Debating between Holy Divers and Rebel Yells bridge pick ups

[johnny_rock_it]

Hi all,

I am debating between the Holy Diver and Rebel Yells to replace the humbucker of my Suhr Classic Pro HSS.

It's pretty much a fat strat: alder body, maple/rosewood neck, bolt on construction.

Wondering if any of you can recommend one (or share sound clips) for a HSS strat styled guitar.

Thanks.

[Dave Sloven]

Rebel Yell might be too bright

[Yellowjacket]

Rebel Yell is a fantastic pickup...





..in a darker guitar.


I'd vote for the Holy Diver.

[Serratus]

I have a 7-string alder body, bolt-on maple neck with rw board and a Floyd trem guitar, with a Rebel yell and it sounds great! Very lively, lots of high mids and punch, great for 80's rock, etc, not shrill or anything. Having said that, I also have other guitars with the holy diver and that's one of my all time favourite pickups!

I would say it just depends what you want from the guitar. The HD is warmer, feels a bit lower in output, and has more low mids so feels a bit darker. The RY is brasher, a touch more compressed and has more high mids so feels brighter. Both could work in the guitar, it just depends what you favour as your sound.

Having said that, the last comments are also true that the RY could be a bit bright and the HD is probably a safer bet!

I show both in this clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ecekLV4yps

And this has the RY for the leads (in the guitar I mentioned above): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbojhmBgy5w

:)

[Dave Sloven]

I think you can go brighter with less bottom end in a seven string or a downtuned guitar

I would be cautious about it in a six string tuned to D or higher.  Holy Diver is a safer bet

[johnny_rock_it]

Thank you all for your input, it seem like holy divers is the way to go. Especially since the guitar will be tuned to E standard.

Serratus -  I was looking around youtube and that video was the best video I've found comparing a few of the BKPs. Thank you so much for posting that and taking the time.

[Dave Sloven]

I thik you will be very happy with it.  The Holy Diver has an excellent reputation in alder, HSS Strat type guitars, and with bolt-on necks.  The RY is better suited to a darker guitar with set-neck construction, such as an Explorer

[Slartibartfarst42]

Of those two I would have no hesitation at all in suggesting the Holydiver.

[Kiichi]

Of those two I would have no hesitation at all in suggesting the Holydiver.

I am a huuuge fan of the RY. That is known. But in a superstrat you need to have a specific sound in mind or a darker amp/cab to make it shine. If you have that, go right ahead. Otherwise I am inclined to once again go with Slarti here. The HD is amazing in superstarts, splits well, and, while being warm and musically rounded, it is not as dark as one might think. The top end is there. The HD likes brighter axes and the RY darker ones. One does strats, one LPs.

I had a RY in a very light superstrat and it nailed a certain sound with my setup. But now I replaced it with the way darker and warmer Crawler and I am overall much more happy.

My HD meanwhile is great, but as the guitar is rather on the dark side I am at times tempted to replace it with something brighter.....


Anyhow, rambling again. When in doubt: HD here.

[johnny_rock_it]

Wow unanimous decision for the HD. Thank you all so much, I have a nail bomb bridge which I LOVE to death. I hope the HD can give me something a little different but just as edgy.

Guess I'll put my order in, I can't wait!

[ericsabbath]

Wow unanimous decision for the HD. Thank you all so much, I have a nail bomb bridge which I LOVE to death. I hope the HD can give me something a little different but just as edgy.

Guess I'll put my order in, I can't wait!

Well, definitely NOT as edgy, but I like it better than the NB for most things

[Slartibartfarst42]

I would agree. The Holydiver isn't really an edgy pickup at all, it's smooth but whereas I might like a Nailbomb in a specific guitar, for a particular sound, the Holydiver is far more flexible.

[Yellowjacket]

Wow unanimous decision for the HD. Thank you all so much, I have a nail bomb bridge which I LOVE to death. I hope the HD can give me something a little different but just as edgy.

Guess I'll put my order in, I can't wait!

Well, definitely NOT as edgy, but I like it better than the NB for most things

Edgy?  The NB is PISSED OFF TO ALL H3LL!!  HAHA!  It's a very ill tempered pickup  ^__^

[johnny_rock_it]

Thank you all for your input, I've officially ordered my HD from the BKP site... Hoping the delivery to USA won't take too long!

Can't wait to install it and give it a go

PS - I meant "edgy" in a "cool" way.. aka "a little different but just as cool."

Wasn't describing the tone--which I can see how it would perfectly fit the nailbomb actually. haha.

My gratitude to you all once again.

[mantrasky]

The "Holy Diver" is a fantastic pickup and sounds awesome in my Charvel (Also experienced in: MM/War Pig/HD=ceramic/Black Dog)