Need recommendations! BK Humbucker for Tele bridge!

[Samwise]

Hi everyone,

I'm working on a build and am looking for suggestions for a bridge humbucker only.

The guitar will basically be an Esquire style job (basically a tele with no neck pickup) but instead of a single-coil in the bridge, I will be installing a humbucker.

Key info:
Bound alder body
Maple neck with rosewood fretboard
500k pots
My amp is Victory Sheriff 44 (Marshall Plexi style amp)

I'm essentially looking for a humbucker that will give me hard rock sound akin to Dan Hawkins of The Darkness (who plays Les Pauls loaded with Gibson 498Ts, quite a hot pickup). My aim is to find a Bare Knuckle pickup that delivers that kind of tone but factors in the possible brightness that the alder body will provide over the normal mahogany of a Les Paul. Now, before anyone says, 'dude, why don't you just buy a Les Paul?' (which is a fair question), my answer is that I suffer from severe pack pain so looking for lighter guitar with mighty Les Paul grunt.

Just for context, I attach a picture of what I hope the finished guitar will look like - it's Laura Jane Grace's (Against Me!) Nash custom build and I just think it looks outstanding :)

Any insights, experience and recommendations would be ace!

Thanks,
Sam

[Telerocker]

I would go Crawler, or a bit milder the Abraxas. If you need a heavier sound maybe the alnico Nailbomb.

[Dave Sloven]

I'd second the Crawler recommendation in a bright guitar.  It will also split well if you want single coil sounds. The Crawler is definitely a good choice for rock sounds.

[Samwise]

I would go Crawler, or a bit milder the Abraxas. If you need a heavier sound maybe the alnico Nailbomb.

Thanks for the suggestions! Yeah, the Crawler was def on the hot list for me - and hadn't considered the Nailbomb - looks/sounds pretty gnarly! Decisions.. food for thought though, cheers!

[Samwise]

I'd second the Crawler recommendation in a bright guitar.  It will also split well if you want single coil sounds. The Crawler is definitely a good choice for rock sounds.

Thanks! Good to know about the splitting capabilities too :)

[Telerocker]

I'd second the Crawler recommendation in a bright guitar.  It will also split well if you want single coil sounds. The Crawler is definitely a good choice for rock sounds.

Thanks! Good to know about the splitting capabilities too :)

Crawlers splits superb into a tele-esque sound.

[timmy_pix]

Dan's previously used Cold Sweats, he's got a Nailbomb in his Troublemaker Tele, and I'd say closest to a 498T would probably be a True Grit. I've got Emeralds in my Les Paul and they nail The Darkness rhythm sound, but they tend to be pickier so it depends how bright your guitar actually is - don't assume just because it's alder that it's automatically brighter than mahogany, as I've found the bridge has a massive effect on the acoustic tone of a guitar too. The Emerald isn't harsh in the top end, it just has a lot of presence/air that feels "bright" without necessarily being trebly.

My PRS SE Bernie (big lump of mahogany with a maple cap/mahogany neck) is much brighter acoustically than my ash-bodied/maple necked Tele, for example.

[Samwise]

Dan's previously used Cold Sweats, he's got a Nailbomb in his Troublemaker Tele, and I'd say closest to a 498T would probably be a True Grit. I've got Emeralds in my Les Paul and they nail The Darkness rhythm sound, but they tend to be pickier so it depends how bright your guitar actually is - don't assume just because it's alder that it's automatically brighter than mahogany, as I've found the bridge has a massive effect on the acoustic tone of a guitar too. The Emerald isn't harsh in the top end, it just has a lot of presence/air that feels "bright" without necessarily being trebly.

My PRS SE Bernie (big lump of mahogany with a maple cap/mahogany neck) is much brighter acoustically than my ash-bodied/maple necked Tele, for example.

Thanks for the advice and info on Dan! Yeah I knew has a Nailbomb in that Troublemaker tele - think that's a bit too much for my needs as he only uses for a couple of very heavy tracks. Hadn't considered the True Grit. My initial idea (before I fell down the rabbit hole...) was go with a Black Dog for a slightly more vintage hot tone... but I'm also torn between the Crawler and the Emerald. The Emerald seems to be the best fit based on various write-ups. I'm sure I'll decide by the end of the year... ha

[Telerocker]

Emerald and Crawler are two different beasts. True Grit I have no experience with.

[Dave Sloven]

Yes I'd say that if a Crawler works well in your guitar then an Emerald would be unlikely to do so in the same guitar and vice-versa.

[ericsabbath]

If you want openness, you could try the Emerald, Abraxas or Crawler
Rebel Yell is a great option too, and VERY dominant so it's easier to predict the result
If you want density over openness then you might enjoy the True Grit or the Holy Diver, or even a Black Dog
I think the alnico Nailbomb might be a bit overkill, but should work too
I also love the Cold Sweat, but only had it in Les Pauls and an Explorer