Hi output pup recommendation - Ibanez S

[maxter]

I'm looking for a bridge pickup for my Ibanez S1220 Prestige.
Thin mahogny body, maple bolt-on neck, rosewood fretboard, blocked Edge bridge.

I play alot of metal/hardcore stuff at the moment, which equals: Tight palm mutes, alot of melodies and huge downtuned chords. I want a quite raw distortion and above all, a clear tone under those conditions (I'm pretty certain any hot BKP would give me this though). I'm also quite fond of mids, and the ability to cut it in a mix with huge bass, drums and other dirty guitars. A nice singing lead would also be a huge plus since I do play some solos and whatnot.

I've earlier been recommended the Nailbomb and Painkiller by Tim, but that's when I specifically asked for a pickup that wouldn't be too tight/compressed. Now I kinda draw that statement back and leave it to you what you would consider be the best beast for the job. I don't want palm mutes to sound sloppy, but that's about everything I'll specificy conserning "tightness".

Fire at will.

Oh, and SOME versatility certainly wouldn't hurt, so I'm pretty sure I don't want to go ceramic. I'm currently leaning between the Nailbomb and the A5 Warpig.

[Blueminerva]

I've got a nailbomb in my ibanez SZ520QM and I've gotta tell you for distortion that thing is unbeatable. It's got all the tightness you want (palm mutes are insanely tight and I play with my fingers) and it really screams lead notes at you. I'm currently playing in drop B and it's still tight-as-you-like (I've got 13 guage strings on this baby too!).

One thing I'd say is that it doesn't clean up that well, the clean is very very brittle and hard. This could have something to do with the fact it's sitting in a massive block of mahogany and I've adjusted it so it's pretty damn close to the strings though, but this sure as hell maximises the brutality when it comes to distortion (which is all you'll really worry about anyway for metal!)

Plus the rust camo looks damn cool too  :D

[maliciousteve]

Nailbomb dude

[maxter]

Oh, so I redefine my specifications a little and still get Nailbomb as the obvious answer. Now it would just be stupid to get anything else.

Thanks guys, I will hopefully be able to lay the order in a few days. :)



Btw, any suggestions on colour choices for this baby?
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h311/svalgis/3.jpg
I'd love a covered set, but I can't afford a neck pickup at the moment and I don't use it nearly enough to justify the cost either. I don't really like the look of a covered bridge and open neck either, I much prefer it the other way around.
So I'm thinking open creme or zebra atm.

[noodleplugerine]

Covered black with Allen bolts imo :>

Check out the thread labelled "Warpig Pics" for an idea.

[maxter]

Yeah, I'd love some "custom" cover like that, but preferably in a set then. :/ I do have a basic black cover laying around that I could use for the neck pup then, that might look kinda cool.

[MDV]

I think the NB lacks tightness compared to the ceramic bks pretty noticably. I like it for its rougher, gutsy sound and great cleans.

I think youre after painkillers.

[maxter]

Tim also recommended me Painkiller as a little darker, tighter alternativ to the Nailbomb last time I mailed him. Hmm, now this got harder again. I think I'll mail Tim a second time before deciding.

[indysmith]

the nailbomb in my ibanez S absolutely slays. (see avatar)
It's great for everything.

[maxter]

My bad, it was Holydiver that Tim recommended me. I'm still kinda set on the Nailbomb though, but I may still be spoken out of it.
Just out of curiosity, how does it compare to a Duncan Distortion in terms of tightness, rawness, and tone chart?

Also, why hasn't anyone recommended me the Warpig? Something with it that makes it unsuitable for what I've described?

[ericsabbath]

My bad, it was Holydiver that Tim recommended me. I'm still kinda set on the Nailbomb though, but I may still be spoken out of it.
Just out of curiosity, how does it compare to a Duncan Distortion in terms of tightness, rawness, and tone chart?

Also, why hasn't anyone recommended me the Warpig? Something with it that makes it unsuitable for what I've described?

all contemporary line BKPs will do a great work for the sound you're looking for
holy diver isn't as tight as a duncan distortion but it's SO MUCH better  :oops:
for that kind of "hard" tightness you should go with painkiller or a ceramic warpig, but i'd say a regular warpig would sound wonderful anyway
just watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUIQIzMwHPc

[maxter]

Thanks for the inputs. :)
I think I'm finally starting to settle for something fairly tight, without being way too unversatile. I'm thinking a thicker, more organic and slightly more open EMG-81, with a raw and aggressive edge to it. I think the Miracle Man would still be too cold and clinic for me, so I'm guessing the next step would be the Painkiller and then the alnico Warpig, am I right? Would anyone care to compare the two for me?

[funkyfutuwista]

thats a gorgeous S btw

what model is that?

edit: im retarded

[maxter]

Thanks. I got really lucky that this showed up second-handed just as I had gathered money to buy myself an S520. Very pleased with the guitar, and it really is a beauty. :)

[funkyfutuwista]

im going to go with the nailbombs.

your maxter @ ug huh.