Bridge pickup for a 1977 LP

[JTG]

Welcome here JTG! Depending on what you want exactly I think the HD can be very much for you. One of the first descriptions I have heard of it said it caters to the same taste as the JB does, but with the traditional BKP flavour and generally added goodness. That of course is a simplification though, there is much more depth to its tone and qualitys than I could describe so shortly.

Most people start with one and follow with several others, so just pick your poison, chug it and be a happy drooling man like a lot of us. =)

The Holydiver has SOME of the characteristics of the JB. It's thick, smooth and fluid but it's far more articulate than the JB with no mud at all, the tone is a lot sweeter and it's not quite as compressed so it retains some PAF DNA. The Holydiver is a lot more versatile than the JB. The A-Bomb is a VERY different beast. It's tighter and far more aggressive than even the Miracle Man. I found it to be completely brutal.

Thanks guys! Nothing wrong with drooling, some sweet tones would be totally worth it. :D

I've read a few reviews on the HD which say it is what the Duncan JB *SHOULD* be. All of it's sonic strengths (drive, liquid leads, cuts easily through a mix), but none of it's weaknesses (sometimes icepick highs, sometimes flubby lows). Like I said before, I've used the JB for a long time and every time I've tried to use a different pickup, I just cannot quit the JB. I have generally been able to find all of the tones I've needed with the JB. If the HolyDiver has some of those sweet JB-like qualities, but with some extra icing on top, then maybe that's the one to start with.

The reason I was looking into the A-Bomb bridge, is the description says it sits in between vintage and modern. So, it's heavy enough for brootalz if that's what the need is, but it can clean up decent for more classic tones. By aggressive, are they more powerful? More treble? More grind?

I was also looking at the BlackDogs since one of the dudes from the band Godsized (whom I actually found out about because of the BKP site) uses them. The other guitarist uses the VHiis. I think I'm more accustomed to higher-output pickups, though, for their feel. I don't necessarily need all the power to push the preamp, but they usually feel more comfortable to play to me.

[Telerocker]

The A-Bomb has an agressive character, present topend and quite some output. More then the Holy Diver by example.

[BigB]

I've read a few reviews on the HD which say it is what the Duncan JB *SHOULD* be. All of it's sonic strengths (drive, liquid leads, cuts easily through a mix), but none of it's weaknesses (sometimes icepick highs, sometimes flubby lows). Like I said before, I've used the JB for a long time and every time I've tried to use a different pickup, I just cannot quit the JB. I have generally been able to find all of the tones I've needed with the JB. If the HolyDiver has some of those sweet JB-like qualities, but with some extra icing on top, then maybe that's the one to start with.

The reason I was looking into the A-Bomb bridge, is the description says it sits in between vintage and modern. So, it's heavy enough for brootalz if that's what the need is, but it can clean up decent for more classic tones. By aggressive, are they more powerful? More treble? More grind?

Just "aggressive" - I think you have to hear it to understand  8)

I've had a JB (early 80s one) in my SG and replaced it with a ABomb. The JB had some qualities and I can understant why one may like it, but it was also lacking the dynamic, definition, note separation and articulation  that are BKP's trademark and IMHO the main reason why you love or hate BKPs. To make a long story short: BKPs will respect your playing, for the better (yum) and worse (and yes, sometimes  it hurts :mrgreen:).

The ABomb is a very different beast from the JB. wrt/ output level the ABomb is AFAICT not far from the JB but it at first seems quite a bit lower due to the aforementioned BKP specifities - this pup remains tight and articulate whatever amount of gain you use.  Now the voicing is very different, the ABomb has incredibly tight lows, a throaty and very dense low-mids growl thing, full blast aggression in the upper mids (not spikey or harsh, but well... aggressive :mrgreen:), and clear highs. It's a real killer for heavy riff work, but while not lacking weight and body on leads it doesn't have the fluid/liquid thing of the JB and none of it's compression. It took me some time to get used to it, and it still shows any playing mistake so it's not as confortable as the JB or even the Crawler for lead work, but boy it sound huge and massive and yet cuts thru a dense mix like a hot knife thru butter.

