Nailbomb or Painkiller...?

[ElectricTurkey4369]

From experience - Spalted maple veneer + all mahogany + MM = scooped.

But a big fat Gibson maple cap should balance out any mid deficiency, one may assume based on wood tonality theory - the amp signal chain will certainly play a part in that balance as well.

If using standard tuning mostly, i recommend these clips to be a good representation; actually of a couple pickups you mentioned -

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11726.0

Yeah I'm trying to stay away from a scooped sound, but i dont mind a pickup having less mids as long as its not scooped
And the MM is very similar to an EMG IMO. Im not really a thrash player, more of a progressive Metal/Rock, think Tool and Porcupine Tree and Dream Theater sometimes. Im leaning towards the Nailbomb the most because it sounds very organic and 'natural' if i should say.
If i wanted an EMG sound i would get EMG's in another guitar. Well mabye down the road, you never know 

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.

Get that silly silly idea out of your head.

None of the BKPs 'sound like' EMG pickups. For a start, they have some dynamic range, yes, even the brutal ones.

Second, the MM isn't scooped. You may find it scooped if you take all the mids out of your amp, though (!). I run a MM in low (LOW) tunings, and it's raw, thick and brutal in my axe, not scooped or thrashy (and in my setup, not actually all that smooth either, though it's smoother in my ibanez).

With that said (and while I think a MM would SLAY in that guitar!), you're after a more Tool-y/Prog sound, and I think the MM may be a bit too much for you, though in voicing, I think it's probably the closest to what you describe. In any case, I think the PK and NB are probably not smooth enough (if it's smooth you want, as you say).

Just to clarify, when you say lows, are you talking E/D/C tunings? Or do you mean LOW, like B/A/G tunings?

Roo

PS Don't believe anything you read that says a BKP 'is just like' an EMG. Sometimes people want to know tonal ballpark comparisons, which is where this misconception seems to occur.

Thanks for the info  .  I dont mind aggression in a pickup, i want smooth sounding leads, is what I should have said. I usually dont go past C for tuning.
This is the most undeciding moment of my life, all the pickups sound great, i just need to narrow it down to THE ONE.

[ElectricTurkey4369]

Just to add, right now Im using a Gibson 498T, it sounds good, but i know i can get an even better sound. I would like something like a 498t except having the lows tighter and have it more dynamic and fuller sounding. would a alnico nailbomb do this?

[xXperceptionXx]

498t? Good?

I strongly dislike the 498t. In any case, the a5 bomb should be better in every way.

/bias

[Roobubba]

Given that you're using a mahogany LP with maple cap, and going into a Recto, the first call of Miracle Man is still probably the best one.

If in doubt, ask Tim (his contact details are on the BKP website).

A nailbomb might do the job, but quite a few of us here think that the MM is a better match for your requested tone and equipment.

Good luck with your decision making (and ask Tim anyway).

Roo

[ElectricTurkey4369]

Given that you're using a mahogany LP with maple cap, and going into a Recto, the first call of Miracle Man is still probably the best one.

If in doubt, ask Tim (his contact details are on the BKP website).

A nailbomb might do the job, but quite a few of us here think that the MM is a better match for your requested tone and equipment.

Good luck with your decision making (and ask Tim anyway).

Roo

I emailed tim about wanting a pickup in similar voicing to the 498t excpet with a tighter low end and smoother leads, and now he says the cold sweat...
I have the painkiller crossed of my list now, so now its between the nailbomb, MM, and now the CS.
decisions, decisions...

[FernandoEsteves]

If you explained what you want in a good way to Tim, he suggested the pickup that will give it to you, remember that he is the guy who does it

[Wartime Novelty]

If you explained what you want in a good way to Tim, he suggested the pickup that will give it to you, remember that he is the guy who does it

+1 Tim is rarely wrong. Then again he isnt wrong he just makes the wrong recomendation for the wrong person but thats usually down to the person not Tim's decision.

[Roobubba]

If you explained what you want in a good way to Tim, he suggested the pickup that will give it to you, remember that he is the guy who does it

+1 Tim is rarely wrong. Then again he isnt wrong he just makes the wrong recomendation for the wrong person but thats usually down to the person not Tim's decision.

And the CS sounds like a good call, too - I must admit that had slipped my mind before. Go with it!

Roo

[Octavio Sherbakov]

Given that you're using a mahogany LP with maple cap, and going into a Recto, the first call of Miracle Man is still probably the best one.

If in doubt, ask Tim (his contact details are on the BKP website).

A nailbomb might do the job, but quite a few of us here think that the MM is a better match for your requested tone and equipment.

Good luck with your decision making (and ask Tim anyway).

Roo

I emailed tim about wanting a pickup in similar voicing to the 498t excpet with a tighter low end and smoother leads, and now he says the cold sweat...
I have the painkiller crossed of my list now, so now its between the nailbomb, MM, and now the CS.
decisions, decisions...

Maybe you should do a coin toss?

I recommend a ceramic pickup (bridge) for what you are asking.

I think you should choose between the MM and the CS.

I'd personally go for the CS because it's a much more versatile set.

[ElectricTurkey4369]

Given that you're using a mahogany LP with maple cap, and going into a Recto, the first call of Miracle Man is still probably the best one.

If in doubt, ask Tim (his contact details are on the BKP website).

A nailbomb might do the job, but quite a few of us here think that the MM is a better match for your requested tone and equipment.

Good luck with your decision making (and ask Tim anyway).

Roo

I emailed tim about wanting a pickup in similar voicing to the 498t excpet with a tighter low end and smoother leads, and now he says the cold sweat...
I have the painkiller crossed of my list now, so now its between the nailbomb, MM, and now the CS.
decisions, decisions...

Maybe you should do a coin toss?

I recommend a ceramic pickup (bridge) for what you are asking.

I think you should choose between the MM and the CS.

I'd personally go for the CS because it's a much more versatile set.

Yeah, I have no idea what to get between them, but i have made some progress on narrowing down differences between them and what suites me better.
I have to say, trying to decide what BKP to get has been one of the most difficult things i have done 
They all sound so awesome and great for what i play.
Mabye Tim should make a mega pickup that has a little bit of everything 
Not unless one of the pickups already does that...?

[Roobubba]

Seriously, just get the cold sweats ordered and don't look back


Roo

[Keven]

alot of people on this forum with les pauls have/have tried the CS set and i've read alot of threads about them being very surprised at the great tone and match for their respective guitars. I'm sure you're on the right track. the CS neck is also a favorite in here i think