Tight, clear with decent power...

[ztevie]

Hey!
I've got a Vigier Shawn Lane. Alder body, maple neck bolt on, rosewood board, HSH. I'm thinking of getting new Hb's for bridge and neck.
I like the bridge pup to be tight and clear without mud. But not harsh either. I like pretty midheavy tones.
For the neck I like similar characteristics. I often found neck pups being muddy, though i like singing, creamy quality for solos higher up on the neck.
Music style is from rock to lighter metal, but mostly instrumental progressive stuff a'la Sfogli. Love his tone!
I've done some research and got hung up on Holy Diver/Emerald, or maybe a Juggernaut set. But the latter may be to fat for my taste as some reviews mention they're pretty fat altough they also mention clarity.
So, am i in the ballpark here?
I don't need monstrous power, but they need to be enough to do some chunky palm muting and screaming solo stuff.
Any other suggestions?

[Kiichi]

I actually think your idea with the HD/EM is pretty much spot on. It should just do what you listed. At least right now I canīt fully think of a set that might do it better, but that is what the others here are for.
Juggs I agree could easily be a little much, especially perhaps too modern.

For the bridge the only alternative I could suggest would be the Crawler. More middy, full, and classic than the HD, though less tight (meaning it is still tight by most standards, but for a BKP low on the scale). If your guitar is on the bright side it can work here too. Versatile thing that.

Interested to hear from the others right now.

[ztevie]

Thanks!
Yeah, HD/Emerald seems to fit from what I've read. What kind of guitar do you have yours in? I saw you've got them from your signature.
I've also liked reviews/clips regarding Rebel Yells. I was into those for a while but decided against them cause everyone talking about how they really fits best in a darker LP style guitar. I'm not against bright pickups at all though, but afraid they may be too harsh and icepicky in mine. It is a pretty bright guitar, but it's not over the top bright thanks to the rw board and alder body.
The only BK'S I've used before is miracle man and trilogy. I liked MM, they had a really nice growl and tightness to them but lacked a bit midrange to my ears.  The trilogy is one of the nicest single coils I've experienced.

[Telerocker]

HD/Emerald is a fine combo for that guitar. Juggernauts sound more contemporary.

[Dave Sloven]

I would go HD/Em or HD set.

[darkbluemurder]

HD bridge seems to be a no-brainer. I have not played the EM neck so I cannot comment on that. I would probably go for the HD set.

Cheers Stephan

[Kiichi]

Thanks!
Yeah, HD/Emerald seems to fit from what I've read. What kind of guitar do you have yours in? I saw you've got them from your signature.

A 7 string superstrat from Dean Guitars. Mahagony body, maple neck, rosewood board.

[ztevie]

When playing solo on the bridge i always have to compromise with tone. First i like creamy, singing stuff when playing high up on unwound strings. But if i dial in a too creamy tone, playing fast runs on the wound strings will blur notes together in a mush. That's why its important to have a tight and clear bass response.
On the neck, creamy tones is easy to get due to the characteristics of the neck position itself. So here i like a brighter pup to avoid the worst mush.
I know, i want it all at once, but maybe i would get the best of both worlds with HD/Emerald.
I can't help thinking if Rebel Yells could work without being over the top trebley...
I've sure got some thinking to do.  :)

[Dave Sloven]

From what you say about neck pickups I would tend to go for the HD set rather than HD/Em.

[ztevie]

From what you say about neck pickups I would tend to go for the HD set rather than HD/Em.

Oh? I was under the impression the Emerald was a bit brighter than the HD and therefore might suit my needs better?

[Dave Sloven]

No, that charts only applies to the bridge. The Emerald set has a strong contrast between bridge and neck.  The HD neck is one of the brighter neck pickups in the range, again in contrast with the relatively warm bridge.

I have no idea why BKP can't provide EQ charts for both pickups, it would prevent a lot of confusion

[ztevie]

No, that charts only applies to the bridge. The Emerald set has a strong contrast between bridge and neck.  The HD neck is one of the brighter neck pickups in the range, again in contrast with the relatively warm bridge.

I have no idea why BKP can't provide EQ charts for both pickups, it would prevent a lot of confusion

Aha, ok... Thanks, great info!

[ztevie]

Just to research all possibilities:
What is the Cold Sweat neck like? Fluid sounds just up my alley, but is it tight enough on the wound strings without blurring together when playing fast stuff? I know it's supposedly had very weak mid but maybe as a shred solo pup it will be nice? A'la Sfogli tone...
How does it differ from HD neck?

[JimmyMoorby]

If you're into that virtuoso/shred thing any thing from Shawn Lane to Vai to Petrucci etc etc i'd just go for the Juggs.
Tight, super clear, dripping with harmonics and just hot enough.  I think if you listen to enough juggernaut demos you'll get the idea.

Cold sweat neck is crystal clear and can handle shred but in a live situation I want more cut and 'weight' so again i'd prefer some thing like the jugg neck.  The aftermath neck is awesome for shred but little else imo...

[ztevie]

If you're into that virtuoso/shred thing any thing from Shawn Lane to Vai to Petrucci etc etc i'd just go for the Juggs.
Tight, super clear, dripping with harmonics and just hot enough.  I think if you listen to enough juggernaut demos you'll get the idea.

Cold sweat neck is crystal clear and can handle shred but in a live situation I want more cut and 'weight' so again i'd prefer some thing like the jugg neck.  The aftermath neck is awesome for shred but little else imo...

Thanks! Yeah I've had my eyes on juggernaut aswell, but being considered very fat i thought that the neck especially might get blurry on D, A and low E strings. I'm not into Lane at all. Sfogli, Petrucci is up my alley. I like fast runs with big bends. That's why i need clear and articulate pups that still retain cream.
Popped the question to support and Bens advice was Cold Sweat neck and Nailbomb bridge. He thought that CS neck was a no brainer but Jugg, Painkiller, Aftermath would be too hot and modern when paired with CS.

Edit: looking at specs the nailbomb seems hotter than Jugg? Maybe it's the more classic character of the nailbomb that suits CS better.