HSS Strat Pickup Choices HELP

[Mrbombastic1999]

Been really interested in purchasing BKP for a long time seeing as I live quite locally to Falmouth, and after trying the Pickups at the Mansons Guitar show I was very interested.
But need help in choosing a HSS set for a Strat project (Rosewood Fretboard), Currently Im using a "Jet City JCA 50" head (Cheap Soldano type amp) and I play Mostly in standard tuning.
Humbucker Tones [/u
For Rhythm type tones I like the sound of- Ola Englund- John Petrucci- Misha Mansoor- John Browne- Mark Tremonti- and Dan Hawkins (The Darkness).
For Leads I like the tones of Phil-x, Mark Tremonti, Guthrie Govan, Petrucci, The Darkness, Wes Hauch and Steve Lukather

For Single Coil Tones, I like the sound of, John Frusciante, Nick Johnston, Nile Rodgers (Clean Funk), and Periphery (Mellow parts)

I mostly play lead guitar in the style of 'Fusion' (Rick Graham/Greg Howe/Tom Quayle) but also in Rock, metal and Blues
Can you please help me

[Kiichi]

Welcome mate. Been around for a while here, but this is the first time Iīve seen a post formatted like this. Thanks for keeping it fresh!

For the bridge, this pretty much screams Ceramic Nailbomb. Perfect for Petrucci, Govan, Tremonti and all. So that is done in my book.

The SCs are a bit harder because you have a wider range there. I am not quite sure about the volume balance with the NB, but besides that I am leaning towards the Irish Tours here. They are a classic single coil turned up. Bit more rounded high end, extra mids and bottom, more power, and a certain something that makes it love gain more and come alive there with a certain magic rock dust. Since they are still classic single coils at heart they retain woody tones and with a slight turn of the volume pot they become very classic. They cover the Frusciante stuff and all well while also delivering rock and blues leads with easy.
The only thing where the neck might hit its limits is Tremonti and such, the high gain metal parts. I am not quite sure though as I donīt have them in a neck position. I reckon they should be able to do it, but their comfort zone ends in 80s metal.
The Trilogy Suite would be the next highest option and do the metal better, but it would cost you with the classic stuff.

Makes me wonder if an IT/TS combo could work with the TS being in the neck. Could give a lot of range due to lovely 2 and 4 positions and retain a metal capable neck pickup. The IT then would just add a ton of versatility to the setup.

[Telerocker]

I say Holy Diver with Irish Tours. RHCP and Nile Rodgers need a vintage(hot) neckpickup.

[SeabaSquad]

Welcome! I've been searching for many of the same sounds that you are after, and I would completely agree with Kiichi and Telerocker on the Irish Tours. Wonderfully woody tone with a modern hot sound that can be tapered off with the volume pot. Perfect for just about anything; an incredibly versatile set of pickups.

Based upon your wants, however, I would also seriously consider the Slow Hands. To my ears they have more of the fat, "classic" hot sound that I think would nail the Fruscinate tones as well as the fusion leads you say that you go for. I'm not sure if the fellow who posted this video is a member on the forums here, but this video alone almost made me go with a SH set for my HSS project: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pi6T50IFADk

For the humbucker, I would say it depends on which SC set of the above mentioned you end up going with. Now I know that Kiichi's experience is tenfold to mine when it comes to BKPs, but I read that you are more of a lead player and the C-Bomb is almost universally regarded here as a rhythm pickup, so I don't know if that would be your best bet. For the sounds you describe, my first thought was a Holy Diver bridge, and as it says on the HSS section of the website the Holy Diver goes great with a set of Irish Tours. So that would be my first recommendation, a Holy Diver-IT-IT set.

My second recommendation would be an Abraxas-SH-SH set (the same set from the video I linked above.) There is another video on YouTube, which I can't find right now, of the Abraxas doing a Zappa/Dream Theater jam and it absolutely nailed the mid-2000's Petrucci tone. And on top of that, the Abraxas has some PROFOUND split coil sounds (if you intend to wire your guitar for that) which can really take your versatility to the next level.

Cheers!
- JRS

[Mrbombastic1999]

Welcome mate. Been around for a while here, but this is the first time Iīve seen a post formatted like this. Thanks for keeping it fresh!

For the bridge, this pretty much screams Ceramic Nailbomb. Perfect for Petrucci, Govan, Tremonti and all. So that is done in my book.

The SCs are a bit harder because you have a wider range there. I am not quite sure about the volume balance with the NB, but besides that I am leaning towards the Irish Tours here. They are a classic single coil turned up. Bit more rounded high end, extra mids and bottom, more power, and a certain something that makes it love gain more and come alive there with a certain magic rock dust. Since they are still classic single coils at heart they retain woody tones and with a slight turn of the volume pot they become very classic. They cover the Frusciante stuff and all well while also delivering rock and blues leads with easy.
The only thing where the neck might hit its limits is Tremonti and such, the high gain metal parts. I am not quite sure though as I donīt have them in a neck position. I reckon they should be able to do it, but their comfort zone ends in 80s metal.
The Trilogy Suite would be the next highest option and do the metal better, but it would cost you with the classic stuff.

Makes me wonder if an IT/TS combo could work with the TS being in the neck. Could give a lot of range due to lovely 2 and 4 positions and retain a metal capable neck pickup. The IT then would just add a ton of versatility to the setup.

In regards to the 'NailBomb', Is it similar in characteristics to the Aftermath? Is that a valid option also, or is the Nailbomb a more suitable match?. Is the C-bomb a more rhythm PUP? Im quite afraid that ill choose a pickup with Too much output and that dynamics in my playing won't be as noticeable. Is that something I should be worrying about in regards to Humbuckers?   Thanks so much for your help

[johnny_rock_it]

I just fitted my Suhr fat strat with a holy diver this weekend and I love it.

I have the nailbomb (MBK-2) on a Manson guitar and it sounds amazing on it too.

They are both really amazing pick ups, but I can't say which is better because I think I prefer HD for lead and NB for rhythm. (Not to say that the HD is bad on rhythm and the NB is bad for lead).

The Nailbomb has a very raw, edgy and throaty characteristic. Has a beautiful and delightful chaos in the voice when playing distorted chords.

The HD is a lot more balanced and controlled. It can get rowdy no doubt, but it really sings in single notes and melodic phrasing.

I'm glad I have both, I'll tell you that much.

[johnny_rock_it]

In regards to the 'NailBomb', Is it similar in characteristics to the Aftermath? Is that a valid option also, or is the Nailbomb a more suitable match?. Is the C-bomb a more rhythm PUP? Im quite afraid that ill choose a pickup with Too much output and that dynamics in my playing won't be as noticeable. Is that something I should be worrying about in regards to Humbuckers?   Thanks so much for your help

Nailbomb and Aftermath are not similar in my experience.

The AM is very tight and percussive, if you play sloppy rhythm or your technique isn't clean, you will hear it.

The NB is a very in your face, fat and sounds pissed off.

[Telerocker]

Welcome! I've been searching for many of the same sounds that you are after, and I would completely agree with Kiichi and Telerocker on the Irish Tours. Wonderfully woody tone with a modern hot sound that can be tapered off with the volume pot. Perfect for just about anything; an incredibly versatile set of pickups.

Based upon your wants, however, I would also seriously consider the Slow Hands. To my ears they have more of the fat, "classic" hot sound that I think would nail the Fruscinate tones as well as the fusion leads you say that you go for. I'm not sure if the fellow who posted this video is a member on the forums here, but this video alone almost made me go with a SH set for my HSS project: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pi6T50IFADk

For the humbucker, I would say it depends on which SC set of the above mentioned you end up going with. Now I know that Kiichi's experience is tenfold to mine when it comes to BKPs, but I read that you are more of a lead player and the C-Bomb is almost universally regarded here as a rhythm pickup, so I don't know if that would be your best bet. For the sounds you describe, my first thought was a Holy Diver bridge, and as it says on the HSS section of the website the Holy Diver goes great with a set of Irish Tours. So that would be my first recommendation, a Holy Diver-IT-IT set.

My second recommendation would be an Abraxas-SH-SH set (the same set from the video I linked above.) There is another video on YouTube, which I can't find right now, of the Abraxas doing a Zappa/Dream Theater jam and it absolutely nailed the mid-2000's Petrucci tone. And on top of that, the Abraxas has some PROFOUND split coil sounds (if you intend to wire your guitar for that) which can really take your versatility to the next level.

Cheers!
- JRS

Slowhands are good, but not RCHP. Too much mids. RHCP would be more the Pat Pend 63 or the Mother's Milk, however the Irish Tour can do those tones too, with a slight volumedrop on the guitar.

