pickup recommendation?

[mabdow]

New to the BKP line and am looking for suggestions that would suit a bridge/neck combination with the following attributes:

Bridge humbucker (med or high output): lots of harmonic content, smooth highs, non-percussive but present mids, detailed and present low end. Something that won't turn into a machine gun with fast picking but still tracks well, will clean up very well embraces aggressive right hand rhythm playing, blooms with sustained notes, must work equally well for high gain, low gain and cleans.

Neck humbucker (med or high output): lots of harmonic content, voiced more like a single coil (similar to Dimarzio Humbucker from Hell), tracks fast picking well, cleans up very well, blooms with sustained notes, defined highs and warm lows), must work well for high gain, low gain and cleans. 

What I would like to avoid are pickups that do only one thing well...really looking for versatile pickups that will respond well to my playing and can be coaxed into different styles by the hands.

Thanks!

[mabdow]

Forgot to specify in my original post:
The guitar is a bolt on 7 string with mahogany body, maple neck, maple fretboard, fixed bridge.

[Kiichi]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

For what you describe my first impulse would be the Holydiver bridge.
It seems to fit your description more than the other PUs. Very versatile thing. Dunno what to say it about it much, it is just what you want imho.

For the neck I am not as sure. From the humbucker range you will probably look at the VHII. Amazing neck PU, also very versatile and somewhat reminding one of a SC. Do not be afraid of the output or something.

These two with a split coil wiring should give you what you want and a lot of versatility.

BUT, I would say think about getting a humbucker sized P90 neck, probably the Stockholm (or the Supermassive if you can nicely convince Tim to make you one in HSp90 casing). There you get single coil character with the power and fatness of a humbucker. Amazing things really. I say this because of what you want and as far as I recall the Humbucker from hell is somewhat similar to a noiseless P90, so this seems like a logical step.

[mabdow]

Thank you! Your suggestions seem very helpful and from some of the research I've done on here the P90 sound or the VH II in the neck keep coming up. Will consider the Holy Diver for sure.

Additionally I should ad that I like picking with my fingers on high gain sounds...this works great with certain pickups and not so well with others. Carvin C26T and C26N pups respond well to it. What I'm looking for in a bridge humbucker is one that I can dig in with my right hand and pull tight metal tones from and then without rolling off the gain, pick with my fingers to coax a vintage attack.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Holy Diver

[mabdow]

How do you guys feel about the Mule, Abraxas or Rebel Yell to fit my description? Looking for max versatility.

[GuitarIv]

Trust me, you will love the Holydiver. I have one in my Strat (also suggested by forum members) and it certainly justifies all the love it gets here. Responds amazingly well to pick attack, can burst out with high gain but also sounds good on clean or low to medium distortion. The clarity is amazing and it has lots of dynamics. It certainly isn't a one trick pony and is great for an organic, warm tone. :)

Cheers!

[mabdow]

I'm sold : ) Thanks!

[mabdow]

What do you think about the neck position that will couple well with the Holy Diver in the bridge? VHII? Holy Diver still?

[GuitarIv]

I don't want to get you even more confused, but I read only good things about the Coldsweat Neck, especially for fluid and fast tracking leads.

And check this video out about the Painkiller Neck:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFRF__AuB-M

[Telerocker]

HD + CS-neck is a popular combo here on the forum. You can't go wrong with it.