New bridge pickup for a Gibson Less+ (metal\shred\cleans)

[LucaRenzi]

Hi everyone! First post in this forum 

I would like to replace my bridge humbucker, but I'm not sure which one to choose. Can you give me some suggestions, please?
The requirements are these:

-I use the bridge humbucker all the time.
-I'll install the humbucker on this guitar:
http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2015/USA/Les-Paul-Less-Plus.aspx
It's a full mahogany guitar like all Gibsons are (the body is medium density mahogany, I don't know if it matters), but in comparison to other Gibsons, it has a much more thinner and lighter body (its thickness is 3.2cm (1.3") and the overall weight is 3.2 kilos). So This isn't a regular Gibson and I think this point should be crucial for the final choice!
-I really love the tone of Mark Tremonti so I play a lot of his Post-Grunge/Alternative metal music (Alter Bridge,Creed,Tremonti solo project); I also play almost any kind of speed-picking-driven modern metal style; shred solos; some random Blues stuff and also lots and lots of clean stuff like clean arpeggios, classical music and clean rhythmics from random styles.
-Alinco or ceramic? I really don't know which is the best choice in my case.

So, in the end, I need a pickup that well-cuts fast distorted notes, that is also good on cleans and that compensate the lack of mahogany of my guitar. And just to be more accurate: I like Tremonti but I'm not searching an exact copy of his tone, I want something a little less muddy and more clear then his pickups. I have already sent this question directly to BK and they suggested me the Nailbomb (but they were unsure too about which version to choose, if the Alinco or the Ceramic). What do you think guys? I trust their advice but I would like to hear other opinions before choosing!

Thanks a lot in advance! (And sorry for the long post)

[Telerocker]

The Tremonti signature pickup is a high output alnico V, based what I read on a Gibson 500T. The Nailbomb is the closest BKP-equivalent, I think. The ceramic NB will sure cut enough.

[Dave Sloven]

Keeping in mind what you say regarding cleans and blues I would probably go with an alnico Nailbomb.  It is a tight pickup

With the body of your guitar being lighter I would avoid the Emerald, Rebel Yell, etc.  A Nailbomb would be good.

[Yellowjacket]

What sort of amp are you playing through?  If it is your usual modern high gain head with the massive low end, a Nailbomb should work.  I  have a weight relieved LP Traditional and the A-Bomb sounds very balanced in it.  Plenty of top and mids and a phat but super dry and tight low end.  Roll off on the pot and you're close to classic LP tones.

The Rebel Yell bridge is a bit thinner sounding but it's more consonant and crunchy, and the harmonics just jump off.  It also has a better feel for leads than the A-Bomb does.  If you are using a really dark high gain amp with a huge low end, it will work very well. (If I was using the Rebel Yell / Les Paul combination exclusively with my Dual Rectifier, I would have stuck it out)   If not, I'd give it a miss.

Given that the guitar is that light and likely transparent in the lows, maybe a Juggernaut Bridge would work.  It's an astounding pickup but I think it tuned more for lighter super strats.  The Juggernaut Bridge will have a better clean tone and a better feel for leads; but while being clear, it is darker with a lot more weight in the low mids.  It goes well with a brighter amp such as a Marshall or Mesa Boogie Mark V.

[edit]  It's a 9 hole weight relieved LP just like mine is.  Go with the A-Bomb although something a little brighter like the Rebel Yell or darker like a Holy Diver will work equally well in this guitar.  Just consider what amp you have as this will impact the sort of result you get. 

Question:  Why not use the neck pickup for cleans? 

[ericsabbath]

The Tremonti signature pickup is a high output alnico V, based what I read on a Gibson 500T. The Nailbomb is the closest BKP-equivalent, I think. The ceramic NB will sure cut enough.

the tremonti treble is ceramic
tone is somewhere between the c-bomb and painkiller, but not as articulate bk pups

[Yellowjacket]

From PRS's Website:

Tremonti Treble: Stock on the Mark Tremonti Signature model. The Tremonti Treble pickup is specifically wound to Mark's specifications with powerful custom magnets. This is the hottest, most aggressive pickup we currently offer.

Hotter than the HFS, which is a pickup with a ceramic magnet...

Tremonti Bass: Stock on the Mark Tremonti Signature model. The Tremonti Bass pickup features an alnico magnet and is the perfect compliment to the Tremonti Treble pickup. This is the same pickup Mark uses in concert and in the studio for is rhythm sounds.

