I've always been a headbanger and used the bridge pickup for rhythm and leads, occasionally the neck pickup for variety for leads. I've just gotten into a more tame band and found that my bridge pickup makes the amp (a Marshall JVM, as well as my Axe-Fx II) clip, so I started using both pickups, the selector in the middle position, for cleans.

I'm getting used to it and finding the bridge pickup too trebly.

Which pickup do you folks use for cleans, crunch, and overdrive, for rhythms and leads?

FWIW, I have a Randy Rhoads RR1 and just put Bare Knuckle Nailbomb pickups in it.

I run EMG 81 and the good ol' Duncan Distortion in the bridge position, and sometimes they do get a bit "harsh" on clean stuff.. What I did was to split off my wireless into and MT2 and an AC2, then ran the outs to an A/B box. I did not expect a "natural" acoustic tone out of the AC2, but it sure tamed the humbuckers enough for me. Might be something to consider before replacing those BK's, and should save a little cash, too..

_________________
Chaos, panic, and disorder.. My work is done here.

Oh, thanks, interesting. They're brand new and actually sound great, I just discovered using both instead of just the bridge for clean, then it sounded pretty good for crunch and overdrive as well, so I was curious about which pickup folks tend to use for lead vs. rhythm, and for clean vs. crunch and high-gain.

Well I did forget to mention I rarely use the neck pickup, and when I do it is usually just messing around. I play through the bridge pickup all the time..

_________________
Chaos, panic, and disorder.. My work is done here.

personaly im an emg fanatic 81/81 set up mostly play higain but tempted to get the split able 81s for clean but got no experience if that tames the 81s enouf http://www.emgpickups.com/products/category/239/1 but well pick ups are always a matter of taste some like some dont

_________________
jackson emg and engl brytality in bound
the power to even destroy theyre very souls.... thus i use emg tehe :3

Distorted Rhythm- I use the bridge pickup
Clean- Both
Lead- Neck usally with a bit of chorus

I'm a death metal player so i dont use cleans much but when i do i like using both pick up so it dont sound thick and muffley and still got a little bit but not so much it makes it harsh sounding

and well IMO the bridge is the best pick up for aggressive death metal sound

and with lead i find the bridge scratchy i like the creamy think sounding lead of the neck pick up especially with a bit of chorus (i can shred for hours with the neck pick up of my blacktop tele and a bit of chorus i love the sound)

_________________
B.C Rich Body Art Warlock "The Fly"--Blacktop Telecaster--ESP LTD EC-100--Jackson js32rt Dinky into A Fender Mustang III with 2&4 Button Footswitches