Just about to order new pickups (HD/VHII) What are your thoughts?

[AnnunakiMassacr]

About to order the HD/VHII combo for my MusicMan JP XI. What do people think of this combo? Really looking forward to them :)

[Duck2587]

VHII neck has great reviews. I have never used it but I have used the HD and I don't like them at all. The output did not match the description on the website at all. No matter how much I adjusted the pick ups or amp, I could never get a good sound out of them. I tried them in 3 different guitars too. Maybe I got a set that was wound too weak or like cr@p. I traded it in for the mules and the mules are amazing. They can do anything. I play mostly metal and lead and they handle it just as well as my other BKP's (BH and Warpig) 

[AnnunakiMassacr]

Well that's a good start to get me excited o.O haha. I think with BKPs, the clarity gives the impression pickups are less output. Plus you've also got to remember: not to judge the output of a pickup by the numbers on BKPs site.

[darkbluemurder]

... but I have used the HD and I don't like them at all. The output did not match the description on the website at all. No matter how much I adjusted the pick ups or amp, I could never get a good sound out of them. I tried them in 3 different guitars too. Maybe I got a set that was wound too weak or like cr@p. I traded it in for the mules and the mules are amazing. They can do anything. I play mostly metal and lead and they handle it just as well as my other BKP's (BH and Warpig) 

That does not sound like my Holydivers. Had them also in different guitars and they sounded great in any of them. Matter of personal preference of course. But your review of the Mules reads like they are something I should try as well.

Cheers Stephan

[Duck2587]

... but I have used the HD and I don't like them at all. The output did not match the description on the website at all. No matter how much I adjusted the pick ups or amp, I could never get a good sound out of them. I tried them in 3 different guitars too. Maybe I got a set that was wound too weak or like cr@p. I traded it in for the mules and the mules are amazing. They can do anything. I play mostly metal and lead and they handle it just as well as my other BKP's (BH and Warpig) 

That does not sound like my Holydivers. Had them also in different guitars and they sounded great in any of them. Matter of personal preference of course. But your review of the Mules reads like they are something I should try as well.

Cheers Stephan

Yeah the mules really took me by surprise. Tim went on a limb and pushed the mules, I listened and couldn't be any happier. I love them for leads. 

[seancorker]

VHII neck has great reviews. I have never used it but I have used the HD and I don't like them at all. The output did not match the description on the website at all. No matter how much I adjusted the pick ups or amp, I could never get a good sound out of them. I tried them in 3 different guitars too. Maybe I got a set that was wound too weak or like cr@p. I traded it in for the mules and the mules are amazing. They can do anything. I play mostly metal and lead and they handle it just as well as my other BKP's (BH and Warpig) 

I didn't like the HD either but I found the mids too compressed and too much bass end for an '80's rooted pickup.

[m t soule]

VHII neck has great reviews. I have never used it but I have used the HD and I don't like them at all. The output did not match the description on the website at all. No matter how much I adjusted the pick ups or amp, I could never get a good sound out of them. I tried them in 3 different guitars too. Maybe I got a set that was wound too weak or like cr@p. I traded it in for the mules and the mules are amazing. They can do anything. I play mostly metal and lead and they handle it just as well as my other BKP's (BH and Warpig) 

I didn't like the HD either but I found the mids too compressed and too much bass end for an '80's rooted pickup.

I found in my set up that I wanted slightly more bass. Weird world of pick ups eh!

[seancorker]

VHII neck has great reviews. I have never used it but I have used the HD and I don't like them at all. The output did not match the description on the website at all. No matter how much I adjusted the pick ups or amp, I could never get a good sound out of them. I tried them in 3 different guitars too. Maybe I got a set that was wound too weak or like cr@p. I traded it in for the mules and the mules are amazing. They can do anything. I play mostly metal and lead and they handle it just as well as my other BKP's (BH and Warpig) 

I didn't like the HD either but I found the mids too compressed and too much bass end for an '80's rooted pickup.

I found in my set up that I wanted slightly more bass. Weird world of pick ups eh!

Certainly is! Maybe it was the amp. I'm going through a Cornford which has shed loads of bottom end anyway. It could be a different story with a Marshall.

[Archlute]

I use a HD/Emerald combo on a typical maple/basswood Premium RG through a Mesa Mk V, and the HD sounds phenomenal.  By far the best bridge pickup I've ever used for shreddy prog rock music. 

The Emerald is really good too, and one of the commonly recommended pairings, along with the VHII, for the HD.  It sounds especially sweet when running the neck in parallel coils, and gets both beautiful cleans, as well as a really great blues tone (especially through a nildly breaking up Vox). 

That being said, and this may apply to the HD?VHII combo as well, I have a little trouble balancing the output between the Emerald and HD when moving between the bridge and neck within a solo.  I've adjusted pickup heights, and still sometimes find the need to use the Mk V solo boost to nudge it into the front to keep pace with the bridge.  I may end up trying an Alnico Cold Sweat to match it a little better, as that was suggested by their tech team for getting a more powerful and focused neck tone for my style of music.  I really, really love the sound of both the VHII and Emerald in the neck though, so I'm worried I may miss it a bit, matching output problems and all!

[Duck2587]

I use a HD/Emerald combo on a typical maple/basswood Premium RG through a Mesa Mk V, and the HD sounds phenomenal.  By far the best bridge pickup I've ever used for shreddy prog rock music. 

The Emerald is really good too, and one of the commonly recommended pairings, along with the VHII, for the HD.  It sounds especially sweet when running the neck in parallel coils, and gets both beautiful cleans, as well as a really great blues tone (especially through a nildly breaking up Vox). 

That being said, and this may apply to the HD?VHII combo as well, I have a little trouble balancing the output between the Emerald and HD when moving between the bridge and neck within a solo.  I've adjusted pickup heights, and still sometimes find the need to use the Mk V solo boost to nudge it into the front to keep pace with the bridge.  I may end up trying an Alnico Cold Sweat to match it a little better, as that was suggested by their tech team for getting a more powerful and focused neck tone for my style of music.  I really, really love the sound of both the VHII and Emerald in the neck though, so I'm worried I may miss it a bit, matching output problems and all!

The Cold sweat is a great neck pick up. It's usually for darker sounding guitars but I have used it in alder maple combo and it sounded just as good and fluid. Not weak but not too hot. Just right. Try it out and SHRED ON!