VHII vs Black Dog neck?

[silence2-38554]

Hoping to get some input from someone who has experience with both pickups in the same guitar.  Essentially, I'm itching to order a Black Dog bridge & want to narrow down which neck to pair with it.  I know I'll like the VHII, as I love the neck of my Juggerset & they're very similarly voiced. 

The Black Dog neck is surprisingly difficult to find info on.  I'd love to have access to a new sound but am simply unsure exactly what the BD neck would offer.  For a reference, I really dislike the treble & attack of the Holy Diver neck & found the Cold Sweat neck sterile and boring. 

I've emailed Ben & he said the BD neck is actually more powerful, aggressive & has more grit than the VHII neck when pushed.  This all sounds pretty awesome to me but I also want to be sure it makes sense for a neck pickup, as it really seems like ppl pair the BD bridge with the VHII neck more often than going for the BD set.  I primarily use the neck for shreddey lead stuff and cleans.

Thanks!

[lonestarrevival]

I got the Black Dog set just yesterday, and I dont have direct experience with VHII.  I really liked the BD neck, and it does sound great clean, but for shreddy leads I would consider another pup, and VHII doesn't look bad.  Black Dog neck is very articulate but also pretty gritty and a bit woofy under high-gain conditions. VHII looks like it will be smoother.  I will actually try the Emerald neck soon for that kind of lead sound. (note that I am coming from HSS strats and I am a new user of Les Paul type guitars, so I am definitely not an expert on neck humbucker use.  I hope the more experienced players here correct me if I am wrong)

[darkbluemurder]

If you did not like the HD and CS neck the BD neck is probably not for you as the treble response is similar and the midrange is a bit more hollow.

I had both the VHII and the BD neck models in the same Les Paul and I found the VHII neck hotter, smokier and having a more vintage character overall. It still does a great job in my PRS Custom in the neck spot.

If you want a sound with vintage character but less of that smoky haze, the Abraxas neck would be worth looking at.

Cheers Stephan