Is it heavy enough for br00talz ? Well, I'm not into metal but "br00talz" is kind of an understatement as far as I'm concerned: this pup it takes no prisonner and makes no mercy, it kills, maims and slaughters :twisted:

And yes, while doing all of the above, it's not a one trick pony and also works surprisingly fine for more classic rock tones - with a twist - and even bluesy stuff when you roll down the volume. It of course retains a more modern voicing but is still very organic - thanks to the alnico magnet - and can get quite close to a (less bright and open) RiffRaff.  It will obviously not sound just like a vintage PAF/Patent #, but despite the (justified) "90s metal" label it can really do much more and nails 70s hard-rock tones (AC/DC, early BÖC etc) - or at least it does in my SG.

Final disclaimer : I've only used this pup in my rather dark SG and I'm not sure how it would work nor if I'd like it in a brighter guitar, but you can check Sam Coulson's vidz on youtube, the guy as some nice tones from it in a LP.

I was also looking at the BlackDogs since one of the dudes from the band Godsized (whom I actually found out about because of the BKP site) uses them. The other guitarist uses the VHiis. I think I'm more accustomed to higher-output pickups, though, for their feel. I don't necessarily need all the power to push the preamp, but they usually feel more comfortable to play to me.

Most hi-output pups are very compressed, which can make them feel "more confortable". If that's what you hope to get from the higher output BKPs you may not find yourself at home, even the Crawler - possibly one of the most compressed BKPs - has way more dynamic than a JB.

My 2 cents...

[JTG]

Thanks B. I appreciate the insight. I checked some of those Sam Coulson vids, and he gets some really killer tones. I think I hear what everyone means by "aggressive". I hear that word so many times when comparing pups, but no one can really explain it. Is it the tone? Bite? Output? So, thanks for the honesty. To compare it to a Duncan, the A-Bomb almost sounds like the Duncan Custom ceramic, but without the harshness, better definition and clarity, but with a fuller tone. Kinda sounds like it's got some of that PAF DNA mixed in with some more grunt. Anyway, you may have shifted my interests a bit over to the A-Bomb.

I appreciate all the help and insight guys. Very awesome.

~Jay

[BigB]

I checked some of those Sam Coulson vids, and he gets some really killer tones. I think I hear what everyone means by "aggressive".

Well, that's the least aggressive side of the ABomb, really. This vidz demonstrates the more br00talz side of the beast.

I hear that word so many times when comparing pups, but no one can really explain it. Is it the tone? Bite? Output?

It's mostly about tone I'd say. The ABomb as enough output to push your amp but nothing over the top neither.

[JTG]

What's nice about the tones from that thing, is no matter how heavy it sounds, it still has a sweet "woodiness" to the tone. I'm really beginning to like it. My bank account might not, though. lol

Thinking I need one.

[ericsabbath]

Now Eric, would you say the HD can be a bit on the tubby side for standard tuning, or more for when you downtune? I've used the JB for as long as dirt has been on this planet, but have had an increasing interest in the BKP offerings. The HD was on my list of interest, as is the Alnico Nailbomb and BlackDog.

Oh, and you might remember me as Soulcrusher_X on the old HCAF forum. and NO! You still can't have my grey Les Paul. ;)

lol
whenever I read your nickname, my first thought is always "DELICIOUS GUN METAL GREY LES PAUL CUSTOM"

I liked the HD in both standard and low tunings
it's a fat and middy pickup, but doesn't lack high end in a les paul

[ericsabbath]

Thanks B. I appreciate the insight. I checked some of those Sam Coulson vids, and he gets some really killer tones. I think I hear what everyone means by "aggressive". I hear that word so many times when comparing pups, but no one can really explain it. Is it the tone? Bite? Output? So, thanks for the honesty. To compare it to a Duncan, the A-Bomb almost sounds like the Duncan Custom ceramic, but without the harshness, better definition and clarity, but with a fuller tone. Kinda sounds like it's got some of that PAF DNA mixed in with some more grunt. Anyway, you may have shifted my interests a bit over to the A-Bomb.

I appreciate all the help and insight guys. Very awesome.

