San Dimas build - which pickups? SD, BKP?

[robothive]

Hey all,

Wow, I haven’t posted here in many years! I still get the gear itch and am currently piecing together a San Dimas copy.

I have a quarter sawn maple neck / board coming from All Parts and will use a Warmoth body.

I’m looking for a huge sounding pickup set to get 80s metal, into 90s thrash-esque tones.

I’ve been out of the game for a while, but my thoughts were: JB, Custom 5, Holy Diver, Rebel Yell.

I’m also open to any and all suggestions! I have a set of Afwayus in my Les Paul but I hear his wait time is kinda nuts nowadays.

Thanks!

 

[robothive]

I’m also considering a Duncan PATB-1.

 

[raakaribul]

Just a regular custom maybe?

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

Only one pickup?

I've got a small fleet of SD Charvels.

For Founding Fathers '80s Metal/Thrash, I don't think you can beat the BKP Nailbomb (C). It's like a more disciplined version of the Distortion, although the Distortion itself s still rock solid.

Only time I've played a PATB-1 was years ago in a nice Hamer Chapparal, although I thought it could use a bit more juice. The PATB-2 has plenty of that, and is not merely a Distortion with funny pole pieces. It can have a somewhat wooly sound with high gain, which has to be tamed with EQ. But once you do that's it's a great pickup, especially for lead playing.

I'm sure a Duncan RTM must kick based pm the description, although I haven't played one yet.

The Custom 5 is an improvement over the OG Custom or Custom Custom in my book, although still a bit scooped for my taste.

Definitely check out the D Activator, my favorite Dimarzio. It's hot, but doesn't feel overly hot when playing, just tite and very healthy. And although it's far too old to be trendy, the Super D never went out of style, because it works.