Ceramic Black Hawk bridge- Anyone ever tried one in E, Eb, D standard?

[p4vl]

So more than half of the demos on youtube of the Ceramic Black Hawk are guys using them in 7-string guitars (the other half are guys playing djenty stuff that doesn't help me form an opinion about the C-Hawk).  Are they any good for high gain rhythm in E, Eb, D standard? 

I've had my RG2550 tuned to B standard for years but I'm getting a little bored with being tuned so low.  All my research into a new pickup keeps coming back to the C-Hawk but I'd hate to find out that it sounds like your average high output humbucker when tuned to Eb.

[JimmyMoorby]

I only have experience with the alnico black hawk in e flat and its a fantastic pickup.  It feels very powerful and high output to me a lot more tone and chunk than say an emg 81.  Amazing for chunky rythms and hi gain leads.

Only used the bridge so cant comment on a set but the bridge to my ears is aimed at metal players only.  I wouldnt be scared to try one.  You'll never know if you like it or not but it has a unique voice compared to the pickups its competing with.  Much better tone than an emg 81 or Duncan Distortion say.

If you like chunky palm mutes its the best pickup ive ever used for that although the alnico one would prolly be better than the ceramic for that........

I intend to get a set in the future again with the right guitar.  I wanted put a black hawk in the bridge on my les paul but many people I spoke to said I should try the painkiller first as it works well in mahogony etc

[FELINEGUITARS]

I have played one a umber of times. In a regular tuned guitar and I really like it.

It gives a funny perception of being hotter than it actually is
According to it's DC resistance you'd expect it to be like a fat PAF pickup and in many ways it is.
However there are some clever construction details that change the sound

1 the deeper coil allows the pickup to have more top and bottom frequencies to the tone so rather than having a bloated overwound PAF which would be a bit mid heavy you get a more balanced tone like a blend of PAF and tele bridge. This is where the comparisons with an active pickup come in via the extended frequency range

2  the triple ceramic magnet used gives a different magnetic field and results in a more saturated sound, so again letting it punch above it's weight.

3 the coil is wound with Formvar coated wire which is a thicker insulation than the normal plain enamel or Polysol, and this s lightly alters the tone too as each wrap of copper wire is help slightly further away from it's neighbour. There is a capacitance effect that comes into effect and makes the resultant tone a bit warmer or fatter (in my experience)

In conclusion the black hawk is a pickup that still sounds like aMule or suchlike but kicks like a cold sweat or nail bomb. It's very interesting.

[p4vl]

You'll never know if you like it or not but it has a unique voice compared to the pickups its competing with.  Much better tone than an emg 81 or Duncan Distortion say.

Funny you should mention the DD, that's what I've got in my RG2550 and while it's one of the best bridge HB I've ever used, in an Ibanez RG it lacks low end.  The lows or fast tracking lows or whatever the term is is one of the things that attracts me to the C-Hawk. 

Now I have to go make up a box for my old amp so I can sell it and afford a C-hawk.

[JimmyMoorby]

The alnico black hawk definitely had more low end than the duncan distortion.  If the ceramic has an equally big low end youll be happy.

Only thing id say is dont discount the alnico black hawk particularly as youre playing in proper tunings these days 

[p4vl]

The alnico black hawk definitely had more low end than the duncan distortion.  If the ceramic has an equally big low end youll be happy.

Only thing id say is dont discount the alnico black hawk particularly as youre playing in proper tunings these days 

In my experience, A5 HB can have more bass but it is less tight and focused (I have a BG Hellabucker that is 17k w/A5; thick as hell and great for slow heavy stuff, but can't do thrash/death/grind/black, even if I put a C8 or A8 mag in it).  For E/Eb/D, I'd definitely prefer the ceramic.

[JimmyMoorby]

The alnico black hawk definitely had more low end than the duncan distortion.  If the ceramic has an equally big low end youll be happy.

Only thing id say is dont discount the alnico black hawk particularly as youre playing in proper tunings these days 

In my experience, A5 HB can have more bass but it is less tight and focused (I have a BG Hellabucker that is 17k w/A5; thick as hell and great for slow heavy stuff, but can't do thrash/death/grind/black, even if I put a C8 or A8 mag in it).  For E/Eb/D, I'd definitely prefer the ceramic.

No arguments from me its all down to taste.

[p4vl]

More questions, not related to tuning:  In spite of having 3-channels, my new Ampeg VL503 is old-school high gain; unlike modern amps such as 5150's, Rectos, Diezel, etc. that have so much gain on tap that you can get a metal tone with PAF's, you really have to club this thing over the head.  The Sh6 gets super shrill when it's pushed close to the strings, so I keep it backed away which doesn't help the output problem. 

I need something that can push an amp and has a thick tone.

Would the Black Hawk do well pushing an old school high gain amp, or is it more for modern amps?  Should I be looking at the Warpig for my Ibanez?

