cold sweats or rebel yells?

[Slartibartfarst42]

Absolutely nothing you've said or provided links to has shaken my belief that either the Cold Sweat or Holydiver is what you're after. If you want things a bit tighter and more open, get the Cold Sweat and if you prefer things thicker and smoother, it's the Holydiver. Both will do what you want.

[leolyonsofficial]

Cold Sweat neck and Holy Diver bridge?

Or Rebel Yell all the way?

[darrenw5094]

The Rebel Yell is more 'Modern' voiced than the HD. It is a Nailbomb tonewise, but is low gain.
You mentioned keys in your opening post, which is something the RY works well with.

The HD is 80's rock tone and the RY is more modern sounding, so it depends on wether you prefer the classic tone or modern one.

[leolyonsofficial]

The Rebel Yell is more 'Modern' voiced than the HD. It is a Nailbomb tonewise, but is low gain.
You mentioned keys in your opening post, which is something the RY works well with.

The HD is 80's rock tone and the RY is more modern sounding, so it depends on wether you prefer the classic tone or modern one.

Its just that the clean of the Yell sounds useable on a les paul whereas the others sound to thick and muddy.

I like the idea of a modern sounding pickup but someone said the yells expose your every mistake!

[Dave Sloven]

The Cold Sweat is not thick and muddy.

You might find the RY a little lacking in bottom end in some applications

[Wayne_S]

Yes the RY's are a more modern affair. They cut like the bejesus too !! At first I thought it was bright bright but no its more cut than bright. Its tight and very VERY dynamic to your playing. The distortion character moves around with your attack so plan on being blown away or improving your chops !!! Buddy of mine came over and first riff he payed was "Still Of The Night" and it was damn similar.

Pure on vintage tone is not the RY's calling card but it has enough vintage sound keeping it from being overly aggressive and harsh. Great with the guitars volume knob and the neck RY is my favorite neck model pup by any manufacture. I was very surprised with that and now use the neck more often.

[Yellowjacket]

Yes the RY's are a more modern affair. They cut like the bejesus too !! At first I thought it was bright bright but no its more cut than bright. Its tight and very VERY dynamic to your playing. The distortion character moves around with your attack so plan on being blown away or improving your chops !!! Buddy of mine came over and first riff he payed was "Still Of The Night" and it was damn similar.

Pure on vintage tone is not the RY's calling card but it has enough vintage sound keeping it from being overly aggressive and harsh. Great with the guitars volume knob and the neck RY is my favorite neck model pup by any manufacture. I was very surprised with that and now use the neck more often.

Great review.  True on all points.