Metal pickups for LP Studio

[46nd2]

Hey guys!

I am new to the BKP forums and really pickup replacement in general. I recently acquired a Les Paul Studio and I am looking into installing some BKP in it.

From what I've seen/heard so far, I really like the Miracle Man. It seems like it would be really nice in the bridge. However, I kind of wanted to put something else in the neck, the thing is, I am not sure what would be a good fit. It's hard to go off the sound clips because they all kind of sound the same to me lol.

I am going for a hard rock/metal sound, like Tool, Mastodon, Metallica. I will be using a Marshall DSL combo, so I can get a pretty good amount of gain if I want it. I just don't want anything TOO gainy. For instance, I already know I wouldn't want anything along the lines of "djent" or metalcore. Just heavy sounding rock/ old school metal that I can clean up if I need to

Sorry if I sound noobish I just was wondering if anyone had any advice for me. I may end up going with 2 Miracle Man but I was kind of hoping to get two different types to add a bit of versatility. And I want it to sound good when I have it switched to middle.

So to sum it up, What would sound good with the Miracle Man based on my description of what I am looking for?

Thanks!

[Dave Sloven]

Cold Sweat neck

[Kiichi]

Hi and welcome mate.

Firstly, the thing about the BKP matched sets are that the neck is not based on the bridge, but rather its own design made to play well with the other. The Aftermath bridge and neck for example work really well as a unit, but share very little DNA. So I would not count out the MM neck on that principle.

The MM bridge can really deliver what you want. It is based on that heavy and fat 80s metal sound (the Holydiver and RY do the other two). If your LP is not super dark it can do just the sounds you describe.

For the neck the matched of course works, but the Cold Sweat neck works well also and delivers a more organic tone by comparison.

[Lucas]

wouldn`t MM bridge be a bit too dark in LP? What about CS set instead?

[Kiichi]

wouldn`t MM bridge be a bit too dark in LP? What about CS set instead?

Possible. Depends on the exact voicing of the wood. Since the MM is reliant on low mids and high end for its sound with non emphasized mid & high mids it can work in a LP when those are the dominant frequencies in it. This does happen. If the guitar however is low mid heavy the MM or course is not optimal and the CS would be a better choice while still following the same general vibe.

Definetly good to raise caution as you did.

[Lucas]

wouldn`t MM bridge be a bit too dark in LP? What about CS set instead?

Possible. Depends on the exact voicing of the wood. Since the MM is reliant on low mids and high end for its sound with non emphasized mid & high mids it can work in a LP when those are the dominant frequencies in it. This does happen. If the guitar however is low mid heavy the MM or course is not optimal and the CS would be a better choice while still following the same general vibe.

Definetly good to raise caution as you did.

I think that MM is even darker than CBomb, and I find CBomb more on the dark side in my LP style Caddy.

[darrenw5094]

Never heard of the Nailbomb being dark. That's a new one on me.

[Dave Sloven]

I'm pretty sure the Cold Sweat set would do a great job here.  The Miracle Man offers more output, but might be a little dark.  It's been used with success in Les Pauls previously, and the clips are recorded in a Les Paul, but there are variations and the Cold Sweat bridge is probably the safest bet.

[46nd2]

Okay, so you guys all think the Cold Sweat would deliver more of what I'm looking for?

Side Q: Doesn't the bridge always sound more trebley by default? So wouldn't putting a darker sounding pup in the bridge negate some of that darkness? And vice versa for the neck?

[Lucas]

I would say Cold Sweat without the doubt.

answer to your question is:
Yes, but you also have to remember then pickups as getting designed, that issue is certainly put on the board as well. That`s why you have darker sets like MM and brighter like CS despite more trebly bridge, you also have dark voiced bridge pickup to suit different guitars and different tone woods.

[46nd2]

I would say Cold Sweat without the doubt.

answer to your question is:
Yes, but you also have to remember then pickups as getting designed, that issue is certainly put on the board as well. That`s why you have darker sets like MM and brighter like CS despite more trebly bridge, you also have dark voiced bridge pickup to suit different guitars and different tone woods.

Sweet then that is what I will go with! I can't wait to rock out with these things when I get them put in. Thanks for all the input guys 

[Dave Sloven]

You won't be sorry.  There's a reason why the Cold Sweat set is a favourite of Jonathan at Feline Guitars.  It's just a really, really good set and it really suits Gibsons and Gibson style guitars like his Lion model.  It's very clear, powerful, and versatile.

[darrenw5094]

You won't be sorry.  There's a reason why the Cold Sweat set is a favourite of Jonathan at Feline Guitars.  It's just a really, really good set and it really suits Gibsons and Gibson style guitars like his Lion model.  It's very clear, powerful, and versatile.

Thinking of swapping an A-Bomb in my Tokai LP for a CS bridge myself. Is the CS 'Modern' sounding or a general Rock tone?

[Dave Sloven]

I don't think it is especially modern sounding.  To me it is a late '70s or early '80s sound if you were going to put a time period on it. I find that I am able to get much more (pre-Painkiller) Judas Priest type sounds out of it than via the Nailbomb. It can also do those early Metallica and Slayer tones.  I've never tried tuning down with it but I guess you might be able to get Venom as well.  I couldn't get a Venom tone with a Warpig.  You can get that kind of crispy high end out of Cold Sweat when you  need it.  Actually I think you can get most NWOBHM humbucker tones out of the CS.

[darrenw5094]

I don't think it is especially modern sounding.  To me it is a late '70s or early '80s sound if you were going to put a time period on it. I find that I am able to get much more (pre-Painkiller) Judas Priest type sounds out of it than via the Nailbomb. It can also do those early Metallica and Slayer tones.  I've never tried tuning down with it but I guess you might be able to get Venom as well.  I couldn't get a Venom tone with a Warpig.  You can get that kind of crispy high end out of Cold Sweat when you  need it.  Actually I think you can get most NWOBHM humbucker tones out of the CS.

Sounds more 80's hard rock tha the modern 90's then.