Author Topic: Painkiller? Nailbomb? What's for me? (Read 5511 times)

jimmy_fowler · « **on:** February 28, 2007, 01:41:55 PM »

Hey guys,

I'm looking to replace the stock pickups (Duncan Designed, based on the JB/Jazz) in my Schecter S-1 Elite. I play through an ENGL Screamer, and I play mainly hard rock, punk, hardcore, and older metal (early Metallica, etc). Here's what I'm looking for:

BRIDGE - I like the gain/output of the bridge pickup I already have - around 16k. However, I find it very muddy indeed. I'm looking for an extremely tight pickup, with loads of clarity, HOWEVER not compressed sounding like EMGs. Lots of low mid and bass sound, but with good trebs too. I like the tone of Sum-41 and Story of the Year, very tight palm-muting, lots of low-mids. That's the kind of rhythm sound I'm looking for. Mid to high gain, lots of clarity, but not compressed sounding.

NECK - I'm looking for a bit more gain than the Jazz copy. I want a really thick, creamy lead tone, but I need versatility because I use my neck for cleans. Again, clarity is good too.

What would you suggest? At the moment I'm considering the Painkiller or Nailbomb bridge, dunno about neck... Agree/disagree? Suggestions? Thanks guys.

gingataff · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2007, 01:56:25 PM »

Sounds to me like a bridge Miracle Man and neck Cold Sweat would fit the bill.

jimmy_fowler · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2007, 01:57:16 PM »

That's what I thought originally, but someone told me the Miracle Man was quite compressed, and I'm looking more for an aggressive but open, slightly lower-gain, less saturated/compressed sound. The music I play isn't heavy enough to merit a real scooped, compressed metal tone. I'm looking for loud, raw, open and punchy rather than gainy and saturated.

EDIT - I read also that the Nailbomb has very crunchy mids and is slightly less gain than the other higher-gain Bareknuckle's. Is this true? If so, seems like that's what I need...

jimmy_fowler · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2007, 10:31:41 PM »

Anyone? If anyone has the Nailbomb and could tell me if it'd suit my needs, or whether I'm after something else... Greatly appreciated :) Also, correct me if I was wrong about the MM... Thanks!

DrT · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2007, 10:40:58 PM »

Quote from: jimmy_fowler

Anyone? If anyone has the Nailbomb and could tell me if it'd suit my needs, or whether I'm after something else... Greatly appreciated :) Also, correct me if I was wrong about the MM... Thanks!

Tim recommended Nailbombs to me for my Axis - I had told him that I found the stock bridge PU (a ceramic custom DiMarzio) too harsh and fizzy and was looking for a somewhat warmer, thicker tone. Don't know yet what it sounds like though - I only ordered the other day.

gingataff · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2007, 02:43:14 AM »

Quote from: jimmy_fowler

Anyone? If anyone has the Nailbomb and could tell me if it'd suit my needs, or whether I'm after something else... Greatly appreciated :) Also, correct me if I was wrong about the MM... Thanks!

You asked for heavy lows and lowmids, I have a Nailbomb and it has nice lows but not huge, the power is more in the upper mids giving a very aggressive crunch when overdriven. For the lows I'd go MM or for tightness and power, but if you want something a bit less over the top how about a Cold Sweat calibrated set?

OD-Black_Fire · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2007, 03:13:39 AM »

Your description sounds a lot like Antag's Pain Killer and Holydriver clips. Check them out in the player section.

JoshuaLogan · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2007, 06:11:11 AM »

miracle man sounds like the best option for the bridge.... if it's too compressed just lower the pickup farther below the strings and/or use less gain on your amp

jimmy_fowler · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2007, 08:14:36 AM »

I've listened to a bunch of clips, and at the moment I'm really liking the Cold Sweat and Holy Diver bridges, and on listening to a lot of the clips, I've realised I think I want more mids and less bass than I already stated.

Which of these two would give me slightly more prominent mids and less bass, and would fit best in my Schecter - (25.5" scale length, mahogany body, quilted maple top)?

Is the Cold Sweat neck still what people would recommend me by the way?

Thanks for all the help so far guys, much appreciated :)

Antag · « **Reply #9 on:** March 01, 2007, 11:31:37 AM »

Quote from: jimmy_fowler

Is the Cold Sweat neck still what people would recommend me by the way?

Yep, totally, Cold Sweat for the neck - does everything you asked for in your first post. A fantastic neck pickup.

Reading your initial description for the bridge, my first thought was "Miracle Man".

Then I read your second post & thought "Nailbomb".

I can't comment on the CS bridge as I don't have one.

Much as it pains me to say it :) I'm not convinced Holy Diver is the one for this guitar. It does have a ton of mids & a massive thick sound, but in my Les Paul goldtop it lacked top-end & clarity. I swapped it to my Les Paul vintage burst (a much lighter guitar, with a brighter livelier sound) & it was much better - in fact it sounds HUGE.

NB: I'm not saying you can't/shouldn't use Holy Diver in mahogany guitars - the one in my neck-thru all mahogany Jackson Kelly is very good. Only that you should be careful. My Goldtop is a very bassy Les Paul (even by Les Paul standards), if you consider your Schecter to be a very bassy guitar, perhaps get something other than HD.

jimmy_fowler · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2007, 11:35:34 AM »

Yeah I think it is pretty bassy actually, that's why I'm suddenly starting to think I need to compensate with a bridge pickup with more mids. So you reckon Nailbomb/Cold Sweat? Thanks man... :)

Antag · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2007, 11:40:12 AM »

Nailbomb/Cold Sweat is a fine combination.

IMO your second post exactly described the NB...

jimmy_fowler · « **Reply #12 on:** March 01, 2007, 11:42:12 AM »

Sweet. Thanks so much Antag, and everyone else, much appreciated! Shall let you know what I make of them when I get them! :D

jimmy_fowler · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2007, 02:19:17 PM »

Oh just one more quick question... How long does it usually take for the pickups to be made and posted? Not sure whether to send them to home or to my University address... Thanks!

gingataff · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2007, 02:22:40 PM »

Of course it depends on how busy they are or if they're on holiday etc but about a week is a fair estimate, some people get them within 3 or 4 days in the UK.