Rebel Yell set - Last Confirmation

[Sinok PLA]

I'm at the final point for buying a Rebel Yell set for my Gibson Explorer, which I have the A-Bomb set in, after suggestions I got from this forum.

I wasn't pleased with the Nailbombs (which I am 100% sure that my guitar woods are the problem), no matter how much I tweaked the PU height or the dials on my amp head/distortion pedal. The sound was still hairy/bassy and my sound couldn't cut through the band, I was just a noise in the back. Even having the bass dialed to zero wouldn't help...

My gear is:
Gibson Explorer 2010, Mahogany Neck and Body, Rosewood Fingerboard.(Very dark overall)
Marshall JTM24/2245 Amp Head.
Marshall 1936 2x12 Cabinet.
CTC Black Magic Distortion Pedal.
Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Cobalt (12-56) . We play on C Standard.

My band is influenced by: The Sword, Mercyful Fate, Metallica, Down
So you could say that I play: Stoner/Doom/Thrash Metal. (80's sound oriented, no matter how heavy the guitars get, I don't want our sound to cover the bass player)

I tried last week the JB set. I was very satisfied with the sounds I could produce, but the string articulation wasn't there which I find in the BKPs I've owned. Also the other guitarist of the band plays with the JB set, so call me stupid, but I don't want as to have the same pickups. :P

So do you think the Rebel Yell will pull off the job?

[Telerocker]

Absolutely! Not too much bass and tigh enough for downtuning, agressive present uppermids and cutting but not shrill topend.

[Dave Sloven]

You should be fine with the Rebel Yells in your Explorer.

Sounds like you have a lot of low mids in your guitar naturally, the RY will get out of the way of them but they will also give you enough bottom end anyway.  Sounds like you have been getting too much of a good thing out of those Nailbombs, i.e. putting a strong low mids pickup on top of the strong low-mids that your guitar produces naturally.

Reports on RYs in Explorers here are all excellent.

I have Warpigs in my Explorer, and while I like the sounds it does sound a bit like a bass.  I could do one of those powerviolence bands with just vocals, guitar and drums and no-one would miss the bass

[ericsabbath]

go for it

won't suggest a cold sweat instead cause it sounds a little too bassy on explorers and lacks a little more upper mids
the rebell yell sounds like the best choice indeed

[Dave Sloven]

If you don't sell those Nailbombs you could probably get good results from them in a Les Paul or maybe even a Flying V (not sure about the latter though).

I have a spare one myself but as it is 50mm and long leg I always wonder what besides another Gibson (it used to be in my SG) I could put it into.  It will probably end up in a Les Paul eventually, either mine or sold on to a friend.

[Sinok PLA]

Ok! I am going for it! Once again, thank you guys.  :D

Agent Orange, I'm keeping the Nailbombs, because I can hear they are great PUs with balls, it's just my guitar that is so dark and doesn't combine well. I think a light Les Paul with a good maple top will balance the bass and sound awesome ;)
After the Rebel Yells I'm going for the Cold Sweats on my SG, as you suggested. ;)

Cheers to all! :D

[Dave Sloven]

Cool!  But if you can try the RYs out in both guitars and report back to us as to how you like them in each

[lebowski77]

I'm at the final point for buying a Rebel Yell set for my Gibson Explorer, which I have the A-Bomb set in, after suggestions I got from this forum.

I wasn't pleased with the Nailbombs (which I am 100% sure that my guitar woods are the problem), no matter how much I tweaked the PU height or the dials on my amp head/distortion pedal. The sound was still hairy/bassy and my sound couldn't cut through the band, I was just a noise in the back. Even having the bass dialed to zero wouldn't help...

My gear is:
Gibson Explorer 2010, Mahogany Neck and Body, Rosewood Fingerboard.(Very dark overall)
Marshall JTM24/2245 Amp Head.
Marshall 1936 2x12 Cabinet.
CTC Black Magic Distortion Pedal.
Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Cobalt (12-56) . We play on C Standard.

My band is influenced by: The Sword, Mercyful Fate, Metallica, Down
So you could say that I play: Stoner/Doom/Thrash Metal. (80's sound oriented, no matter how heavy the guitars get, I don't want our sound to cover the bass player)

I tried last week the JB set. I was very satisfied with the sounds I could produce, but the string articulation wasn't there which I find in the BKPs I've owned. Also the other guitarist of the band plays with the JB set, so call me stupid, but I don't want as to have the same pickups. :P

So do you think the Rebel Yell will pull off the job?

I'm in the exact same boat as you. My Rebel Yell set should arrive any day now. Had an A-Bomb set in my PRS SE 245 (all mahogany, thick body) and while I could tell that it had great tones, my guitar was just too dark and it wouldn't cut through no matter what I did. It was almost like there was a blanket over my amp. Great pups, just the wrong guitar.

Funnily enough I also flirted with the idea of a JB knowing that it was brighter and has more upper mids, but it's a real gamble with a lot of mahogany.

Here's hoping the RY set fixes both our issues.  :)

[richard]

RY is great in mahogany. Fixes the problems that JBs sometimes have in all mahogany guitars - much clearer, tighter low end, more defined thump in the mids and similar singing quality in the highs. RYs can take a LOT more gain than a JB without becoming woolly.

[lebowski77]

Just installed my RY set, and there's definite noticeable improvement across the board. The guitar just sings more and the notes just jump out.

RY's in dark mahogany guitars is a no brainer.

[Dave Sloven]

That's sweet, Dude  8)

[darthphineas]

I just put another RY in the bridge of another guitar.  this time mahogany with a maple neck/board bolt-on.

at some point when I make a little free time, I'd like to give it a shot in basswood and alder.  something tells me that the RY would work out fine in those for my tastes.