Emeralds vs. Riff Raffs?

[rjtm]

Hey everyone,

After doing a lot research and being on this forum, I have narrowed my pickup choice to these two. I play 80's hard rock/metal (GNR, Van Halen, AC/DC, Ozzy, Aerosmith, a little Metallica, etc.), and I am putting these into a really nice epiphone les paul piece which i want to upgrade.

I am a lead guitarist, so I would like a pickup that really shines on the solos and cuts through, but has a good rhythm tone too. I would like a pickup with a vintage 80's sound but can sound clear on gain as well. I have looked through many pickups, and these are the best. I dont like the black dogs or VH II's (although they seem like great pickups) because they are too middy and compressed for me. I like a reactive, punchy, and open tone (almost like an AC/DC tone on steriods in a way). Out of the vintage hot section I like the emeralds (because I like the tone a lot and it seems very balanced and reactive, and has the vintage touch but can do gain too), and I dont want too hot of a pickup because this guitar wont be used for anything heavier than metallica, and I dont play much metallica on this guitar anyways, so unless there is a great choice I would prefer to stick with the vintage hot/vintage section. Out of the vintage, I like the Riff Raff because of its punchy and aggressive vintage sound but can handle gain.

So now I cant decide between the Riff Raff and Emeralds. I really like the attack on the riff raffs, but it seems like the emeralds are more tonally balanced. Does the emerald have that punch also?

For the neck I like a kind of Gary Moore tone on still got the blues/Slash's tone on sweet Child o mine (I like the smooth creaminess, but I would like it thicker). For the bridge, I like the AC/DC on steriods but also a GNR/VH/Ozzy heavier stuff that is very nice sounding and balanced.

Which pickup do you think is better for me?
(Im running it through a Marshall Silver Jubilee by the way)

Sorry for the long message, thats basically everything in one giant post

Thanks,
rjtm

[Slartibartfarst42]

To clarify what I said on the other thread, I'd go for the calibrated Emerald set as both neck and bridge versions are perfect for what you want and will balance perfectly in your guitar.

The bridge Emerald has a distinctly PAF feel to it so will give you what the Riff Raff will with the added ability to push on further if needed. It will cut through on a Les Paul perfectly and that is indeed its natural home. The EQ is broadly similar to the Riff Raff and a Riff Raff on steroids doesn't seem like a bad description of it.

The Emerald neck is absolutely perfect for you. You mention the Gary Moore and Slash tones (two of my favourites) and they certainly use the smoothness of alnico II so I can understand why you were thinking PG Blues as a choice but an alnico IV magnet will give you that same smoothness without any of the compromises in an AII pickup. Now seems a good moment to quote what Tim says about alnico IV pickups:

'Alnico IV is probably the best vintage tone IMHO(for humbuckers) and along with II and III was used in the earliest PAFs-this is a fact and not myth as we've had them analysed and a collegue of mine has also seen original Gibson purchase orders that clearly state AIV bar stock being purchased.The tone of AIV is balanced and extremely organic, it produces the most authentic vintage tone and sits better in slightly hotter vintage winds than AII which tends to get very soft in the bass and highs if used incorrectly.'

I have no doubt at all in my mind that you'd like an alnico IV neck pickup best and that suggests Mule, Abraxas or Emerald and for what you're looking for, I think the Emerald is the best match.

So there you have it; the Emerald neck is perfect for you, as is the Emerald bridge. You've described both pickups perfectly and they will match perfectly in your guitar. In short, Emerald = Perfect for you  :D

[rjtm]

Ok thanks so much! I am pretty much decided on the Emerald set now haha. Theres just one last final comparison. My rythym guitarist has the rebel yells and is a huge fan. He says I should go for an Emerald neck and rebel yell bridge. What do you think of that based on what I want to do? My worry is that a) its not the best solo pickup and b) if it is, it sounds very modern compared to the more vintage voiced emerald. What do you think is better for me, an emerald set or an emerald neck/rebel yell bridge?

