Which pickups for a dark sounding Les Paul?

[Acolmiztli]

Hey guys,

I was using a matched set of A-Nailbombs for a good while. But the low-end started to bother me; as it was pretty full on, and hence full chords weren't very clear, and I felt like a change because of this.

So I popped them out and sold them, whilst also getting a Seymour Duncan Hot-rodded set (JB+SH2) and whilst they're good, and have a lot of clarity, they do seem massively more microphonic than my old NB's, and I'm not sure they're actually aggressive enough for me!! So I'm thinking I may just go back to BKP.

So looking for a recommendation for a dark sounding Les Paul. I don't really want to go back to Nailbombs. I'm looking for that Nailbomb characteristic, the chunk in the low-mids and the crunchy high-mids. But I don't want the woofy low end, which is what I had before.

For my clean sounds, I like them to be pretty crystaline and I don't really like them to break up too much.

This is my band: www.tacomanarrowsbridgedisaster.bandcamp.com

Tonal references: Tool, ISIS, Red Sparrowes, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Sonic Youth, Chevelle.

[Telerocker]

Have a look at Cold Sweats, maybe a Rebel Yell too.

[ericsabbath]

yeah, cold sweats
not as much low mid heavy, but plenty of low end punch and a brighter top with crunchy upper mids
but for full clarity, maybe you want to step "down" to riff raffs
they have a lot in common with the nailbombs voicing, but are much clearer, brighter, more open and also more versatile

[Slartibartfarst42]

Cold Sweats would work really well in a dark Les Paul and how about Black Dogs? They should do everything you're after.

[Kiichi]

Arenīt Rebell Yells said to  be somewhat of underwound nailbombs? They certainly are brighter, with a tight punchy, but not woofy bottom and agressive and present higher mids. Most "rocking" PUs I know.
They are said to sit best in Les Pauls of the dark variety.

CS of course a great option too.

[ericsabbath]

in my experience, black dogs are a lot darker than nailbombs

[Alex]

Yeah, Black Dogs aren't an option unless you are a die hard Bonamassa fan and want that dark and fat single note sound.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Yeah, apparently Steve Stevens was supposed to have the Nailbombs as his sig pup, but wanted them a bit more under wound. I love my RY's both bridge and neck, and with the neck I wanted the same sounds as you. I can easily play heavier Tool stuff and more, cleans up nicely a la Salival's Pushite. I definitely vote for the Rebel Yells. If you have any questions about them, ask away!

[lamp]

I have had Nailbombs and RYs and it sounds to me like the RYs might be just what you are looking for.  Same sort of ballpark feel.

[monkey8911]

Hi Acolmiztli,

Iīve had the very same problem, I loved the A-bomb, but it got muddy sometimes in my les paul.
Iīve changed to the RY, and I can ensure you, they are very similar to the A-bomb just without the muddiness.
Similar mids, more highs, and a better defined, not muddy bottom.
I love the clean sound now, and its just balls-out rock when you drive it hard. does any kind of metal extremely well, too!!!

Hope this helps!

[darkbluemurder]

Rebel Yell set. You won't miss the Duncans then.

Cheers Stephan

[Acolmiztli]

Cheers dudes. I may try the RY's at some point. I'm getting on okay with the Duncan's although they're definitely a bit more squealy than I'd like!!

[DoomBuggi]

Rebel Yell is a very diverse pickup.  It has an A5 magnet, so it is warm, and can do rock music easily, yet it is tight enough to do extreme metal even at low tunings. 

 You most likely will not be disappointed.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I think we have a winner...

[Acolmiztli]

For anyone curious, I just put in my order for a calibrated gold covered RY set. To replace my JB+SH2, which I am just not really getting on with.