Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: SchonFan83 on October 11, 2009, 04:50:36 PM
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Hey guys,
First post here.
I'm playing mostly les pauls, and typically have either Burstbucker Pros or Burstbuckers 2's in the bridge position.
I work at a music store, so over the last few years I've used my employee discount to try out tons of different pickups...Duncans, Dimarzios, etc. But I'm looking for something with a little more character and personality.
So far I've been most satisfied with a BB Pro in my '83 LP STD with a Kahler (which of course has a maple neck), and a BB 2 in a '57 Custom 2pu VOS (all mahogany). I'm playing mostly classic rock/blues. I typically dont get heavier than VH, GnR, etc...no death metal :)
I've been listening to clips on the site here, but I'd like to get some input from you guys.
What would you suggest?
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Well, based on your description, I'd say Mules would be an obvious choice. Crawlers might go well in your '83. Abraxas & Emeralds may also be good choices
Rebel Yell may be too rraaaawwwwkk! as might Cold Sweat & of course I'd probably steer clear of Miracle Man (even though it rocks in LPs) :)
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& welcome to the forum BTW :)
PS: Forgot to mention Black Dog which is quite popular, though I have very little experience of it...
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I've had Mules in my LP (plus pretty much all the BKP range) and have settled on an Abraxas set which I was initially uninterested in due to the Santana connection. However, the Abraxas set is my fave - pure PAF neck tone with plenty of clarity then a bridge pickup with all the tonality of a PAF, but with more power and fatness.
Crawlers are cool too, but have more of a pronounced midrange honk - good with lots of OD.
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Welcome :D
I'd have said Mules too, that's what I use, but I do find myself wondering about Abraxus (due to some recent love for them on here a few months back, HTH being one of them, I think :D)
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I have Emeralds in an all mahogany custom and they sound great. I would say for rock and blues they are great. I would also look at Black Dogs and Crawlers if you want a bit more push. My real favourite for the older blues and rock sounds are the PG Blues - don't be put off by the lower output, they can still rock.
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I love the tone of lower output humbuckers. I think the PG and Mules have a killer tone for bluesy rock.
I do like a pickup that can get a little nastier at times, so I don't want to go too tame with it..especially since Im playing through plexi-style amps... :P
So far I'm really liking the tone of the Black Dogs.
How responsive and dynamic are the HolyDiver pups? Do they clean up well when you roll the volume back?
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if you are, indeed, a Schon fan, I can tell you I am happy with my Rebels AND Crawlers(as Tim suggested, the Crawler would have sweeeeter highs -I was looking for Lukather/modern Schon...Crawlers are great in my LP Classic/Rebs rule in my LP Standard)
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Ahh, choices choices...
I am a huge Schon Fan. I love his tone on Trail By Fire and the Hardline Double Eclipse album.
I have Sustainiacs in everything except my '57 custom LP 8)
So the Crawlers and RY's have the same magnets and looks like they are close on output.
The highs sound a bit more aggressive on the RYs. What other differences have you noticed between the two?
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I like both for the Luke/Schon tone...either is fine..the Crawler is fatter/tad sweeter in highs-they are two similar axes(very similar..), and I am so happy with the rebs, but I wanted something a shade different-tim suggested the Crawler for the sweeter highs, a la sustaining,singing lead work in the upper register with delay..it is hard for me to tell difference-aggressive is a good word for the rebs,while crawler is a little on fatter side(just talking bridge pup, mind you..my Crawler neck isn't here yet...)I love the reb neck because it isnt muddy-great clarity..good bite,yet very fat
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So the Crawlers and RY's have the same magnets
Actually, the Crawler neck is alnico IV - you may (or not...) want to read the sticky "magnet types" post for more on this.
I can't compare with RY's, but tonewise, the crawler neck is quite different (in a good way IMHO) from the bridge - very warm and rounded (with still enough high-mids to cut thru, but I guess it can sound a bit dark on a dark guitar) vintage tone, sweet, opened and organic, a pure delight played clean / early breakup (still do a fine job under more heavy distortion). I love the way it complements the bridge's more gritty, rock'n'roll character, but YMMV.
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maybe mine is a metalhead view ( :P), but RYs are great for every kind of rock/metal application...