Best pickup for a 1 pickup shred machine??

[chrisola]

Hi

In the process of speccing a custom guitar, just wondering what the best pickup to use would be? Its going to be a 80s style Kramer\EVH\Children Of Bodom affair 1 pickup jobby  8)

So far the shortlist of non BKP pickups:

1) Bill Lawrence 500XL (cheap and sounds awesome.. my fav so far!!!!)
2) EMG 89 (switching mode + active circuit add ons...)
3) SD Jeff Beck (like in the old Kramers)

Just wondering what would be good from the BKP range? Listening to the sound clips gives me an idea, but they are usually a mixture of bridge\neck and through equipment alot different to what i have... and some pickups arent featured (holy diver?).

Also what sort of controls should i be looking at? I've seen things like pre amps and boosts\'sweet' switches on guitars, these seem a good idea on a 1 pickup guitar.... (coil tap maybe?)

So far its:

24 fret satin\maybe unfinished maple neck (probably figured or flamed! mmm) with hockey stick headstock
stratish body
1 500k volume control
body made of alder or maybe mahogany...
original floyd rose trem (none of the licensed poop)

not sure of colour yet!

thanks for input!

[Tim]

If you like the XL500 the Miracle Man will blow your socks off! It has more of everything and dynamics as well.

High gain is obviously your aim judging by the 3 p/ups you mention so from the current BKP stable you've got

Nailbomb-hot and organic, good mids and splits down well/cleans up well.
Miracle Man- great tight bass response, smooth mids and  screaming highs, pinchs harmonics on it's own!
Warpig-super saturation on the gain front, easily match a 81, also has a great clean tone too.

The Holydiver is a nice pickup but very clean and clear-not enough beef for what you're after.

Add ons-personally, and I'm speaking for myself here, less is more. Whatever extra you put between pickup and amp is going to suck a little signal and load back the pickup. At the end of the day you'll have to see if you actually need anymore..............if not I wouldn't add on just for the sake of it. PDT_015

[chrisola]

Thanks for reply, yeah less is more... i'm like that too, hence the 1 pickup 1 volume setup i'm aiming for  :lol:

I think i've settled on a Basswood body, and i do like the Miracle Man...  just waiting on some quotes for the build of the guitar before i take the plunge (pfft i could buy a couple of p/ups and swap them about.. its a custom build!)

[TwilightOdyssey]

Miracle Man will do what you ask. I have the MM installed in a 2-pickup guitar, and I love it for that 80s metal tone!!

I just posted a Lynch solo in the Player's room that I tracked this afternoon using nothing but the Miracle Man and a Roland VG-88.

Tons of harmonic detail, tapping articulation, and the smoothest gain I've evern encountered. Check it out. :)

[Ratrod]

I've put a Warpig in a single pickup Basswood guitar. It's ruthless. :twisted:

Check the 3 clips I posted in the players section, thread 'suicide warpig'.

[chrisola]

aah man you had to.

Now i'm stuck between MM and warpig (theres a pig on ebay for £80 too!)

Hmm, could you post a clip of your 'Fire Breather' in soloing mode for me? Would be much appreciated.

Still deciding between alder or basswood for my guitar aswell...

[Ratrod]

I'm not that good on soloing but I think I can noodle something together. It'll probably be some 4 note blues thingy. I think I'll have something by tomorrow.

[chrisola]

thanks that would be cool!! i'm no van halen either, but am after a reference as i (try) and play alot of stuff with various lead harmonies... need a good leady tone for that :)

[Johnny Mac]

You love the Miracale Man. I'm still finding sounds I've never heard on a my guitar before it was fiited. 8)

[chrisola]

http://disvisioned.net/clips/pantera2.mp3

http://disvisioned.net/clips/lead2.mp3


^^ bridge pickup demo of the 500xl... seriously tempted with this, i can
get the bridge pickup + an Air Norton + 3-5 day delivery from USA  for £89  :!:

ARGH!

[TwilightOdyssey]

chrisola, you will only end up spending more money in the long run when you come back to getting BKs.
You can lead a horse to water, tho ...

[FELINEGUITARS]

You love the Miracale Man. I'm still finding sounds I've never heard on a my guitar before it was fiited. 8)

Nah - that will be due to the magic rituals i performed on the guitar while I had it :twisted:

Seriously you really can't go wrong with a Miracle Man in that guitar.
The only problem you'll have is having it used by all your mates because they love it too

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Man, this Thread is Pure Addiction
hum i guess i typed the word wrong. ahahah
i decided on the Miracle man bridge for my custom project, but i would like to Not choose the same pickup as My friend ben, because it could look like i´m envy of him or trying to clone him, but it has nothing to do with it AT ALLLLLLLLLL. hahaah i just found it unholy enough for me.
and i stil need better clips of the warpig. i can change my mind in the last minute .
Q:p
I agree totally with chrisola choice fo custom guitar, except FROM the just 1 pickup thing. ahahah GET  neck too man. ahahahah
Q:)
Sweep picking in the neck is sweet and great
Hails
J.P

[chrisola]

hmm yeah.. although i cant sweep so good :P

maybe a YJM single coil in the neck, or i REALLY like the Air Norton pickup...

i may just get the 500xl + air norton for the cheap price i saw, then stick a MM in my custom build (and maybe the norton) and have the 500xl in my mahogany LP... have 2 different sounding killer axes then  :twisted:

[steve]

hmm yeah.. although i cant sweep so good :P

maybe a YJM single coil in the neck, or i REALLY like the Air Norton pickup...

i may just get the 500xl + air norton for the cheap price i saw, then stick a MM in my custom build (and maybe the norton) and have the 500xl in my mahogany LP... have 2 different sounding killer axes then  :twisted:

Dont waste your money, get some BK's and you wont be disappointed.I have tried every SD,Di****o etc and they have all lacked that certain something.I tried BK's on the recommendation of a freind and i tell you i wont be using the other brands ever again.Cheers Steve.