software

This pickup is amazingly articulate. MORE than the FullShred, which everyone already says is pretty darn clear. However the Miracle Man forgives more easily than the FullShred. Notes and harmonics are clearer but ring less easily. In this respect, I believe the FS to be at least as hot as the MM, weirdly enough.
It's TIGHT. It didn't make me go 'woaaaaaa' like the FS did, because it's more subtle. But it has more of an 80s rock vibe to it. I was just listening to 'Ram it Down' by Judas Priest and I thought... damn... this pickup would be PERFECT for this tone.
It's smoother than the FS. There is still a certain amount of crunch but it's less noticeable. I felt the FS to be a little too aggressive in this area, the MM filled the balance!
It's DARK. First impression when playing it (properly wired ) was: damn, where are the treble? I play it through a Basswood bodied guitar (which sounds surprisingly warm I find). It's VERY hard to dial a bright tone unless you bring the bass back to about 5 o'clock, and this on most amp models of the POD 2.0 I use it with. The SD1 I use in front brightens it naturally though. I do think this pickup works great with a pedal after it. It makes it just perfect for me.
Anyoo... far it's tight, amazingly clear, not too crunchy but not overly smooth, and pretty warm. Did I mention it kicks ass? This thing isn't ultrahighoutputfromhellmadefrom6EMGswiredinseries but it has way more than enough for any applications. I even found its clean tones to be decent for picking (when splitting it). However don't expect good strumming tones.
Lead tones are once again very dark and not too singing. However, they're powerful too. I'd imagin this pickup cuts the mix well because of this, but it'd need a boost of some kind if it really needs to stand out. At least with the settings I use...

While it never muddies up in low tuning and very high gain applications, I do believe this pickup makes up for an amazing 80s sound. It's heavy metal, the old school way. Judas Priest, Maiden... This is what you need. It'll do anything else that's not clean though, and do it pretty well. But this is where I believe it would shine. Maybe with more gain though. All in all, don't let the name mislead you. This is not Zakk Wylde's tone. This is his tightness and power though. Just add a little 80s to it, maybe a little more treble than usual depending in the guitar and amp, and you're set for some kick ass tones.

Thanks for the review. I always try to envision quot;the 80's tonequot; and can't pinpoint it, because it's all over the map. I guess I think of it as a JB into a JCM 800. From your description, it sounds like it'd work best in a maple necked Floyd Rose equipped guitar.....or maybe a LP Custom/ebony fretboard? No?

I might like to try one in a maple axe with a floating trem (like my Carvin amp; certain ESP's).

Well, it was built to emulate certain aspects of Zakk Wylde's tone. So indeed, an an LP it would work wonders. The maple would provide this extra crunchiness and the Mahogany would enhance the mids. I would be a bit scared of having an overly dark tone though.
And yeah true about the 80s thing. I was listening to 'Ram it Down' by Judas Priest when writing this and I was just thinking 'damn... that sounds like it!'


Originally Posted by GearjoneserThanks for the review. I always try to envision quot;the 80's tonequot; and can't pinpoint it, because it's all over the map. I guess I think of it as a JB into a JCM 800. From your description, it sounds like it'd work best in a maple necked Floyd Rose equipped guitar.....or maybe a LP Custom/ebony fretboard? No?

In my maple bodied/OFR guitar, the Miracel Man has much more of the later LA metal sound. Think Back For The Attack era Lynch and you have a good idea.


Originally Posted by PierreIt's DARK. First impression when playing it (properly wired ) was: damn, where are the treble?.

Doesn't Zakk always use the EMG81 though....and that's very bright?? I don't get the similarity then...

Zakk has used EMGs forever, and before EMGs there
was the stock pups in his Gibson.

Speaking of BKP though ...

I'm curious about the Warpig