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Author Topic: Bye bye black hawk  (Read 7214 times)

JimmyMoorby

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Bye bye black hawk
« on: August 06, 2013, 09:41:16 PM »
I currently have a ESP George Lynch Skulls and Snakes guitar.  I bought the guitar with the stock pickups Screamin demon bridge and neck and swapped these with the Seymour Ducan Dimebag (SH13) bridge and the neck with a Di Mario HS3 (Yngwie neck pickup) in an attempt to make it 'more metal'.  What ive learnt over the years is the guitar tonally is like a blank canvas when it comes to pickups.  The Dimebag pickup was certainly more agressive than the stock Screamin Demon.  It gave that harsh trebley aggressive Dimebag tone tone and the HS3 gave the Yngwie tone (The HS3 to be fair was awesome). I felt that the dimebag bridge was too bright and harsh so I swaped to the black hawk and sinner.  I absolutely love the sinner neck but the black hawk just isnt for me any more.  It did what I wanted it to give the guitar more balls, beef and aggression but as ive said several times it just seems like the blackhawk 'only' does full on metal.

I love the nailbomb in my other guitar. I can get lots of awesome tones out of that and its the best bridge pickup ive ever used thus far but I dont see the point in getting another one.

What I want from the bridge pickup are the following -
Awesome clean tones
Chunky and heavy as sin riffs
Harmonics for Dimebag Darrell/Pantera type dive bombs
An 'organic' feel

Favourite guitar tones are from Van Halen (Early to current), Metallica, Dream Theater, Zakk Wylde but also more modern tones such as Killswitch Engage and Nevermore/Jeff Loomis.

Maybe im asking a lot the Holy Diver immediately springs to mind.
Maybe the VHii but has it got some real balls?

I certainly dont fancy the aftermath or the crawler and the miracle man just seems to have a 'flabby' bottom end to my ears.  The cold sweat could be cool but im concerned it would be too harsh like the dimebag SH13 but hell im open to suggestions hence the post......Im thinking the painkiller might also be too harsh.

Thanks in advance!

P.S Bolt on neck, alder body, maple neck and rosewood fretboard.
I also use a very hi gain mid focused amplifier.

« Last Edit: August 06, 2013, 09:58:46 PM by JimmyMoorby »

GuitarIv

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Re: Bye bye black hawk
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2013, 10:32:26 PM »
Having moved my Holydiver into my Jackson DK2M just recently (Alder Body, Maple Neck and Fretboard, Bolt on construction) I can only urge you to get one as well. It pretty much sums up everything you describe, the Alnico 5 magnet contributes to a good clean tone and the HDs nature will allow you to chug and chunk away all day long, sounding fat yet tight and very organic. Pinch harmonics are amazing and "organic" is actually what the Holydiver embodies perfectly. Just read my review:

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=30361.0

Cheers!

Slartibartfarst42

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Re: Bye bye black hawk
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2013, 11:26:09 PM »
'Heavy as sin' suggests something more aggressive than the Holydiver but of course none of those pickups will give you 'awesome cleans'. The Holydiver will do it all pretty well, especially with a decent overdrive pedal. It's a lot smoother, warmer, sweeter and has more organic richness than the Nailbomb but the Nailbomb has more aggression and tightness. The Miracle Man is anything but 'flubby' and was the other pickup that leapt to mind based on your description. It might do 'heavy as sin' a bit better than the Holydiver but it will also be less versatile and the cleans won't be as nice.

I'm going to agree with both yourself and GuitarIv and say the Holydiver would be a great option.
BKP owned:

Bridge - Emerald; Cold Sweat; Crawler; A-Bomb; Holydiver; Miracle Man; Sinner; Trilogy Suite

Neck - Emerald; Cold Sweat; Crawler; Holydiver; Sinner; Trilogy Suite

JimmyMoorby

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Re: Bye bye black hawk
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2013, 12:05:16 AM »
'Heavy as sin' suggests something more aggressive than the Holydiver but of course none of those pickups will give you 'awesome cleans'. The Holydiver will do it all pretty well, especially with a decent overdrive pedal. It's a lot smoother, warmer, sweeter and has more organic richness than the Nailbomb but the Nailbomb has more aggression and tightness. The Miracle Man is anything but 'flubby' and was the other pickup that leapt to mind based on your description. It might do 'heavy as sin' a bit better than the Holydiver but it will also be less versatile and the cleans won't be as nice.

I'm going to agree with both yourself and GuitarIv and say the Holydiver would be a great option.

I think i'll miss the punishing tone of the black hawk if I get rid of it but I need to keep in mind its just overkill for for any thing other than extreme metal tones.

The Holy Diver seems like the obvious answer I must say.

It would be nice to try the miracle man in person but I can only base my opinion on clips ive heard. It has a fat and heavy sound but  to my ears it has a noticably spongey tone to it.  I can see why people like but it wouldnt fit in with my playingit sounds like it wouldnt be tight enough.
Its funny becaue you'd assume the miracle man would have a lot in common with an active EMG but it doesnt at all.  The black hawk is certainly the passive alternative to the EMG though.  If I had the cash id buy another guitar and stick it in that and make it my go to instant uber heavy metal guitar.
« Last Edit: August 07, 2013, 12:08:01 AM by JimmyMoorby »

itamar101

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Re: Bye bye black hawk
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2013, 12:44:31 AM »
May I ask whether you're using the Alnico Blackhawk or the ceramic?
Reason being, my alnico Blackhawk - whilst being an awesome metal pickup - is also very smooth and jazzy sounding for a bridge pickup on the clean channel. Moreso than any other bridge pickup that I have tried in the same output level. In fact, I find it more versatile than PAFs in certain aspects. Certainly has a less "sharp" sound.

If you are using the ceramic Blackhawk then I honestly think that you should try the Alnico Blackhawk. It'll give you everything you love about the ceramic but more versatility and warmth.
If you have the Alnico pickup then I don't really know what to suggest, although the Holy Diver or Black Dog might be worth a shot. Have you tried adjusting the height? It makes a world of difference.

GuitarIv

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Re: Bye bye black hawk
« Reply #5 on: August 07, 2013, 09:46:56 AM »
Jimmy, here's another review of mine on the Miracle Man. I think you'd be surprised how much metal it can get. It's a heavier than the Holydiver and although I haven't tried it yet most people say it sounds great on cleans when split:

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=30291.0

Cheers

Dr.Pain

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Re: Bye bye black hawk
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2013, 01:45:56 PM »
I'm gonna watch this with interest as I'm trying to decide between and a-bomb or a holy diver for my Strat with Irish Tour singles.  It's alder and maple/maple.  I'm after something that can do good Maiden tones but I don't know if I want to go beyond that.  I do like 90's metal but I think my Strat would do best with a real classic metal tone to it.  Something to compliment my EMG shod Ltd and my Les Paul.

Kiichi

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Re: Bye bye black hawk
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2013, 02:43:11 PM »
I'm gonna watch this with interest as I'm trying to decide between and a-bomb or a holy diver for my Strat with Irish Tour singles.  It's alder and maple/maple.  I'm after something that can do good Maiden tones but I don't know if I want to go beyond that.  I do like 90's metal but I think my Strat would do best with a real classic metal tone to it.  Something to compliment my EMG shod Ltd and my Les Paul.
Alder strat with maple? Maiden tones? Already has ITs? Son, go HD asap!
BKPs in use: 10th set / RY set / Holy Diver b, Emerald n / Crawler bridge, Slowhand mid MQ neck/ Manhattan n
On the sidelines: Stockholm b / Suppermassive n, Mule n, AM set, IT mid

Slartibartfarst42

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Re: Bye bye black hawk
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2013, 05:23:16 PM »
I'm gonna watch this with interest as I'm trying to decide between and a-bomb or a holy diver for my Strat with Irish Tour singles.  It's alder and maple/maple.  I'm after something that can do good Maiden tones but I don't know if I want to go beyond that.  I do like 90's metal but I think my Strat would do best with a real classic metal tone to it.  Something to compliment my EMG shod Ltd and my Les Paul.

I agree with Kiichi. The A-Bomb is 90's Thrash and will be VERY aggressive in your Strat whereas the Holydiver is ideal for what you want. No need to watch this thread with interest as your answer is easy.  :D
BKP owned:

Bridge - Emerald; Cold Sweat; Crawler; A-Bomb; Holydiver; Miracle Man; Sinner; Trilogy Suite

Neck - Emerald; Cold Sweat; Crawler; Holydiver; Sinner; Trilogy Suite

GuitarIv

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Re: Bye bye black hawk
« Reply #9 on: August 07, 2013, 10:16:07 PM »
I'm gonna watch this with interest as I'm trying to decide between and a-bomb or a holy diver for my Strat with Irish Tour singles.  It's alder and maple/maple.  I'm after something that can do good Maiden tones but I don't know if I want to go beyond that.  I do like 90's metal but I think my Strat would do best with a real classic metal tone to it.  Something to compliment my EMG shod Ltd and my Les Paul.

I agree with Kiichi. The A-Bomb is 90's Thrash and will be VERY aggressive in your Strat whereas the Holydiver is ideal for what you want. No need to watch this thread with interest as your answer is easy.  :D

I'll throw in my opinion as well, I fully agree with Kiichi and Slart. The Holydiver is the way to go here  8)

JimmyMoorby

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Re: Bye bye black hawk
« Reply #10 on: August 07, 2013, 11:04:06 PM »
Im going to make the effort to try the miracle man but ive never liked a clip ive heard the holy diver however sounds awesome and peoples descriptions sound great.

I just cant imagine playing tight riffs such as say holy wars by megadeth with miracle man....time will tell ill give them both a bash just not sure when ill be able to yet.

ericsabbath

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Re: Bye bye black hawk
« Reply #11 on: August 08, 2013, 09:36:00 AM »
Im going to make the effort to try the miracle man but ive never liked a clip ive heard the holy diver however sounds awesome and peoples descriptions sound great.

I just cant imagine playing tight riffs such as say holy wars by megadeth with miracle man....time will tell ill give them both a bash just not sure when ill be able to yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6GDBISSxBI

holy diver sounds great for evh, but everything else you mentioned screams for a miracle man
Riff Raff, Mules, Black Dog, VHII's, Cold Sweat

GuitarIv

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Re: Bye bye black hawk
« Reply #12 on: August 09, 2013, 01:40:41 PM »
Good coincidence I just did a quick test video with my Miracle Man  :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ0kkiwYsnc

Cheers

ericsabbath

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Re: Bye bye black hawk
« Reply #13 on: August 10, 2013, 02:52:11 AM »
nice, Iv!  :D
Riff Raff, Mules, Black Dog, VHII's, Cold Sweat

GuitarIv

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Re: Bye bye black hawk
« Reply #14 on: August 10, 2013, 11:40:50 AM »
I might do a proper shootout video with all BKPs I have as soon as I have time to hit up a mate who can do proper recordings :)