[Slartibartfarst42]

I think it depends how aggressive you want it to be. I can certainly see the A-Bomb working for you in that guitar. It's a very tight pickup by any standards, not just for an alnico pickup and is really hairy and aggressive sounding. It will do other things like Rock and Blues as long as you like the tone a bit more aggressive than normal. Cleans I found to be good but I wouldn't say they were spectacular but it's designed as a hot and aggressive pickup so I wouldn't expect the cleans to be up amongst the very best. It's not what I would choose in that guitar, however, I can't think of a better option for what you're after. I found the Holydiver to be far more versatile but I don't think it has the aggressive bite you're after. The Coldsweat is also tight enough and surprisingly versatile for a ceramic pickup but again, I don't think it has the bite you're after. The Juggernaut might also be an option but I haven't tried that myself so I couldn't be sure.

[Dave Sloven]

What about the Painkiller?  I think that has been overlooked a bit here.

[Yellowjacket]

The Juggernaut might also be an option but I haven't tried that myself so I couldn't be sure.

Littleredguitar had a great result with the Juggernaut bridge in a LP.  In theory, it would do everything the OP wants but it's going to be dark and phat and it is a question of what he is after.  The Juggernaut Bridge absolutely BLOWS AWAY the A-Bomb for leads and cleans, no contest.  It's also higher output.  The real question is whether or not it will give the desired result with that particular guitar. 

It is a swiss cheese weight relieved body so if the bridge position is as thin as on my LP, he may be golden.

What about the Painkiller?  I think that has been overlooked a bit here.

Probably because the OP wants good cleans.  With the requirements he has, he should get a superstrat and throw a Juggernaut in it.  Then he'll have all his bases covered tonewise. 

[Dave Sloven]

Could use a PK in the bridge and use a HD in the neck for cleans instead of the PK ceramic neck pup.

[Telerocker]

I see this on sites of musicshops:

The PRS Guitars Mark Temonti Treble Pickup offers you an excellent bridge pickup for your electric guitar with a large Alnico V magnet. Offering plenty of hot bass and treble output, the PRS Tremonti pickup is shockingly sensitive yet amazingly quiet. Delivering killer sustain, this is the signature lead pickup of Mark Tremonti, who has helped spawn hits with both Creed and Alter Bridge.

[ericsabbath]

I see this on sites of musicshops:

The PRS Guitars Mark Temonti Treble Pickup offers you an excellent bridge pickup for your electric guitar with a large Alnico V magnet. Offering plenty of hot bass and treble output, the PRS Tremonti pickup is shockingly sensitive yet amazingly quiet. Delivering killer sustain, this is the signature lead pickup of Mark Tremonti, who has helped spawn hits with both Creed and Alter Bridge.

well, PRS site used to say ceramic, now they only say "powerful custom magnets", which makes me think it has a triple ceramic configuration like the gibson 500t and the painkiller
I played the tremonti treble in the same prs mccarty that later had a cold sweat and a miracle man
the tremonti definitely sounds "more ceramic" than the other two, with hasrsher mids and more abrasive attack rather than the clean articulation of the bkps

[Telerocker]

I see this on sites of musicshops:

The PRS Guitars Mark Temonti Treble Pickup offers you an excellent bridge pickup for your electric guitar with a large Alnico V magnet. Offering plenty of hot bass and treble output, the PRS Tremonti pickup is shockingly sensitive yet amazingly quiet. Delivering killer sustain, this is the signature lead pickup of Mark Tremonti, who has helped spawn hits with both Creed and Alter Bridge.

well, PRS site used to say ceramic, now they only say "powerful custom magnets", which makes me think it has a triple ceramic configuration like the gibson 500t and the painkiller
I played the tremonti treble in the same prs mccarty that later had a cold sweat and a miracle man
the tremonti definitely sounds "more ceramic" than the other two, with hasrsher mids and more abrasive attack rather than the clean articulation of the bkps

If Tremonti wanted something like the 500T, ceramic is the obvious choice. It's a bit strange PRS is not quite clear about the current magnet. So ceramic it is untill PRS says no. 

[ericsabbath]

found these charts on the PRS forum

[Yellowjacket]

What about the Painkiller?  I think that has been overlooked a bit here.

Hey, I totally agree with you.  The Painkiller is an awesome pickup, especially for a heavier and phatter sounding guitar.  The trouble is that the OP wants a bridge pickup to do everything =-o