~Jay

yes it has a similar character to the sh-5 and sh-14, but sounds more articulate and less compressed than both
it's not as middy as it appears in the chart
it does have a lot of low mids and treble, but the center and upper mids are more flatter and cleaner, kinda like the vhII, which is what gives it its subtle PAF impression, despite of the aggressive top and output
it's quite punchy for an alnico pickup

[JTG]

So, sorry for completely running away with this thread. lol Anyway, I found two or three youtube clips besides the ones suggested by BigB with both the HolyDiver and the A-Bomb. Same player, same rig, same kind of guitar. The HD sounded smoother and more "liquid" I guess. The A-Bomb had more bite, cut, grind, fuller tone with a hint of that vintage "woodiness". Plus, the fact that the pair of other vids went from classic tones to drop-B without falter sold me. I think I'll start with that one and work my way through the BKP line. lol I might be hooked.

[ericsabbath]

I suppose you watched firejack018's videos with peters amps
 :D

[Gibson 1964]

IMO the rebel yell is far closer to a more musical JB than a holy diver. I found the holy diver to be somewhat too dark in my guitars for my taste. I do not understand why everyone compares it to a jb. Not a comparison I would make. The rebel yell is a little less aggressive than the nailbomb and lower output. It is one I would definitely consider.

[JTG]

IMO the rebel yell is far closer to a more musical JB than a holy diver. I found the holy diver to be somewhat too dark in my guitars for my taste. I do not understand why everyone compares it to a jb. Not a comparison I would make. The rebel yell is a little less aggressive than the nailbomb and lower output. It is one I would definitely consider.

I was looking at that one, too. It's brighter than the HolyDiver?

[JTG]

I suppose you watched firejack018's videos with peters amps
 :D

Why yes. Yes, I did. lol

[Slartibartfarst42]

IMO the rebel yell is far closer to a more musical JB than a holy diver. I found the holy diver to be somewhat too dark in my guitars for my taste. I do not understand why everyone compares it to a jb. Not a comparison I would make. The rebel yell is a little less aggressive than the nailbomb and lower output. It is one I would definitely consider.

Now I'll grant you I've never actually tried a Rebel Yell but your comment still surprises me. I believe the Rebel Yell is based on a Nailbomb and I HAVE tried an A-Bomb, which was a country mile away from being like a JB. The Rebel Yell would have to be a vastly different beast to a Nailbomb to come anywhere remotely close to sounding like a JB. Conversely, you can say that the JB is smooth, thick and fluid, all of which apply to a Holydiver. Where the Holydiver differs from the JB is that there's no mud, it's far more articulate, has a sweeter lead tone and has more of all the best qualities of the JB. I feel fairly sure about this as my guitar came with a JB as stock and I switched it to a Holydiver. It was clearly very similar but also far better in every way.

[ericsabbath]

they both have only SOME tonal characters in common with the JB
but the holy diver was in fact based on the JB and has really close specs, while the rebel yell has a different winding, different wire type and gauge, and I suppose it has a different magnet length, like the nailbomb

the rebel yell definitely has a similar upper mid spike to the JB, but I can't hear much more of a resemblance than that
definitely a cleaner, brighter, more open and less bassy pickup
more like an 80's version of the emerald, and not much like its big cousin nailbomb

the holy diver is no JB clone, but does have more of the JB character, imo
Tim himself stated that a few times in the past, but he seems to avoid this sort of comparison since BKP business turned big

If you want to get close to the JB but without the mid spike try the Holydiver.

I'm going to chime in here and say for the majority of S style guitars the Holydiver is going to be closest to the original JB tone-well as close as I'd want to get anyway-great pickup by the way, the original JB and certainly one that rightly claims it's place in rock history.
In a LP the new Rebel Yell does have a similar mid push to the early JB although it is a touch brighter to my ears and the bass is a little tighter too-as per usual this will be down to the asymmetrical wind and scatterwinding too.
The early JBs I've tested-one of which was Phil's- have all been symmetrically wound, part of the SD philosophy-which accounts for the way it behaves in the high end.

The new Holydiver, DC16.2K Alnico V-it'll eat your JB for breakfast :twisted: -seriously though I've worked hard to remove the mid honk that plagues the JB, open out the high end a touch and produce a more harmonically rich mid-similar amount of power though.