Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: MrBump on October 08, 2008, 10:00:29 AM
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Yamaha SG 200.
All mahogany, I think, set neck.
TOM style bridge.
I'm looking for something relatively tame, I think - my initial thoughts were Mules, although some have suggested Abraxas (I can see the connection and reasoning, I'm just not sure if they'll be too hot...)
I really want to get something traditional sounding - I guess as close to a vintage LP tone, although the devil in me still wants plenty of dirt. However, I'm not a particularly high gain player...
I'm starting to think about Black Dogs...
What are your thoughts, guys?
Mark.
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Stormies, stock Alnico II. Sweet, smooth and singing :)
Might not have enough bite if that's what you're after though...
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I vote for the Riff Raffs for a brighter sound.
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I think I agree with Yamhammer, Riff Raffs. Or (anticipating what gwEm might say) an AV/AIV Mule combo for a little extra fatness and a bit more oomph from the bridge.
I think BDs might be a bit too dark, SMs a bit too wimpy (sorry Dave!) unless you prefer clean sounds.
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OK... I guess that my impression of RRs is that they're a little loose sounding, if you know what I mean. Will they sound clear and bell-like when clean, and happily knock out Parisienne Walkways when dirty?
Mark.
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I don't know about loose, they're pretty tight I'd say. But kind of dry - the cleans are nice but not pretty, if that makes any sense.
I've never tried the neck RR but it's AV and, I think, quite bright - maybe you could go for the tried-and-trusted RR bridge, SM neck?
I have an AII Stormy Monday neck, but maybe the AIV version would have a bit more push in the mids? I'm not sure.
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OK... I guess that my impression of RRs is that they're a little loose sounding, if you know what I mean. Will they sound clear and bell-like when clean, and happily knock out Parisienne Walkways when dirty?
Mark.
from every clip I've hard on this forum, I'd say you couldn't be more mistaken
at list to my ears, the riff raff is the tighest non-ceramic humbucker bare knuckle model
bright, clear and sharp
I'm a metal player and I'm seriously thinking of ordering one for my next les paul
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Maybe if you like the vintage sound and are indecisive about Black Dogs and Mules, get a Black Dog Bridge and Mule Neck. I have that combo in my LP.
The Mule neck on a clean amp is just so full and clear its rediculous. I've always been a strat person but I actually prefer the Mule Neck to my Strat Neck. :roll: Never thought that would happen. + the black dog is slightly agressive but still vintagey sounding.
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OK... I guess that my impression of RRs is that they're a little loose sounding, if you know what I mean. Will they sound clear and bell-like when clean, and happily knock out Parisienne Walkways when dirty?
Mark.
from every clip I've hard on this forum, I'd say you couldn't be more mistaken
at list to my ears, the riff raff is the tighest non-ceramic humbucker bare knuckle model
bright, clear and sharp
I'm a metal player and I'm seriously thinking of ordering one for my next les paul
Well, I HAVE been listening to the clips, and they do sound a little loose, to my ears.
Maybe my ears are loose?
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:lol:
I think I know what you mean by "loose" on the RRs - but I couldn't justify or explain it to anyone else :D
I had my RRs in my Explorer, a serious lump of Mahogany. They were nice but more "open" sounding than they are in the Epi SG they were bought for (and are now back in). In the explorer I liked the RR neck, but RR bridge wasn't really cutting it - not enough oomph...
So I swapped MQs and RRs round. The MQs do everything I want in the explorer (including what the RRs did, but better - slightly thicker, lot more gritty, but cleans up real nice), and the RRs do their superb Angus job in the SG, a slightly more focussed humbucker sound than my Mules in a Tokai Love rock.
Final bit of info - accoustically, the Epi SG is all mahogany, but a lot harder and brighter sounding than the explorer, which has a lovely dark/mellow sort of tone.
