Ok, this is going to be an interesting topic because of the fact that you are modding an R9. I remember you describing how it had the mid clarity of a chambered LP Standard combined with the low end Lunk of a Solid Body. So it's both clear and huge sounding. It's really hard to know what to recommend since you don't know exactly what you are wanting apart from a guitar that screams!
I'm generally running the JB with my tone control down around 5. Takes off some sizzle and thickens it up, but also makes the bottom end a little wooly. It's fine for lead since I prefer a looser bottom end, but rhythm gets a bit mushy.
In the end I think it's possible to tame the top end, but I can't add what's missing (low mids).
This quote from Grailtone is interesting. I also know you are complaining that the mids with the JB are much too generic.
I'm curious what the other guys here thing but I'm inclined to think beyond an A-Bomb and a Painkiller for this guitar because it may lack the focus in the low mids that you want. Very tough to say for me.
To answer your questions:
Do you use 500k pots?
With the A-Bomb, it is possible that you MAY have to switch to 300k pots but then again, you may not. The pickup does have a pronounced cut in the treble so that may or may not work. That being said, I can't help but expect that you will really like the pronounced and detailed mids, especially with your Electra Dyne. Also, I recall you use a Roadster which is darker than the Rev F dual recto. Perhaps the A-Bomb would get along fabulously with the Roadster?
The A-Bomb screams for leads but it is more of a rhythm pickup in my mind.
This was actually compared to the Rebel Yell; a pickup that I honestly think would be way to bright with far to much upper mids and harmonics for your liking. I said that the Rebel Yell bridge pickup was 5% more a lead pickup while the A-Bomb was 5% more a rhythm pickup. I can't help but think you'd like an A-Bomb over a Painkiller given that the A-Bomb has an exceedingly complex and detailed midrange as well as a very warm and organic character to the tone. It also has quite the cut in the treble with a pronounced pick attack.
Interesting. I would've thought alnico would've done better for lead and ceramic for rhythm? Are are both versions better suited to rhythm?
I can't comment on the C-Bomb but I believe that Agent Orange and other forum members can. Apparently it has a more present treble, less mids, and a tighter bottom. The more scooped version may more may not work. Seems like the ceramic would make it more like the 500T? But, the extreme mismatched coils give that hairy Sepultura-esque tone which is unique to that particular pickup. It is pretty rad anyhow.
To answer the question directly, there is a lot more to the pickups than just the magnet selection. You have to look at the pickup as a whole and forget about the individual components used in the recipe. I really wish I had tried a painkiller in a LP since when pickups are in unique guitars, the perception of the pickup is coloured by the guitar that it is used in. I felt that the Painkiller had the same organic, nuanced response to pick attack that every BKP does.
I was thinking about asking if they could ship it with an extra magnet so I can buy one and experiment on my own.
They won't. They like to wax pot everything themselves at the shop.
I really think either iteration of a Nailbomb or even the Painkiller should all be great bridge position options. The HD would be good too and based on what others have said, it could work in a LP as well. Is this going in a Custom Shop LP or a Standard?
Custom shop.
If you can describe how this is different from a garden variety LP Traditional, this would be helpful to many here.
Which order would you recommend them if I were a lead guitarist?
Which order would you recommend them if I were a rhythm guitarist?
I'll rank the pickups I have based on my experience with them. I can also extrapolate a bit based on the feedback of other members here as well.
Lead: 1) Juggernaut 3) Rebel Yell 4) A-Bomb (Keep in mind that A-Bomb does screaming solos just fine)
I'd be inclined to put the Holy Diver at # 2 for leads but I understand the midrange is a bit more plain for this pickup than it is for the A-Bomb
Rhythm: Juggernaut, Rebel Yell, and A-Bomb are honestly all tied for this.
Painkiller is also great. As I understand it, Holy Diver isn't quite as good?
Sorry not to come to any conclusion, I just want to look at all the possible options and see what others think.
Bridge Pickups Bright to dark:
Rebel Yell, Painkiller, C-Bomb, A-bomb, Holy Diver, Juggernaut, Crawler. Of these, I think the following could work:
C-Bomb, A-bomb, Holy Diver, Juggernaut, Crawler.
I'm sure there are perhaps other options as well but I'm curious what others say:
Back to the JB experience: You want a pickup that does leads and howls like a JB but you also want:
1) Less pronounced / rounder highs.
2) More complex / detailed mids & clarity.
3) More weight in the low mids.
Based on this, I'm inclined to think a Holy Diver or Juggernaut would work. If you wanted a really beefy pickup, there is always the crawler. The Holy Diver was recommended to me for a brighter instrument so I think that it would have the low end weight you'd like but I don't think it is quite as tight as the A-Bomb or Juggernaut. The Juggernaut has a very modern voice so you may find it shockingly so. Even with my super strat it has pounding low mids -like a sledgehammer- so I suspect it may be overkill?
But don't rule out the A-Bomb. If someone can compare a JB directly with an A-Bomb it would be very enlightening. I think this pickup would have the howl, scream, and complex mids that you are talking about. My only concern with the A-Bomb is that it may be too trebly with not enough lows for your taste? ALso, what about the Abraxas? I know it's a bit lower output with the A4 magnet but I just want to throw everything 'out there' as a start.
So far, my top two recommendations are the A-Bomb and the Holy Diver. A-Bomb for complex mids, and Holy Diver for more low mid weight and superior lead tone.
This is a wall of text. I'm going to wait for others to contribute now.
Any desire to swap your neck PUP?
