Multiscale 8 + high gain amp = medium/low output BKPs?

[one]

I play in a extreme metal band. Fast riffing songs spiced with eerie clean parts. In my other guitars (27'' sevens) I have modern high output ceramic pups (the ones in my sig) and they work great but sometimes too noisy and ear fatiguing in combination with such a crushing amp.

I'm going to build a new axe:

Swamp ash + maple FF8 (26,5''-28'')
EVH 5150III 50w

As the pups are going to be slanted, I have to be careful which ones I chose. I'm considering getting a different thing here. Instead of modern ceramic high output pickups should I get some vintage alnico medium or even low pickups? will they still serve my purposes?

I'm torn between the new Ragnaroks or trying something like the Holy Divers. I've asked Ben and he said for these kind of guitar people get "more precise" sets. What would you recommend?

[Dave Sloven]

I'm betting someone will suggest the Black Dog.

[one]

I'm betting someone will suggest the Black Dog.

Someone did in the other forum I asked about ... but didn't say a word explaining why.

[Dave Sloven]

Well we can rule out the blade pickups (Black Hawk and Impulse) because they aren't available in slanted 8-string.

You have to discuss the 10 degree slanted baseplate with BKP before ordering, that's an extra 10 pounds per pickup but I think it is available for most of the conventional pickups.

Black Dog seems to be recommended a lot for this kind of application because tight bottom end, solid mids, etc

[one]

Well we can rule out the blade pickups (Black Hawk and Impulse) because they aren't available in slanted 8-string.

You have to discuss the 10 degree slanted baseplate with BKP before ordering, that's an extra 10 pounds per pickup but I think it is available for most of the conventional pickups.

Black Dog seems to be recommended a lot for this kind of application because tight bottom end, solid mids, etc

Blackhawks and impulses aren't out of question because they don't do it slanted but because I don't look for their "active" character. I don't need to discuss the slanting thing because it's already agreed by the builder of the guitar and bkp.

I'm curious about the black dogs

[Dave Sloven]

I don't know whether the blade pickups are available slanted but I do know they are not available for 8 strings.

[Telerocker]

The Black Dog is an exotic bird (unwanted funny... ) in the vintage(hot) section due to the use of polysol wire. It it throaty, grindy and real tight for a vintage pickup and to my ears not really a classic PAF. It's a sort of vintage Holy Diver that barks like a big dog when pushed. The tight bottom and fierce mids makes it a good pickup for downtuning. But don't worry, there's still enough chime so the sound doesn't dull.  Characteristics that make the BD suitable for downtuning and 7- en 8-strings guitars.

[one]

Thinking about finally getting Ragnaroks anyway

[fdesalvo]

The Black Dog is an exotic bird (unwanted funny... ) in the vintage(hot) section due to the use of polysol wire. It it throaty, grindy and real tight for a vintage pickup and to my ears not really a classic PAF. It's a sort of vintage Holy Diver that barks like a big dog when pushed. The tight bottom and fierce mids makes it a good pickup for downtuning. But don't worry, there's still enough chime so the sound doesn't dull.  Characteristics that make the BD suitable for downtuning and 7- en 8-strings guitars.

Damnit, Frank.  I just got a pickups for my current build sorted out.  You're making me want the Blackdog bridge!

[Telerocker]

The Black Dog is an exotic bird (unwanted funny... ) in the vintage(hot) section due to the use of polysol wire. It it throaty, grindy and real tight for a vintage pickup and to my ears not really a classic PAF. It's a sort of vintage Holy Diver that barks like a big dog when pushed. The tight bottom and fierce mids makes it a good pickup for downtuning. But don't worry, there's still enough chime so the sound doesn't dull.  Characteristics that make the BD suitable for downtuning and 7- en 8-strings guitars.

Damnit, Frank.  I just got a pickups for my current build sorted out.  You're making me want the Blackdog bridge!

Haha Frank, the BD might be for you. Still vintage(hot) clarity and punch, but not very compressed.

[one]

Finally ordered Ragnaroks, Hope I haven't made a mistake.

[Dave Sloven]

Finally ordered Ragnaroks, Hope I haven't made a mistake.

This is pretty much what happens with every one of these 'recommend a pickup' threads, lol.  Person asks for recommendations for pickups to suit their application, then buys what they like best based on the descriptions and clips on the site regardless of what guitar those clips were recorded in ...

On the other hand if I always followed recommendations I would have a few Holy Divers by now, instead of having none

[Telerocker]

Finally ordered Ragnaroks, Hope I haven't made a mistake.

This is pretty much what happens with every one of these 'recommend a pickup' threads, lol.  Person asks for recommendations for pickups to suit their application, then buys what they like best based on the descriptions and clips on the site regardless of what guitar those clips were recorded in ...

On the other hand if I always followed recommendations I would have a few Holy Divers by now, instead of having none

Yeah, that happens a lot.