Replacing A-bomb set for something a little brighter - suggestions?

[jesperbc]

I've been playing around with my MH-1000 lately, both on my POD HD500X and at band practice on my Orange TH100, and I've realized that I actually kind of like the bridge A-bomb, because it's so responsive and has a lot of bite, I've started contemplating just replacing the neck pickup.

Would the Cold Sweat neck pickup be a good match for the A-bomb in the bridge? Would an Emerald match in output as well? The lack of bottom in the Emerald might be the solution, as the neck Nailbomb is very boomy, no matter how I adjust the height.

Would a HSP90 like the Nantucket or the Mississippi Queen be a good match for the A-bomb?

[Lucas]

Would the Cold Sweat neck pickup be a good match for the A-bomb in the bridge? Would an Emerald match in output as well? The lack of bottom in the Emerald might be the solution, as the neck Nailbomb is very boomy, no matter how I adjust the height.

Would a HSP90 like the Nantucket or the Mississippi Queen be a good match for the A-bomb?

It depends what you`re after. Keep in mind that CS neck has quite a lot of bass and lacks a bit of cut as well. I have one in Dean Caddy and to me if it would have a bit more overall cut it would be a perfect neck pup.
Apparently Emerald neck is more something in between vintage and modern voicing and I presume has more defined, cutting sound while CS to me is more fired up PAF

[darrenw5094]

Lol, the Nailbomb has never been desribed as boomy before.
It does cut through though. I have an A Bomb paired with a Cold Sweat neck in a Les Paul and they match out nicely

[Dave Sloven]

You should also consider the Rebel Yell neck.

Like the CS neck, but a bit brighter.

[jesperbc]

Lol, the Nailbomb has never been desribed as boomy before.
It does cut through though. I have an A Bomb paired with a Cold Sweat neck in a Les Paul and they match out nicely

The bridge isn't boomy, it's super tight, but the neck is all over the place. I can't seem to adjust it properly. Add to that, it sounds weak when I use overdrive and distortion. I have a Tele with a Piledriver set and a Strat, and both sound awesome when played on the neck pickup with any amount of gain, but the Nailbomb neck just leaves me disappointed.

Nobody has commented on my search for a HSP90. Has noone tried these?

[jesperbc]

Ben French of BKP sales support just recommended the VHII neck PU to match the A-bomb bridge. I guess that's it. I hadn't considered it and noone suggested it, but what do you think of this suggestion?

Regards.

Hi Jesper,

...

You ask for three things - a PAF tone, something that balances the bridge best, and you are not sure whether you want a humbucker or a P90.

If you want a PAF type tone then you will need a humbucker for sure as they are smoother and more mid focused compared to P90s.

I often recommend the VHII with a Nailbomb bridge. It's not too dark or wallowy, it is very smooth and clean and uses the same wire type and gauge as the Mule and Stormy Monday (so giving it a PAF-like edge). Alnico v magnet will give it the punch and attack. Great in a warmer-bodied guitar such as yours.

...

Kind Regards,

Ben French

[JimmyMoorby]

In the mh1000 id go for a cold sweat neck.  Cold sweat neck sounds ace in mahogony.

EDIT - It matches up perfectly with the nailbomb.

VHii would work but I think the cold sweat is betteer in mahog....vhii for alder etc IMO  Cant comment on rebel yell neck.

[Lucas]

In the mh1000 id go for a cold sweat neck.  Cold sweat neck sounds ace in mahogony

is it only me, or CS neck might get a bit too dark on lower notes in all mahogany guitar?

[darkbluemurder]

In the mh1000 id go for a cold sweat neck.  Cold sweat neck sounds ace in mahogony

is it only me, or CS neck might get a bit too dark on lower notes in all mahogany guitar?

Not only you - I had the same result in a mahogany body/maple cap guitar w/ mahogany neck. The Holydiver neck worked better for me.

Cheers Stephan

[Lucas]

In the mh1000 id go for a cold sweat neck.  Cold sweat neck sounds ace in mahogony

is it only me, or CS neck might get a bit too dark on lower notes in all mahogany guitar?

Not only you - I had the same result in a mahogany body/maple cap guitar w/ mahogany neck. The Holydiver neck worked better for me.

Cheers Stephan

That issue is especially highlighted with distortion, for instance starting some solos on lower strings around first 5 frets results in a bassy and dark mush, on the higher registers that pickup shines but still lacks a bit of cut to me. A tiny bit.

I`ve also found that it`s quite loud pickup which:
1. is louder that CBomb bridge and
2. overpowers tonally the bridge pickup in the middle position (which in my case is not a bad thing at all)

On the other hand, cleans are wonderful indeed.

[JimmyMoorby]

I can see what you mean but having had a cold sweat neck in several guitars and having owned an mh1000 I think it'd be a good fit.

EDIT - I my self have found the cold sweat neck can lack cut but it depends on the guitar.  I'm sure with the John Sykes link BKP intended for it to fit in Les Pauls etc but we all have different ears and tastes.

[AnnunakiMassacr]

I just thought I'd chime in here. I have the Rebel Yell neck in an ESP Eclipse and it is fantastic. I've heard many people say it's like a Cold Sweat neck, but brighter. I can't comment on that as I've never played the CS neck. But the Rebel Yell neck is great for shred. I find when shredding on it, it is tremendous fun. My only downfall is that I now play my Eclipse a lot more than my other guitar which I use for solo work. The downfall being it's harder to play on the higher frets haha. But I discovered these qualities when playing Vinnie Moore style music, as well as Synyster Gates style shred solos. The notes are just super articulate. The strange thing with these pickups is that it makes you play better. But not in a "it makes you work harder" kind of way. I just found, when I was learning the solo to Lifeforce by Vinnie Moore (check it out if you want to know what I mean), I started off at a lower speed and built up. And now when I play the solo, it sounds so smooth, articulate, and clear. I originally thought it must have made me a better player as I originally just thought because they were so clear, it made me aware of my mistakes, so I learnt to play it properly. But then I went to play the solo on my SD Jazz, and it sounded really muddy, and almost like my playing was sloppy. I can't explain it, but I just love the Rebel Yell neck. The thing that's an added bonus is that it has a great feel to it as well for more emotional guitar playing. I just thought I'd add this in anyways :)