I think it depends on what your actual guitar is like tonally - the RRs could be superb for what you want, or... :roll:
So... in summary... no help here then! :lol:
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:lol:
I think I know what you mean by "loose" on the RRs - but I couldn't justify or explain it to anyone else :D
I had my RRs in my Explorer, a serious lump of Mahogany. They were nice but more "open" sounding than they are in the Epi SG they were bought for (and are now back in). In the explorer I liked the RR neck, but RR bridge wasn't really cutting it - not enough oomph...
So I swapped MQs and RRs round. The MQs do everything I want in the explorer (including what the RRs did, but better - slightly thicker, lot more gritty, but cleans up real nice), and the RRs do their superb Angus job in the SG, a slightly more focussed humbucker sound than my Mules in a Tokai Love rock.
Final bit of info - accoustically, the Epi SG is all mahogany, but a lot harder and brighter sounding than the explorer, which has a lovely dark/mellow sort of tone.
I think it depends on what your actual guitar is like tonally - the RRs could be superb for what you want, or... :roll:
So... in summary... no help here then! :lol:
Yeah, cheers for that!!!
:lol:
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... although you have got me thinking about MQs...
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... although you have got me thinking about MQs...
I'm gonna buck the trend and say VHII.
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You trend bucker!
Why?
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You trend bucker!
Why?
Cause it'll do everything you want ... clean, clear as crystal, but can also push an amp into submission with the volume dimed out. Roll back the treble a bit and you have Riff Raff territory, add an OD and it's instant Eddie.
Mahog + Set Neck = Dark/Neutral tone. VHII will bring the beast out of that combo!!
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Oh dear. This is getting complicated...
:?
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Only as complicated as you make it, bupy.
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Hate to bring this up, but what about that old combo of SM neck/RR bridge? The RR will give you that biting tone for solos in the bridge (and also instant Angus in an SG), and the SM will give you the sweet and clear mellowness that you want in the neck. :D
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Hate to bring this up, but what about that old combo of SM neck/RR bridge? The RR will give you that biting tone for solos in the bridge (and also instant Angus in an SG), and the SM will give you the sweet and clear mellowness that you want in the neck. :D
I have this setup, and the RR won't have the same amount of push on tap as the VHII.
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OK, I've listened to the clips again, and the tones that I'm liking the best are centred around Mules and Black Dogs.
I think that the main point about the BDs was that they might sound too dark for an all mahogany guitar? Is this really the case?
Mark.
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I shouldn't really open my moufg as I havn't got any BDs but from the sound clips I have heard they are dark (for want of a better phrase) and that is in maple topped guitars.
Though it may work for you, I would suggest avoiding it unless you are after something deliberately dark
I like TOs suggestion of a VHII, as Hunters recent clips have shown it's potential for non Hair Metal tones
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The BD doesn't really sound dark in my V, but it's not bright either - in fact the BD bridge isn't much brighter than the SM I have in the neck position.
And my V is very lightweight - I think in a heavier guitar like your SG the BD could be a bit dark.
I don't have a VHII (yet) but it certainly appeals - as does the Cold Sweat but that's probably higher-output than you want.
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And my V is very lightweight - I think in a heavier guitar like your SG the BD could be a bit dark.
I don't have a VHII (yet) but it certainly appeals - as does the Cold Sweat but that's probably higher-output than you want.
Heh thats what I meant (I always found Vs to be a bit different to everything else)
I have sort of been wondering where the line actually is with all mahogany guitars, as I'm sure a SG compared with a LP type would have fairly different behavours. Assuming that the SG200 would be closer to a LP than a SG
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I have sort of been wondering where the line actually is with all mahogany guitars, as I'm sure a SG compared with a LP type would have fairly different behavours. Assuming that the SG200 would be closer to a LP than a SG
My theory (unhampered, as usual, by scientific fact) is that the thick maple top on LPs, SG2000s etc makes a big difference. The mahogany gives loads of bass and midrange, but the brighter maple balances it out to give a more "neutral" tone.
When it comes to pickups, (Gibson) SGs, Vs, Juniors etc are pretty temperamental as to what will work, but you hardly ever hear someone saying a pickup isn't suited to a Les Paul.
I'm sure there are lots of other factors as well, like the overall weight and the type of neck joint.
