Torn between Emerald & CS neck for Ibanez S570 :(

[Nez]

I'm really on the edge about what to match up to go with a Holy Diver bridge.

I'm looking to make the guitar versatile so I was thinking the Emerald at first since I love the clips.

Thing is a do a lot of shredding in the style of music do which involves sweeps, legato and tapping. I just don't want a one trick pony with the Cold Sweat and was curious to how the Emerald handles shred?

I play an epic sort of fast paced metal, but we incorporate so many styles so that's why versatility is a must :)

One more note, does anybody have experience with middle pickups, as I need advice on which one to pick? It really must balance with both neck and bridge.

Ta,
Nez

[itamar101]

Both pickups are very versatile. The emerald handle shred and sweeping and legato licks very well... but, obviously, the CS does too... maybe slightly better because it was made for that sort of music. The Emerald is a hot vintage style pickup that can be pushed into modern territory and the CS is a more scooped modern pickup with a touch of vintage vibe.
It just depends on whether you want something vintage sounding or more modern.
In your position I would get the CS simply because it's a better match for your style of music.
Alternatively, why don't you have a look at just getting a calibrated HD set? As far as I can tell the HD neck is a nice match in the middle between the two. Fast response like the cold sweat but a slightly more vintage vibe and slightly brighter.

As for the middle single coil, I'd get a trilogy suite.

[Nez]

Well even though I play fast epic metal, it's not like really modern metal. Yeah sure we have a modern sound, but it's not the 6505 with an EMG equipped guitar style music. I'm getting either a Laney Ironheart or GHL shortly so looking for something organic for sheer versatility. I just hear many things about the Emerald neck. I like to be different, but not to the expense of making things difficult. It's a bloody hard decision :/

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I think CS is a great choice for this.

[Nez]

What are the  differences exactly between the 2 neck pickups? I mean how does each one out perform the other? What qualities does each pocess that the other one doesn't, and vice versa.

Ta,

Nez