More complex chords...

[Kenose]

Rather than waffle about the particular sound I want, I thought I'd post some specific examples. These videos start on the particular type of riffs I like to play - in a nutshell, I like to augment standard power chords and play non typical voicings. Problem being, a lot of pickups I've tried just don't give the crystal clarity I want in order to pull them off, so I'm really looking for advice on which BKPs would suit this style best. I'm prepared to sacrifice some heavyness for clarity. Any other advice pertaining to achieving this type of sound (amps/guitar set up/strings etc etc) would also be most welcome.

Thanks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5M78jWUuJ4&t=1m11s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri1tEmJwNdc&t=1m50s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKVa1lLJzUk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt9nWFOAbWs&t=5m19s

I can think of plenty more, but they'll do for now...

[ericsabbath]

guess you'll want something with open and clear midrange like a riff raff or abraxas, maybe a cold sweat or alnico nailbomb if you wanna keep the aggression
I think they use mostly les pauls and sgs

seen pics of them using engls and peaveys (as expected), but those are some of the least open sounding famous high gain amps for my ears
they're too saturated and the gain structure does not favour midrange openness on chords and dynamics as a Soldano type amp, but if they work for them, they might work for you
I prefer the 3D clarity of cathode-followered amps for distorted chords

[ericsabbath]

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=16540.0

[Kenose]

Thanks for your replys!

Yeah, I was a bit surprised too when I saw what Enslaved use. I'm a big fan of how they use open strings and higher register 'chords', to create a really trancey atmosphere. I can't even begin to fathom a lot of Deathspell Omega's stuff, but again I love their use of non traditonal chords and progressions.

I guess what threw me, in terms of which BKP to use, was seeing Misha's video for the aftermath and how every string rang out with clarity. That is literally my number one priority; I'm not interested in br00tality. It's always slightly baffled me why more bands don't do this, because they sound so distinctive when they do.

[Loomer]

Well, another band that does a fair bit of that stuff, or at least tend to get compared to DsO a whole bunch is Ulcerate. I know for a fact that they use Alnico War Pigs on both guitars. I've gotten pretty good results with mine as well.

[Kenose]

^ Yeah, Ulcerate is another good call. I love their distinctive riffing. Lots of subtle bends and dissonance. More bands should move away from the power chord monotony!

[Loomer]

Yeah, I saw the live a few months ago. The sheer compositional genius is impressive enough, but the fact that they bring it 110% live as well is bloody mindboggling!

Also, for what it's worth, I used to be in this kinda-pretentious quasi-hipster BM band Hexis:

http://hexisband.bandcamp.com/

I did my best to emulate DsO/Portal-style riffing within the confines I was put in (the singer wouldn't allow me to use the high strings because... Well, I dunno..) and think I did an alright job at it. In any case I'm very pleased with the tone, which was made with the following:

- Custom Warmoth/Fender Tele hybrid with an alnico War Pig in the bridge. Swamp Ash body, maple neck, VERY bright guitar and absurdly resonant, so the wood tone is as big a factor as the pickup, I feel. However, the War Pig does bring some serious heft to the table, and while it is a quite well-defined pickup as is, it becomes outright surgical when placed in a guitar that's as bright as this one.
- Gibson SG-I with a C-pig in the bridge.

it was quad-tracked, with 3 tracks of tele, and one track of SG. The amps were a Peavey 6505 and a Laney GH50L.

What guitar do you play yourself?

[Kenose]

Thanks! Just checked our your band; some very good stuff there. You have that swirling Portal sound nailed pretty well, though obviously your own style.

Guitar: I use a silverburst epiphone, though I'll be getting a new one soon. That's something else to factor in, which you touched upon: is the general rule to pair a 'bright' guitar with bassier pups, and vice versa? I really want to let higher register 'chords' ring out with as much clarity as possible, because a lot of the stuff I write is geared away from power chords.

Here's another video which highlights the kind of voicings I like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KicQ8R--G04&list=FLykAkREoZvOs-O3sCsDVLLA&index=14&feature=plpp_video

[Loomer]

Thanks for the kind words! :)

If you're on the lookout for a new guitar, I can't recommend a swamp ash body enough. I am continually amazed at how resonant my Telecaster is, so that is definitely a path to go if you want some definition. What are you on the lookout for?