Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Jazz Rock on December 09, 2007, 01:51:00 PM

Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: Jazz Rock on December 09, 2007, 01:51:00 PM
I finally put in the A4 mags in the 490R and 498T of my Gibby yesterday. It does seem like it gives the best I could get from them but for the wee test I ran last evening it sounds '59-like performances but a bit less inspiring. I'll keep these reincarnations of the stock pups for a wee while but I don't they are gonna stay long.

So what will be next? I already asked this question but I can't make up my mind yet.
Either I try to go for something a bit more modern sounding like a SD Jazz set. Or I try to make the Gibby a better classic rock sounding guitar than the Epi.

If I go for the latter, which BKP set will give the same flavour than my '59 set but with a better definition to the notes? Mules, Black dog?
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: Twinfan on December 09, 2007, 05:12:08 PM
Mules are the classic '59 sound.
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: Simon D on December 09, 2007, 05:47:44 PM
Quote from: Twinfan
Mules are the classic '59 sound.


They certainly are. I've got a set in an Epi LP - they are the sound you describe.

I also have a Duncan '59 in the bridge of another guitar, and while it's by no means bad (I happen to quite like it)  the Mules are better.
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: Jazz Rock on December 09, 2007, 06:03:52 PM
Thanks guys!

Is the black dog simply a hotter version of the Mule? After reading Yamhammer's thread about his new MQ in the neck, I am considering getting one for the neck as well and a mule or black dog bridge.
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: hunter on December 09, 2007, 06:27:17 PM
The Black Dog has a hump in the upper mids, which makes it richer, but maybe also a bit "looser" than a Mule, which is supposed to have a more balanced EQ.

If you're after rock mainly, you could like the BD more, if versatility is key, maybe a Mule.

Combinations I would recommend:

Mule calibrated set
Mule bridge with Missisippi Queen or Stormy Monday neck
Black Dog calibrated set
BlackDog bridge with MQ, SM or Mule neck

Is your guitar acoustically rather bright?
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: HTH AMPS on December 09, 2007, 06:37:56 PM
I've got a Black Dog that I'm waiting to try in my Les Paul to replace the Mule that's in there now.

The Mule bridge is 8.3k while the Black Dog is 10.8k, so it's fairly hot for a PAF type of pickup.

The magnet differences will make them sound quite different too.  The Mule has A4 while the 'Dog has a A5 magnet.

 :twisted:
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: Fourth Feline on December 09, 2007, 06:40:53 PM
Quote from: Twinfan
Mules are the classic '59 sound.


+ 1



 :D
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: ericsabbath on December 09, 2007, 07:56:02 PM
Quote from: Twinfan
Mules are the classic '59 sound.


i don't believe Tim would make a pickup that sounds so bad, dark, scooped and muffled like the '59  :shock:
all mule's clips i've found here sound great and with nice and fat mids
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: Buddha on December 09, 2007, 08:05:25 PM
+1 to what's been said by most others about the mules  :)
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: indysmith on December 09, 2007, 08:10:57 PM
i think he meant '59 as in the vintage, rather than the SD, but i may be wrong...
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: JamesHealey on December 09, 2007, 08:20:26 PM
I thought the Black Dogs were a bit on the dark side, although they were defined, they lacked something. Not bad pickups at all, must be something that someone is looking for, for sure.
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: Jazz Rock on December 09, 2007, 09:34:29 PM
Quote from: hunter
The Black Dog has a hump in the upper mids, which makes it richer, but maybe also a bit "looser" than a Mule, which is supposed to have a more balanced EQ.

If you're after rock mainly, you could like the BD more, if versatility is key, maybe a Mule.

Combinations I would recommend:

Mule calibrated set
Mule bridge with Missisippi Queen or Stormy Monday neck
Black Dog calibrated set
BlackDog bridge with MQ, SM or Mule neck

Is your guitar acoustically rather bright?


No my LP Studio is rather dark, but not too dark. What I am mainly after, while staying in keeping with the '59, is clarity.
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: Jazz Rock on December 09, 2007, 09:56:45 PM
Quote from: indysmith
i think he meant '59 as in the vintage, rather than the SD, but i may be wrong...


I meant the SD'59, has it is what I have in the Epi and I am quite happy with this. Just looking for something offering classic rock sound with a bit more versatility... handling better the level of gain you get with modern rock.
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: indysmith on December 09, 2007, 09:59:07 PM
then mules it is
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: Fourth Feline on December 09, 2007, 10:36:40 PM
Quote from: indysmith
i think he meant '59 as in the vintage, rather than the SD, but i may be wrong...


Yes Siree  !

I meant the the year / vintage  NOT the S.D. pickup ...  :!:

 :D
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: shaman on December 10, 2007, 04:13:08 AM
I just dropped a mule in a LP Custom and it is as advertised-balanced in the eq, it adds a nice bite that my Custom had been lacking-not compressed sounding...great percussive nature..very dynamic-is equally at home doing Allmans or Tool(as a matter of fact, after some dropped d and a healthy dose of Mesa, it is as close as I have ever come to mr Adam Jones's tone-lots of clarity/headroom-strong and tight...big and bite-y!!)an all 'rounder!
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: Jazz Rock on December 10, 2007, 01:45:09 PM
Quote from: Fourth Feline
Quote from: indysmith
i think he meant '59 as in the vintage, rather than the SD, but i may be wrong...


Yes Siree  !

I meant the the year / vintage  NOT the S.D. pickup ...  :!:

 :D


My mistake  :!: Anyway, sounds like the Mule got most people votes.
Title: A BKP set to outdo my '59 set?
Post by: Henk on December 12, 2007, 07:46:58 AM
Quote from: shaman
I just dropped a mule in a LP Custom and it is as advertised-balanced in the eq, it adds a nice bite that my Custom had been lacking-not compressed sounding...great percussive nature..very dynamic-is equally at home doing Allmans or Tool(as a matter of fact, after some dropped d and a healthy dose of Mesa, it is as close as I have ever come to mr Adam Jones's tone-lots of clarity/headroom-strong and tight...big and bite-y!!)an all 'rounder!


The mule in a custom is like a white sheet of paper yet to be written upon, its just that versatile IMO, it adapts very kindly to an amp or effect and just adds pure tone.........

Very happy with my mules  :wink: