Riff Raff didn't work for me on my Les Paul so...

[jangoux]

Guys,

I have an Edwards Les Paul and from Tim's and a friend's recommendation, I got a Riff Raff. It sounds great but I miss some punch, compression, more crunch and its hollowness somewhat bothers me. It also has some twang that is really apparent with the way I Eq my amps. I emailed Tim, describing this and saying I wanted something more modern sounding and he recommended me an Emerald and if I wanted to go one step further, I'd should get an A-Bomb. I asked him about the Black Hawk and he said it would also suit my needs. So, basically, I am torn between a Black Hawk and a A-Bomb. I love the Black Hawk 'moderness', but I am afraid it would be too much for me. At the same time, I've read a lot of mixed reviews about the Nailbomb. Lots of folk love it, lots hate it. I don't play metal, but I like heavy sounds, but need some versatility to play from Placebo-esque stuff to Hard Rock/Metal.

What's you guys take on this ?

Cheers
Ivan

[littleredguitars2]

well i mean it can't really hurt to give any of those suggestions a shot. as long as they stay in perfect condition i'm pretty sure they can be returned. there are a bunch of reviews on the forum and youtube of all sorts of BK pickups so definitely do your research.

[richard]

Sounds like Rebel Yell to me.

[Telerocker]

Get the A-Bomb. It's quite versatile of you use the vol.pot.

[Slartibartfarst42]

Speaking as a person who wrote a review on an A-Bomb and sent it back I should clarify that while it really didn't work in my guitar, I have always maintained it would be better in a guitar with lots of mahogany like a Les Paul so I think your experience will probably be different. However, for versatility, I do think there are other options you could at least consider.

The Holydiver is a remarkably versatile option that covers Classic Rock to modern Metal and seems to work in anything but an SG. The Cold Sweat would also be a fantastic option in a Les Paul. Brighter, tighter and more open than the Holydiver. For 'beef' you might also want to check out the Black Dog if you fancy something a little more 'vintage' in feel but still capable of modern tones. Any of these would be great.

[darkbluemurder]

I would also have said Cold Sweat or Rebel Yell for a step up from the Emerald.

Cheers Stephan

[lamp]

I've got A-bombs in 2 Les Pauls and I bloody love them.  Slartibartfast is probably right that they react differently in different guitars, though I do get the distinct impression that if it were up to him no one would order a Nailbomb again haha    In my experience they are versatile and would fit your needs well in your guitar.

[Dave Sloven]

I would also have said Cold Sweat or Rebel Yell for a step up from the Emerald.

Cheers Stephan

This would be my choice as well.  I have a Cold Sweat set in an SG but I think from everything I've read that the Rebel Yell would be a little better for you if you were originally leaning toward the Riff Raff.  The Cold Sweat neck is amazing and apparently the RY neck is a modified version of that with some VHII character (and sounds great in the youtube clips I've seen of the set in a Les Paul) so I'd go for that.

It's also not quite as far along the hot pickup road as an A-Bomb.  The A-Bomb would be the next step.  The Nailbomb neck sounds nice too but overall the Nailbomb sets have a rougher, hairier sound than the two Stephan mentions.  Just depends on what you want.  They are all safe choices in Les Pauls.  The negative reviews of A-Bombs are in other guitars that they don't suit as well.

[ericsabbath]

I'll take your riff raff  :D :D :D

I think there's still an alnico blackhawk on seconds out section

[jangoux]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I've had a RY on another guitar and I thought it was too 'scratchy' sounding, so my initial idea is not going this way.

I think I am going towards the A-Bomb route or, after reading a few review, the Holy Diver. I think I've read quite a few more positive reviews of the later but I remember a lot of people saying it is a great lead pickup. I am mainly a rhythm player, what can I expect from both ?

[JimmyMoorby]

I'd go rebel yell or nailbomb atleast you can listen to some steve stevens and know the rebel yell will work well in a les paul and if you want some thing a bit more bad ass and heavy go for the nailbomb.

The black hawk is modern and it can be full on but also melodic.  Theyre just like active pickups in a lot of ways as they should be.  Mine is on flea bay at the moment it was good but its not versatilejust like actives arent.....
Kinda think its well suited to stuff like new machine head and fear factory type stuff.  I've heard people say its good for jazz and I imagine it is and yet again supposedly active pickups were intended for jazz players before metal players.  I'm not a jazz player but it has that clean sterile sound to it which is what makes it sound great but makes it a 1 trick pony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxjeqCd6Zm0

This track to me reminds me of what the black hawks and sums up what they do.

Probably about as far away as you can get from the riff raff !

[ericsabbath]

well, I'm pretty sure I can get a similar tone from the riff raff, but I get your point  :lol:
guess you're referring to that clinical high end response in that heavy octaved riff and some of the lead parts

[darkbluemurder]

I've had a RY on another guitar and I thought it was too 'scratchy' sounding, so my initial idea is not going this way.

I think I am going towards the A-Bomb route or, after reading a few review, the Holy Diver. I think I've read quite a few more positive reviews of the later but I remember a lot of people saying it is a great lead pickup. I am mainly a rhythm player, what can I expect from both ?

If you found the RY too scratchy that rules out the VHII, too but that was not on your shortlist anyway.

I did not find the A-Bomb to be scratchy but I would not call it smooth, either. The HD is smooth. A-Bomb sounds more modern and tighter than HD so it may suit rhythm playing better.

Cheers Stephan

[JimmyMoorby]

well, I'm pretty sure I can get a similar tone from the riff raff, but I get your point  :lol:
guess you're referring to that clinical high end response in that heavy octaved riff and some of the lead parts

I'm not saying you couldnt get in the same ball park with other humbuckers but the black hawk is spot on for that type of metal and its completely different from the riff raff in the way it responds it's no where near as open as I say its alot more like an active.

If any one was playing metal like this or more extreme regulrarly/all the time the blackhawk is definitely the way to go

[Cpt_Gonzo]

How about a Emerald (n)/ ABomb (b) combo?

have them in my Lester, they'll do spot on what you want.
The ABomb is NOT a PAF though, be aware of that. I might sell them simply because of that reason. Can't bond with High Output pickups in a LP, although this one doesn't even feel that high in output...it's just more of everything you want from a good pickup, in a wall of sound way.