Holy Diver Les Paul Standard? Other suggestions?

[swigartd]

Anyone have any experience with a Holy Diver bridge in a Gibson Les Paul Standard?  I see tons of info about it in a Custom, but not much in a Standard.  My particular LP is a little heavy, close to 10 pounds, but I feel it’s a little on the bright side.  How would the Diver do in that thing?  Going for a pickup that can do 80s metal to modern metal and all in between.  Favorite tones include Jerry Cantrell, Marc Diglio (XYZ), Nuno, Nolly, Jeff Loomis, etc... You know...that thick, greasy, chunky, chewy tone.  Currently, I have a Duncan Custom with an Alnico 8 mag installed.  I like it, but it’s missing something.  Not real tight unless I’m using a boost in front of my amp.

I welcome any other suggestions of pickups people have had good luck with in an LP standard.  I play through a Fractal at home, but have a 5150 and a Dual Recto for live stuff.  I’ve also owned Aftermath, Painkiller, and Juggernaut BKPs.  The Juggs are in a Jackson HT7, which is the most beastly 7 string I’ve ever had.  Love them in that guitar.  The Aftermath and Painkiller didn’t do it for me.. almost too middy.

Thanks everyone!

[swigartd]

Forgot to mention I did try a Duncan JB in it.  Took it out of an Alder Charvel SoCal, which I love the JB in that, but I didn't like it at all in the LP. I've read the Holy Diver is similar to a JB, but I don't know...

[Yellowjacket]

I keep thinking Alnico Nailbomb.  It's a warmer sounding pickup with a full range response, and it's just gnarly and does great metal / thrash tones.  I had a 2 Channel Dual Recto and I didn't love how the A-Bomb played with it.  The A-Bomb was certainly good,  I got better results with a Rebel Yell and that amp.  The Rebel Yell just matches a Dual Rectifier in a ridiculous way, but it is more open sounding and it growls like a chainsaw, more than it rages and snarls like the A-Bomb. 

I'm not sure what others will recommend.  Miracle Man, for a less midrangey and wider tone. 

I have Juggernauts in a 6 string super strat and a 7 string super strat.  I have an A-Bomb in my 2002 Les Paul Standard.  (Traditional / swiss cheese body)  If you PM me, I can send a couple of demo clips just so you can hear how the two sound in relation to one another.  I'd say the Juggernaut is more of a contemporary tone while the A-Bomb is more of a trash sort of voicing.

[Dave Sloven]

I liked this video of the Impulse in a Les Paul for metal tones

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kot1vCp0IQ

[Dave Sloven]

Here's an even more interesting Impulse demo, playing '80s rock tones.  Sounds great

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRLEsW88UZs

[ericsabbath]

When I bought my first BKP 11 years ago, I replaced a custom 8 like yours with a holy diver on a japanese lp copy
it definitely was a huge improvement, BUT:
- it's not as loud and hot as the custom 8
- it sounds a lot better with a booster

I still have a holy diver in another les paul based guitar and I still love it

[fps_dean]

I keep thinking Alnico Nailbomb.  It's a warmer sounding pickup with a full range response, and it's just gnarly and does great metal / thrash tones.  I had a 2 Channel Dual Recto and I didn't love how the A-Bomb played with it.  The A-Bomb was certainly good,  I got better results with a Rebel Yell and that amp.  The Rebel Yell just matches a Dual Rectifier in a ridiculous way, but it is more open sounding and it growls like a chainsaw, more than it rages and snarls like the A-Bomb. 

I'm not sure what others will recommend.  Miracle Man, for a less midrangey and wider tone. 

I have Juggernauts in a 6 string super strat and a 7 string super strat.  I have an A-Bomb in my 2002 Les Paul Standard.  (Traditional / swiss cheese body)  If you PM me, I can send a couple of demo clips just so you can hear how the two sound in relation to one another.  I'd say the Juggernaut is more of a contemporary tone while the A-Bomb is more of a trash sort of voicing.

I will second this. The Alnico Nailbomb is sort of a vintage meets modern hybrid and pinch harmonics / trem dives really scream! I had it in a ESP and in alder, it was a little darker with the way the highs worked out (but still worked) and should really shine in a Les Paul!

Watch the following video if you need further convincing:

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

[Telerocker]

When I bought my first BKP 11 years ago, I replaced a custom 8 like yours with a holy diver on a japanese lp copy
it definitely was a huge improvement, BUT:
- it's not as loud and hot as the custom 8
- it sounds a lot better with a booster

I still have a holy diver in another les paul based guitar and I still love it

Eric knows BKP's like no other here. I think the Diver would be a good match, especially if your LP is a bit bright. It doesn't have a ridiculous amount of bass, which imo is a good thing in a LP. The solotones are way better than Nailbomb (more fluid and thicker, but less hairy and sizzly than the NB).