HSS Strat: Holy Diver VS Alcino Nailbomb

[tschelfaut]

Hey guys,

I've decided to give Bare Knuckle Pickups a try, but I cannot seem to decide which to put in my HSS Strat (Alder body, maple neck and fingerboard). Right now it has the 'Shawbucker' that came in standard, but I've grown to hate it... It has no balls, too little output, and to my ears just sounds like a 'messy' pickup.

I'd like something that isn't too trebly and that can add balls and body to my distorted tone...Clean tones aren't that important, since I prefer the neck singlecoil for that  anyway. I like my distorted tone to be raw, yet well defined, it has to have character and cannot sound sterile (like the EMG's in my ESP M-II, planning on replacing those too...). I can't really give you specific bands that I want to sound like, since I mainly play my own stuff, which isn't really metal or anything, but when the gain kicks in I like it to be powerful. I'd need something pretty versatile that does both low gain and high gain well.

I saw that the Holy Diver gets recommended often for strats on this forum. From the sound samples I've heard, I like it, but it sounds a bit too 'tight' or 'compressed' sometimes... I love the sound of the Alcino Nailbomb, but not many people seem to recommend it for alder guitars and apparently it's not as versatile as the Holy Diver...

My main amp is a ENGL Savage 120 if that helps.

Thanks in advance!

[Telerocker]

You might want to inspect the more vintage but fat sounding Crawler, which has a good split sound too. It will be a bit looser on the lows than the Diver, but it's tight enough for me. The Crawler cleans up very well too.

[tschelfaut]

I read about the Crawler, but apparently that doesn't do metal at all, and I do like to have the option. Besides, my music isn't metal, but when I do kick in the gain I like it fairly agressive, and I'm not sure the Crawler can do that...

[darrenw5094]

Yeah...the HD seems to be the safe bet for you. I really think the Nailbomb only works in Les Paul or similar guitars.

[Dave Sloven]

BKPs that are capable of playing metal that I would consider in a Strat would all be alnico pickups.

Holy Diver
Warpig (A5 version)
Black Hawk (A5 version)
Juggernaut (main magnet is A5, combined with two C8s on the sides)

The Crawler is most likely too fat and not tight enough for your needs, and in a standard tuning Strat the Impulse might be too polite.

Here's a video with the Warpig and Juggernaut in Strats, compared with a Seymour Duncan Invader in a Strat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCsbWQgi54A

EDIT: I would also consider the VHII, but it's not as fat as the others mentioned

[Yellowjacket]

That is a great video of BKP vs Duncans, how Duncans are thicker and more woolly sounding whereas BKP are clearer and more articulate. 

You can clearly hear how the Juggernaut has exceptional string separation and how it is very smooth in the highs.  The Warpig is more gutteral sounding and meaner. 

Juggernaut does great cleans and leads while the Warpig takes it for chugging rhythms. 
Which is weird, because the Juggernaut in my 7 string Ibanez is really the perfect pickup for the guitar.  The pickup seems to disappear and you really hear the tone of the guitar and amp in that situation.  On my 6 string with the locking trem system, the juggernaut emparts a distinctive tone to the whole rig.  But, I wonder if that guitar would sound distinct no matter what pickup was in it. 

[Telerocker]

I read about the Crawler, but apparently that doesn't do metal at all, and I do like to have the option. Besides, my music isn't metal, but when I do kick in the gain I like it fairly agressive, and I'm not sure the Crawler can do that...

Not really, the Crawler can growl, but is not a very aggressive pickup. HD will do that job better.

[tschelfaut]

I actually really like the Juggernaut in that video! Never considered that one...

[Dave Sloven]

I actually really like the Juggernaut in that video! Never considered that one...

Out of all of them I think that might be the best for your needs.

Here's another Strat video with the JN.  Keep in mind that he switches between neck and bridge, it's the set

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSNtqBOZsQU

[tschelfaut]

I think I've decided on the Juggernaut... Thanks for the help guys! Another question, is it necessary to also replace my singlecoils with Bareknuckles? Will the standard ones get along with the Juggernaut? I don't mind the way they sound and it's quite another investment if I would have to change those as well...

[Yellowjacket]

Let me know how it goes.  The Juggernauts have been great pickups, PARTICULARLY in my RG7421.

[Dave Sloven]

I think I've decided on the Juggernaut... Thanks for the help guys! Another question, is it necessary to also replace my singlecoils with Bareknuckles? Will the standard ones get along with the Juggernaut? I don't mind the way they sound and it's quite another investment if I would have to change those as well...

I would try just changing the bridge pickup and see how it sounds.  If you encounter an issue get back to us as to what you think you need and someone will be able to give an opinion