Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Twinfan on January 09, 2006, 01:21:21 PM
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Hi folks,
I'm new the board, but not new to the guitar world. In the endless quest for "my tone" my GAS has decided I need a set of BKPs. All credit to Tim and the boys/girls for the reputation they've gained :D
I'm looking to fit either a single bridge or pair of BKPs into a mahogany bodied, set neck guitar. Either an SG, Les Paul or Gordon Smith. The sound I'm looking for is a cross between:
1) Angus Young of AC/DC
2) Slash of Guns 'n' Roses/Velvet Revolver
3) Dan Hawkins of The Darkness
I'll be playing through a Marshall JTM60 2x12 combo with a 2x12 extension cab on the drive channel. I use the bass and mids of the amp on full (10), and just enough treble to cut through (generally around 2 or 3). I also have an EQ pedal in the effects loop (always on), a Maxon OD-9 (for solos) and the occasional delay and phaser.
I play rock, namely the above bands plus Thin Lizzy, Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters, Oasis etc.
After reading the reviews, listing to the downloads and reading the posts on the forum I have a shortlist of pickups in mind that I think would fit the bill. I'd be interested to hear what everyone here on the forum thinks to help me make up my mind before I buy.
Cheers!
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Welcome to the boards!
It's a very short shortlist. Mules or Riff Raffs. Both of them will suit your needs, I think. The Riff Raff is AC/DC but not limited to that, the Mule does an excellent G n' R's. The Mule is a late '50's style hot PAF the Riff Raff early '60's. It also depends on the guitar a little, Mule for LP's, Riff Raffs for SG's.
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Thanks!
They were the two I had down, plus the VH2s. I'm guessing the VH2s are more suited to strat/bolt on neck guitars a la EVH? But would they sound good in a Les Paul?
Would you suggest Alnico II or IV for the Mules???
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Thanks!
They were the two I had down, plus the VH2s. I'm guessing the VH2s are more suited to strat/bolt on neck guitars a la EVH? But would they sound good in a Les Paul?
my Les Paul has VHII's and they sound great. It's a slightly more powerful PAF type thing going on. I posted a demo in the Player's bit playing a load of riffs, including 'Slither' by Velvet Revolver. It was on a solid-state amp, and in retrospect I dialed in too much gain, but it might give you a clue.
Here's the thread:
http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1134&start=0
Keep scrolling down through it, there are about 3 different clips I posted in there - it's in one of them :)
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I haven't heard the VHII's in a LP. It seems that the VHII was designed with a Strat style guitar in mind.
Alnico IV for the Mules, Alnico V for Riff Raffs.
Alnico II sux for hotter pickups. :)
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Cheers Willo - nice tones :)
I think the VH2s are a bit "trebly" for me, but a great tone nonetheless. I'm not sure how they would sound with less gain and treble through a valve amp.
Maybe it's Mules or Riff Raffs then, depending on which guitar I fit them too?
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Cheers Willo - nice tones :)
I think the VH2s are a bit "trebly" for me, but a great tone nonetheless. I'm not sure how they would sound with less gain and treble through a valve amp.
I'm hopefully going to be able to record some samples through my new (secondhand) valve amp - a 1987 Marshall JCM800. So the setup will be Les Paul with VHII's into a Marshall JCM800, probably with an overdrive pedal and a wah. Not so much gain, and pretty close to Slash's set up I would imagine. Hopefully I will be able to do these clips this weekend, if you want to hold fire on your decision!
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Sounds like just what I'm looking for - I'm very interested in hearing how it sounds!
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It's a very short shortlist. Mules or Riff Raffs. Both of them will suit your needs, I think. The Riff Raff is AC/DC but not limited to that, the Mule does an excellent G n' R's. The Mule is a late '50's style hot PAF the Riff Raff early '60's. It also depends on the guitar a little, Mule for LP's, Riff Raffs for SG's.
I would echo Ratrod's advice pretty much all the way, adding only that it's been my sense that the Riff Raffs are a bit brighter than the Mules.
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I would echo Ratrod's advice pretty much all the way, adding only that it's been my sense that the Riff Raffs are a bit brighter than the Mules.
Interesting, as SGs are generally a bit brighter than Les Pauls as they've obviously thinner/lighter. I would have thought Riff Raffs would be a toucher darker if they're designed for SGs...
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i'd have considered maybe getting an alnico II mule for the neck (or even a stormy monday) for those slash tones...
But i don't know if you could combine (you can, I mean, how it'd sound!) an alnico IV bridge and alnico II neck...
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Riff Raff or Mule, the Riff Raff might be the better choice as it has a touch more output.
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A touch less, you mean?
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The Riff Raff I've played seemed louder than the Mule, it was Alnico V though, rather than IV. It was the old Rif Raff though!
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They're very close and the Alnico V in the Riff Raff does give the impression of more juice although the overall tone is brighter.The Mule is slightly mellower and broader.
If you're not too keen on bright sounding humbuckers don't rule out the Crawler.........Ok there's quite a bit more power on tap but the tone is very vintage and fat.
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Thanks Tim! Given my musical preferences, which would you recommend???
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The Mule-it'll cover Angus, Hawkins and Slash with ease 8) !
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Cheers Tim!
Now I've just got to decide what guitar to put it/them in, or buy another specially :wink:
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A brief update...
I've just bought a Gordon Smith GS-1 already fitted with a Warpig, so I'll see how that sounds when it srrives :D
I'll probably then order a Mule to try in comparison. Thanks for everyone's help!
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Cool I'm getting a Gordon Smith Graduate with Miracle Mans.
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I've just bought a Gordon Smith GS-1 already fitted with a Warpig, so I'll see how that sounds when it srrives :D I'll probably then order a Mule to try in comparison.
Cool. Some people have reported getting on well with a Warpig bridge and Mule neck, though the difference in output seems a little extreme to me. But whatever you do, you might as well hang on to the Warpig -- at worst, you'll just need to get another guitar to put it in. :twisted:
Mmm, I just need an SG to load with 'Pigs and a Tele to load with Country Boys. That would cover some ground :)
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Carlaz,
The GS-1 is a single pickup twin cutaway guitar (like an early sixties SG Junior) so it'll just be the 'Pig OR a Mule but not both. I'm going to see how the 'Pig sounds and take it from there.
Knowing me I'll like it as it is, then I'll have to get a Mule (or Mules) to try in something else!
I'm very tempted to get a set of Mules for my HCSB Les Paul Standard (Slash/Hawkins tone) and a Riff Raff for my Cherry Red Gordon Smith SG-1 (Angus tone)...
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The GS-1 is a single pickup twin cutaway guitar (like an early sixties SG Junior) so it'll just be the 'Pig OR a Mule but not both. I'm going to see how the 'Pig sounds and take it from there.
Ah! Now I understand ... but the description also makes me think: Mississippi Queen! :)
Knowing me I'll like it as it is, then I'll have to get a Mule (or Mules) to try in something else! I'm very tempted to get a set of Mules for my HCSB Les Paul Standard (Slash/Hawkins tone) and a Riff Raff for my Cherry Red Gordon Smith SG-1 (Angus tone)...
Sound like solid plans!
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I'm very tempted to get a set of Mules for my HCSB Les Paul Standard (Slash/Hawkins tone) and a Riff Raff for my Cherry Red Gordon Smith SG-1 (Angus tone)...
Sounds like a good plan to me!