(Not extreme) Pickups for ESP Eclipse

[Skilpad]

Hello,

I decided to change the pick-ups (currently two EMGs) of my ESP Eclipse II (Mahogany body and neck, Maple top, Ebony fingerboard).

As main requirements, I would like to be able to get:
- A bright clear sound (eventually warm)
- A groovy-crunchy sound
- A nice rich-in-treble old-school-style rock sound
It is hard to describe... More objectively, for the two first sounds, I would like to get sounds like Monkey3's (see "XUB", "Jack", "Moorcycle Broer", "Driver": they summarise my dream tones). For the rock sound, Audrey Horne ("Show and Tell") is a good example.

However, I still want to keep some versatility. In particular, I may want to put some aggressiveness (but not to the point of a loud death metal distortion: I do not think I need a Warpig).
Note that to improve versatility, I may use push/pull pots for coil splitting, switching series/parallel, and/or using phase inversion.

I am currently thinking of something like that:
- Neck: Vintage HB, like a The Mule, or maybe a Riff Raff.
- Bridge: Contemporary (not extreme) HB, like Cols Sweat, or maybe a Nailbomb or a Holydriver.

Maybe you have any ideas or recommendations?

PS: Sorry if my English is not perfect.

[Slartibartfarst42]

Of the bridge pickups you mention I'd say the Cold Sweat is the one that best fits your description. It's hot but not excessively so, it's nice and tight, is bright and clear but not shrill, it's aggressive without being OTT and retains an openness that lets its vintage roots come through. Very versatile for a ceramic pickup.

Although the Nailbomb is surprisingly open sounding, it's also VERY aggressive sounding, with a really hairy edge to it and that's just the alnico version! If your priority is aggression it may well be fine for you. The Rebel Yell is a bit like a Nailbomb taken down a step so that may be an alternative, though that one has more upper mids so can still sound very aggressive.

The Holydiver has aggression but you don't notice it as much because the delivery is so smooth. It's a versatile pickup but you do recognise it as a product of 80s Metal.

Your choice of neck pickup may be affected by the choice you make for the bridge so I'll leave that for now.

[GuitarIv]

I'd stay away from the Holydiver if you want "crunch". The HD has the very organic "roar" kind of sound going on, whereas for "crunch" I'd go Coldsweat or Rebel Yell. If my description makes any sense anyway  :P

Cheers

[Lucas]

as I mentioned before in some other thread, I presume that Nailbomb would be a perfect choice for that application and desired tone.
In all mahogany body from experience I know that it tends to pronounce more mids while having warmer highs as well. Generaly more in dark side.
As you are looking for defined 'bright clear sound' and ' A nice rich-in-treble old-school-style rock sound' it would be slightly too dark with warmer, rounder high end.
Cold Sweat would cope with that much better (I mean bridge pickup). It sounds to me, Cold Sweat definitely.

CBomb (version that I have) is aggressive indeed and also produce old-school-style rock sound but more with pronounced mids and warmer side without that 'rich-in-treble' characteristics in all mahogany axe.
Well in your case that ebony fingerboard might brighten the sound slightly but I wouldn`t expect a miracle. I have rosewood board.

go for CS in the bridge!

[Dave Sloven]

I'm wondering if Emerald neck with Rebel Yell bridge might do the trick here.

[Skilpad]

Thanks for your answers. It reinforces what I thought: I will probably go for a Cold Sweat for the Bridge.

But I am still hesitating for the Neck between a The Mull or a Riff Raff.
(I considered the Emerald like proposed Agent Orange, but I do not really like its clean sound.)

[darkbluemurder]

I think a Rebel Yell set would give you what you want.

The Cold Sweat bridge is also a very nice pickup. If you go that way you could also pair it with the Rebel Yell neck or Holydiver neck. To my ears the Cold Sweat neck is a bit too bassy but that depends on the guitar. 

Cheers Stephan

[Slartibartfarst42]

I'd be inclined to stick with the Cold Sweat bridge and maybe go for a brighter option in the neck like the Rebel Yell, Holydiver or Emerald.

[Skilpad]

Well, after hundreds of listening (ok... often the same samples), I am not a real fan of the Rebel Yell, Holydiver and Emerald (and any contemporary or hot vintage I shall say). I do not really know why, but I clearly prefer The Mule and Riff Raff clear tones.  :/
Still, between both, I am quite hesitating.

[GuitarIv]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-xQJOu9mN8

The extremly talented Josh Wibaut putting a Mule Bridge through it's paces ;)

[Lucas]

To my ears the Cold Sweat neck is a bit too bassy but that depends on the guitar. 

Cheers Stephan

well, to be honest in my all mahogany guitar with maple top I`m happier with CS neck that CBomb bridge. Even in all mahogany axes  like mine CS neck in my opinion is an absolute killer.

[Telerocker]

Well, after hundreds of listening (ok... often the same samples), I am not a real fan of the Rebel Yell, Holydiver and Emerald (and any contemporary or hot vintage I shall say). I do not really know why, but I clearly prefer The Mule and Riff Raff clear tones.  :/
Still, between both, I am quite hesitating.

You really can't go wrong with Mules. If you like a opensounding, dynamic, warm, yet crispy PAF, Mule it is. The bridgepickup cuts well trough the mix, without being harsh. If you want more mids and a tad more output, have a look at the Abraxas. That one is good for Satriani-tones too.

[Skilpad]

Order done!
Thanks for your help.
Advised by Ben (based on musical pieces with the sounds I dream of), it will be:
  - Cold Sweat Bridge
  - Riff Raff Neck
(with push/push pots for extra-fun!)

Soon, some records to hear the result.

[darkbluemurder]

I think that should be a very good combination. Please let us hear how they turned out in your guitar.

Cheers Stephan

[darkandrew]

How did it turn out? I've just ordered a set of Mules for my Eclipse I