Thanks,
rjtm

[Slartibartfarst42]

To me, the Rebel Yell is more modern voiced and while it's a great pickup, I don't think it's what you're after. You'll have something with a more modern voice when you put the Holydiver in your other guitar, as I seem to recall you saying was your plan. That being the case, I think you'd be happier with the Emerald. The Rebel Yell has plenty of punch but it's a very tight pickup with some aggression and everything you've said, on both of your threads, suggests the Emerald set is what you want. Between this and a Holydiver in your other guitar, you will have a fantastic selection of quality tones that will compliment each other beautifully.

[rjtm]

Ok thanks so much slartibartfarst42! You helped me so much in finding the right pickups :) So i decided on an emerald set. Next question: Covered or uncovered? What do you think?

Thanks,
rjtm

[Telerocker]

Ok, just one more statement on VHII's. I find them not middy, they're quite balanced from top till bottom. And I find them not compressed, I can get a very punchy sound. And that goes for a lot of BKP's.

[Slartibartfarst42]

Covered or uncovered is a matter of preference but generally speaking, the covered pickups tend to have a rounder and smoother tone while uncovered pickups tend to be more cutting and a bit brighter. Here's a very interesting tutorial which should show you what it's all about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D756154qUdo

[rjtm]

Ok thanks so much for your suggestions! I emailed Tim also and he suggested a RY bridge Em neck combo. I tried them today (my friend has them) on my rig and a similar guitar and I was amazed. I immediately ordered an Em neck and RY bridge (both covered) and theyre on their way right now! Thanks so much for your suggestions, they really helped

rjtm

[gordiji]

reiterating what telerocker said, the vh11 isn't too middy and certainly is not compressed(at all).
i don't doubt your choices though, good luck.

['Ash' J. Williams]

IMO, the Blackdogs are NOT compressed pickups... when, for exemple, the Holy Diver is and the Miracle man more so.
This set is very dynamic and open sounding while still managing to push some mids nicely.

I had Mules in a Les Paul before installing BD and when i played those the first time i instantly remembered Tim's words about it : "Mules with teeth"

FWIW, my Emeralds are not really what you could call compressed pups and i still find them to be more 'compressed' than my Black Dogs in the same LP.

[itamar101]

It don't even matter anymore guys. He's already ordered the pickups and TBH what he chose was probably the best option IMO. Especially since its what Tim recommended.

['Ash' J. Williams]

It don't even matter anymore guys. He's already ordered the pickups and TBH what he chose was probably the best option IMO. Especially since its what Tim recommended.

Absolutely, that's a great choice.
It's just that i couldn't see "Black Dogs" and "too compressed ?" in the same sentence without reacting !  :lol:

[Attica!]

I'm really surprised with the recommendation of the Rebel Yell. I had one in Mahogany, and it certainly wasn't an open sounding pickup. Maybe was a bit more open than a most high output pickups, but it still had a very compressed tone, especially when you was worried the Black Dogs and VHIIs were too compressed. I find the pickup a great compromise between the Alnico and Ceramic Nailbomb. If you find you don't like it though, you can exchange it for something else. But a lot of people with BKPs end up presently surprised and you may discover something you never thought you likes. It's all trial and error :)

EDIT: Was also going to say, if your Rhythm Guitarist has a Rebel Yell, wouldn't you have tried it? If you really like it, then that's a fantastic bonus. If you didn't, it makes it easier to explain what you liked about it, but what you also would change, narrowing down the choice.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Yeah, he tried em out

[Slartibartfarst42]

Surprised me too because based on his description, while the Rebel Yell is a fine pickup, it doesn't seem to be the best fit to me at all. As you say though, he can always return them if he doesn't like them. I find that with BKP, mostly the suggestions are excellent but sometimes they just don't suit. That has been my experience as suggestions have only been wrong once so hopefully he'll like the Rebel Yell. Actually, I'm sure he will like it; I just think he'd have preferred the Emerald set  8) :lol: