Nailbomb vs Holy Diver

  • Thread starter Thread starter FourT6and2
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FourT6and2

FourT6and2

Well-known member
I seriously thought of buying another guitar, identical to mine, just to use both of these pickups. Ha!

I can't decide. They both sound so good. Anybody tried both in the same guitar? Using a JB right now. I like it. But looking for a change. I've tried a MCP Afwayu. But I didn't like it. It was too dark and muddy. And I know it's more than just the pickups, but the tones in these two videos are insanely good (among the best I've heard on YouTube).

Skip ahead to the high-gain. :rock:



 
Dude, this kid shreds it up on his LP Standard loaded with Nailbombs. Still gets me every time I watch it.

 
Can't comment on the Holy Diver...but i have the alnico nailbombs in my esp m-ii
LOVE THEM !!
 
I can't help much on the Diver, but I have an Ibanez RGT loaded with Nailbombs and that guitars rocks. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't go wrong with either. Send Tim @ BKP an email, he's very helpful. Trace @ Voodoo is a BKP dealer and always gets me a fair price. Good luck with the decision.
 
I'm gunning for a PRS Mike Mushok baritone in brownburst, and can't decide between Nailbombs or giving the new EMG Hetfield set a shot... I thought I had convinced myself I need the tightness of EMGs, but DAMN that Parker Maxxfly video sounds so good...
 
whathasitevermeant":2j9p8ypc said:
Dude, this kid shreds it up on his LP Standard loaded with Nailbombs. Still gets me every time I watch it.

Click to expand...

Yep, that certainly rips. :)
 
Damn, that video sounds great. Hmmm, might be time for a new pickup in my Les Paul. I've had an Aldrich in it forever, and was considering a Rebel Yell or possibly a MCP 2nd Degree Blackbelt. But, MAN, this Nailbomb just sounds fat, round, and awesome.
 
I had a blackmachine B6 with nailbombs in it and it sounded pretty much exactly like video #2 - great tone. Now I have a holy diver in my alder/maple caparison TAT, and it's good, but it doesn't blow me away. Wasn't a huge improvement over the stock PH-R and probably not particularly noticeable over a JB. I don't get quite the same sound as in video #1, so maybe I need to set it up a little differently.

What I'm saying is: the nailbombs in ash are, in my experience, a pretty reliable way to get that video #2 tone if that's what you're after :)
 
narad":27cd5pdz said:
I had a blackmachine B6 with nailbombs in it and it sounded pretty much exactly like video #2 - great tone. Now I have a holy diver in my alder/maple caparison TAT, and it's good, but it doesn't blow me away. Wasn't a huge improvement over the stock PH-R and probably not particularly noticeable over a JB. I don't get quite the same sound as in video #1, so maybe I need to set it up a little differently.

What I'm saying is: the nailbombs in ash are, in my experience, a pretty reliable way to get that video #2 tone if that's what you're after :)
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Interesting. Well, my guitar is a Les Paul with a solid mahogany body and a maple neck. So, it's kind of a dark guitar with a snap to it, if that makes sense. It's dense. So I doubt it will sound the same as an ash guitar.
 
How would you guys describe the Nailbomb's aggressiveness? Is it aggressive or smooth? The video here makes it sound smooth but that could be the player. Does it cut well in a live setting?

How do you think it compares to the Aldrich that is currently in my Paul?
 
Heard back from Tim at BKP. He recommends the Holy Diver for my needs. I'll give 'em a try!
 
reverymike":1of3pqe8 said:
Damn, that video sounds great. Hmmm, might be time for a new pickup in my Les Paul. I've had an Aldrich in it forever, and was considering a Rebel Yell or possibly a MCP 2nd Degree Blackbelt. But, MAN, this Nailbomb just sounds fat, round, and awesome.
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I would go with the RYs or the MCP 2nd Degree Black Belt, Detroiter or the Nasty Nasty!!! These are what I am planning to use on my Heritage 150CM soon as per Wade. Just need to make a decision on the MCPs or the RY. The Nailbomb is a great pickup, but I do not like them in mahogany bodied guitars. They lack that upper mid spike I like with the RYs or the MCPs. You will not be disappointed with the RYs though.
 
FourT6and2":3jkywqa7 said:
Heard back from Tim at BKP. He recommends the Holy Diver for my needs. I'll give 'em a try!
Click to expand...

Tim is a great guy. We emailed back and forth to figure out what to pit into my PRS Miras.

Edtied to add: we decided on a set of Emeralds for the Mahogany body and Abraxas for the Korina. Very well choosen by Tim.
 
reverymike":25n9qghj said:
How would you guys describe the Nailbomb's aggressiveness? Is it aggressive or smooth? The video here makes it sound smooth but that could be the player. Does it cut well in a live setting?

How do you think it compares to the Aldrich that is currently in my Paul?
Click to expand...


The Aldrich has more upper mids than the NB. The Aldrich can be equally as aggressive as the NB IMO. I have used both. I think the Aldrich's would cut just as much or more than the NB, but the RY cuts even better IMO.
 
I love the Holydiver bridge/neck combo in our Les Paul Customs. I also use the Holydiver in a few hot rodded Strats (2-humbuckers) and I like the Mule in the neck position, it sings nicely and does work very well with the Holydiver.

Cheers;

Trace
 
voodooamps":1rh8hens said:
I love the Holydiver bridge/neck combo in our Les Paul Customs. I also use the Holydiver in a few hot rodded Strats (2-humbuckers) and I like the Mule in the neck position, it sings nicely and does work very well with the Holydiver.

Cheers;

Trace
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What kind of tunes are you playing with that combo, though? I play mostly modern rock, hard rock, prog rock/metal. But the tone I go for is more late 80's, early 90's high-gain. Stuff with snarl in the upper mids. I already bought a HD. But I may try a Nailbomb or Aldrich in the future if I don't like it.
 
Just installed the Holy Divers. So far so good. They don't run as hot as the Duncan JB. The mids are a bit more growly, with less of that nasal snarl. Less harsh sounding, has some nice character. Low end is tighter than the JB and not as mushy. Overall I'm happy with them. The neck pickup is sweeeeeet for low-gain, clean tones. These are much tighter for high-gain and go well for the type of music I play. I still need to play with 'em more at higher volumes and adjust the pickup height. But I like 'em.

I also have a set of Black Dogs on their way, though.

bk_pickups_1_by_haftelm-d53u5g5.jpg


bk_2_by_haftelm-d53u5ii.jpg
 
Glad dude....was wondering what you'd think. I got a set awhile back for a new custom build LP, but never threw em in anything to try em; just shipped em out to the luthier. I got the battleworn covers cause I'm going black and gold, but those look DOPE in your SB.

Post up what you think of the Black Dogs in comparison when you get time....for me it was back and forth between those and the HDs.
 
since you've tried both, how do the BDs compare to the HDs? Or did you mean you went back and forth between which ones to get?
 
Yeah, went back and forth between which ones to get.....from what I understand, the BDs are a lot like the HDs, just lower output. I DO play a lot of bluesy stuff, but I'm more of a metalhead at heart. Talked to Tim about it, and he recommended both sets, but said the HDs were higher output and would hold down metal on a 6505 better, and that's my main amp until the coin for the VH4 gets stacked high enough.

I'm REALLY interested in the BDs though. I have a couple guitars I think they'd be a good fit in too, and a I'm a fan of lower output pups in high gain amps; from what Mo says, those and the Emeralds sound great with VH4s too.

Let me know what you think; I've enjoyed the one vid of yours I saw and you have great tone.
 
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