Replace PAF-style pickups in Strat with BKP's

[schneidas]

Very good infos! Thanks very much. 
That gives me a lot to think about

[darkbluemurder]

The thing that worries me about the HD neck is that someone said it sounded a little scooped - this is not something I would like.

How about a cold sweat neck? It seems to be the same as the RY neck, only with a tad more output? Maybe this one is the ticket for me...

If the HD neck is scooped - well - then every PAF type pickup is scooped as well.

The CS neck is similar in tone to the HD neck but has a bit more output and definitely more bass - exactly what I did not like about it.

The Crawler bridge is something I have considered as well, but ruled it out because I think I read that it would be too fat and too middy?
Less tight might be good though, as the guitar is already mighty tight! So I might have to rethink that.

I thought about the Crawler, too. It's a great pickup - very fat and creamy. It sits best in tight, bright and dynamic guitars.

To be honest, I have not heard one clip that would make me choose the RY neck or bridge.
On the other hand, when I heard the clip of the VH2 neck - I was sure this would be a great humbucker for me - but it was immediate dislike with my gear.
So clips are not that reliable.

Fully agree. There are simply too many variables like guitar, amp, other equipment and - last but maybe first on the list - playing style. A pickup I disliked in one guitar can sound very good in another.

Black Dog neck - hmmmm. The clips did not help much. Is it a middier and hotter pickup than the VH2?

No and no - it's less middy and less hot.

You described the VHII neck as "hoarse" - I think you mean exactly what I described in my review of this pickup as "smoky". If that attribute is to be avoided I can assure you that neither the CS, HD, RY or BD neck have it.

Cheers Stephan

[darkbluemurder]

For what you described Rebel Yell would get my vote for the bridge. It has the aggression and fullness while keeping a warm tone, strong output but not going over the top - in no way a distortion pickup. Holydiver would also be good but that is definitely a more modern sounding pickup.

Heh Rebel Yell NOT a distortion pickup.  That, my dear sir, depends entirely on the guitar and the amp it is being used with.

Where did I say the RY bridge was a distortion pickup? I said exactly the opposite.

I agree that the amp probably has more influence on the final sound. If the amp does not distort right, a different pickup will probably not be enough to get you there. Yet there are pickups that have such high output that they push some amps inputs so much that it is difficult to get a clean tone. These I would call "distortion pickups". I cannot think of one BKP that would fit in this category, not even the Alnico Nailbomb or Miracle Man (have not played a Warpig or Painkiller though).

BTW I fully agree to your description of the Rebel Yell.

Cheers Stephan

[schneidas]

The thing that worries me about the HD neck is that someone said it sounded a little scooped - this is not something I would like.

How about a cold sweat neck? It seems to be the same as the RY neck, only with a tad more output? Maybe this one is the ticket for me...

If the HD neck is scooped - well - then every PAF type pickup is scooped as well.

The CS neck is similar in tone to the HD neck but has a bit more output and definitely more bass - exactly what I did not like about it.

The Crawler bridge is something I have considered as well, but ruled it out because I think I read that it would be too fat and too middy?
Less tight might be good though, as the guitar is already mighty tight! So I might have to rethink that.

I thought about the Crawler, too. It's a great pickup - very fat and creamy. It sits best in tight, bright and dynamic guitars.

To be honest, I have not heard one clip that would make me choose the RY neck or bridge.
On the other hand, when I heard the clip of the VH2 neck - I was sure this would be a great humbucker for me - but it was immediate dislike with my gear.
So clips are not that reliable.

Fully agree. There are simply too many variables like guitar, amp, other equipment and - last but maybe first on the list - playing style. A pickup I disliked in one guitar can sound very good in another.

Black Dog neck - hmmmm. The clips did not help much. Is it a middier and hotter pickup than the VH2?

No and no - it's less middy and less hot.

You described the VHII neck as "hoarse" - I think you mean exactly what I described in my review of this pickup as "smoky". If that attribute is to be avoided I can assure you that neither the CS, HD, RY or BD neck have it.

Cheers Stephan

Cheers!
That actually helps a lot!
Yes, smokey is a word that would describe my "hoarse" reference much more accurately! Kudos sir! :)

Actually, you're description of the Crawler bridge sounds like it would be PERFECT for this guitar as it is balanced (very slightly on the brighter side) but really tight, very loud and super resonant.
So I think I found my bridge pickup! :)

Great! If CS, RY, HD and BD have none of that smokey quality - I should be good with either one.

[Telerocker]

That's why I pointed at the sometimes forgotten Crawler. It growls like a bear when pushed and solonotes keep weight above the 12th fret.

[case report]

Talked about Cold Sweat neck on my thread

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31756.0

I'm not satisfied with CS because on leads it sounds thin, too bright... far away from Dave Murray neck sound that I'm looking for
I'm pretty sure it depends on my charvel guitar characteristics, so as a substitute I thought about Crawler neck

[Telerocker]

I was talking about the Crawler-bridge. The neck is one of the warmest in the BKP-range. Abraxas-neck could be an alternative. It has a little more chime.

[schneidas]

I'm pretty set on the Crawler bridge.


Here are some really interesting quotes after further inquiry with Ben & Tim on neck pickups, that I would not want to keep to myself, as I'm sure it can be of good help to anyone researching these models:

"The Cold Sweat neck is fatter than the VHII and BD neck. The BD neck is a little sharper and offers a blend of classic power but with cut."

"The HD neck is slightly stronger than the BD neck, more sustain, smoother too. The RY neck is rounder, still quite strong, but classic too."

And here's the reply from Tim regarding the difference of the Mule / Abraxas / Emerald neck:

"the Abraxas neck has a little more output and more mid range compared to the slightly flatter response of The Mule.
The Emerald neck is darker in the mid range with quite a bit more output by comparison because it is wound with a finer wire gauge."

Based on this info I'm pretty much leaning to the BD neck with a slight consideration for the Abraxas neck as well! 

[schneidas]

HD neck also considered. Damn!