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I have sort of been wondering where the line actually is with all mahogany guitars, as I'm sure a SG compared with a LP type would have fairly different behavours. Assuming that the SG200 would be closer to a LP than a SG
My theory (unhampered, as usual, by scientific fact) is that the thick maple top on LPs, SG2000s etc makes a big difference. The mahogany gives loads of bass and midrange, but the brighter maple balances it out to give a more "neutral" tone.
When it comes to pickups, (Gibson) SGs, Vs, Juniors etc are pretty temperamental as to what will work, but you hardly ever hear someone saying a pickup isn't suited to a Les Paul.
I'm sure there are lots of other factors as well, like the overall weight and the type of neck joint.
PQ, none of this is helping!?!?
Maybe I just need to take the plunge - I have a feeling that there won't be a right answer...
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PQ, none of this is helping!?!?
:lol: Sorry!
But I think you have the age-old "SG Dilemma".
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My last vote: A CALIBRATED SET OF VH2's.
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I've been well busy for the last few days, so this is the first time I've read this thread since I posted - and I have to say that I was highly swayed by TO's posts on the VHIIs - never really thought about them before, but now they're firmly placed in my "I wonder..." category if I ended up needing more humbuckers at some point.
Out of what I've read on this thread (including mine :roll:) I think if it was me I'd lean towards trying VHIIs on this one...
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Hmmm... VHII..?
Just had a look at them online. I guess that they're not that hot. 9.2k - I guess that the neck would be slightly less than that in a calibrated set.
I hope I'm making the right decision going "Vintage"(hot)? Going for a Warpig bridge and Cold Sweat neck seems like an easy choice...
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Hmmm... VHII..?
Just had a look at them online. I guess that they're not that hot. 9.2k - I guess that the neck would be slightly less than that in a calibrated set.
I hope I'm making the right decision going "Vintage"(hot)?
There was a thread a while back where Henk (what happened to him?) explained that the VHII is a true "Hot PAF" because it's the hottest you can possibly wind a pickup using vintage spec 42 gauge plain enamel wire.
Or something like that. I'm just saying what I heard. :?
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Hmmm... VHII..?
Just had a look at them online. I guess that they're not that hot. 9.2k - I guess that the neck would be slightly less than that in a calibrated set.
I hope I'm making the right decision going "Vintage"(hot)?
There was a thread a while back where Henk (what happened to him?) explained that the VHII is a true "Hot PAF" because it's the hottest you can possibly wind a pickup using vintage spec 42 gauge plain enamel wire.
Or something like that. I'm just saying what I heard. :?
I remember the post... might dig it out.
Mark.
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*Passes spade to Mark*
Drill, baby, drill!!!!
Sorry, I've been listening to Sarah Palin too much.
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'Vintage Hot' doesn't mean that it can't rock hard.
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[When it comes to pickups, (Gibson) SGs, Vs, Juniors etc are pretty temperamental as to what will work, but you hardly ever hear someone saying a pickup isn't suited to a Les Paul.
My Abraxas set really didn't work in my 53 conversion Les Paul, whether it was the weight or the fact that the maple cap is slightly thinner on the 53's I don't know. However Black Dogs sound great in it (all the Page sounds are there), and the Abraxas set sounds excellent in my Hamer Sunburst (much deeper maple cap on it than the 53).
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^ That comment made no sense! Are you endorsing them or knocking them?!
Anywho ... any closer to a decision?
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^ :gne: Didn't get your point, TO
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^ That comment made no sense! Are you endorsing them or knocking them?!
Anywho ... any closer to a decision?
Yep. Spoke to Tim. Mules on way.
Can't wait!
Mark.
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Yep. Spoke to Tim.
Yay
Mules on way.
Boo
j/k PDT_008
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Yep. Spoke to Tim.
Yay
Mules on way.
Boo
j/k PDT_008
I know, I know.
There are so many options, and I truely believe that there are very few BAD ones. For the tones I was after, and in that guitar, Tim was very definite about Mules.
Will have Riff Raffs, Black Dogs and Mississippi Queens one day...