Help me choose some pickups!

[luciformheart]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to choose a set of BKPs for this budget guitar that I'm modding, an Ibanez RGRT421. I'm going to be swapping out the nut soon and tuners hopefully in the near future. Neck-through guitar, mahogany body, jatoba fretboard. It's in need of some fret filing too, I'm going to be spending some time giving it some TLC. But it already plays pretty well considering.

Here's an album of pictures I took, if you're interested -
https://imgur.com/gallery/B331F2B

And a cover video I recorded, using the 5150 model on an Axe-fx -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ5n4ldNYfE


Anyway, I intend to play and record anything from hard rock/prog to death metal, and I tend to prefer slightly less modern sounds, but also not entirely old-school. Looking for something organic and fairly versatile. I'd prefer something that handles downtuning well, although I'm sure most BKPs do. Probably changing tunings anywhere between D and Bb, with the appropriate string gauges. I'm going to be playing through my Axe-fx II.

I've listened to a lot of samples and Youtube videos featuring various models, and the ones I ended up looking at are the Holydivers and Nailbombs. The ceramic Nailbomb in particular caught my fancy, based on the recordings on the BKP website. But I'm definitely open to any ideas and suggestions.
I've owned a set of 7-string Aftermaths in the past, they were really great, but I'm hoping for something slightly less "modern" this time. If that makes sense. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. 
Cheers!

[ericsabbath]

Rebel Yell set sounds like a great workhorse for lower tunings

[luciformheart]

Rebel Yell set sounds like a great workhorse for lower tunings

I checked out the samples on the Rebel Yells page; they sound nice, but I definitely prefer the samples of the Nailbombs. I guess I'd have to try them in person to be sure, but that isn't an option where I live.

I emailed sales and Ben said he would have recommended the alnico Nailbombs, but because I mentioned changing between lower tunings, the ceramic Nailbomb would handle them better.

Just to clarify, by Bb I meant Drop Bb/C Standard. That's almost certainly the lowest I'm likely to tune. :D
I've used pickups by other manufacturers like Seymour Duncan, and the JBs and Customs handle them pretty well.

[Dave Sloven]

I have the alnico Nailbomb and alnico Black Hawk in C standard, they both seem to handle that tuning pretty well

[luciformheart]

I have the alnico Nailbomb and alnico Black Hawk in C standard, they both seem to handle that tuning pretty well

Nice! Have you tried the ceramic Nailbomb? If so, what would you say the differences are like in practice?
Also curious if you've tried Holydivers.

My guitar is in Drop C atm, prolly staying there for a few more videos until I change strings and tune to C Standard for some Arch Enemy/In Flames love.

[ericsabbath]

In my experience both alnico and ceramic nailbombs sound better in near standard tunings
They do handle lower tunings well, but not as well as the rest of the contemporary and vintage hot modes

[Dave Sloven]

I haven't used the C-Bomb so I can't comment on that one.

In C standard I haven't noticed a big difference between the A-Bomb, A-Pig, and A-Hawk in terms of their ability to handle the tuning, but C standard isn't that low really.

I run D'Addario EXL117 11-56 string sets on both the A-Bomb (24.75" scale) and A-Hawk (25.5" scale) guitars.  I had the same on the A-Pig guitar (an SG), but I've put that back to D standard lately and fitted Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom strings.

I play doom metal so there is not a huge premium on tightness.  I do play some tremolo stuff and some palm mutes but not a huge amount

[ericsabbath]

Not really about tightness and picking definition
It just loses some of the in your face character and clarity qualties in comparison with the other models
The holy diver, cold sweat and miracle man sound way better in lower tunings than the nailbombs, in my opinion

[luciformheart]

Hmmm ... aren't the Modern Metal samples on the BKP website recorded with guitars tuned to C# Standard? I preferred the C-Bomb to the others I listened to, and that was what Ben from BKB recommended.
So I ended up ordering a set of Nailbombs with a ceramic magnet for the bridge. I'll most likely do a video comparing them to the stock pickups in my Ibanez. :) Considering it already sounds pretty good, I have nothing but great expectations!

[luciformheart]

Thanks for your posts btw! 

[ericsabbath]

Hmmm ... aren't the Modern Metal samples on the BKP website recorded with guitars tuned to C# Standard? I preferred the C-Bomb to the others I listened to, and that was what Ben from BKB recommended.
So I ended up ordering a set of Nailbombs with a ceramic magnet for the bridge. I'll most likely do a video comparing them to the stock pickups in my Ibanez. :) Considering it already sounds pretty good, I have nothing but great expectations!

Hey, brother
Hope you didn't get me wrong
I had both versions of the nailbomb, and I loved the c-bomb down to D standard, especially through Marshalls (and the a-bomb loves ENGL/Peavey type of gain)
It has a very balanced voicing and a nicer and more forgiving compression them most BKPs
I just like a few other models better for lower tunings, but it does not sound bad at all
Guys like John Browne (Monuments) and Misha Mansoor (Periphery) have used the c-bomb for much lower tunings for years, but that's just not my type of tone
I'd pick the Miracle Man for Gojira, but the c-bomb should work quite fine, and it's absolutely more raw and aggressive than the MM
Hope you enjoy it

[Brise-Fer]

Hmmm ... aren't the Modern Metal samples on the BKP website recorded with guitars tuned to C# Standard? I preferred the C-Bomb to the others I listened to, and that was what Ben from BKB recommended.
So I ended up ordering a set of Nailbombs with a ceramic magnet for the bridge. I'll most likely do a video comparing them to the stock pickups in my Ibanez. :) Considering it already sounds pretty good, I have nothing but great expectations!

Hey, brother
Hope you didn't get me wrong
I had both versions of the nailbomb, and I loved the c-bomb down to D standard, especially through Marshalls (and the a-bomb loves ENGL/Peavey type of gain)
It has a very balanced voicing and a nicer and more forgiving compression them most BKPs
I just like a few other models better for lower tunings, but it does not sound bad at all
Guys like John Browne (Monuments) and Misha Mansoor (Periphery) have used the c-bomb for much lower tunings for years, but that's just not my type of tone
I'd pick the Miracle Man for Gojira, but the c-bomb should work quite fine, and it's absolutely more raw and aggressive than the MM
Hope you enjoy it

I sent an order for a C-Bomob to be used in an ESP LTD MH-400B tuned to A Standard (ADGCEA). Ben also said they would handle it very well so I'm curious why some people say other models would be better? In what ways?