[Kiichi]

I said Nailbomb thinking mostly about rhythm, thinking the SCs would do the rest. If leads are to be played on the bridge too, then perhaps the holydiver would fare better. More of an older Petrucci tone while moving away from Misha.

[Mrbombastic1999]

I said Nailbomb thinking mostly about rhythm, thinking the SCs would do the rest. If leads are to be played on the bridge too, then perhaps the holydiver would fare better. More of an older Petrucci tone while moving away from Misha.

Just out of interest, what makes the Nailbomb more of a Rhythm PUP? Will it not cut through as much?

[Kiichi]

I said Nailbomb thinking mostly about rhythm, thinking the SCs would do the rest. If leads are to be played on the bridge too, then perhaps the holydiver would fare better. More of an older Petrucci tone while moving away from Misha.

Just out of interest, what makes the Nailbomb more of a Rhythm PUP? Will it not cut through as much?

Well, most bridge pickups are not the best lead pickups. That is mostly due to the position resulting a somewhat thin and aggressive sound, which is kind of the opposite of the neck pickup. Then Nailbomb then is also pretty aggressive in the high end to begin with, which makes it great for rhythm and distorted chords as they will cut and sound full and complex. For lead work however, it becomes a bit too much for most people.
I mean, I love playing leads on my Rebel Yell bridge too, but there the high end is more overtone / harmonic like and I use a lot of pinch harmonics (think Skid Row style).

Compared to the NB the HD is more musically rounded in the high end (not dull at all, but less aggressive and more natural) and has a warmer weight to it. That makes it "better" for most people for lead lines.

If you want bright and aggressive lead tones from the bridge the NB can do that.

[Telerocker]

In a strat the agressive uppermids of the Nailbomb can be too much or fatiguing. It very much depends on the particular guitar if you get good or less good results.

[Mrbombastic1999]

I said Nailbomb thinking mostly about rhythm, thinking the SCs would do the rest. If leads are to be played on the bridge too, then perhaps the holydiver would fare better. More of an older Petrucci tone while moving away from Misha.

Just out of interest, what makes the Nailbomb more of a Rhythm PUP? Will it not cut through as much?

Well, most bridge pickups are not the best lead pickups. That is mostly due to the position resulting a somewhat thin and aggressive sound, which is kind of the opposite of the neck pickup. Then Nailbomb then is also pretty aggressive in the high end to begin with, which makes it great for rhythm and distorted chords as they will cut and sound full and complex. For lead work however, it becomes a bit too much for most people.
I mean, I love playing leads on my Rebel Yell bridge too, but there the high end is more overtone / harmonic like and I use a lot of pinch harmonics (think Skid Row style).

Compared to the NB the HD is more musically rounded in the high end (not dull at all, but less aggressive and more natural) and has a warmer weight to it. That makes it "better" for most people for lead lines.

If you want bright and aggressive lead tones from the bridge the NB can do that.

From your experience, does the HD have too much output?

[Kiichi]

No, not at all. It is really a hot rodded PAF. Yeah, it has power, but it has a lot of character and openness too. For hardrock and metal I would actually say it is around optimal output, unless you really go to extreme metal styles. I love using mine for Trivium stuff and 80s hard rock alike.  I can also use it well for some kinds of lead passages, though I do prefer to switch to my Emerald neck pickup for that.

The output and character also fits the irish tour well. Plus it splits better than the NB, so the in between position gets better.

It will however not bring the same modern aggression of the nailbomb.

The more I think about it though and reread your original post I think I will have to better switch my vote to the Holydiver entirely. With the amp you have and in a strat for those things it just does more of those things well than the NB.

[Mrbombastic1999]

No, not at all. It is really a hot rodded PAF. Yeah, it has power, but it has a lot of character and openness too. For hardrock and metal I would actually say it is around optimal output, unless you really go to extreme metal styles. I love using mine for Trivium stuff and 80s hard rock alike.  I can also use it well for some kinds of lead passages, though I do prefer to switch to my Emerald neck pickup for that.

The output and character also fits the irish tour well. Plus it splits better than the NB, so the in between position gets better.

It will however not bring the same modern aggression of the nailbomb.

The more I think about it though and reread your original post I think I will have to better switch my vote to the Holydiver entirely. With the amp you have and in a strat for those things it just does more of those things well than the NB.

Is the 'Black Hawk' a good alternative?