Motor City Pickups for the neck position?

[ericsabbath]

hey guys

I have this '73 Les Paul Custom that is now pupless
it had a Bare Knuckle Nailbomb set, that sounded pretty good, but too aggressive and focused for what I was looking for
I wanted something smoother, more open and middy, like the BK Holy Diver I had before in a jap Les Paul, but I'm always trying to know different pickups (had over 16 different pups in the other guitar)

I'm a huge Alice In Chains fan and the Afwayu description Wade gave me seems to fit exactly what I want (for now), so I'm already set on it, but I'm still not sure about the neck models

Wade recommended me a matched set
I usually like mismatched sets, but I didn't discard the Afwayu neck
I'm just afraid it might be too high output for the neck, like the nailbomb neck is (they're both alnico 5, DC 10k)
I told him I was looking for a low/medium output with balanced mids (I hate '59/'57/burstbucker scooped PAFs)
I want something like the BK Cold Sweat neck I have in my other guitar

he gave me these descriptions on the Blackbelt models:
"The Afwayu Neck is 10k. I think you'd be amazed at how good this sounds. Don't let DC resistance scare you. The warmest low out put pickup is the A2 Blackbelts (he said this one is a bit more expensive cause it's not out yet)"
"The A5 is strong and clear with plenty of sustain, but definitely stinging and can get harmonics with ease. The A4 is a touch less clear and with a fuller note in the low end- Still tight, but a touch creamier and more harmonic feedback. The A2 is the creamiest and still has great note definition in the lows. Very reminiscent to early 60's era Paf's without the Sterilized pluck- A great improvement. Lows are improved greatly. All of these necks can get really creamy and clear. All are tight in the lows.."

as I couldn't find any clips of their neck pups, I'd like to know your impressions on those models, including the Afwayu neck
how's the midrange response, sustain, volume matching with higher output bridge pickups
comparisons with other brands neck models are welcome

thanks



here's a pic of my black fattie witht he camo bombs
I'm thinking on open snow white bobbins

 

[ericsabbath]

 

[headlessdeadguy]

I have an Afwayu bridge paired with a GFS FatPat...... seriously badass and the GFS pup is only 30 bucks.
Even the luthier that set it up was asking what the GFS pup was.

 

[ericsabbath]

I liked the Afwayu neck. It didnt seem overly powerful. In the end, I went back to the Aldrich/SD59 combo.

I think I've read some thread where you made a comparison on the bridge pups, but I don't remember anything about the neck model

how would you compare the afwayu neck with the 59?
I actually want the tonal opposite of a '59, but not really something hot

 

[ericsabbath]

 

[jaybird]

I have an Afwayu set in my Paul now. I tried the 2nd degree black belts 1st prior. The neck Afwayu is very clear and full sounding. I am still messing with height adjustments on mine.

Take a listen to this for at least an idea.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=55188&p=628926

 

[ericsabbath]

I have an Afwayu set in my Paul now. I tried the 2nd degree black belts 1st prior. The neck Afwayu is very clear and full sounding. I am still messing with height adjustments on mine.

Take a listen to this for at least an idea.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=55188&p=628926

I think Jerry has the stock pup in the neck

your blackbelt neck was A5 or A4?
how would compare it with the afwayu neck?

thanks

 

[ericsabbath]

 

[RACKSYSTEMS]

The afwayu neck is great go for the matched set. But personally in a Paul I would go for the 2nd degree black belt set. This is what Jerry uses in his Pauls and Afwayu's in his G&L's. Both are great just depends if you want drive or a big open sound.

 

[se7en]

+1. The 2nd Degree Blackbelts are huge and open in my LP custom with a lot of clarity and tight low end. In clips, I hear the Afwayu's as being more compressed and having more output...I think it would suit one of my other guitars better.

 

[jaybird]

I have an Afwayu set in my Paul now. I tried the 2nd degree black belts 1st prior. The neck Afwayu is very clear and full sounding. I am still messing with height adjustments on mine.

Take a listen to this for at least an idea.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=55188&p=628926

I think Jerry has the stock pup in the neck

your blackbelt neck was A5 or A4?
how would compare it with the afwayu neck?

thanks

Blackbelts were A5. The blackbelts did not have the output I was looking for, a little too low for my tastes, and the Afwayu's are a bit loud. Also the BB's and Afwayu's sound very clear, a little too clear, almost hifi sounding - again this is what I am looking for. I found mids are a tad light sounding on both sets as well - probably balanced mids, but I like a bit more mids in my PUP's.