Best 80's shred sound?

[soulash]

I've got an RG550XX 20th that I want to make into a beastly shredder!

Looking for something very 80's sounding, think Jason Becker, Van Halen, Paul Gilbert, Steve Vai etc.

What would you guys recommend? (Bridge, single and neck!)

[Telerocker]

VHII or Holy Diver-set. Irish Tour for the single coil.
You could also choose HD-bridge and VHII-neck, which is great for fluid leads.

[Cookie Monster]

I just ordered and received a Holydiver and a Trilogy Suite for the middle and neck positions of my HSS strat. But unfortunately I haven't had a chance to install them yet. From all I've read, the Holydiver would likely get the sounds and feel you're after. Consider a Trilogy Suite for the middle singlecoil position, and then a VHII for the neck humbucker as Telerocker suggested.

[Telerocker]

I just ordered and received a Holydiver and a Trilogy Suite for the middle and neck positions of my HSS strat. But unfortunately I haven't had a chance to install them yet. From all I've read, the Holydiver would likely get the sounds and feel you're after. Consider a Trilogy Suite for the middle singlecoil position, and then a VHII for the neck humbucker as Telerocker suggested.

VHII in the bridge is better with an IT in the middle. A TS is on par with the HD, but for more vintagevibe the IT would do well too.

[mantrasky]

The Holy Diver (calibrated set) with the Trilogy Suite in the middle has been my setup for many years "Great Combination" I also use a Schaller Mega-E 5-Way switch that can config the coils in different positions rather than the traditional bridge to neck. My setup....& sound through the BE-100


 https://soundcloud.com/mantrasky/be-100-solo

[Lucas]

If your guitar is a bit darker sounding and you prefer ceramic magnet in the bridge, I would also throw Cold Sweat bridge in. Classic rock 80`s pickup with really good leads.
Is not that bright, I have one in Warmoth Telecaster (alder chambered body with flame maple cap, golcano alves-similar to mahogany tone wise/ziricote neck) and at the start I was afraid that CS might be too bright, but it`s not at all.

But Holydiver is definitely safe bet.

VHII neck is truly fantastic though (I have it paired with CS bridge in that guitar). Like it even more that Cold Sweat neck

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dNroTIfXKUA

If you are interested in VHII neck, here's my video when I used only VHII throughout the whole song doing some lead work.

[fdesalvo]

The Holy Diver (calibrated set) with the Trilogy Suite in the middle has been my setup for many years "Great Combination" I also use a Schaller Mega-E 5-Way switch that can config the coils in different positions rather than the traditional bridge to neck. My setup....& sound through the BE-100


 https://soundcloud.com/mantrasky/be-100-solo

Tasteful rig

[mantrasky]

Thanks!! They sound great in my home studio to DAW