Bare Knuckle set for 8 string guitar

[Studiostriver]

Hello to all.
Friend of mine bought 8 string Hellraiser C. He asked me to do the favor for him and made thread here (and partially cause he is lazy ass and hates to register and talk on the forums  :) ) and ask what BK pickups would be suitable for music he playing.
Well for a start he plays all his life heavy metal band from 80thies and he is crazy about Grave Digger 90thies sound,I really do not know where he find idea to bought 8 string guitar at first place. :o

He says hes still want to play heavy metal but trying to make a modern approach I guess whole octave below.Guitar is tuned whole step below starting with e A D G C A D.

I wanna ask you to help me in choosing the right pickups.
And I do not know how BK sound on 8 String guitars at all.

I only know the band Grave Digger using EMG 81/85 almost all their carrier. Any suggestion?
Thanks in advance. :shock:

[Kiichi]

I think that both the Emerald and RY should lend themselfs rather nicely, with the emerald being my main pick.
This is mostly based on what should work well with 8 strings. Factor in 80s heavy metal and you get those two for me.
The Emeralds brightness and tighness should work very nicely with 8 strings, after all it is one of the most recommended there for extended range instruments. Also the voicing can work nicely for heavy metal but can go very modern too if wanted.
Somewhat the same with the RY.

[Alex]

Manni Schmidt used EMG81s during his time with Grave Digger. He used different amps and at one time was an endorsee for the Fame Bulldozer - a Mesa Rectifier clone. At some point he used a Laney, at another an Earforce amp. I guess he liked to switch things up.

He used a Boss Pedal as boost most of the time - can't remember which one, it was not the SD-1 but a "higher powered one". Turbo Distortion maybe...?

Personally I loved his sound. His wah lead sound on "The Grave Digger" album is awesome:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8BpXF_foQ4
(3:12)

From BKP, well I think the Miracle Man would be the best bet for a fat sounding mahogany guitar. It should work best for most styles.

[Kiichi]

From BKP, well I think the Miracle Man would be the best bet for a fat sounding mahogany guitar. It should work best for most styles.

For the style alone he is playing sure, not a lot of doubt on that one, but I personally wonder how it would fare with 8 strings. Could work without a problem, but I donīt know.

[Studiostriver]

I think that both the Emerald and RY should lend themselfs rather nicely, with the emerald being my main pick.
This is mostly based on what should work well with 8 strings. Factor in 80s heavy metal and you get those two for me.
The Emeralds brightness and tighness should work very nicely with 8 strings, after all it is one of the most recommended there for extended range instruments. Also the voicing can work nicely for heavy metal but can go very modern too if wanted.
Somewhat the same with the RY.

So you suggesting Rebel yell for bridge and Emerald for neck if I figure it right?

Manni Schmidt used EMG81s during his time with Grave Digger. He used different amps and at one time was an endorsee for the Fame Bulldozer - a Mesa Rectifier clone. At some point he used a Laney, at another an Earforce amp. I guess he liked to switch things up.

He used a Boss Pedal as boost most of the time - can't remember which one, it was not the SD-1 but a "higher powered one". Turbo Distortion maybe...?

Personally I loved his sound. His wah lead sound on "The Grave Digger" album is awesome:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8BpXF_foQ4
(3:12)

From BKP, well I think the Miracle Man would be the best bet for a fat sounding mahogany guitar. It should work best for most styles.

Well me personally love Grave Digger too, Excalibur is my favorite album from them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QgVuxnhkNs
The sound of rhythm guitar there is awesome I must admit.

So Miracle Man would do the job for 8 string guitar? For bridge and the neck also?

I think this guitar has the same would as mine Hellraiser 7 Fr . Mahogany body with quilted maple top, mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard.
Thanks for all your comments so far. Much appreciated. 

[Kiichi]

I think that both the Emerald and RY should lend themselfs rather nicely, with the emerald being my main pick.
This is mostly based on what should work well with 8 strings. Factor in 80s heavy metal and you get those two for me.
The Emeralds brightness and tighness should work very nicely with 8 strings, after all it is one of the most recommended there for extended range instruments. Also the voicing can work nicely for heavy metal but can go very modern too if wanted.
Somewhat the same with the RY.

So you suggesting Rebel yell for bridge and Emerald for neck if I figure it right?

Actually I was thinking either sets would be good as I was mostly thinking about the bridges as I regard them to be much more critical for extended range guitars. After all the low string performance of the neck PU usually is secondary.
With something like the MM I am always afraid that the low strings could get too bass heavy. Of course winds are adjusted but still something rather bright like the Emerald and the RY in my mind should hold their own better on the low strings.

[Studiostriver]

I think that both the Emerald and RY should lend themselfs rather nicely, with the emerald being my main pick.
This is mostly based on what should work well with 8 strings. Factor in 80s heavy metal and you get those two for me.
The Emeralds brightness and tighness should work very nicely with 8 strings, after all it is one of the most recommended there for extended range instruments. Also the voicing can work nicely for heavy metal but can go very modern too if wanted.
Somewhat the same with the RY.

So you suggesting Rebel yell for bridge and Emerald for neck if I figure it right?

Actually I was thinking either sets would be good as I was mostly thinking about the bridges as I regard them to be much more critical for extended range guitars. After all the low string performance of the neck PU usually is secondary.
With something like the MM I am always afraid that the low strings could get too bass heavy. Of course winds are adjusted but still something rather bright like the Emerald and the RY in my mind should hold their own better on the low strings.

I`ve got your point,and you are right of course ,8 string guitar can get so to speak bassier.  :D

[Kiichi]

I think that both the Emerald and RY should lend themselfs rather nicely, with the emerald being my main pick.
This is mostly based on what should work well with 8 strings. Factor in 80s heavy metal and you get those two for me.
The Emeralds brightness and tighness should work very nicely with 8 strings, after all it is one of the most recommended there for extended range instruments. Also the voicing can work nicely for heavy metal but can go very modern too if wanted.
Somewhat the same with the RY.

So you suggesting Rebel yell for bridge and Emerald for neck if I figure it right?

Actually I was thinking either sets would be good as I was mostly thinking about the bridges as I regard them to be much more critical for extended range guitars. After all the low string performance of the neck PU usually is secondary.
With something like the MM I am always afraid that the low strings could get too bass heavy. Of course winds are adjusted but still something rather bright like the Emerald and the RY in my mind should hold their own better on the low strings.

I`ve got your point,and you are right of course ,8 string guitar can get so to speak bassier.  :D

Just be assured that I am not saying that something like the MM canīt work, after all Tim would not sell 8 string versions of the HBs if they were notoriously too bass heavy or something. I just advice caution. Same thing I always do with the Warpig. Great PU, but you gotta have an extra close look imho.
Things like the amp and such also need to be taking into concideration with this too. If you got a really bright amp the potential problem of the MM is greatly reduced. Same if he as an EQ, etc.

[Studiostriver]

Ok, bro thank for all your advices.I will tell my friend what of these options would be best,and when buying from BK to ask then for advice.
Case is closed.  :)