My first metal guitar: HD / MM / NB / WP / PK ???????

[hunter]

This gorgeous US Hamer has been a bit my problem child since I had it (it's been my main/only guitar for about 10 years).

As the guitar ( all Mahogany, Floyd Rose ) is a bit dull, I need a bridge pickup to add punch and complexity.

I've been through Duncan JB, EMG81 and the bridge pickup of my MM Axis/EVH on this guitar and they all don't do it for me.

I want the Hamer to become my  HEAVY GUITAR.

Please help me chose as I haven't got lots of experience with heavy sounds. I like Randy Rhoads, Hetfield etc., would be nice if it would also split well/do cleans, but focus is on a complex, punchy, defined, high output heavy tone.

Please don't recommend EMGs, as I had them and they are boring!

The bridge pickup I'm going to chose will co-exist with a VanZandt HotPAF in the neck. I like to have a weaker neck pickup.

What to go for?

[Ratrod]

My gut feeling tells me it needs a Painkiller. Better wait for Ben to chime in.

[Crazy_Joe]

Holy Diver.

[Doadman]

God, you sound like me! I've just been through this with my mahogany guitar so I have to vote HD as that's the decision I came to. What I learned was that if you want decent cleans and a more complex tone you need to go for Alnico V instead of ceramic but to do Metal stuff it needs to have power as well. The HD seems to do that to perfection.

[Philly Q]

Blimey, Hunter, we seem to have quite similar tastes in guitars!  I've got a 1981 Hamer Special just like that, but without the binding.  And I put a Kahler on it, rather than a Floyd.

I was going to say HD might be a bit dark (from what I've read), but maybe the Floyd takes away some of the mahogany's bassiness(?).

I've been through Duncan JB, EMG81 and the bridge pickup of my MM Axis/EVH on this guitar and they all don't do it for me.

What were your impressions of those pickups in the Hamer?  I've had a JB in my Hamer and found it a bit mushy (but OK), the EMG 81 had a great sound but totally took away the guitar's character.  The EVH/Axis bridge is supposed to be similar to a Tone Zone so it would sound very boomy/muddy in mahogany, I suppose.

Have you tried your RY in it?

[hunter]

Blimey, Hunter, we seem to have quite similar tastes in guitars!  I've got a 1981 Hamer Special just like that, but without the binding.  And I put a Kahler on it, rather than a Floyd.

Hmmm, could well be ... at least as far as we both like to have MANY of them   8)

I was going to say HD might be a bit dark (from what I've read), but maybe the Floyd takes away some of the mahogany's bassiness(?).

I'd say the Floyd just makes it a bit dull. It's factory fitted by the way (they did that around '89). My Les Paul Special has the same wood and shape but has got just so much more substance to the sound.

What were your impressions of those pickups in the Hamer?  I've had a JB in my Hamer and found it a bit mushy (but OK), the EMG 81 had a great sound but totally took away the guitar's character.  The EVH/Axis bridge is supposed to be similar to a Tone Zone so it would sound very boomy/muddy in mahogany, I suppose.

I agree with your findings, though the JB is just fizzy and muddy and I did not think that the EMG was any good.

Have you tried your RY in it?

Not an option, too weak  :good:

[Philly Q]

Not an option, too weak  :good:

You really are going HEAVY, aren't you?  :lol:  

I find the RY pretty powerful.  I can't see myself going much heavier, except maybe a Holydiver or Cold Sweat.  Although having said that, I'll put a Warpig in my "spare" SG, probably.

[ericsabbath]

I was going to say HD might be a bit dark (from what I've read), but maybe the Floyd takes away some of the mahogany's bassiness(?).

holy diver is definitely not a dark pickup
it has tons of center mids and screaming highs
it's VERY thick and tight, but not dark

[Antag]

I was going to say HD might be a bit dark

The Holy Diver set in my Les Paul sounds a lot more "rounded" with noticably less treble than the HDs in my Korina Strat, Rhoads or Kelly BUT there are possibly other factors at work:
a) It's covered (the others are open poled)
b) Wrong spacing (I guessed 50mm when I ordered but it really needs 53mm)
c) The guitar might have 300k pots? (I know the others have 500k)

So I'm not convinced it's down to the wood combo of the Les Paul making it very dark - my Kelly is mahogany neck & body wings with laminate maple top & isn't the least bit dark.  Also, your Hamer doesn't look like quite such a whopping slab of mahogany as a Les Paul in that picture.  

I guess it depends what you mean by "dull" - lacking top end sparkle, or lacking sustain/resonance?

I haven't voted yet as I can't make my mind up :lol:  leaning towards Holy Diver...

Finally, I think you're missing a trick not getting a Cold Sweat neck to go with whichever you choose, but then I've not tried the Van Zandt - to each his own I guess.  YMMV...

[TwilightOdyssey]

I would say Miracle Man or Painkiller set.

[hunter]

I was hoping this thread would help me identify the best option, but I am just getting more confused  :(

I would say Miracle Man or Painkiller set.

TO, I'd say you are my trusted metal sound specialist in here, which one of those two (MM/PK) would you actually chose in case you didn't have any of them yet but would know them?

[hunter]

I guess it depends what you mean by "dull" - lacking top end sparkle, or lacking sustain/resonance?

Finally, I think you're missing a trick not getting a Cold Sweat neck to go with whichever you choose, but then I've not tried the Van Zandt - to each his own I guess.  YMMV...

Hard to explain, I guess by "dull" I just mean a bit lifeless. Hardtail guitars have just more substance to the tone. The Hamer has a very evenly balanced tone with lots of sustain (as opposed to the saying that it should have weak sustain being a FR guitar) but lacking a bit edge, definition and harmonic richness.

Regarding the VanZandt, it's a very sweet sounding pickup, seemed to have higher output than the JB (although it has in fact less if measured) - I guess it'll be a good partner for a hi-gainer in the bridge. And then I am also hesitating to invest again 300 EUR in two BKPs so would at least like to TRY it with the VZ.

[Antag]

...but lacking a bit edge, definition and harmonic richness

OK, that settled it for me, I voted PAINKILLER - will give you these things in abundance & most certainly will be your HEAVY guitar :twisted:

[TwilightOdyssey]

TO, I'd say you are my trusted metal sound specialist in here, which one of those two (MM/PK) would you actually chose in case you didn't have any of them yet but would know them?

Thanx, hunter.

I've pretty much told everyone I know that if you play metal and you have to have just one pickup, get the Miracle Man. It is the ulimate expression of what a metal pickup is supposed to be.

[hunter]

Allright guys, this is no democracy. After heaviest considerations and a unanimous judgement among TO and Tim I have followed their advise and ordered meself the glorious MiracleMan.


May the gods of rock be with me and give the breath of life to my formerly-dull-but-huge-potential Hamer, amen!

 :bash: