Bare Knuckle Holy Diver

  • Thread starter Thread starter splawner
  • Start date Start date
I have one.
I guess I would compare it to a jb.
Plenty hot, very clear though.
 
wIsEbLooD":1ehqljd5 said:
I have one.
I guess I would compare it to a jb.
Plenty hot, very clear though.
Click to expand...
Do you feel that it’s on the darker/Thicker side? Is it tight?
 
splawner":td3l9uyj said:
wIsEbLooD":td3l9uyj said:
I have one.
I guess I would compare it to a jb.
Plenty hot, very clear though.
Click to expand...
Do you feel that it’s on the darker/Thicker side? Is it tight?
Click to expand...
If not I know something that is.... :lol: :LOL:
 
It is pretty balanced but definitely has a mid bump.
 
Just one experience with it in one of my Charvels. Was hoping for something of a JB flavor.

Honestly, I thought it was very articulate like other BK's I've tried and nice for leads, but somewhat thin for rhythm playing. Just didn't have the beef of a JB to me. I've had better results with the Suhr Aldrich overall.
 
I much prefer the Aldrich too.
My holy diver has been back in the box for years.
 
I've tried the Holy Diver at least 3 times that I remember, both 6 and 7 string versions. It would sound ok at first but then after a while it always sounded thin to me. Maybe I like hotter beefier pickups, but I've never been able to gel with it.
 
stratjacket":3s8zo9mo said:
I've tried the Holy Diver at least 3 times that I remember, both 6 and 7 string versions. It would sound ok at first but then after a while it always sounded thin to me. Maybe I like hotter beefier pickups, but I've never been able to gel with it.
Click to expand...
Hmmm that’s the second post of that it sounded thin. I was worried it would be darker sounding pup...
 
I’ve used this pickup a lot, have a love/hate relationship with it. Very dynamic like most BKP’s so it’s not going to have that compression that other hot pickups have. It’s a very saturated pickup but I wouldn’t call it “hot” in the JB or Super Distortion sense. It feels like it always needs a boost to sound best and give it more percussiveness, but it already has a built-in mid bump/cocked wah sound so if you use a tubescreamer type boost it can get a little honky in my experience. A more clean boost is recommended.
It’s a big slab of mids so the bass and treble are very neutral and don’t stick out, hence it can sound “thin” eq wise, even though it’s a thick sounding pickup IMO. It’s got more low mids than the JB, and mid peak is a bit more in the center mids than the JB. Sound wise it’s like a halfway between the JB and Super Distortion, but you don’t get the same attack or power because of the dynamics and low compression. You have to dig in more to wrangle it out. The results are great when you get used to it.

This video is a good representation of it:
 
What type of tone you lookin for ? Holy Diver for me was good but not great, I tried more than one in several guitars. For that type of sound I like the Crawler more or definitely the new Silo pickup is one of those super versatile rock pickups that can do everything very well including Metal. Having tried most of the BK pickups the Silo is now my favorite.
 
I have a Holy Diver and like it a lot. I like that is it compressed without being sterile. It’s not dark, but it’s not shrill either.
 
nigelpkay":2lh3wjxd said:
I’ve used this pickup a lot, have a love/hate relationship with it. Very dynamic like most BKP’s so it’s not going to have that compression that other hot pickups have. It’s a very saturated pickup but I wouldn’t call it “hot” in the JB or Super Distortion sense. It feels like it always needs a boost to sound best and give it more percussiveness, but it already has a built-in mid bump/cocked wah sound so if you use a tubescreamer type boost it can get a little honky in my experience. A more clean boost is recommended.
It’s a big slab of mids so the bass and treble are very neutral and don’t stick out, hence it can sound “thin” eq wise, even though it’s a thick sounding pickup IMO. It’s got more low mids than the JB, and mid peak is a bit more in the center mids than the JB. Sound wise it’s like a halfway between the JB and Super Distortion, but you don’t get the same attack or power because of the dynamics and low compression. You have to dig in more to wrangle it out. The results are great when you get used to it.
Click to expand...
this is perfect description.
Imho the best fit for HD is basswood superstrat.
 
splawner":jshhnii5 said:
stratjacket":jshhnii5 said:
I've tried the Holy Diver at least 3 times that I remember, both 6 and 7 string versions. It would sound ok at first but then after a while it always sounded thin to me. Maybe I like hotter beefier pickups, but I've never been able to gel with it.
Click to expand...
Hmmm that’s the second post of that it sounded thin. I was worried it would be darker sounding pup...
Click to expand...

That surprises me because I would consider the HolyDiver one of the thicker sounding BK pickups. Single notes are fat.
 
the4thlast1":czpv48y7 said:
splawner":czpv48y7 said:
stratjacket":czpv48y7 said:
I've tried the Holy Diver at least 3 times that I remember, both 6 and 7 string versions. It would sound ok at first but then after a while it always sounded thin to me. Maybe I like hotter beefier pickups, but I've never been able to gel with it.
Click to expand...
Hmmm that’s the second post of that it sounded thin. I was worried it would be darker sounding pup...
Click to expand...

That surprises me because I would consider the HolyDiver one of the thicker sounding BK pickups. Single notes are fat.
Click to expand...

I’m sure things can be EQ’d to taste.
 
psychodave":35e53myi said:
I have a Holy Diver and like it a lot. I like that is it compressed without being sterile. It’s not dark, but it’s not shrill either.
Click to expand...
Hmmmm
 
the4thlast1":358rpjov said:
What type of tone you lookin for ? Holy Diver for me was good but not great, I tried more than one in several guitars. For that type of sound I like the Crawler more or definitely the new Silo pickup is one of those super versatile rock pickups that can do everything very well including Metal. Having tried most of the BK pickups the Silo is now my favorite.
Click to expand...
Just looking for something a bit different for my LP...I have a Gibson 498t in the other one I have...I don’t want the pup to be overly bass heavy. Looking for something tight with good mids and smooth treble...
 
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