Author Topic: Balanced all rounder gain PU.. (Read 6182 times)

Miracle Man Matt · « **on:** May 21, 2005, 11:13:19 AM »

Although I love my MM to bits, Im looking for something a bit more balanced.

I have an EMG 81 as well and Im looking for something thats a mixture of both really.

I really like tight a tight bottom :lol: but nothing to clenched :lol:

sorry, what i mean is that I play mettalica through to Vai and Im looking for a balanced, expressive PU that I can manipulate well using volume and tone controls, as well as responding to my amp settings well.

The MM is great and I love the harmonics, but I would rather slightly less bass and more mid, the highs are fine but they are almost a bit too smooth for me, I'd rather something a bit more 'pushed' and screamy like vai playing the crossraods style duel, (that really sounds to my like a singing deamon)

I was interested in the nailbomb, but it has a bit too much mid I think, not that I dont like a screaming mid-range, just that Id like something that can do a bit of every type of gain..

So Im looking at

low....6 full and expansive but tight and controlled
mid....6.5 singing and clear but also controllable
high...6.5 sounding powerful and screaming

I was thinking about the Warpig and I might get one anyway in time, but Im not totally sure. (WE NEED SOME CLIPS!!! :twisted: :twisted: )

Anyway hope this is ok

MMM

Ratrod · « **Reply #1 on:** May 21, 2005, 11:32:18 AM »

I think the Warpig is a bit too much for what you're looking for. It has a big tight bottom end. It's a very focussed pickup for saturated distortion, I don't think it has the contolable mids you're looking for. For that Vai stuff, I'm thinking Holy Diver.

The Warpig has more bass than the Miracle Man. You need a guided missile, not an all out carpet bombing. :rock:

Ced777 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 21, 2005, 11:43:15 AM »

I would vote for the Nailbomb. A shred machine. Great treble response, nice mids (but not overly boosted), and I think it has abit less bass than MM (someone will confirm maybe). Great all around and very responsive to volume/tone control.

Peterku · « **Reply #3 on:** May 21, 2005, 01:16:42 PM »

Maybe you could wait till november when the Cold Sweat is released. :)

HJM · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2005, 03:22:15 PM »

What's the guitar?

Miracle Man Matt · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2005, 07:44:29 PM »

Its a jem style guitar,

Ebony FB, Maply neck, Alder body.

I know Im not really being too specific sorry.

Basically on rythme when I fire it up with lots of mid, Id like a sort of Hetfield type sound like Breadfan or Master of Puppets, except with more depth If you get my meaning. While on lead, to roll back the mid a tad, and more highs and lows, to be able to really sing and scream, but retain clarity and not to be too mid strong. Then when I step the OD down to get a nice strong sound, without sounding pushed and starting to get all scratchy and nasty when I don't want it to.

I heard that the Dimarzio FRED gets tighter the more gain is put through it, well thats kinda what im looking for.

MMM

HJM · « **Reply #6 on:** May 21, 2005, 08:26:05 PM »

Perhaps a lower gain pickup like a VH2 might suit? Being all maple/ebony/alder some more mid from a Black Dog may work well too.

My Nailbombs are really versatile, that's in a Basswood RG550 with maple neck. There's a lot of bass, but not as focused and powerful in the low mids as the Miracle Man.

If you want tight low end, look at a Holydiver.

Too many choices!

:lol:

Miracle Man Matt · « **Reply #7 on:** May 23, 2005, 11:11:41 AM »

yea I know what you mean about too many choices!!

I must bother Tim and co. so much :oops: but its just that I dont like having too many Guitars at once (or at all). I just dont have the capital at the mo so I just want to get the choice right the first time :)

Actually since Tim isn't based too far from me so I wonder If Id be able to go down and try one or too? I though I heard that Tim did lessons as well, but im not too sure now BKP seems to be getting larger, so if he still does I might have to have one at the same time.

Anyway Thanks alot guys, its helping alot!!

MMM

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2005, 11:48:57 AM »

Tim made me a custom Nailbomb with a Ceramic magnet
Tighter bass than the regualr NB and more midrange crunch than the HD
Very nice with the right amp

Tim · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2005, 01:26:00 PM »

I'm convinced the Nailbomb is the one for you-having played HJM's RG on the Nailbomb demo I know what it's capable of.
The other thing to remember is your MM has twin rows of cap head allen bolts(if my memory serves me correctly :lol: )and that'll add extra bass over a stock MM.
The Nailbomb has a great organic mid-very Vai if you can play like him,I can't unfortunately so my demo's not the best to listen too for that kind of vibe.This is the natural drawback of a demo-they can be stylistic-you really have to play a pickup to see what it'll do for you. I can get a Zakk vibe from a Mule if need be, the tone won't be identical to a Miracle Man but I can lead the ear by the way I play if that makes any sense. It's very hard to mask your playing style/identity-HJM's alot better at that kind of thing as he's a far more rounded player-you could spot Hayden or me coming a mile off but not HJM :lol:
Check Steve's demo out too, it's different to mine and the tone isn't so mid orientated.I must admit when we recorded the demo at HJM's one of the criteria was to highlight the strengths of each pickup and the Nailbomb has a great,expressive mid which I tried to bring out in the demo.

Miracle Man Matt · « **Reply #10 on:** May 23, 2005, 03:23:55 PM »

Thanks alot Tim :D

Yea The Demo's are awesome. I see alot come from the player, and vai is an extremely talented person!

Wow im surprised you still remembered the Double allen head job on the MM!! very impressive!!
8)

MMM