[Kiichi]

IŽd rather look into pedals for what you are looking for. Yes a hot, and therefore more compressed PU will also help, however pedals like a booster, overdrive, and a compressor will likely do a lot more and open up more possibilities in general. Once that bottom line is done you can put a multitude of different guitars and PUs into the amp and get stuff done.

I would mostly suggest a proper overdrive. Can not tell if you would prefer the tubescreamer variety (mid hump) or the others though. When in doubt see if our dear Juansolo is currently selling some of his glorious Klon clones again (or something else for that matter, so much brilliant stuff from that man). That pedal does amazing transparent overdrive (best I have ever tried) or just boost. Lotta usable positions. A Zvex Super Hard On, or a much cheaper clone thereof, is what I think is top of the boost world.
To further fatten things up a good compressor goes a long way too. Not sure what would be best for you there. Experts like Juansolo and others could tell you.

So I would look into those things first, and then add the PU. They are likely to make more initial headway than just a PU and whatever one you might get after will be greatly enhanced by them as well if set right.

[p4vl]

IŽd rather look into pedals for what you are looking for. Yes a hot, and therefore more compressed PU will also help, however pedals like a booster, overdrive, and a compressor will likely do a lot more and open up more possibilities in general. Once that bottom line is done you can put a multitude of different guitars and PUs into the amp and get stuff done.

I would mostly suggest a proper overdrive. Can not tell if you would prefer the tubescreamer variety (mid hump) or the others though. When in doubt see if our dear Juansolo is currently selling some of his glorious Klon clones again (or something else for that matter, so much brilliant stuff from that man). That pedal does amazing transparent overdrive (best I have ever tried) or just boost. Lotta usable positions. A Zvex Super Hard On, or a much cheaper clone thereof, is what I think is top of the boost world.
To further fatten things up a good compressor goes a long way too. Not sure what would be best for you there. Experts like Juansolo and others could tell you.

So I would look into those things first, and then add the PU. They are likely to make more initial headway than just a PU and whatever one you might get after will be greatly enhanced by them as well if set right.

I've got plenty of OD's: Way Huge Green Rhino, Hardwire CM-2, Digitech Bad Monkey, the Joyo Ultimate and Vintage OD's (stop giggling), and an MXR 10-band EQ.  I'm a bedroom player, so I almost always have one of my OD on. 

No OD or EQ pedal or pedal of any kind can dial out the fact that a pickup is wrong for your setup.  I have tried. 

[Kiichi]

IŽd rather look into pedals for what you are looking for. Yes a hot, and therefore more compressed PU will also help, however pedals like a booster, overdrive, and a compressor will likely do a lot more and open up more possibilities in general. Once that bottom line is done you can put a multitude of different guitars and PUs into the amp and get stuff done.

I would mostly suggest a proper overdrive. Can not tell if you would prefer the tubescreamer variety (mid hump) or the others though. When in doubt see if our dear Juansolo is currently selling some of his glorious Klon clones again (or something else for that matter, so much brilliant stuff from that man). That pedal does amazing transparent overdrive (best I have ever tried) or just boost. Lotta usable positions. A Zvex Super Hard On, or a much cheaper clone thereof, is what I think is top of the boost world.
To further fatten things up a good compressor goes a long way too. Not sure what would be best for you there. Experts like Juansolo and others could tell you.

So I would look into those things first, and then add the PU. They are likely to make more initial headway than just a PU and whatever one you might get after will be greatly enhanced by them as well if set right.

I've got plenty of OD's: Way Huge Green Rhino, Hardwire CM-2, Digitech Bad Monkey, the Joyo Ultimate and Vintage OD's (stop giggling), and an MXR 10-band EQ.  I'm a bedroom player, so I almost always have one of my OD on. 

No OD or EQ pedal or pedal of any kind can dial out the fact that a pickup is wrong for your setup.  I have tried.

Ok, then disregard my post.^^
It can not dial it out, but it sounded like you were way off from what you want and I assumed a pickup change alone would not get you there (really just going by sound here).

[p4vl]

Ok, then disregard my post.^^
It can not dial it out, but it sounded like you were way off from what you want and I assumed a pickup change alone would not get you there (really just going by sound here).

Sorry about that.  People that ask for advice about pickups and don't post their rig and style is one of my pet peeves, D'oh! 

Aside from OD's and EQ's: Ampeg VL-503 w/GE 6550's (used as head), Lopo 2x12 w/Eminence v128's (Also a XXX 212 w/KT77's, also used as head).  I play metal rhythm. 

[p4vl]

Only thing id say is dont discount the alnico black hawk particularly as youre playing in proper tunings these days 

I am curious about the A5 BH Bridge.  Then again, I have a BG Hellabucker in my other guitar which is a thick & hot A5 bridge pickup and I don't need redundancies.

I haven't changed tunings and don't plan to.  I just want to know if the BH can cover more traditional tunings in case I get whimsical.

[littleredguitars2]

would a blackhawk work well in an explorer? i've been realling GASing for an explorer and i'm wondering what pickup i'd like to try. i've been wanting to try a blackhawk for a long time.