Recommendations?

[j7899]

I should be having a new ESP LTD Alexi-600 arriving tomorrow, but plan on replacing the EMG-HZ(passive) for something better, as I am not a fan of anything EMG has put out.

The guitar:http://www.espguitars.com/guitars_alexi.html

I have a Bill Lawrence L-500XL I  was planning on throwing in there, but after hearing samples of the nailbomb and miracle man I don't know anymore.  I am looking for something that might help with sustain that the floyd removes, still can be crunchy but have very good note articulation/harmonics.  The guitar will be my lead, and despite being an Alexi sig., I didn't get it to play COB, I just prefer the shape over the Jackson RR series, and any of the Vee's.  The guitar on its own should be naturally bright with the mape neck thru, and the ebony fret board.

EDIT: I mainly play metal, but want it to be able to pull of just about anything. Tones I like are Metallica, and also The Black Dahlia Murder(unhallowed), and many more but those are the two coming to mind.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Hi and welcome. Cool guitar!

Well, basically, the guitar is going to sound like it's got a maple body and neck; the alder wings are just for sustain, essentially. Maple + ebony might = a very hard, edgy tone ... just like Alexi's! ;) (Seriously, his tone is awful)

I'm tempted to say Miracle Man or Cold Sweat for that guitar. The Miracle Man will give you lots of insane harmonics and decent low end grind; the Cold Sweat is a bit darker, flatter in the midrange, and will give it more of an old school vibe.

[downrodeo]

I'm definitely thinking Miracle Man. Very tight, very metal, excellent sustain, harmonics and great for fast riffage. If you are more of a rhythm player, you may want to also look into the Warpig.

[j7899]

The guitar body/neck combo is the same as the the Jackson Rhodes, just with a longer wing. Any idea how the Lawrence L-500XL will sound, I have a feeling that it is very similar to the Miracle Man? I am going to install it as I currently have one, and need to save up for a BKP as I am looking at doing a custom one with a beatup black cover, and allen pole pieces.

[Ratrod]

It's begging for a Miracle Man. It'll blow the XL500 out of the water.

[j7899]

It's begging for a Miracle Man. It'll blow the XL500 out of the water.

Even a true Bill Lawrence L-500XL?  I need to save money up, and I appreciate everyone's response.  With the USD(I remember when GBP = $1.64USD, now $1.80 something :() being so damn week it is even more expensive.  Although once I sell the two lawrence pickups that should cover it.  I am looking at getting the MM in black, floyd spaced, with beat up cover.

[TwilightOdyssey]

The Bill Lawrence does sound good in the Rhoads! I've heard it in the US version, and while it needed the mids to R E A L L Y boosted, once corrective EQ was added, it certainly didn't sound  BAD. (btw, this is due to the fact that the 2nd gtr player in my band had one for about 6 months, so I know it's sonic signature well)

However, I've had to make virtually NO EQ adjustments with my BKs. I usually just run my amp flat out and it sounds great. I love the fact that I can appreciate the differences in tones in my guitars without having to worry about one sounding 'right', the other 'wrong', esp when you EQ your rig to compensate for a particular guitar/pickup, and then it sounds like p00 when you switch.

The Bill Lawrence will get you through the day, but not in the way that the Miracle Man will.

Enjoy the BL while you have it, and then you'll doubly enjoy the MM when you pop it in!! :)

[j7899]

I am going to sell them and get a MM, my question is how much will it cost for the pickup to look like this:

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1574

[j7899]

Well I went ahead and ordered the Miracle Man in black, with the beaten and scarred look.  From what I read engraving is free if it is of the Bare Knuckle Pickups logo?  I hope so as I put that in the comments.  Now the wait begins, but I doubt it is 1-3 months like it was for the Bill Lawrence pickups.