Best pickup for Solos

[itamar101]

The Emerald neck actually is Alnico IV whilst the bridge is Alnico V. If he wants Alnico IV then the emerald is still in the picture.

[Slartibartfarst42]

Of course it is, what was I saying!!! Too much wine on a Saturday night before typing. Anyway, the point is that the Emerald neck would be gteat for what he wants, as would the Emerald bridge.

[rjtm]

Ok guys I am heavily considering the emeralds after watching this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRuqqena_E0

(I have a silver Jubilee and this sounds great for such a low volume). My only question is the punchiness and reactiveness of the Emerald compared to the riff raff as well as how it performs solos. Its between those two. (sorry for the repetitive questions, I just wanna get the perfect pickup :) )

[itamar101]

Ok guys I am heavily considering the emeralds after watching this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRuqqena_E0

(I have a silver Jubilee and this sounds great for such a low volume). My only question is the punchiness and reactiveness of the Emerald compared to the riff raff as well as how it performs solos. Its between those two. (sorry for the repetitive questions, I just wanna get the perfect pickup :) )

Ha, no problem. I actually recently made a new thread regarding new BKPs that has just hit around 65 comments. :D
I ended up choosing the Holy Diver Bridge and the Emerald Neck and I play very similar music to you (Ozzy, GnR, Alter Bridge, VH, Ect.). I understand that you currently use a holy diver. How do you like it?

Anyway, I haven't played either of the pickups but as far as I can tell from descriptions and videos they are both very reactive (the emerald might be slightly more reactive because it's Alnico IV) but the Riff Raff is slightly more "edgy" because it's Alnico IV. For smooth lead work and cleans I'd get the Emerald and TBH if you want aggressive rhythm tones then you should be using your bridge pickup anyway, not the neck pickup but I believe that the Emerald can get quite aggressive anyway.

[rjtm]

Oh ok thanks :) I dont currently have a holydiver, but I already know that I am getting that in my Gibson Flying V. That is next though. It already sounds ok, compared to the horrible epiphone pickups. I am a lead guitarist, so I am looking mainly for the leads. So your saying the riff raff is more rhythm and the emerald is more soloing? And what is the difference between "reactive" and "edgy" :) ?

thanks,
rjtm

[itamar101]

By "edgy" I mean that the Riff Raff has a bit more bite than the Emerald neck. Reactive is how well the pickups responds to picking dynamics and how well it cleans up.
The Emerald neck can good GnR tones and maybe some VH but It's not as aggressive as a Riff Raff but TBH if you want an aggressive tone you might as well use the bridge pickup and as far as can tell the bridge pickup on the emerald is plenty aggressive.

This is a video that compares some of the pickups that we're recommending and a few more. I can't remember if there's a riff raff being used but in the first guitar there's an emerald bridge and a rebel yell neck (that he doesn't use) and you'll see that the emerald is quite aggressive. He also compares VHIIs and black dogs in the video so you can see a whole load of tone that you might want.

Take into account that this guy set up his tone extremely badly for all pickups and they all sound very thin plus he didn't play too well either but you can get the general idea and their characteristics. I really liked the VHII but I'm not sure whether it would suit you too well. It's a bit "soft" and "creamy" but you decide after all. I liked it because it sounded full and aggressive at the same time even when he started of with very bad and thin amp settings. The Emerald comes as a close second and would probably suit you better

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO4WsjX6YCE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYAgbIgjnVw&feature=channel

Ah, better tone in this video (Emerald bridge):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUZ5g92CXlQ

And here is a video of the Riff Raff bridge with slightly better settings (probably a better amp and some reverb). I'd say that the riff raff and emerald bridges sound much more similar than the necks because this time they're both Alnico V and they share a similar EQ. The Emerald is just slightly hotter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXhbd72FuFc&feature=channel

[Telerocker]

I would not divide the different models strictly in rhythm- and solopickups. I have great solotones with Mules and I'll bet I will with RR's too. It's all a combi of guitar, gear and fingers.

[rjtm]

By "edgy" I mean that the Riff Raff has a bit more bite than the Emerald neck. Reactive is how well the pickups responds to picking dynamics and how well it cleans up.
The Emerald neck can good GnR tones and maybe some VH but It's not as aggressive as a Riff Raff but TBH if you want an aggressive tone you might as well use the bridge pickup and as far as can tell the bridge pickup on the emerald is plenty aggressive.

This is a video that compares some of the pickups that we're recommending and a few more. I can't remember if there's a riff raff being used but in the first guitar there's an emerald bridge and a rebel yell neck (that he doesn't use) and you'll see that the emerald is quite aggressive. He also compares VHIIs and black dogs in the video so you can see a whole load of tone that you might want.

Take into account that this guy set up his tone extremely badly for all pickups and they all sound very thin plus he didn't play too well either but you can get the general idea and their characteristics. I really liked the VHII but I'm not sure whether it would suit you too well. It's a bit "soft" and "creamy" but you decide after all. I liked it because it sounded full and aggressive at the same time even when he started of with very bad and thin amp settings. The Emerald comes as a close second and would probably suit you better

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO4WsjX6YCE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYAgbIgjnVw&feature=channel

Ah, better tone in this video (Emerald bridge):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUZ5g92CXlQ

And here is a video of the Riff Raff bridge with slightly better settings (probably a better amp and some reverb). I'd say that the riff raff and emerald bridges sound much more similar than the necks because this time they're both Alnico V and they share a similar EQ. The Emerald is just slightly hotter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXhbd72FuFc&feature=channel

wow thank you so much! Those videos really helped. So to clear up for the neck, I would like a thick, smooth and creamy tone but not a high gain kind, more like a Gary Moore on still got the blues/Slash's tone on sweet child o mine (except thicker than slash's  tone and less trebly, which can be adjusted by the eq).

And does the same idea go for the bridge? (that the riff raff is more edgy and the emerald is more reactive) or is it more even on the bridge?

Thanks
rjtm

[rjtm]

By the way I started a new post specifically for Emeralds vs. Riff raffs. Thanks so much for your help guys! I really appreciate it