Best pickup for Solos

[Telerocker]

that's a common misconception with BKPs
a miracle man won't make you sound like zakk wylde
a warpig won't make you sound like tony iommi
a holy diver won't make you sound like vivian campbell
these are just tonal references of what you could sound like if you have the proper equipment, settings and HANDS

This

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Ahh ok thanks for clearing that up. So then should he probably reconsider the VHII for what he wants to be done?

[ericsabbath]

yeah, it's one of BKP's greatest lead pickups

[TheyCallMeVolume]

He says he's worried about the VHII being too compressed, he likes a nice open sound. He says he's also a bit worried that the Emerald won't be aggressive or punchy enough. Thoughts?

[ericsabbath]

I don't think the VHII is too compressed at all
maybe he would prefer the riff raff, then?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArxQRfsETM0

"whats your opinion of the vhii over lets say, the riff raff if you have any experience with those"
"I had/have them both. They are pretty similar. VHII is hotter than the RiffRaff, the RR is a bit more edgy, the VHII a tad more balanced, yet still bright. Love em both, I particularly like the combination of RR bridge with VHII neck (and wire the VHII so it can be split)."

the cold sweat neck model sounds really good at the bridge position, by the way
bright like the riff raff, but more articulate and upper mid heavy
reminds me of some of Paul Gilbert's tones

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I think the RR is one of the favorites with the RY and the Emerald. Can those bring the heat though?

[darkbluemurder]

The Rebel Yell bridge has definitely enough heat for me. Great hard rockin' pickup - love it.

Cheers Stephan

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Yeah I LOVE the RY's. Anyone on the power and punch of Emeralds?

[itamar101]

I don't own an Enerald but from The clips that I've heard of it it doesn't seem thick and ballsy enough for hard rock and metal :/ there's word going round that the neck sounds amazing though.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Well i don't think he would get an Emerald bridge, just a neck and a different bridge. So what he's looking for from the Em's is the liquidy lead tone and rich cleans, especially since his amp's cleans don't shine. He just wants a ballsy neck tone, not too soft. Thoughts?

[Telerocker]

I don't think the VHII is too compressed at all

True! It's a very dynamic, touchsensitive, open pickup actual.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Well despite everyone's affection for the VHII's he's told me they're definitely out of the picture. I guess demos didn't wow him. I think he's narrowed it down to RR/RY bridge and Emerald neck, as long as the Emerald is punchy and aggressive enough. Still need some clarification on the Em neck. Anyone on his choices and thoughts?

[Attica!]

Well despite everyone's affection for the VHII's he's told me they're definitely out of the picture. I guess demos didn't wow him. I think he's narrowed it down to RR/RY bridge and Emerald neck, as long as the Emerald is punchy and aggressive enough. Still need some clarification on the Em neck. Anyone on his choices and thoughts?

Emerald Neck is fantastic. Although you'll have to match it with something slightly hotter.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

But I guess he wants to know if it's "hot enough" for what he wants to do with it.

[Attica!]

But I guess he wants to know if it's "hot enough" for what he wants to do with it.

The emerald neck is one of them rare pickups that provide absolutley stunning clean tones, as well as overdriven/distorted tones that stay clear and musical under whatever amount of gain you use. Fav neck pickup for me :)