ESP NT-II switch from EMG's to which BKP? Metal

[shred-o-holic]

Black Hawks? After Math? I've already got a C-bomb in my hard tail Ibanez RGT and an A-bomb in my RGA 121. I like everything from Fear Factory to Swedish Metal to Metal Core. AM's have been a favorite with a lot of people how are the BlackHawks regarded in this community? The EMG's have sounded great in this Horizon the past couple of years but the Nailbombs have grown on me in the other guitars so I'm curious what BKP's would do in th NT-II...I think I want something more powerful than the C-bomb....oh and the only BKP I don't like is the Pain Killer...

[darrenw5094]

Not my department, but the Miracle Man is the EMG killer, although, you might want something different than that.

Anyway, was wondering why you don't like the Painkiller?

[shred-o-holic]

The PK was too high endy clank clank to me...

[MDV]

Miracle man is about the same output, give or take, as the c-bomb. The only decisively more powerful BK than the C-Bomb are the Pigs. C-Pig, for the power and ceramic goodness.

[shred-o-holic]

Yeah I've had a C-pig before and I did like it in a weaker Ibanez basswood body. Would the NT-II retain it's tonal character or does the C-pig impose it's tone over every guitar it's in I wonder.

[MDV]

The c-pig imposes a bit more of its own character on a guitar than most BKs. Its still more guitar-influenced/transparent than most pickups though, especially for its output.

[shred-o-holic]

What about the AM though? I mean if you read the description it sounds like it is a powerful pickup. Maybe not output wise but it sure seems like it would fit my style of playing. The great thing about the NT-II is that the tone woods seem like they are quality so a lot of pickups should sound great in it.

[MDV]

The AM isnt as hot as a C-Bomb.

[DoomBuggi]

Personally, I wouldn't use a Warpig in a neck through.  Send an email to the Bare Knuckle guys.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Personally, I wouldn't use a Warpig in a neck through.  Send an email to the Bare Knuckle guys.

+1

[MDV]

You can use the fact that its double screw pole to EQ in more high end if you want to counter the greater prominence of fundamentals and low end of the through neck.

[DoomBuggi]

You can use the fact that its double screw pole to EQ in more high end if you want to counter the greater prominence of fundamentals and low end of the through neck.

Interesting

[MDV]

Poles nearest bridge higher = more treble and tighter. Poles nearer neck higher = more bass and fatter/thicker.

[WeAreNotGentlemen]

I just got Blackhawks yesterday for my birthday, and I can't imagine they have as much power as a C-bomb but they definitely put out a lot more than their DC implies. I'd say they color the guitar sound little and they sound more organic than my old SD's. Very middy in my all mahogany neckthrough. I love them so far. Oddly enough they expose errors in my playing less than I thought even when i moved them pretty far away from the strings. (That or I have less mistakes than I think I do, which is a [small] possibility.)