Replacing CBomb bridge, need your opinion

[Lucas]

Hi, after in depth comparison with other BKPs that I have, I decided to get rid of my Ceramic Nailbomb and replace it with something else. CBomb doesn't speak to me anymore and feels like a black ship among my other BKPs. But need your opinion guys!
so...

I really want to replace Ceramic Nailbomb, because I don't like CBomb`s:
-it`s voicing,
-pronounced hard to tame upper mids
-it`s wild and hairy nature
-it`s too compressed and not open sounding
-it`s hard to tame and it`s not precise enough for complex riffing (too hairy, wild and sizzly)
-blurry string separation
-too saturated and not really versatile
-not fluid enough on leads, leads are really bad

Guitar is all mahogany (body and neck) thick Dean Cadillac, (after comparing with other guitars) it`s neutral sounding, not too bright not too dark, with solid mids.
In the neck I have Cold Sweat neck which I want to keep.

I play hard rock, progressive rock, the heaviest would be Metallica (mostly middle albums not early trash metal), nothing heavier. I`m big fan of Orange amps and use 2 valve Oranges (TH30 and Dual Terror).

What I`m looking for:
-way more opened sound not too much compressed
-more solid rock tone than fizzy, sizzly, hairy and wild with pronounced upper mids
-Not as saturated as CBomb
-good string separation
-progressive rock sound from 90s
-tight enough to play Metallica (mostly middle albums than early trash metal) but nothing heavier
-REALLY IMPORTANT good on solos, fluid enough for leads (Nailbombs are not good lead pickups) I`M MOSTLY LEAD PLAYER
-hot enough to keep up with Cold Sweat neck
-not too bright and not too dark (guitar is neutral sounding with solid mids)

What other option would you suggest instead of Ceramic Nailbomb? So far my favorite pickup is Miracle Man (already have 2 of them), I also have Cold Sweat bridge (which I like too) as well. So I would rather see something else, as 'metal' ground I have already covered.
As I learned that Nailbombs are not for me I would also stay away from Rebel Yell too (underwound NB). Apparently Rebel Yell is bridge between both Nailbombs.
 
I was thinking either Emerald, Juggernaut, Holydiver, Abraxas

Emerald - I`m afraid it might be too bright, guitar is not really dark sounding, more balanced, what about leads?
Juggernaut - I`m afraid that it won`t cut through enough as Juggs are already fat and darker sounding
Holydiver - I`m afraid of mids (as guitar has solid mids) and the fact that Holydiver might not cut through thick lump of mahogany
Abraxas - I`m afraid that it will be too polite and vintage and too dark.

What do you think? I really appreciate your help, thank you.
Best Regards,
Lucas

[Dave Sloven]

Actually my first thought was the VHII.  Which ever vintage hot pickup you choose though you will probably have to lower the Cold Sweat neck slightly

[one]

Juggenaut is my favourite of the bkp catalogue until I get the Ragnarok in a couple of months. I don't know about the others, but the versatily and singing nature of that pickup is awesome for me.

Have you thought you probably don't like bkps as much as you think? why don't you try other brand?

[stratguy23]

I’ve actually played every pickup you listed. I’d remove the Abraxas from consideration. It is not voiced right for Metallica and definitely not tight enough. It’s my least favorite Bare Knuckle I’ve played. I think any of the other three could work. They are all tight enough for Metallica, and they all work for leads. Holy Diver I have only used in a Super Strat with a Floyd Rose, so I do not know how it would react in your Dean, but in a astray it’s a great ‘80’s rock/metal pickup that can still cover classic rock and heavier stuff. It has amazing leads, very fluid but works well for crunchy rhythms too. This may surprise you, but I played the Emerald and Juggernaut back to back with my buddy (who owns the Juggs), and we agreed they aren’t that different. They have comparable output (Juggs aren’t as hot as people think), they were both very tight. The Emerald has less bass, more top end and a general voicing that is more vintage (honestly it’s a leaner, more vintage Juggernaut), the Juggernaut has more low end and low mids and more pick attack. I think the Emerald being too bright is overblown. Yes it’s likely too bright for a Strat but not something like your Dean or a Les Paul. I think you’d be happy with any of the three, and it comes down to how much low end you want and how modern or vintage (Emerald > HD > Juggernaut from vintage to modern).

[Lucas]

Many thanks guys! After talking to BKP staff today, I`ve just ordered Emerald bridge a minute ago, bye bye CBomb… after so many years together :) I was told that Emerald will be perfect replacement for that tone.

But to be honest CBomb was my first BKP, once I bought Miracle Man, it was a real game changer for me, I was truly blown away, then I got another Miracle Man for another guitar, then Cold Sweat for another (I`m talking about bridge models), I absolutely looooove Miracle Man, really like Cold Sweat but since I started using them I realized that Cbomb is not for my taste and literally put that guitar away for months (last time I used it was about 8 months ago...). Hopefully Emerald will change that.


Regarding neck models, I`m happy enough, all of them bring something different to the table, so can`t be bothered changing them at all. But I can tell you, Miracle Man neck is fantastic pickup, underestimated and forgotten here, but truly hidden gem.

[Lucas]

I don`t know if it`s right place or not (if not sorry...), but if anyone is interested in Ceramic Nailbomb, covered aged gold with aged screws, 50mm, long legs, I have one for sale now (UK based).

Emerald is coming! Don`t know what to expect as so far all my bridge BKPs were ceramic, but feeling excited though.

Once I`ll get that installed, I`ll share my initial thoughts.

Thanks for help guys!

[stratguy23]

Many thanks guys! After talking to BKP staff today, I`ve just ordered Emerald bridge a minute ago, bye bye CBomb… after so many years together :) I was told that Emerald will be perfect replacement for that tone.

But to be honest CBomb was my first BKP, once I bought Miracle Man, it was a real game changer for me, I was truly blown away, then I got another Miracle Man for another guitar, then Cold Sweat for another (I`m talking about bridge models), I absolutely looooove Miracle Man, really like Cold Sweat but since I started using them I realized that Cbomb is not for my taste and literally put that guitar away for months (last time I used it was about 8 months ago...). Hopefully Emerald will change that.


Regarding neck models, I`m happy enough, all of them bring something different to the table, so can`t be bothered changing them at all. But I can tell you, Miracle Man neck is fantastic pickup, underestimated and forgotten here, but truly hidden gem.

Happy to help! Glad to hear you’re going with an Emerald. I feel like it is an underrated model in the Bare Knuckle line, so it’s nice to see another forum member getting one.

[fps_dean]

Many thanks guys! After talking to BKP staff today, I`ve just ordered Emerald bridge a minute ago, bye bye CBomb… after so many years together :) I was told that Emerald will be perfect replacement for that tone.

But to be honest CBomb was my first BKP, once I bought Miracle Man, it was a real game changer for me, I was truly blown away, then I got another Miracle Man for another guitar, then Cold Sweat for another (I`m talking about bridge models), I absolutely looooove Miracle Man, really like Cold Sweat but since I started using them I realized that Cbomb is not for my taste and literally put that guitar away for months (last time I used it was about 8 months ago...). Hopefully Emerald will change that.


Regarding neck models, I`m happy enough, all of them bring something different to the table, so can`t be bothered changing them at all. But I can tell you, Miracle Man neck is fantastic pickup, underestimated and forgotten here, but truly hidden gem.

I hear the Emeralds are very open sounding, and a world apart from the C-Bomb. The thing I found with the Nailbomb is they really excel with screaming leads, but for everything else there's a better option (not that they're bad, they're just not for everyone)