Recommendations for a PRS SE Custom 24

[abhi13]

Hello guys!
I'm new here and looking for wisdom; I apologise in advance for what might be a long-winded post!

For background, I've been playing for a while, but largely as a bedroom guitarist who occasionally records just for fun; obviously I listen to a lot of music. Have played live briefly. Consequently I know what sounds I like but find reviews of pickups etc quite confusing and sometimes a bit abstract in the way their character is described.

Here's my problem
I have a 2017 PRS SE Custom 24 - Mahogany body, maple top, bolt on maple neck with rosewood fretboard, PRS 85/15 "S" pickups.
I do quite like these pickups; they are responsive and, for lack of a better word, organic. They also sound lovely clean, especially some of the coil split positions. However, I play more aggressive styles of music and want a bit more "oomph" from this guitar; basically looking for something aggressive, clear and versatile whilst still retaining that nice clean sound.

Here is a list of sounds I like; I mostly listen to/try to emulate prog/tech/black/death metal in the vein of: Vektor, Horrendous, Artificial Brain, Gorguts, Revocation, Behemoth, Mastodon, Opeth, Between the Buried and Me, but also like the sludgier sound of bands like The Ocean and Baroness. I like crunchy hardcore/punk sounds from bands like Converge, Every Time I Die and Code Orange. Finally, on the slightly softer end of prog, I like sounds from bands like Cynic and Karnivool.

Bareknuckles have grabbed my attention through the numerous artists and manufacturers that use them, and obviously through their glowing reviews and the great sounds they produce. Not gonna lie, they look pretty sweet as well. Browsing their website, the description for the Nailbomb stood out to me as being an organic synthesis of vintage and modern, but I've also heard the Juggernaut set recommended almost universally. When I emailed, Tim Bartle responded suggesting ceramic Nailbomb's, but I wondered if Juggernauts might be more versatile? I've heard the Nailbomb described as "hairy" and elsewhere on here, as a "tattooed biker pickup" (lol); I guess I don't want to take the dive and end up with something that only does part of what I want!

Just looking for opinions, suggestions, tips from people who own multiple sets of BKPs, perhaps even in a similar configuration to my planned setup! If I've said something dumb please point it out!

Ta very much

[Dave Sloven]

The Black Hawks would be worth considering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JllQbKd_7U

That video is of a 7-string PRS but I think it gives you some idea.  I have the 6 string version of this set in my Schecter with coil splits for each pickup.  This video gives some idea of the split sounds, but a different sort of guitar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvoZPM-sVRc

[timmy_pix]

While I don't own a Nailbomb or a Juggernaut, I've played both and the Nailbomb is much more versatile.

The Juggernaut had its hype period where everyone was suggesting it for everything, but ultimately it's got a lot of low mid and low end oomph and while great for giving girth to a fairly neutral sounding basswood or alder superstrat, I think it's in danger of being a bit much in the low mids for a PRS SE - assuming yours is like my bandmates, it's not mid heavy but it's not lacking either.

The Nailbomb is a very popular metal pickup and for a long time was the default Bare Knuckle for most metal applications where some semblance of organicness was still required. Don't let the talk of hairiness put you off, it's more of a satisfying snarl and built in aggression, but it really is versatile and has a really nice sound. I think out of the range, it's probably your best option - have a look at the Nailbomb reviews in the sticky thread.

[Yellowjacket]

K.  so.

Juggernaut set is versatile, but in a particular way. 
1) As others have said, put it in a bright, ibanez style guitar.  Basswood or alder body, maple neck, rosewood board.  Hipshot hardware.  I would not recommend it for a darker guitar, particularly not a dark 7 string.  In a dark guitar, it can easily turn into low mid bloat with a low passed sounding top end.


2)Versatility means: It does cleans really well, low to mid gain tones, high gain rhythm, and leads.  Balanced sounding pickup (in a bright guitar)  that is tight, clear, articulate, expressive, and sounds great for rhythm and cleans up the neck.  The voice is very contemporary though, and you can't really dial that out. 

A-Bomb Bridge.  Not such a fan of the cleans.   Definitely a more balanced sounding pickup that can work in a wider spectrum of guitars.  I have it in my Les Paul and it is huge, clear, and angry sounding.  Tattoo'd Biker Pickup indeed.  I think I made that comment, actually. 

The voice of the pickup is more traditional thrash / brootz, hair, 90s, etc.  I can see it being versatile in the sense it can do traditional blues tones in a LP, also classic rock, contemporary rock, hard rock, and metal. 
But, it is not the same do everything tool like a Juggernaut bridge.  It isn't as strong on solos and leads, and the cleans are passable. 

[abhi13]

Thank you guys for taking the time to reply; it's really helpful!

It sounds like the Juggernauts might not be right for this guitar; I don't know that I'd describe it as dark though.
The Nailbombs were my first thought; maybe I should go with my gut!
I had considered the Black Hawks early on as well; in all honesty in the video with the PRS 7 string I'm not sure there was that big of a difference between the stock pickups and the Black Hawks!

Any of you guys with experience with the Nailbombs know what might go well in the neck with a C-bomb bridge?

Thanks!

[Dave Sloven]

I had considered the Black Hawks early on as well; in all honesty in the video with the PRS 7 string I'm not sure there was that big of a difference between the stock pickups and the Black Hawks!

Listening to the video the neck pickups seem more different from one another than the bridge pickups.  This might suggest that the bridge position sound is very influenced by the acoustic sound of the guitar.  In my experience I have found the neck pickups in the BKP range to be much less influenced by the guitar than the neck pickups.

[Yellowjacket]

Thank you guys for taking the time to reply; it's really helpful!

It sounds like the Juggernauts might not be right for this guitar; I don't know that I'd describe it as dark though.
The Nailbombs were my first thought; maybe I should go with my gut!
I had considered the Black Hawks early on as well; in all honesty in the video with the PRS 7 string I'm not sure there was that big of a difference between the stock pickups and the Black Hawks!

Any of you guys with experience with the Nailbombs know what might go well in the neck with a C-bomb bridge?

Thanks!

I have an A-Bomb bridge and a Rebel Yell neck in my Les Paul.  It's AWESOME!!!

You may have posted this already but what do you play for gear??  Amp etc.

[lamp]

I've got an ABomb in 2 guitars and my favourite neck pups to go with them are either a Rebel Yell and Mississippi Queen, with the RY just edging it - it's awesome as YJ says.