Some thoughts on my axes and BKPs

[GuitarIv]

Cheers guys,

I've been spending way too much time reading this forum and G.A.S.ing for different BKPs, all in the name of finding my perfect tone. Now I'm rather a poor student than a full time working man, however if I don't blow my money on trivial everyday things, I spend it for my guitars and music in general. So I'd like to have your thoughts on my thoughts so I can think about what you think about me thinking about things... think... :P

Right now I own 3 guitars that are BKP worthy, one of them already has a Holydiver and two Slowhands in the Middle and the Neck, my baby, my Custom made Strat. The others, a 93 Jackson Fusion (recently acquired) and a my RG Beater (has to sustain lots of abuse by me) are still in need of some. Here are my observations and ideas:

Neubauer Guitars Strat:

I love this guitar, got it as a birthday present from my father and was my first "proper" instrument. As said it's a custom guitar and has a very special vibe to it. The Body is made out of Poplar with a Maple Neck and a Maple Fretboard. I'd describe the sound as rather bright and snappy, with lots of bite, focusing on the mids and the Holydiver really emphasizes that. I like the sound the way it is now, however I play lots of Metal and it could use a tad more... balls. Been thinking about getting a Set of 3 different pickguards in order to keep the guitar most versatile. This came to my mind:

Current Set: Holydiver + Slowhands. Love it, perfect for Hard Rock and 80's Metal, lots of harmonic content and surprisingly tight. Check.

The Metal Option: a Pickguard with a Miracle Man + Sinner Neck. 1 Vol, 1 Tone, 3 way toggle and keeping things simple. This would be the missing link in the guitars tone to advance from 80's Metal to Death/Melodeath I guess.

The Funk/Blues Option: I'd like to get a Set of three Singecoils to transform it to a "true" Strat in times of need. The tone I would be going for is RHCPs Can't stop. For those who don't know the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfOdWSiyWoc
Suggestions?



Jackson Fusion:

Great guitar. Mahogany Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fretboard, currently equipped with Duncan Invaders. Sounds huge as is on chords, growling with lots of warmth and a thick fluid tone, however I'd like to tighten things a bit up, but keep the massive mids the SH-8s provide. Been thinking about the C-Pig, I play in E-Standard, no downtuning here. Any experience how the Invader and the C-Pig compare?



The RG:

This will be simple. I always felt the Basswood felt too flabby, even though the Neck and the Fretboard are made out of Maple. This is my plug in and play guitar, so 1 Humbucker, 1 Volume and straight in ya face will do. Ceramic Nailbomb? Want versatility with the Volume Pot and a tight shred tone.



As said I play mostly metal, with lot's of Blues, Funk and Hard Rock thrown in between jam sessions. I'm sorry if I'm opening another thread here, but I'm really a gear nerd and always looking for the best tone, so I'd like to hear your opinions :)

Cheers

[Brow]

What amp do you use?

[GuitarIv]

Peavey Valveking 100 with a Tubescreamer and some simple mods (patchcable in the effectsloop and dummy jack adapter in the first of two inputs to tighten things up and resolve the muddiness) through a Laney GS412LA Tony Iommi Sig. 4*12 Cab.

I know it's not the best setup, however it does it's job.

[Brow]

Peavey Valveking 100 with a Tubescreamer and some simple mods (patchcable in the effectsloop and dummy jack adapter in the first of two inputs to tighten things up and resolve the muddiness) through a Laney GS412LA Tony Iommi Sig. 4*12 Cab.

I know it's not the best setup, however it does it's job.

Doesn't matter mate, a good amps a good amp and from what I gather those are pretty cool  :D

I can't comment too much on your idea of a Ceramic NB in an RG, as I've only ever used normal NBs in my mahogany Ibie S470.

I also can't really comment on the C-Pig in the Fusion as I've never used 1 of those either. I have used a Black Dog though and I find those to be pretty tight with a big whack of mids. Whether it'd be tight enough for metal I'm not sure though.

I can comment on the options for your Strat though  :lol:

Current setup: HDs and Slow Hands - you like these already, so nothing to say here

Metal setup: MM and Sinner - I have a MM/Trilogy pair in a BC Rich Gunslinger, so pretty similar wood wise, and I think this would be a great pairing for what you want. I play mainly 70s/80s and Hard Rock and some 'traditional' metal stuff and it suits it really well. Some people think the MM can be a little scooped but the amps I use have a good whack of mids so I can't say as I hear it myself.

Funk/Blues setup: I have 3 setups myself that I think could fit what you want. I have SSS Strats with Apaches (smoother and rounder Strat tone), Mothers Milks (brighter and more scooped Strat tone) and HSS Crawler and Irish Tours. I know you mentioned SSS pickup combos but there is a method to my madness  I find the Crawler to be quite dark in a Strat, very full sounding and really quite versatile, as well as mixing very well with the ITs in middle and neck. The Crawler also splits very well, so you can still get that traditional Strat bridge single coil tone too but you also have the option of the fatter full humbucker sound when you want it.

[GuitarIv]

Thanks Brow :)

I also emailed BKP in the meantime and got this answer:

"Hi,

Quite a lot to consider there. The RHCP tone you want is the Mothers Milks - smooth, funky, plenty of twang and great for a variety of blues, funk and rock. Bright but not harsh.

The C-Pig is much heavier than the Invader, a fair bit hotter and deeper but the ceramic magnets will balance up the top end a bit and would be best with a mahogany body.

The C-Bomb is a very versatile pickup and also sounds great for that guitar.

Kind Regards,

Ben"

[GuitarIv]

Other ideas, opinions? :)

[richard]

An opinion expressed before - please change your avatar.

Being a poor man too I've only got 3 BKs - Irish Tour bridge in a Strat and RYs in a Firebird Studio. RYs might go well in the Jackson as they have a thick midrange that is emphasised by mahogany.

[GuitarIv]

Hahaha, sorry richard, does it really disturb you that much? ^^
Been thinking about the Rebell Yell, especially because most people describe it as tight, cutting and harmonically rich. However I want to try to keep the same approach as with the Invaders, hence the C-Pig. If it doesn't suit me... well the resale value on BKPs is good :P

[Hammerheart]

I have a set of pigs (ceramic bridge) in a mahogany Ibanez RGA42. They rule.