Viper Baritone suggestions

[LDR]

Hi everyone, I want to ask for your advice again.

Bought an ESP Viper Baritone some time ago and currently looking to replace the 81/85X combo it came with. The Viper is tuned to G# and mostly used for a project that's hard to pinpoint but think first two Mastodon records, Conan (UK) and a bit of later Celtic Frost / Triptykon. Mastodon is probably the closest tonally, but it's easier to describe what I'd liked to change compared to the EMGs.

It's my first experience with the 81/85 pups, and I find the former very muffled, sounds very similar to Metallica's Invisible kid, which shouldn't be surprising considering the tuning and the guitar :) The 85X sounds nicer, but is overbearing.

For the bridge I'd like something not hotter than the 81 (maybe a bit less, it'd be enough I guess), not too clinical, but still tight enough for G#, warmer and a little brighter and clearer.

And for the neck, well, something nice and creamy like a classic LP neck. Good cleans and leads are desirable for both pickups.

What are my options:
- Nailbombs are my first thought, and there's a good local deal for a used A-Bomb set, which I really want to try in some guitar anyway (not necessarily this one)
- However, I don't know how the A-Bomb bridge will handle the chugs, maybe the C-Bomb is a better fit
- Got a Rebel Yell set in an LP, but it's too bright for what I'm after (I'm still adapting to the RYs to be honest... they turned a once dark guitar into fireworks).
- Got an A-Pig set in a baritone Jaguar (where it will stay!), it's tuned the same and the bridge A-Pig is not tight enough for me. Great roar, great tone, but too dark and loose. Just for a reference.

Thanks in advance, I hope it wasn't too messy!

[Kiichi]

Gonna throw an unexpected one in there: Blackdog. Long been the name that appeared when baritone got mentioned. Reason being that it has a good amount of mids, and baritone extends high and low end. So it comes together that way, just like the Emerald can deal with normal drop tunings better than you might initially expect.

The Blackdog should get you the warmth and clean brightness you desire. Tightness should not be an issue either with the vintage hot range and this in this setting in particular. Plus it delivers a character that EMG lacks. I donīt know much about Mastodon, but from what I know I could see a great tonal fit.

A set should work too if I am not mistaken, so I reckon it should be able to give you all you need. Have a listen and think. Cheers!

[Dave Sloven]

I don't know, but I've always thought of Triptykon as a pretty dark tone.  I mean he uses an old Iceman with the tone knob turned right down.

[LDR]

Gonna throw an unexpected one in there: Blackdog. Long been the name that appeared when baritone got mentioned. Reason being that it has a good amount of mids, and baritone extends high and low end. So it comes together that way, just like the Emerald can deal with normal drop tunings better than you might initially expect.

Thanks for the suggestion. I (vaguely) remember them being pretty sharp and tight from a couple of clips I heard, but somewhat small, more fitting for a prog metal player. How do they handle the 'big and massive' part?

I don't know, but I've always thought of Triptykon as a pretty dark tone.  I mean he uses an old Iceman with the tone knob turned right down.

I know, that's why I said the references are not exactly tonal. But then again, on Monotheist he sounds dark and sharp at the same time. I adore his sound on that album, even if the riffs are often banal.

[Kiichi]

The way it was always described is that it should be able to do a massive sound with the right amp. The reason being that it has the mids as focus and the rest gets filled in by the construction, giving a full sound spectrum with a good growl.

Hope someone who may has it or knows more about it can chime in too.

[ericsabbath]

move the rebell yells from the lp to the viper
they shouldn't sound bright at G#