[zulujos]

Okay, so I have it narrowed down but I do have some questions.
What would be the tonal differences between these Entwisle combinations:

Dark Star ND Set

Dark Star ND/HDN (neck) Set

HDN Set

Additionally if anyone wants to add a comparison of the Nemesis set to the above I wouldn't have a problem with that.

 

[Iron1]

I only have experience with the Darkstar 7, but all the Darkstars are ceramic high-output pickups. Way hotter than any Alnico pickup I've ever heard, so if you want something different, there it is. And, like you get with Invaders/Duncan Distortions/(insert super hot pup here), you can always play with the pickup height to get variations on the heat delivered in the tone.

 

[kerryymm]

If you're after cheap pickups, check out Irongear Metal Machines - they're voiced like active pickups and really high output, but passive

 

[Toe-Knee]

I've heard good thing about Alegree lightning bolts. Not tried them personally but heard only positive.

Old Timer 'Lightning Bolt' active humbuckers

Made to replicate the most popular active humbuckers that arrived on the pickup market in the early 80s, these pickups provide revered USA metal high output humbucker tone at a great price point. This set is comprised of an alnico 5 loaded neck pickup and a ceramic loaded bridge pickup. Alnico...

www.alegree.co.uk

He has another set that is actually passive but goes for that active feel & attack and nails it for the most part.

Uses an RC network for further tone shaping.

Amazonian Wildfire - active toned passive set

Active toned humbucker set.

www.alegree.co.uk