Best dark modern BKP

[one]

Hi.

I'm considering a new BKP set for a swamp ash 8 guitar. I already have the Juggs and the Cpigs, which I consider not so dark because I use baritones and a very trebblish amp, so I'm thinking about the  new Ragnaroks or else the Impulses. I don't want to have the same pups several times, so I dscard Cbomb and Juggs but I'd like to know how they compare to the Rags and what would be the best application for metal compared to the Impulses. In case I don't decide clearly for any I'll go to the Black Winters, I have them in 6 strings though I don't know if they are for 8.

Thanks in advance!

[Dave Sloven]

Probably Ragnarok or the A-Hawk.  But if this is an 8 string then you can cross the Black Hawks and the Impulse off the list anyway, as they are not available in 8 string configuration.  So Ragnarok.

[one]

Thanks, mate, hadn't considered the A-hawk, how would you define it compared with the pickups I've tried?

[Dave Sloven]

Like I said, it's not available in 8 string.  Mine is a 6 string.

Compared to the A-Bomb I think is less hairy, it ranges from a purr to a growl, definitely a lot of mids there but smoother.  Classic BKP string separation, really good for the power chord work I do (which is generally root+octave +4th or +5th) and great sustain.  It has three powerful magnets in the bridge pickup so I found that if I had it too high the magnets would kill sustain, but I have it at a height where I get really good sustain and plenty of power and character.

Unlike the Nailbomb, Cold Sweat, Miracle Man, and Warpig I have not had any other BKPs in the guitar that the A-Hawk is in, I will say that it easily kills the EMG-HZ H4 that was in the Schecter when I bought it.  I also like it better than the A-Pig in my SG Special.  I think it is on a par with the A-Bomb in my Explorer but I like the Schecter better simply because I have a floyd on the Schecter.  I get roughly the same sustain from A-Hawk in the Gotoh floyd equipped Schecter Stiletto as I do from the A-Bomb in the TonePros Tune-o-matic equipped Explorer (which is saying something). In doom metal sustain is very important because I have to hold notes and I don't use a fuzz to artificially increase sustain.  I think that out of my pickups the A-Hawk has the most output, despite the DC resistance readings.

In terms of lead work the A-Hawk kills every other pickup I have except for the Miracle Man in my SG Standard.

If you have a 6 or 7 string guitar you should consider the A-Hawk for it, but for this 8 string it is not an option.

[Nolly]

Hi, to be honest if you don't find the ceramic Warpig on the darker side of things, I don't know if there are any options apart from the alnico Warpig that would be suitably dark for you. BKPs naturally have a more extended high-frequency response than most manufacturers due to the scatter-winding and high-quality components, and this is one of the main draws to the brand for most users. With that said, have you tried using 280k or 250k pots in your guitars? You'll keep the amazing voicing and response of the BKPs but with less exaggerated high-frequency peaks. For a really quick fix, solder a 470k (or even 330k to go darker still) in between the live and ground on your volume pot, which will emulate dropping down to a lower pot value and therefore tame the high end.

[one]

Thanks a lot for the replies!

The problem is that my amp is very trebblish (5153) and I often get SS frets and longer scales which also add to the higher frequencies. The BKP I already own are all 7 versions. This new build I'm asking about is for a swamp ash fanned fret 8. I like the moderate and balanced tone of mahogany better, but I have severe back pain problems, so I am obligued to get the lightest woods possible. That's probably why some BKP sound weird in my guitars.

I'm even considering leaving modern BKP series out to get something more vintage Alnico-wise like the Mule, that would probably tame the amp a little bit and making more tone more manageable, don't you think? would this still be fit for death metal?

[Yellowjacket]

I put a hipshot FP replacement bridge on my Ibanez RG7421 and I replaced the nut with a TUSQ nut.  The guitar is incredibly bright now, so I know what you are up against.  It sounds great with my Mesa Electra Dyne and tight for low chords, but the lead tones are very bright.  By comparison my Redline III is balanced, aggressive, and huge sounding.  With the RG, I can’t help but think A-pig May be better.

[Dave Sloven]

The A-Pig is really dark in a dark guitar, but not especially dark in a bright guitar.  The same A-Pig that I had in my Explorer sounds completely different in my SG