Pickups for Suhr Modern

[FunkyMunky]

Hi All, 1st post!

I'm thinking of getting a Suhr Modern as they're really nice to play, and wondering what pickups you'd suggest for the below combination of woods, music types, amp and ambitions. I haven't enjoyed their pups too much, but would probably get Aldriches in as default.

I currently play in a mainly covers band. Music styles from Funk to Punk, via 90s pop-rock (Stereophonics etc) to Kings of Leon or any chart song we fancy rocking up a bit at the moment. However, tonally I'm a massive George Lynch, Jo Satriani and ZZ Top fan. I think it's safe to say I'm not going to be doing any Modern Metal or Djent!

Guitar: Alder body, maple neck, pau ferro or ebony board, with a Floyd in HSH with coil tapping and blower switch.
Amp: Soldano Hot Rod 50+, various effects.

Listening to the Hair Metal clips (it's ok, I'm in my 40s if you hadn't guessed already) I'm leaning towards a Nailbomb, VHII or Holy Diver in the bridge, in that order, but not sure about a neck pup or single coil to best suit splitting and the sort of sounds I'm looking for.

Any suggestions or experience of this would be appreciated.
 

[darrenw5094]

Your 3 guesses seem to be good ones. I would side with the Holy Diver, as the maple neck/ebony board will add some natural highs to the sound. The VH will have a tad more bottom end than the HD. The Nailbomb can do 80's rock if it needs to, probably with some extra highs. So i think you will like any of them.

Imagine spending sooooo much on a Suhr and buying new pup for it. 

[Dave Sloven]

Did you listen to the Rebel Yell?  That's hair metal par excellence.  Don't rule out the Cold Sweat either.  Your guitar might be too bright for a RY though

[FunkyMunky]

Thanks. CS sound pretty good too. The RY clip just sounds a touch dark for me, although that may work nicely on what would be a pretty bright guitar. I think CS, HD or ABomb are now all in the running.

What about pup positions? Are there any mixes that work instead of a set, or is it best to get a matched set, particularly with splitting in mind?

And, yes, Buying replacement pups for an expensive guitar seems awful. I'd give the stock ones a shot though. It's a shame with some of these builders you can't supply your choice of pups to the project, or can you?

[darrenw5094]

No problem mixing pups to suit your playing.

[Telerocker]

Alder, maple body, ebony board screams for a pickup with enough mids. Diver or Crawler would be my first pick. For the neck the Emerald, to have some vintage touch vibe going there. Middlesinglecoil: Irish Tour, can do nearly everything as long it's not metal.