Nailbomb-Alnico for Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy or Gibson Explorer????

[hussamj]

Hi BKP Forum,

I'm new to the forum and this is my first post. I appreciate any feedback. So I've got a nailbomb Alnico calibrated set on the way and I'm trying to decide whether a) to replace the pups on my gibson explorer which are stock pups with the nailbombs OR b) replace the pups on my epiphone les paul which are an EMG 81/60 set with the nailbombs and putting the EMGs in the explorer. Either way I want to change the pups in the explorer with either the nailbombs or EMG 81/60. I'm really not feeling the explorer's stock pups anymore and need a change. Which guitar do you think would benefit the most and sound best with the nailbomb pups??? I mainly play modern heavy rock (not quite metal) and tune down to drop A#. I'd say my band's music is in the genre of breaking benjamin, chevelle, tool...that kinda thing. I'm mainly a rhythm player as well. One thing to note is that I have no issues with the epiphone's sound with the EMGs but open to switch to nailbombs if the les paul lends itself more to the nailbombs than does the explorer. Both guitars are made of mahogany. I know that the explorer with EMGs is a very common combo a la Hetfield etc. Thanks for the feedback in advance!

Cheers!

[Dave Sloven]

Well Explorers are generally very dark guitars and EMGs are very bright pickups so they tend to work well together.  You can generally go as bright as you want in an Explorer.  I have Nailbombs in an Explorer and they are much better than other pickups I've had in there (including Warpigs), mainly because they are the brightest pickups I've had in it, but I could go brighter again with a Rebel Yell or Emerald.  I think either guitar will work well with the Nailbombs but you might be happiest with the Explorer if you put the EMGs in that and if the EMGs sound a bit 'strident' in the Epi then the NBs will give that instrument more depth and character.

[hussamj]

Thanks for the response Agent Orange! That's what I'm leaning towards. I feel the EMGs in the explorer will be the way to go and putting the nailbombs in the epi will unlock more of its character and add depth to its sound. I initially wanted the nailbombs for my prs mushok baritone guitar but eventually went with a black dog bridge and emerald neck instead after reading the forums. I hope I made the right decision. Thanks again!

[Yellowjacket]

I hate EMGs so I'm probably biased.  My advice is also terrible for the wallet.

Caveats aside, Nailbombs in the Epiphone and Painkiller set for the Explorer.  Rebel Yells would work too but they'll be open sounding and less gainy.  Not a problem at all with a very powerful amp with lots of gain on tap, but if you have something you need to push a bit the painkillers will go the extra distance. 

[Dave Sloven]

If you fit the EMGS into the Explorer and you still don't like them well get a Painkiller set but I am thinking cheapest option first

[hussamj]

Thanks YellowJacket and Agent Orange! I really do not want to invest in more pups at this time as I just ordered two sets at the same time. As for the rebel yell being less gainy, I play through a kemper profiler so additional gain shouldn't be an issue. With that said, I might have left out that important detail about playing through a modeler/kemper. I have access to additional EQing and "tweaking" (attack, gates, dynamics, etc) versus a real amp...so maybe I'm over thinking this?

[Dave Sloven]

maybe I'm over thinking this?

Pretty much ... transferring the wiring and pickups from the Epi over to your Explorer is pretty much a no-brainer.  Just remember to leave the good selector switch in your Gibson, and get another Switchcraft one for the Epi.  Epi switches are rubbish.  You will find though that you only need a master tone for the Explorer. I would cannibalize the Epi's harness for parts for a harness in the Explorer and buy a new harness with good pots and caps for the Nailbomb guitar

[hussamj]

Great! Will do that...one last question/concern. Looks like you own the ceramic nailbombs and have tried the Alnico ones. With my kemper rig, do you think it really matters which one of the two I go for? Would I be missing anything had I gone with the ceramic instead of the Alnico that's on its way?