Aaron Marshall / Intervals style for basswood 7?

[MerlinTKD]

Hey, haven't been around for a while (you know, life 🤷‍♀️) but lately I've really been getting into Aaron Marshall / Intervals, to the point where I'm seriously thinking about taking the Painkillers out of my basswood 7-string and replacing them with something more his style, fusion/metal-y (im using my 8-string for all my metal-y stuff, so the 7 just sits 😢)I originally assumed Black Dogs would be the way to go, but after doing some research (here and elsewhere) it seems like he used to use a Nailbomb bridge, at least, and I'm guessing the Suhr pickups now. My guitar is already wired with a three-way and push-pull for coil-splitting, so I just need the right pickups (well, and a metric ton of practice 😂).

Suggestions? I'm on a bit of a budget, so I'm open to any brand, but I do so love me some BKP's 😁

[Yellowjacket]

I have an A-Bomb in a Les Paul and it's a really hairy and pissed off tone.  I can't really comment on the signal chain Aaron Marshall is using, but it is really smooth with nice mids.

For modern prog tones, I immediately think Juggernauts, like what I have in my RG.  In a Basswood RG with a maple neck, they have a lot of weight in the mids with that really nice, smooth top end.   Is your RG a prestige?  What kind of bridge is on it? 

To my ear, an RG with Juggernauts through a Mesa Mark V would have that sort of smooth, creamy tone with those nice, compressed mids. 

[MerlinTKD]

Thanks for the reply!    Mine's not an RG, it's an early 90's ESP/LTD, but yeah, basswood body (that I stripped the finish from) with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard. I replaced the bridge with an OFR. It's very resonant, warm and middy. It's got a great sound, but not really tight at all.

I finally remembered I could email BKP directly and they recommended either the Black Dogs or Holy Divers; I don't have any experience with those, so I wonder which would hsve a better split/single coil sound?

[Telerocker]

Thanks for the reply!    Mine's not an RG, it's an early 90's ESP/LTD, but yeah, basswood body (that I stripped the finish from) with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard. I replaced the bridge with an OFR. It's very resonant, warm and middy. It's got a great sound, but not really tight at all.

I finally remembered I could email BKP directly and they recommended either the Black Dogs or Holy Divers; I don't have any experience with those, so I wonder which would hsve a better split/single coil sound?

When the guitar has big mids I would stay away from bridgepickups like the HD and Holy Divers. Maybe Cold Sweats are a better choice. They're tight too.

[MerlinTKD]

I thought about the Cold Sweat... I was afraid it might be too aggressive for what I want to do, but I'm definitely in unknown territory here  I know the Diver's are a little mid-focused, but aren't they made with basswood in mind?

[darrenw5094]

I thought about the Cold Sweat... I was afraid it might be too aggressive for what I want to do, but I'm definitely in unknown territory here  I know the Diver's are a little mid-focused,but aren't they made with basswood in mind?

Not exactly, probably sure most SuperStrats from the 80's era were alder

[MerlinTKD]

Not exactly, probably sure most SuperStrats from the 80's era were alder

Ah, I bet you're right. So if I want something fusion-y (and less aggressive than the CS), what would be a good alternative? VHII maybe? I'd also thought about the Black Hawks, but wasn't sure about the hi-fi nature.

[darkandrew]

I thought about the Cold Sweat... I was afraid it might be too aggressive for what I want to do, but I'm definitely in unknown territory here  I know the Diver's are a little mid-focused, but aren't they made with basswood in mind?

I've got Cold Sweats in my Fender Showmaster basswood superstrat and the CS's fast attack is just what it needs. I also wouldn't say they were that aggressive either - they are definitely less aggressive than Holy Divers.

[MerlinTKD]

I've got Cold Sweats in my Fender Showmaster basswood superstrat and the CS's fast attack is just what it needs. I also wouldn't say they were that aggressive either - they are definitely less aggressive than Holy Divers.

Interesting! While I've never heard the CS in person, I've always loved the clips I've heard! I know it's loosely based on the 80's Dirty Fingers, which I have in another guitar, so I think I was assuming the CS is equally as hot and aggressive.

[Telerocker]

I've got Cold Sweats in my Fender Showmaster basswood superstrat and the CS's fast attack is just what it needs. I also wouldn't say they were that aggressive either - they are definitely less aggressive than Holy Divers.

Interesting! While I've never heard the CS in person, I've always loved the clips I've heard! I know it's loosely based on the 80's Dirty Fingers, which I have in another guitar, so I think I was assuming the CS is equally as hot and aggressive.

I see the CS as a tamed version of the Miracle Man. Not too agressive and quite musical for a ceramic.