Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Yamhammer on December 06, 2007, 11:44:18 PM

Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 06, 2007, 11:44:18 PM
The new MQ
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Scotty477 on December 06, 2007, 11:55:57 PM
Very nice  :)

What does the middle position sound like now?
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 07, 2007, 06:41:17 AM
The middle position sounds a bit stronger in the bass now
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: indysmith on December 07, 2007, 10:05:29 AM
looks awesome - now i want one!
Love to hear some clips :)
Congrats
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Ted on December 07, 2007, 11:10:51 AM
yes I have one in my machine too

its awesome isn't it ! P-90 neck pups are the way forward...

I pretty much use the middle position exclusively for rythm. the MQ adds bass and depth.

(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m14/ved1980/CIMG2679.jpg)
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 07, 2007, 11:55:20 AM
Nice
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: indysmith on December 07, 2007, 12:06:29 PM
can you make us a clip of some slash/moore style lead with the MQ? i'd be very interested to hear how that sounds
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Henk on December 08, 2007, 08:31:30 AM
Quote from: Yamhammer
She sounds really awesome now...sorry to say, but it's so much better than the Burstbucker Pro.


ANY BKP WILL SOUND BETTER THAN A BURST%UCKER!!!!!

With that of my chest, id like to say ill hope you start playing like you should now, at least i was thinking the BBs are so much of a different ballgame then the MQ's you must play differently now, expressionwise.

An MQ set might be limiting when it comes to high gain sounds, but youll find that out soon enough.

Good Luck and have fun!
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 08, 2007, 10:43:31 AM
Quote from: Henk
ANY BKP WILL SOUND BETTER THAN A BURST%UCKER!!!!!

With that of my chest, id like to say ill hope you start playing like you should now, at least i was thinking the BBs are so much of a different ballgame then the MQ's you must play differently now, expressionwise.

An MQ set might be limiting when it comes to high gain sounds, but youll find that out soon enough.

Good Luck and have fun!

In most cases you'll have better clarity with BKP pickups
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: WezV on December 08, 2007, 11:04:59 AM
here is mine (still not quite finished)

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/test3.jpg)

its a manhattan rather than an MQ.  mule in the bridge.  Great alternative to the MQ for cleaner stuff.  i love p-90's and this is one of my favorite variations so far (although there is an interesting casino set sitting in a box in the workshop i am itching to try out!!!)
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 08, 2007, 11:22:38 AM
Quote from: WezV
its a manhattan rather than an MQ.  mule in the bridge.  Great alternative to the MQ for cleaner stuff.  i love p-90's and this is one of my favorite variations so far (although there is an interesting casino set sitting in a box in the workshop i am itching to try out!!!)

I'm glad to hear the Manhattan P-90 works good for you :wink: 
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Henk on December 09, 2007, 08:36:39 AM
Obviously not every BKP will sound at its best in a certain guitar, i just dislike BB's. Im glad the MQ's work out for you, when i said high gain i was thinking of death metal and such, maybe i should have referred to that as being 'uber' gain  :lol:
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 09, 2007, 09:49:16 AM
Quote from: Henk
Obviously not every BKP will sound at its best in a certain guitar, i just dislike BB's. Im glad the MQ's work out for you, when i said high gain i was thinking of death metal and such, maybe i should have referred to that as being 'uber' gain  :lol:

Sorry for my late response.

Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Henk on December 09, 2007, 12:04:23 PM
Sounds great!

Expressionwise you just cant beat low output pickups.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 09, 2007, 02:05:19 PM
Quote from: Henk
Sounds great!

Expressionwise you just cant beat low output pickups.

Yes, they have more expression and sound very warm.

Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Henk on December 09, 2007, 02:15:04 PM
I am used to playing more or less flat eq(a bit more highs) on my amp and messing a bit on the guitar to correct. Its just so much easier that way, i do have a different preset for rock and blues/jazz, but thats a simple action with no tweaking needed.

Saves alot of fumbling time when you use different guitars.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 09, 2007, 02:42:22 PM
I think the most important thing is to always find out how you can sound the way you want to sound (clean/overdrive/distortion).
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: 808 on December 09, 2007, 03:16:07 PM
I'd love to hear some clips!

I'm a huge fan of low output pups since I got my mules.

Now, I'm looking to install V30s in my Marshall 1960 cab. I got a chance to hear my JCM900 through a 2x12 cab loaded with V30s this week. I like the thick, mid range growl I was getting from the V30s.

I'm going to Guitar Center today; hopefully, I can convince the wifey I can't go on living without V30s. :lol:
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 09, 2007, 04:57:50 PM
Quote from: 808
I'd love to hear some clips!

I'm a huge fan of low output pups since I got my mules.

Now, I'm looking to install V30s in my Marshall 1960 cab. I got a chance to hear my JCM900 through a 2x12 cab loaded with V30s this week. I like the thick, mid range growl I was getting from the V30s.

I'm going to Guitar Center today; hopefully, I can convince the wifey I can't go on living without V30s. :lol:


I've only played a Marshall Vintage/Modern combo once, but I didn't like the sound with the LP Studio (probably because of the guitar).

