Which pickup for Metal, with a twist?

[Vintage Metal]

Hello to all in the forum!

My friend has recently got a set of Mules for his Les Paul, and I thoguht they were really good pickups. So I thought I'd give Bare Knuckle a shot.

I'm upgrading my EMGs in my Les Paul, and after searching through the forum I have come to the conclusion that the Miracle Man & Painkiller are usually the most recommended pickups to switch with EMGs, am I right? I'm a modern metal player by day, and I delve into other styles by night, so I thought I may look for a different kind of pickup as to an all out metal pickup. I was thinking of something that has sort-of vintage character and sounds organic, musical and expressive, but capable of handling a lot of gain without sounding like mushy peas. I would really like a combo that can provide rhythm, lead and clean sounds. Any clues on what I could use for this?

I also wanted to ask a question about cleaning up with the volume pot. Is it a good quality volume pot that makes a pickup clean up really nicely or just the pickup itself? I'd really like this feature, my EMGs just suck!

Thanks!

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Take a look at the new Blackhawks! Those were MADE for EMG replacements.

[Vintage Metal]

Take a look at the new Blackhawks! Those were MADE for EMG replacements.

I had a look at them but I really don't like the design. I really wanted to keep gold covers if I'm honest. Plus I see the dc-rating is low, but I'm guessing it's quite high output? I'd also like to wait until other people have tried them so I can make a better educated decision and I may get them for my Jackson. Like I said, I'm not really after anything modern, just a pickup capable of playing modern metal.

I was thinking out of these for my Les Paul though --

Black Dog
Riff Raff
Emerald

Another which got me interested was the Nailbomb as BKP describes it as "a high output classically voiced pickup with a really organic tone." It kind of gives me the impression of the best of both worlds. This then leads me to wonder about the Rebel Yell as well as it's description is similar to the Nailbomb as you probably know?

It's a really tough decision. With the Nailbomb though, the clips I've looked up give me the impression it's a very dry pickup, which I'm not a fan of. I like my pickups to sound a bit wet if you know what I mean?

Thanks!

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Well I love my RY's can handle anything from Free-Metallica, but it's sweet spot is definitely somewhere like the Maiden or GNR type area. IMO

[Mr. Air]

I got a nailbomb in a LP clone and I don't find it dry at all. It's really aggressive and it took me some time getting used to, but it's very versatile and it's my experience that it can handle blues, rock, hard rock and metal.

[Vintage Metal]

Well I love my RY's can handle anything from Free-Metallica, but it's sweet spot is definitely somewhere like the Maiden or GNR type area. IMO

I thought I'd also mention with my EMG 81/85 equipped Les Paul, I find the neck pickup on the lower strings very boomy, and I constantly find my treble on 10 when playing metal on the bridge (although I turn it to around 8 when wanting a fatter leadtone). I'm guessing I have a very dark LP? It's all mahogany with rosewood. Nothing else!

With the Rebel Yell, how expressive is it, and how modern does it sound? Also how fat is the mid range? I'm going to be playing many styles of metal on this guitar, but would like something which backs off for lighter styles also.

[Vintage Metal]

How does the Rebel Yell compare to the Nailbomb also?

[Mr. Air]

I think the rebel yell is often described as an underwound nailbomb that has a little less mids and a little more highs. I'm not sure on this so someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Vintage Metal]

I think the rebel yell is often described as an underwound nailbomb that has a little less mids and a little more highs. I'm not sure on this so someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Looking at the chart, they seem identical minus the slightly lower bass on the Rebel Yell. I'm really interested how these compare to pickups such as the Emerald, Black Dog or RiffRaff.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I can't deal in direct comparison seeing as the RY is the only set from BK Ive had. But I know the RR is like an underpowered RY, as it's said they can be played on the same settings on an amp. The RY is for someone who wants a clearer pickup, whose guitar is already naturally dark and muddy. Which I guess is what you have. In that case, yeah, I stand beind the RY in this case.

[Vintage Metal]

I can't deal in direct comparison seeing as the RY is the only set from BK Ive had. But I know the RR is like an underpowered RY, as it's said they can be played on the same settings on an amp. The RY is for someone who wants a clearer pickup, whose guitar is already naturally dark and muddy. Which I guess is what you have. In that case, yeah, I stand beind the RY in this case.

What do you make of the neck pickup? Would the bridge be able to handle stuff like Trivium, Bullet, Killswitch Engage style of modern metal?

[itamar101]

You'll want the Holy Diver for great cleans, leads and rhythm tones that are capable of classic rock to 80s metal to modern metal.

The emerald/black dog/Riff Raff wont be able to do modern metal very well but the Holy Diver is practically a higher output version of the Black Dogs with a bit of Emerald mixed in.

For a great set that compliment each other you might want to take a look at the Emerald Neck/Holy Diver Bridge. The Emerald Neck is often described as the best neck pickup in the range because of it beautiful cleans, smooth yet angry leads and articulation and it compliments the Holy Diver Bridge really well. The Holy Diver Bridge is thick and aggressive but has great cleans and is great for coil splits too. They actually sound better than most single coils that i've heard.
The Diver isn't only a metal pickup though. It really excels at rock and 80s metal

That said, Rebel Yell are great too. They are basically a lower output nailbomb and a bit brighter. I wouldn't go for the nailbomb because people have complained about not being able to get it to leave the "90s metal" territory when using it in a Les Paul.

I'd go for either a Rebel Yell set or a Holy Diver set or an Emerald Neck and Holy Diver Bridge.

heres my review of the holy diver:

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=27532.0

[ericsabbath]

the rebell yell has a ton of upper mids and less low mids, while the nailbomb has quite flat upper and center mids and lots of low end
both have a quite aggressive top end
it's like going from Ratt to Helmet or something, but both are quite versatile

depending on your amp and pedals, the riff raff might be a great option for anything, including metal
it sounds nothing like a rebel yell, though
it's actually closer to the nailbomb, but without the big low mids, and the midrange grain is much clearer and more open

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Oh yeah, the bridge can definitely handle that. The beauty of these is that unlike a lot of others, they really can do everything well, especially perfect if you're metal by day, other by night. The neck has some of the nicest cleans I've heard, but I'll warn you and say they are not perfectly clean. They do add a little touch of hair to the clean. That said, a RY/Emerald set could easily fix that problem. If you want woman tones or fluid leads from the neck, the RY is definitely good for that too, as is the Emerald. I'd say right now your best bet is either RY set, RY/Em, or maybe HD/Em. I'll put it this way, and this is just how I feel about it: On a scale from 1-10 in terms of gain and heaviness of tone, 1 being lowest and 10 being  extreme gain, the comfort zone of the RY is probably like 2-8, and the HD around 4-10. I feel like it's just a matter of sacrificing a bit of heaviness for a bit better OD type gain, or vice versa.

[Vintage Metal]

Wouldn't the Holy Diver sound exceptionally dark in my LP, seeing as it's already very dark?

Also what's more suited to metal, Upper Mids or Lower Mids?

How would you compare the Rebel Yell to the Emerald neck as well?