Holy Diver's match

[Pale Rider]

Hi!

I decided to go for a Holy Diver for the bridge position of a future custom guitar I have in mind. I'd like to stick with alnico Vs. How about the Emerald for neck? Will they balance well? Maybe VHII or Black Dog? How they'd compare?

Thank you! :)

[il˙ti]

Why not a Holydiver neck? It's different from the bridge even though it's the same name.

[Pale Rider]

Hmmm I thought it would be too similar. I don't want to end up with a set up too similar like for example a EMG81 set.

But if the HD neck model is quite different from the bridge one then it's definitely an option.

I'm thinking a neck pickup to be able to match its frequency response with the neck position natural frequency response and to balance well with the bridge model without being too similar (ugh...is that too much? hehe...maybe). Maybe I'm describing the calibrated partner of the HD bridge(?).

I also like airy yet articulate sounds from the neck and I think PAF-like or PAF hot pickups can deliver that....?

[ericsabbath]

it matches perfectly with cold sweat neck
a nailbomb neck may work fine too

[gwEm]

descriptions of the holy diver neck have used words like 'precise'. i seem to remember its a surprisingly low 7.?k alnico 5. maybe someone who has it can describe it better.

[Antag]

IIRC the HD neck is A5, 7.8k DC.  It's very bright & clear.  Absolutely superb cleans & balances well with the HD bridge.

CS neck would work OK with the HD (CS neck is a great match for any of the high output bridge BKPs) - has more output & low end than the HD neck, will sound warmer & thicker (NB: Although I don't have that combo in a guitar I do have MM/CS & several HDs :))

I have a VHII neck with a NB bridge.  VHII is very full & warm sounding - higher output than HD neck too.  I guess it would work well with HD bridge (probably better than the NB bridge I have it paired with), but it wouldn't be my first choice.

IMO the calibrated sets are almost always a better option than trying to match different bridge & neck models.  The product pages really don't explain how the neck models are totally different spec & wound to compliment the bridges (the specs listed are all for the bridge models).

[Philly Q]

I don't want to end up with a set up too similar like for example a EMG81 set.

An EMG81 set is just 2 EMG81s - they don't make calibrated neck and bridge models.

As the guys have explained above, BKP neck and bridge models are completely different pickups tailored for their respective positions.

[Pale Rider]

Thank you for all the info guys! So, a good option is to get the HD neck, or maybe I'll make a compromise in magnets and try the Cold Sweat.....for more warmth.

But I think the HD neck will be the one finally. For the neck: I like precise leads on higher frets, nice cleans from neck alone or combined with the bridge and quite clear distorted chords on lower frets. If HD neck can give me these, it's over.

[Antag]

....or maybe I'll make a compromise in magnets and try the Cold Sweat

CS neck is A5 - it's only the bridge that's ceramic

PK is the only ceramic neck BKP make...

[Pale Rider]

....or maybe I'll make a compromise in magnets and try the Cold Sweat

CS neck is A5 - it's only the bridge that's ceramic

PK is the only ceramic neck BKP make...

Oh, thank you, I didn't know that. So, it's a HD neck vs CS neck final countdown then.

[Pale Rider]

I decided to match HD (B) with the CS (N). Thanks all for all the help!;) :D

[shaman]

you will be happy-I have that combo in LP CUstom