Stuck in a BIG rut on which Modern Metal pickup to get.

[HU55K3Y]

I know there's loads of posts on here regarding pickups for the more modern element of metal eg. Metalcore. But I have a few questions of my own that I thought would be quicker to ask.

To start, I've always loved Metalcore bands and recently started one. I'm thinking of buying a 6505 head with TS9, (looking at cabs atm), and I'm currently deciding between the Les Paul Prophecy with EMGs, and the Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro, so the guitar will definitely be a Les Paul. I was also maybe thinking of a Jet City JCA100 over the Peavey, so a bit of info may be nice there?

I threw the Ceramic Nailbomb out of the mix as I've read its very 90s orientated in sound. Then I was considering the Miracle Man, but I read on the forum that Tim had said it works best within a one guitar man band. And I thought the huge bottom end, as great as it sounds to have, may get lost in the mix when playing live - especially with the Peavey being mega bottom-mid heavy. I love the sounds and raw power and tightness of the EMGs(but I want passive), so I also guessed the Miracle Man would be the opposite in terms of EQ.

This narrowed my selection down to either the Black Hawk or Aftermath? I've read a bit of the Aftermath and I like the clips, but I haven't found much on the Black Hawk. Is it really exactly like an active pickups in terms of EQ and Power?

We play in Drop C and are influenced by bands such as Parkway Drive, Asking Alexandria, Trivium, Bullet, Killswitch, All That Remains, etc. We're a pretty cliche metalcore band and we like to sound heavy, but we also like to do the traditional harmonising, crushing breakdowns, and fast solos.

Here's the kind of sound I'm looking for: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdSmkG6tTGY

Thankyou

[AndreasRJ]

I own an aftermath in a basswood Ibanez RG7620, and the aftermath can definatly do the sound in your link. Based on the clips I have heard, the Blackhawk might be better, but since I haven't heard it live I can't really make more than an educated guess.

[WeAreNotGentlemen]

I have the Blackhawk and based on All That Remains tone I'd say the Aftermath is probably better for it. The Blackhawk has more weight behind that single notes. It's not as powerful as an EMG (I did a comparison with a friend's EMG'd ESP) or as bassy, but it is much clearer and I think it sounds better EQ-wise.

[HU55K3Y]

I've just got this response back from BKP

yes the Black Hawk humbuckers are as clean and defined as an active, powerful too however they also maintain good dynamics and articulation. You can hear sound clips recorded with a LP here:

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/pickups.php?cat=humbuckers&sub=contemporary&pickup=black_hawk

And see them in action here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKw1F1Bd1-w&list=PL55A719F3D0CC51E9&index=5

again in a '70s LP.

So I'm a little bit confused now. We have a lot of harmonies in our songs, so would you say a Black Hawk may suit better for the weight behind the note?

[Kiichi]

When you say you use a lot of harmony it becomes apperant that it is important what the other guitarist uses gear whise (guitar, PU, amp, od, cab) because that is then a big factor. You want the two tones to compliment each other.

Imho both the Blackhawk or the AM could be the ticket here depending on your personal preferance and the other guitarist.

Canīt say much about the Blackhawk, but I from what I have heard I would even steer towards it.
The AM is amazing too, but has somewhat of a specific flavour about it (I am talking about the bridge right now, the neck is basecally just an amazing metal neck PU), it being very dry (think sahara desert) and (center)middy with surgical bass and quite a bit of cut. Very in your face kinda crushing. Dunno if that is for you.^^
It is still versatile, but keeps that flavour which can either be amazing for you or not at all your type.

If in doubt a C-hawk would be the saver guess I believe.

[ericsabbath]

Then I was considering the Miracle Man, but I read on the forum that Tim had said it works best within a one guitar man band.

I will never agree with that
my bandmate's tones with the miracle man cut through the mix like a hattori hanzo katana

[TheyCallMeVolume]

All I could think of when I saw the title was Aerosmith..

[charles55]

I have a NailBomb set in a LP Standard. We are tuned in Drop B. GREAT set for a LP.

My other guitarist have the AFTERMATHS set in a PRS Singlecut & it's great also. I love the neck pickup of those AFTERMATHS specially on clean stuff.  :D