I have found the perfect guitar for my liking. I fell in love with it just from the start and I never thought about changing anything, but after taking the risk for putting some BKP's in, I'm happy.

I stop buying guitars for now, because I don't want to spend my time anymore in finding the holy grail.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: 808 on December 09, 2007, 10:49:39 PM
I know what you're saying. I play my LP Classic more than my Standard since I put my mules and upgrade kit. I'm actually contemplating Black Dogs at the moment for my Standard.

Guitar Center didn't have V30's in stock. I'll have to order off of the net. I'm gonna have to take my halfstack to GC so I can hear it with a THD Hotplate. I was looking at it today but I don't want to buy it without hearing it with my amp.

I wonder if it's because the radio stations have been blasting Led Zep all weekend that I want Black Dogs now?
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 10, 2007, 12:01:24 AM
Quote from: 808
I know what you're saying. I play my LP Classic more than my Standard since I put my mules and upgrade kit. I'm actually contemplating Black Dogs at the moment for my Standard.

Guitar Center didn't have V30's in stock. I'll have to order off of the net. I'm gonna have to take my halfstack to GC so I can hear it with a THD Hotplate. I was looking at it today but I don't want to buy it without hearing it with my amp.

I wonder if it's because the radio stations have been blasting Led Zep all weekend that I want Black Dogs now?

Nice.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: 808 on December 10, 2007, 04:09:41 AM
I have the stock burstbuckers in the Standard. It has a pretty balanced sound but the pups aren't as clear and articulate as the Mules.

I'm worried how the Black Dogs will sound through my amp when I put V30's in the cab. I may play it safe and stick with another set of Mules.

I bought both of my LPs in 2003. I haven't bought another guitar since then.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 10, 2007, 12:04:55 PM
Quote from: 808
I have the stock burstbuckers in the Standard. It has a pretty balanced sound but the pups aren't as clear and articulate as the Mules.

I'm worried how the Black Dogs will sound through my amp when I put V30's in the cab. I may play it safe and stick with another set of Mules.

I bought both of my LPs in 2003. I haven't bought another guitar since then.

The Black Dogs are quite dark
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Henk on December 10, 2007, 01:21:15 PM
Quote from: Yamhammer
The BKP pickups really let the unplugged sound from the guitar coming through and in fact that's how it should be.


Theres wood and string in the plug'd sound, in general the most wood is heard in the middle position, no idea why but it is, at least with lower output pickups. Higher output pickups tend to take way more string IMHO.

I prefer a balance of wood and string, with the string sound still cutting trough strong trough, just so you also have the string dynamics to play with. Wood is the best tone, if your lucky with the guitar anyway.

@808:
Unless your in a hurry i wouldnt go with another set of mules but rather look for another kind of sound you like and go from there. Im thinking of getting something heavier sounding like the Emeralds just to add some more options to my playing. I do however want to stay in the PAF range of things.....  :wink:

Like Yamhammer said, if you think about what kind of pickup tone would fit well with your guitar sound acoustically, it will quickly narrow choises down a bit. To tweak the setup of your guitar afterwards you can just adjust pickup height and if needed change to a different kind of strings to support the idea you have. Like if you want a very woody tone, try and use pure nickel strings and set the pickups quite low. I often have the pickups relatively low and use very bright strings so the stringdynamics are still there.

Good luck in your quests  :wink:
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 10, 2007, 02:18:20 PM
Quote from: Henk
Like if you want a very woody tone, try and use pure nickel strings and set the pickups quite low. I often have the pickups relatively low and use very bright strings so the stringdynamics are still there.


That's exactly how I'd do it :)

In most cases it's better to have bright sounding pickups instead of dark sounding pickups, but sometimes you need a darker sound for the right balance with the guitar.

You can always tweak down the treble on the amp...but when you don't have enough treble in a pickup, you won't get a nice balanced and clear sound.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: lulusg on December 10, 2007, 03:25:13 PM
Very very nice looking guitar, the pickups look Great on it. So you found your Holy Grail! Awesome ! .....
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: 808 on December 10, 2007, 04:57:50 PM
Tim had recommended Mules or Crawlers when I first messaged him about PAF pups.

I'll have to set up my Standard to standard pitch to compare it to my LP classic. At the moment, it's tuned  to Eb.

Yamhammer, your git is a beaut!

I'll probablly wait until after I put V30's in my cab to get another set of BK's.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: PhilKing on December 10, 2007, 06:24:07 PM
I have a few LP's with BK's and P-90's.
The humbucker guitars have:
Tobacco Burst - Riff Raff & Stormy Monday - this is a chambered guitar and these pickups work really well in it.  The slightly brighter sound works well (even though the guitar is still heavy!)
Sunburst - this is a 53 converted to 59 spec and has a Black Dog set.  The guitar is really light and the Black Dogs work really well in it, they get all the classic Led Zep tones and more.  It is still great for blues and clean sounds too.
Goldtop - PG Blues set. What can I say - PG Blues is such a great description of the sound.  All the classic blues sounds that Peter Green got, but all the Gary Moore sounds are there too.  A really excellent set of pickups that keep the clarity even when driving.

