Holy Divers, Rebel Yells or Cold Sweats

[schneidas]

Ok I've been doing a lot of research, spoke to Ben and heard a few clips. Turns out my Les Paul Standard will be happiest with one set of those. Music played will be 80s and 90s Iron Maiden and a few other 80s and 90s Rock stuff.
i first thought RY's. But the guitars is slightly on the brighter side so I thought a ser of HD's could be better suited. But I also read very good things about the CS's regarding the tones I seek (amps are hot rodded Marshalls - I play only distorted). Each time I'm set on a pickup the other one seems nicer again.
What do you reckon?

[schneidas]

Sorry for the typos - was writing on my phone :)

[Dave Sloven]

You might be happiest with a CS bridge & HD neck

I imagine that might be the best combo for what the sounds you want

[ericsabbath]

check this holy diver video:
https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=32854.0

that's straight into a dan gower hot rodded marshall, but the diver benefits a lot from booster pedals

[Telerocker]

I tend to say Divers too. What amp(s) you have?

[schneidas]

Thanks so far... that's really a tough one 

Amp wise, I'm running a Kemper amp with models of JCM800 and other hot rodded Marshalls, like a JVM and JCM2000 etc.

I was set on Rebel yells, but then the Holy Diver appeared and now I'm even contemplating the Cold Sweat / HD combo... choices, choices 

[schneidas]

Let me throw in one more pickup set that just came to my attention: the Juggernaut.
Could that one work for my purpose? As the ultimate Ceramic meets Alnico solution?

I mean I hate DJent and all the modern metal music is not my thing - I still stay in the 80s and 90s Rock and Metal - so could the Juggernaut work for my purpose or is this one DJENT and similar only?

[ericsabbath]

didn't play the juggernaut, but it seems like an evolution from the aftermath, tweaked for more versatility
but it also seems to keep the whole modern voicing
probably would sound good, but not really the classic rock/metal type of sound

[ericsabbath]

by the way, I played a 2005 non-chambered les paul standard loaded with VHII's through a kemper and it sounded absolutely amazing, specially with the marshall type profiles

[Slartibartfarst42]

If you want Iron Maiden then a Holydiver in the neck will nail it. My second choice would be an Emerald neck.

For the bridge it's more difficult. The Holydiver is 80's Metal but too smooth for Maiden's sound. The Cold Sweat is closer but too bright and the Rebel Yell isn't right either. The trouble is that BKP don't really do a Super Distortion alternative and it certainly isn't a Juggernaut. For 80's Metal, I'd go Holydiver but it's not obviously Maiden.

[Dave Sloven]

I personally don't think the CS will be too bright in a Les Paul for '80s metal.  I have one in an SG and while the high end can be crispy it's not icepicky. In a Les Paul it should be toned down somewhat relative to my SG

With the CS you can get good NWOBHM and Judas Priest sounds, plus good early thrash metal tones.  It's not as 'hair metal' as the RY or as 'power metal' as the HD

I stick by my CS/HD recommendation for these sounds

[darkbluemurder]

You might be happiest with a CS bridge & HD neck

I imagine that might be the best combo for what the sounds you want

My vote would also go to this exact combination.

Cheers Stephan

[schneidas]

Thanks guys, I guess it boils down to either HD/HD or CS/HD.

The Rebel Yell bridge is not suitable? I would imagine it will be tighter and brighter than the HD?

[richard]

Rebel Yell bridge is wonderful. It is bright but it's not harsh. The top end smooths out into a singing, sustaining voice when you pile on the gain. It's very finicky about height - I played around with mine for weeks before I got what I wanted out of it but I've been gigging my RY guitar for a few years now and have never been happier with my sound. Gets lots of compliments. And it loves Marshalls.

[darthphineas]

of the 3 originally mentioned, the HD would have the softest high end, the CS would have the sharpest high end and the RY would fit in between.