Bridge match for Rebel Yell neck ??

[Wayne_S]

Been long time since Ive posted on the forum here but I do pop in and check on things from time to time.

Back in 2013 I put a set of Rebel Yells in my LP Classic. Cant say enough how impressed I am with these pickups. I love them but the high end issue I have is my LP not the pups. Not quite a solid match, its bit brighter than most LP's, it rings out unplugged acoustically like crazy.

So Im considering moving the Rebel Yell bridge to my 2006 EVH Art Series replacing the stock pup. That guitar is all basswood and much darker than the LP. I think the RY would do well in there.

What would be a good match for a bright LP pairing with the RY neck pup ??? Style wise Id say close to the same as the RY or lean towards hard rock/ classic rock.

[Dave Sloven]

The alnico Nailbomb pairs well with the Rebel Yell neck.

[Telerocker]

I suggest a Holy Diver here. Creamy and ballsy, with not too much top- and lowend.

[Wayne_S]

Hmmm ? Both NB & HD are higher outputs than the RY tho the HD does perk my interest from other post on comparisons between RY & HD bridge.

Any thoughts on Abraxas ?? Different magnet but the output is the same.

[Telerocker]

Hmmm ? Both NB & HD are higher outputs than the RY tho the HD does perk my interest from other post on comparisons between RY & HD bridge.

Any thoughts on Abraxas ?? Different magnet but the output is the same.

In fact the Abraxas is a hotrodded Mule with more PAF-pedigree than the Diver, which has a more modern voice and a bit more agressiveness. Of course the Abraxas can do heavier styles, but I think of it mainly as a beefy blues- and rockpickup, where the Diver is more hardrock/early metal-oriëntated. I presume - maybe owners can chime in - the Abraxas has a softer bassresponse than the HD.

[Dave Sloven]

VHII might work okay with a Rebel Yell. I'm pretty sure I've seen a video of that combo

[stratguy23]

I’ve played most of the pickups mentioned in this thread (except Rebel Yells but that’s going to change soon as I just got a set). The Abraxas/Crawler/Holy Diver will all thicken up your guitar. The Abraxas is the most vintage. I tried that in a (rather dark sounding) PRS SE Tremonti that I nodded for a friend. It definitely has a midrange push, but the tone is very balanced. For my taste, it didn’t have enough high end sparkle in a darker PRS, but it could work in your case. It is the most vintage voiced of the three and responds well to changes in the tone controls on your amp because it is so balanced. The Crawler is hotter with more kids and a rounded top end. I have it in a very bright Super strat and the rounded top end works perfectly in that guitar to prevent ice picky highs, but it was a little too dark for me in a different Strat. The Holy Diver also went into a Super Strat (that isn’t as bright as the one with the Crawler). It isn’t modern voiced but is definitely more modern than the Abraxas/Crawler. It’s hotter as well. The Holy Diver has a lot of low end which works great to fatten up a Strat, but I could see it being too much in some Les Pauls. The Rebel Yell and Holy Diver both share some JB DNA, but they are voiced differently. I hope this helps!

[Yellowjacket]

I paired an A-Bomb with my Rebel Yell neck pickup.  I found the neck pickup on my LP Standard was muddy and the bridge pickup was thin sounding.  With the A-bomb, it's similar to a Rebel Yell but thicker sounding with more weight in the lows.  The guitar is awesome now!

[Telerocker]

Hmmm ? Both NB & HD are higher outputs than the RY tho the HD does perk my interest from other post on comparisons between RY & HD bridge.

Any thoughts on Abraxas ?? Different magnet but the output is the same.

In practice that outputdifference is limited. My VHII is not that much weaker than my Crawler (both HSS-strats). Actually they're quite close.

[Wayne_S]

Much appreciate the input guys 😁 All the options stated are valid. I went and had a good digging around on the forum here and reviewed the BK site deeper. Still not sure what I’ll choose far too many kick butt BK offerings to pick from. It’s quite apparent I need a new fiddle or two then move stuff around get things matched up correctly. A darker LP then RY’s in there probably be the cats meow as they say. Gotta get a HD, VHII and Mules or Abraxas for my classic rock side.

Finally anyone try or know who has run the RY bridge on a 250k volume pot ? I did that for a long time with the JB worked nice 👍

[Telerocker]

Much appreciate the input guys 😁 All the options stated are valid. I went and had a good digging around on the forum here and reviewed the BK site deeper. Still not sure what I’ll choose far too many kick butt BK offerings to pick from. It’s quite apparent I need a new fiddle or two then move stuff around get things matched up correctly. A darker LP then RY’s in there probably be the cats meow as they say. Gotta get a HD, VHII and Mules or Abraxas for my classic rock side.

Finally anyone try or know who has run the RY bridge on a 250k volume pot ? I did that for a long time with the JB worked nice 👍

I would give that a try. It would the tame the prominent highmids of the RY a bit.

[Miracle Man]

Finally anyone try or know who has run the RY bridge on a 250k volume pot ? I did that for a long time with the JB worked nice 👍

You could also solder a resistor to to two outer lugs of the pot. That way you can fine tune the value. A while back I used a 2.2meg reisistor in parallel to a 520k pot to get around 420k of resistance, which was just enough to take the edge of the tone, but it wasn't dark. So, a 2.2meg in parallel with a 500k pot will give you about 410k, and a 1meg reistor will give you about 330k - these are the two values I would try before swapping for a 250k pot. I should mention that adding the resistor will change the taper somewhat, but it didn't really bother me.

[Wayne_S]

Interesting option Miracle Man !!

Well gang heres the first step Ive taken to address my current situation. Strange enough I purchased another calibrated set of RY with chrome covers. WHAT ??? Well upon further readings everywhere and talking to a few cats I know the covers on any pups feathers the high end a tad. Also my LP has titanium saddles in the bridge so I swapped the high "E", B & G strings to brass. Im not sure how much this will affect the tone but I love them RY's too much not to give it a shot plus the chrome really looks sweet. In the process I swapped out the pots for a set with push pull tone pots and Zoso caps. Split for the neck to single coil and phase revese the bridge with the neck. Its a RS Guitar Works kit and I made the effort to mod the top of the arch on the LP machining a flat so the washers and nut sit firmly.

I'll post up again once I get it all buttoned back up and running. 

[Telerocker]

I'm not a Gibon-expert but the bridge and what kind of metal the components are used, can make quite a difference. So I hope it turns out well. Very nice top on your Gibbo.

[Yellowjacket]

I have been absolutely shocked how much of a difference swapping out a bridge can make.  I think Nolly is right when he says it can be MORE dramatic than swapping pickups.