Going left to right, the Goldtop on the left is an original 54, with original P-90s.  I no longer have the Custom, I will have to get another one day.  The Special has one BK rewound pickup and one original, and has the greatest neck feel (it is a 60).  the junior has a Pig-90 - lots more bottom end but still the P-90 growl.  The goldtop on the right is a 72 reissue and sounds similar to the 59, but without quite as much mojo (though it is still a great guitar).  The junior in the background is a 59 with the yellowest respray I ever saw!

Back to what pickups you pick, I would always recommend the PG Blues set if you want the older classic rock tones, or the Riff Raff/Stormy Monday for a bit more bridge drive.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Buddha on December 10, 2007, 06:50:26 PM
Tim also recommended the crawlers to me for a similiar sound to what you are after 808, just to add my two cents  :)
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: lulusg on December 10, 2007, 07:10:31 PM
It never fails to amaze me Phil"Its good to be the"King, that collection you have. As good as it gets!
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 11, 2007, 12:49:16 AM
PhilKing: I love that 54' Goldtop! So sweet, pure and vintage :cry:
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Mr Ed on December 11, 2007, 08:31:43 AM
Give me five minutes alone in that room... with the guitars... I need to be intimate with them. I promise I'll clean up?
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 11, 2007, 10:21:41 AM
Haha :D
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: indysmith on December 11, 2007, 10:24:35 AM
Quote from: Yamhammer
PhilKing: I love that 54' Goldtop! So sweet, pure and vintage :cry:

+1 that's my pick of the bunch. tasty
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 11, 2007, 02:22:13 PM
The only 'negative thing' I have with the MQ's is the 'hum'.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: badgermark on December 11, 2007, 02:44:30 PM
I have an Epi Les Paul I love to bits, feels so good to play and built excellently, just needs decent pickups though. MQs are the top of my list right now, along with a possibly overwound Mule set. Or a mixture of both...

What's the overall sound like from neck to bridge? My LP is quite punchy sounding, and all this p90 talk is making me wet.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Henk on December 11, 2007, 03:06:48 PM
@ Philking

What a fine collection of gibsons, i was allready beginning to think i was the only gibboholic here.

The PG set sounds really interesting, would be interesting to hear a clip of that pickup. I cant seem to find a clip of those. I can imagine it would sound best in a somewhat mellow sounding LP?

When i look at your collection you do have alot of classic blues/rock sounds in there, my small collection is more early rock/ hard rock based, my only 'real' blues guitars are an old 125T and a 70s MIJ Washburn HB35. I think you would definately like the 125T sound, its just so sweet it gets sticky :wink:

Ill try and make a family shot of my guitars soon, really nice to see all those together. Shame you had to part with the custom though, hope you got something worthwile instead.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 11, 2007, 06:13:37 PM
Quote from: badgermark
I have an Epi Les Paul I love to bits, feels so good to play and built excellently, just needs decent pickups though. MQs are the top of my list right now, along with a possibly overwound Mule set. Or a mixture of both...

What's the overall sound like from neck to bridge? My LP is quite punchy sounding, and all this p90 talk is making me wet.

Personally I like the MQ's for clean stuff
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: badgermark on December 11, 2007, 11:07:33 PM
Quote from: Yamhammer
Quote from: badgermark
I have an Epi Les Paul I love to bits, feels so good to play and built excellently, just needs decent pickups though. MQs are the top of my list right now, along with a possibly overwound Mule set. Or a mixture of both...

What's the overall sound like from neck to bridge? My LP is quite punchy sounding, and all this p90 talk is making me wet.


Personally I like the MQ's for clean stuff. On the other side, they aren't the best hardrock/metal pickups.

Rebel Yells are very punchy pickups with both lovely cleans and distorted sounds and they will cut through everything and sound great in a Les Paul for sure.


More hard-rock than metal though ;) I never knowingly play metal. Or want to...

A hot Mule in the bridge and a MQ in the neck sounds like utter sex. Can't wait to hear more clips of the MQ neck.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 11, 2007, 11:11:55 PM
Yes, it would definately sound like utter sex 8)

I can guarantee you...
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Elliot on December 12, 2007, 08:36:39 AM
This thread inspired my to put some DR Pure Blues nickel strings on my Esprit - I've used pure nickels on my strats for ages, but used Blue Steels for my Esprit.  The nickel strings really bring the tone out of the MQ in a big way - i'm never going back now as this is the blues deluxe tone i've always thought the MQ should give.  Funny how one component can change tone.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 12, 2007, 09:55:39 PM
Nice.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: badgermark on December 12, 2007, 09:58:09 PM
What pickup are you using? And what is the riff you are playing? Sounds very familiar.
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: Yamhammer on December 12, 2007, 10:24:00 PM
Nice
Title: Got my MQ fitted in Les Paul!
Post by: badgermark on December 12, 2007, 10:32:49 PM
Ah it's Snow Patrol. Very nice sound... Me wantee.