydiver bridge and Emerald neck in my Fame PRS Style guitar and that is just a great combo! What the Emerald delivers is just a great singing, yet clean lead sound and stellar cleans.

[Slartibartfarst42]

That sounds like a great combination to have then. My favourite neck tone for solos is undoubtedly the early Dave Murray tone when he was using a DiMarzio PAF pickup so would I be correct in thinking the Emerald is rather like that?