Rebel Yells for Jackson SL2H

[Mohi]

Hi,

have a Jackson Soloist where I have fitted many pickups, from Dimarzio SD to BKP Black Hawks, Holydivers and from one year ago a set of EMG 57/66 that is not that bad after all. One month ago I got a set of Rebel Yells and fitted them into my Les Paul and discovered tone heaven, and whilst the EMGs do the job pretty well, they sound just boring compared to the richness and eq balance of the RY. So the question is, would it make the HW so much of a difference if get a set of them and put it in the Jackson? I'm not a believer in significant differences in tone between woods and constructions, only worries me the tremolo part since I'll go from stop tail to Floyd Rose.

thanks a lot

[Dave Sloven]

Generally people have disliked this kind of pickup in a Soloist

The most consistently recommended pickup for a Soloist (or for any maple neck through with floyd guitar) is the Miracle Man.  In general people have found middy pickups to be quite obnoxious in them

[Nolly]

I woudn't say it's a bad idea, and have fitted a Rebel Yells to quite a few of my guitars (of all construction types) over the years with great success. In essence it's a punchy, dry, hot PAF-style pickup so as long as you like the response you're getting in your Les Paul you will probably be happy with them in the Jackson. Another consideration would be the Nailbomb since it's quite closely related to the RY, albeit hotter - could be a good thing if you feel your Jackson might lack some of the natural beefiness of the Les Paul.
To compare to the other BKPs you've had in the guitar already, the Rebel Yell will be brighter, drier and punchier than the Holy Diver (arguably clearer too), while it will be leaner and more organic than the Black Hawk, with more definition in the upper mids but with a more vintagey top end character (not like the bright/brash ceramic top end).

[Mohi]

Thanks both, really appreciated.

I really love everything from the RY so far, have played it thru my JVM, '81 JCM, IRT Studio, JMP1, VST Plugins .... sounds and feels fantastic everywhere, it is really the first time I have that sensation with a pickup, particularly on bridge position.

From the Miracle Man scares me a bit the top end, seems to be somehow too pronunciated for my taste, that A-Nailbomb could fit as far as its midrange doesn't depart too much from what I hear in the RY, and if have to trust the clips on the pups description so it is (Hair Metal ones, mostly play that kind of music).

[Yellowjacket]

Thanks both, really appreciated.

I really love everything from the RY so far, have played it thru my JVM, '81 JCM, IRT Studio, JMP1, VST Plugins .... sounds and feels fantastic everywhere, it is really the first time I have that sensation with a pickup, particularly on bridge position.

From the Miracle Man scares me a bit the top end, seems to be somehow too pronunciated for my taste, that A-Nailbomb could fit as far as its midrange doesn't depart too much from what I hear in the RY, and if have to trust the clips on the pups description so it is (Hair Metal ones, mostly play that kind of music).

The Juggerbridge and the Rebel Yell bridge are the two most awesome pickups for that reason: Sound and Feel.

The A-bomb is similar to a Rebel Yell but it has more of a pronounced treble and it's a lot more hairy and pissed off.  Fun pickup :)
Also, obviously, the A-Bomb has more output and it is phatter with more  lows as well as the pronounced treble.

[ericsabbath]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOg2_sS6w5Q

[Mohi]

Curiously mine is transparent green as well :)

Sound is not very good in that vídeo but "seems" the Rebel Yell in that Jackson performs very well...

[Slartibartfarst42]

I've never tried a Rebel Yell but I did try an A-Bomb in a Jackson Soloist I used to own and it was absolutely awful to my ears in that guitar. As the Rebel Yell is closely connected to the A-Bomb, I'd be wary. Soloists tend to naturally have a lot of upper mids and both the A-Bomb and Rebel Yell also have a lot of upper mids so the result is incredibly aggressive and abrasive. At first I thought it was just me but even my son, who likes guitar tones to be as aggressive and nasty as possible, came through to ask why my guitar was suddenly sounding so awful. It's horses for courses obviously and I still think both are great pickups, just not for a Soloist in my experience.