Multiscale 8-string for alt metal / prog metal

[MerlinTKD]

I (hopefully) will be in a position soon to get my first really decent guitar; definitely going 8-string multiscale (I have an Agile 828 and 727 already so no huge adjustment), probably either an Ormsby or Kiesel. Either way, the specs are most likely to be ash body, bolt-on maple neck, ebony fretboard. Scale range on the Ormsby is 28-25.5”, Kiesel is 27.5-26”.

I have a set of Painkillers that have been on various 7’s, and I absolutely love them; been pretty happy with the Agile stock pickups in the 828 too. I do original music that sits kinda between rock and metal, alt and prog (most recent track here https://youtu.be/gGQxqH2ySgQ ). I’d probably just go for the PK, I only hesitate because of the particular wood combos. I’m open to suggestions, and thanks! 

[one]

yes, painkillers in that guitar would be overkill. I have a 28-26'' skervesen with similar wood and chose good old and safe Juggernauts, though I'd have liked to be more dary and try Ragnaroks. Impulses or Blackhawks are out of questions because they don't do it slanted.

[Dave Sloven]

Impulse, Black Hawk, and Cobra pickups are also not available in 8 string.

6 and 7 string straight only

[MerlinTKD]

I’m not sure about Juggernauts, honestly, and I never have been; they don’t sound *bad*, not at all. What I love about the Painkiller is that high-mid clarity, while still having a ton of meaty low-end. It’s hard to find that combo in another pickup. The Agile stock Cepheus are pretty close (being modeled on the M8 I guess) but lack that BKP specialness, naturally!

If I go Kiesel, a mahogany body is a possibility, but given the difference in price, and knowing I’m going to drop $300 in slanted BKP’s, the swamp ash Ormsby is probably going to be the one. So... what’s going to satisfy me like PK’s, but be better for that guitar?

[Dave Sloven]

I think an Emerald or Rebel Yell would work well in an 8 string

Here's a RY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-ppjENE6J8

[MerlinTKD]

All the clips of the RY I’ve heard sound... thin? To my ear. It’s definitely got the right edge, but not the low end I like to hear.

I’ve always like the clips I’ve heard of the Cold Sweat... given that I’m looking at a multiscale, that could be a possibility...

[darrenw5094]

All the clips of the RY I’ve heard sound... thin? To my ear. It’s definitely got the right edge, but not the low end I like to hear.

I’ve always like the clips I’ve heard of the Cold Sweat... given that I’m looking at a multiscale, that could be a possibility...

The RY sounds best in a Les paul style guitar for sure

[MerlinTKD]

Sent an email; Tim Bartle kindly suggested either the C-Pig or the Ragnarok, or as lower output options, the Silo or Holy Diver. I've never considered the Warpig because it seems so ridiculously hot, but I've always heard good things about it; I also absolutely love the tones Aaron Marshall gets with the Silo in his Mayones (completely different guitar, of course).

Given than I'm going for a prog metal-ish tone, with enough low-end to chug on occasion, which way's the best to go?

Edit: I'd like the option to have a good split, if possible, but it's not the primary focus; good cleans are a must, but then I always liked the PK cleans, so...

[ericsabbath]

Sent an email; Tim Bartle kindly suggested either the C-Pig or the Ragnarok, or as lower output options, the Silo or Holy Diver. I've never considered the Warpig because it seems so ridiculously hot, but I've always heard good things about it; I also absolutely love the tones Aaron Marshall gets with the Silo in his Mayones (completely different guitar, of course).

Given than I'm going for a prog metal-ish tone, with enough low-end to chug on occasion, which way's the best to go?

Edit: I'd like the option to have a good split, if possible, but it's not the primary focus; good cleans are a must, but then I always liked the PK cleans, so...

Aaron Marshall recently replaced his holy diver+emerald set in his green Mayones with silos
I wonder if there are any videos or audio clips that can show the actual difference between those sets

first I was going to recommend the aftermath, but I'm not sure you'd enjoy its bass cut
it's like a drier and leaner painkiller

[ericsabbath]

All the clips of the RY I’ve heard sound... thin? To my ear. It’s definitely got the right edge, but not the low end I like to hear.

I’ve always like the clips I’ve heard of the Cold Sweat... given that I’m looking at a multiscale, that could be a possibility...

the rebel yell has a very tube screamer-like voicing, but I wouldn't call it thin
it definitely has more low end than the aftermath in the same guitar
compared to the cold sweat (also in the same guitar), it does show less bass, but the extra midrange compensates the thickness
compared to the holy diver (same guitar), it has a bit less low mids, more upper mids and highs, and although it feels less compressed, it pushes my amps harder
compared to the alnico nailbomb, it has a similar edge, but less hair and more upper mid presence and brightness
the ceramic nailbomb sounded very very compressed, but more balanced throughout the frequencies than all the others
riff raff (my favorite along with the rebel yell) sounds like the rebel yell without the yell (without the tube screamer effect), so it gets quite close with a proper booster
black dog was warmer, more center mid oriented, rounder and less hot, so it's a holy diver that got stuck in the 70's
I call tell you the rebel yell is a lot thinner than the c-pig, but that's valid for all the others
the c-pig surprised me cause it sounded more versatile than expected, somewhat similar to the c-bomb, with a little more grain and hair, but it has a ton of bass that was too much for me

(all of those were installed in a '73 les paul custom and used mostly for high gain purposes in Eb and Drop C#)