Painkiller set vs. Nailbomb set (in Ibanez S-Classic)

[TonyGibson]

Hello all. I've been going back and forth regarding what set to throw in my Ibanez S-Classic. What I'm looking for is:

1) Serious power in the bridge (I like crunch in the bridge).
2) Cleans up nicely in the neck and sounds good tapped (in the neck...I don't really care about tapping the bridge).
3) Both pickups blend well when the PU switch is in the middle position..for funk type stuff.
4) Nice cut for the neck pickup...I don't like thick and bassy in the neck (to put this in perspective I did not like the MM neck but love the CS neck and MQ neck).

Basically I'm looking for that do-it-all set. Jack of all trades, master of all.  :P

So I'm thinking either a Painkiller set, a Nailbomb set (though I'm not sure about the neck pickup on either) or a CS neck with either a NB or PK bridge....possibly a NB neck?

Any from guys/gals that own either of these would be appreciated!

- Tony
I was thinking a Painkiller set, but I have

[Dakine]

Can only comment on PK set as thats the one I own (from your choices mentioned).
To my mind it certainly fills your requirements.
I have it in my MusicMan Petrucci. Bridge can crunch with best of em. Neck is sweet and not muddy. Centre pos. on this axe is split coils and they are a huge and great suprise with some nice clean jangle on a clean amp. VERY versatile pups indeed and thus far my faves.

[TwilightOdyssey]

- Tony
I was thinking a Painkiller set, but I have

you have what?!

Tony, what happened to you?!!

(I think the vampires got him!!)

[TonyGibson]

- Tony
I was thinking a Painkiller set, but I have

you have what?!

Tony, what happened to you?!!

(I think the vampires got him!!)

LOL...not sure what the hell I meant to type there...I do have an MQ set in a Gibby Les Paul Special that I use for blues (I love this guitar/pickup set up), a Gibby Les Paul Studio with an MM bridge and CS neck (also a great guitar), but I'm looking for something "different" in my Ibanez S Classic. And by "different" I mean coli-tapped. :)

[TonyGibson]

Can only comment on PK set as thats the one I own (from your choices mentioned).
To my mind it certainly fills your requirements.
I have it in my MusicMan Petrucci. Bridge can crunch with best of em. Neck is sweet and not muddy. Centre pos. on this axe is split coils and they are a huge and great suprise with some nice clean jangle on a clean amp. VERY versatile pups indeed and thus far my faves.

Thanks for that info Dakine. Maybe I'm comparing apples and oranges here, but how does the Warpig bridge compare to the PK bridge?

[Dakine]

Tony,
excuse me cos got a stinking cold and feel like shitee so supurlatives are not gonna be forthcoming.
PK Bridge to WP Bridge, think much more bass to fuzz. The PK IMO is cleaner, easier EQ to 'tweak'. WP is lower/bassier and therefore req. some tweaking for some sounds. The PK is more straightforward EQ wise and is emminently tweakable yet still powerful and 'hot'. Hope this makes some sense.
For what it's worth IMO my PK is more 'do all' where my WP is more 'specialised' if that makes sense again.

Nick

[TonyGibson]

Tony,
excuse me cos got a stinking cold and feel like shitee so supurlatives are not gonna be forthcoming.
PK Bridge to WP Bridge, think much more bass to fuzz. The PK IMO is cleaner, easier EQ to 'tweak'. WP is lower/bassier and therefore req. some tweaking for some sounds. The PK is more straightforward EQ wise and is emminently tweakable yet still powerful and 'hot'. Hope this makes some sense.
For what it's worth IMO my PK is more 'do all' where my WP is more 'specialised' if that makes sense again.

Nick

This does make sense, thanks Dakine. Based on what I've read (and my personal experience with some BKPs), I think I've narrowed it down to either:

1) PK set
2) PK bridge, CS neck

Hope you feel better!

[Dakine]

Thanks Tony.
I have always bought calib. sets (as Tim always suggests this as best) and indeed think *wink* the PK neck not to be far removed from the CS neck :)
Either way am sure you will love em.
The neck is very sweet, but again as I said, the surprise to me was the split tones, very very unexpected from a pup called Painkiller :)

Nick

[Philly Q]

I have always bought calib. sets (as Tim always suggests this as best) and indeed think *wink* the PK neck not to be far removed from the CS neck :)

Sorry Nick, but isn't the PK neck ceramic and the CS neck alnico V?  Or am I getting confused again?

[TonyGibson]

I have always bought calib. sets (as Tim always suggests this as best) and indeed think *wink* the PK neck not to be far removed from the CS neck :)

Sorry Nick, but isn't the PK neck ceramic and the CS neck alnico V?  Or am I getting confused again?

I don't think Tim sells any neck pickups made of ceramic. A email conversation I had with him a year ago pointed to his opinion on this.

[Dakine]

my booboo, blame the flem, yuck
But there are similarities if remember correctly.
Dunno, just ignore me LOL
Fact is PK set rocks hard :)

[Philly Q]

I don't think Tim sells any neck pickups made of ceramic. A email conversation I had with him a year ago pointed to his opinion on this.

That was true at the time, but it was pre-PK.  I believe the PK is the exception that, er, doesn't prove the rule.  :?

[octavio_amzer]

I will buy me a Painkiller bridge with a Cold Sweat on the neck.

I don't like ceramic necks. The Painkiller neck is the only ceramic neck of the sets.

Cold Sweat IS the neck pickup  8)

[TonyGibson]

I will buy me a Painkiller bridge with a Cold Sweat on the neck.

I don't like ceramic necks. The Painkiller neck is the only ceramic neck of the sets.

Cold Sweat IS the neck pickup  8)

+1...I have a CS neck in my Les Paul that I play through a Mesa and love it. I was just in the mood to try something different...but then again if it ain't broke don't fix it!  :D