Pickups for Gibby Explorer

[jroc]

Hi!

New Here...

I just got a 2001 Gibby Explorer with Rosewood Fingerboard. Fantastic Player. Guitar came with the stock 500T pickup in the bridge. While the guitar has a lot of balls there's no clarity or distinct character. The sound is also very dark.

This will be a rhythm guitar which I want to use for mainly thrash metal, although I do like Chevelle, Godsmack and a few other more modern bands.
Looking for suggestions on which BK Pickups to use.

Thx!

[Dave Sloven]

Probably a Rebel Yell or an alnico Nailbomb would suit best, or maybe a Black Hawk.

I'm sure others will have something to say

[darrenw5094]

Nailbomb being the obvious, but if the Explorer is middy, then the Ceramic Nailbomb would be better choice than Alnico version.

[jroc]

Thanks guys! I can get a used Ceramic Nailbomb at a very good price, maybe I'll try that first. If I don't like it then I won't lose anything.

[darrenw5094]

Good idea. Modern type tones in that one.

[Telerocker]

I would not rule out a Cold Sweat-set. They perform very well in Explorers.

[littleredguitars2]

just my two cents. i swapped out the 500t in my les paul for a rebel yell and i found the 2 to have a very similar voice to them. weird, but true. overall the RY was better, more clear etc. when i had an explorer, i swapped out the 500t 496r for EMG 81 85s and i liked it. and those are supposed to be similar to the blackhawk in character so you may like that. not sure.

overall though i think i'd agree with a nailbomb for the type of music you're goin for.

[darkbluemurder]

Alnico Nailbomb would probably be too dark so I agree with the Ceramic Nailbomb suggestion. Cold Sweat would be good, too.

Cheers Stephan

[jroc]

Thanks for the all input guys.

I'm trying to snag up this used Ceramic nailbomb. If I don't like it then I'll try the cold sweat set.

[littleredguitars2]

Good luck.  Hopefully it's what you're looking for

[jroc]

I ended up going with the Ceramic Nailbomb in the bridge and the Alnico Bomb in the neck - matched set.

sounds Way better!! For such a high gain pickup it's woody and open sounding. surprisingly versatile to me anyways. Neck sounds great too.

[littleredguitars2]

that fast? geez. i wish i could have my bare knuckles that quick. usually takes me at least 2 weeks (a friggen month for my juggernaut) to get my pickups

[jroc]

There's a local dealer in my city and they had a set in stock! I installed them today no problems.

now what else can I mod? :)

[Kiichi]

now what else can I mod? :)

Well there are always push/pull potis and such. Splits, series, out of phase, etc...

[littleredguitars2]

There's a local dealer in my city and they had a set in stock! I installed them today no problems.

now what else can I mod? :)

You have no idea how lucky you are