Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: pedrozepelim on May 04, 2011, 09:35:31 PM

Title: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: pedrozepelim on May 04, 2011, 09:35:31 PM
Like the subject states, need some meaner and higher output Mule sounding pickups, for a slightly bright Les Paul Custom.

What's you opinion, guys?
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: asianaxeman on May 04, 2011, 09:41:00 PM
check out emeralds and black dogs and holy divers
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: ericsabbath on May 04, 2011, 10:06:05 PM
that's the abraxas

the diver sounds absolutely nothing like a mule

the black dog might work too
quite fat and smooth, with a darker top end
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: Twinfan on May 04, 2011, 10:06:47 PM
I don't find Emeralds, Black Dogs or Holy Divers to be "aggressive", just punchy.

The first thing I thought of reading the thread title was Riff Raffs.....
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: asianaxeman on May 04, 2011, 10:08:19 PM
that's the abraxas

the diver sounds absolutely nothing like a mule

yeah i see what you're saying, i misinterpreted as more aggressive alnico pickup if I'm honest. Never tried an abraxas.
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: Telerocker on May 04, 2011, 10:17:48 PM
Abraxas indeed, sort of a hotrodded Mule.
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: Nolly on May 04, 2011, 11:17:35 PM
This screams Black Dogs
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: _tom_ on May 04, 2011, 11:40:00 PM
I thought the Abraxas was a smoother sort of tone than the Mule, but I only played them quickly years ago through fairly quiet amps at Music Live, so my judgement may be a bit clouded! VHII seemed to have a similar vibe but with a bit more output and bite.
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: ztikmaen on May 05, 2011, 02:41:23 AM
I also want the answer to this question, but from what I've heard the Abraxas are like hotrodded Mules.
On the same note do Mules sound muddy in the neck?
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: Kiichi on May 05, 2011, 05:58:40 AM
Alnico V mules maybe? Might be a no enough of what you want, but it should get you closer as well.
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: Nolly on May 05, 2011, 09:15:44 AM
I also want the answer to this question, but from what I've heard the Abraxas are like hotrodded Mules.

I don't think there is one, catch-all "answer". There are several PAF-style pickups in the range, which one is correct for you depends on your guitar and what you're after.
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on May 05, 2011, 09:19:42 AM
If looking for a hike in output I would have suggested looking at the Crawler - especially if your LP is a bit bright.
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: gwEm on May 05, 2011, 09:24:46 AM
I don't find Emeralds, Black Dogs or Holy Divers to be "aggressive", just punchy.

The first thing I thought of reading the thread title was Riff Raffs.....

yes, i tend to agree twinfan. but on the other hand, higher output is mentioned.

i'm going to suggest the vh2s.. the crawler and emeralds are good, but for me don't have that aggressive attack.
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: Twinfan on May 05, 2011, 09:34:44 AM
Yep, I agree gwEm - VHIIs would give that 'snap' along with higher output  :)
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: HTH AMPS on May 05, 2011, 10:08:20 AM
for aggressive Mules you want an Abraxas - they are fat, but have no shortage of grunt if you want it.

Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: Brow on May 05, 2011, 12:45:47 PM
+ 1 on the Abraxas vote.

What the OP describes is what I wanted for my CU22 and the Abraxas don't disappoint.
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: Slartibartfarst42 on May 05, 2011, 07:26:46 PM
I was certainly under the impression that the Abraxas was a hotter Mule and that the Crawler was a similar idea but hotter still.
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: HTH AMPS on May 05, 2011, 07:35:16 PM
I was certainly under the impression that the Abraxas was a hotter Mule and that the Crawler was a similar idea but hotter still.

Thats my experience, but I wouldn't say the Crawler was much hotter than the Abraxas - just voiced with more mids and modern edge compared to the Abraxas.

I perferred the Abraxas fwiw and I'm a old school PAF guy in the main.

Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: Slartibartfarst42 on May 05, 2011, 07:38:39 PM
I found that the clips on the website, while sounding very good, didn't do the Abraxas justice. Listening to the Abraxas clips in the Players section really shows how good these can be. I'd always assumed that when I get my all mahogany guitar I'd get Mules because I love them but I'm increasingly thinking that the Abraxas might be a cool option.
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: Telerocker on May 05, 2011, 11:46:22 PM
I was certainly under the impression that the Abraxas was a hotter Mule and that the Crawler was a similar idea but hotter still.

Thats my experience, but I wouldn't say the Crawler was much hotter than the Abraxas - just voiced with more mids and modern edge compared to the Abraxas.

I perferred the Abraxas fwiw and I'm a old school PAF guy in the main.

I think you point the difference quite accurately.


Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: darkbluemurder on May 06, 2011, 08:27:19 AM
Thats my experience, but I wouldn't say the Crawler was much hotter than the Abraxas - just voiced with more mids and modern edge compared to the Abraxas.

That is interesting. Would you say that the Abraxas is a bit brighter or significantly brighter than the Crawler (bridge and neck models)?

Thanks, Stephan
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: darkbluemurder on May 06, 2011, 02:00:40 PM
Found this quote from HTH Amps on the comparison Crawlers vs. Abraxas:

BRIDGE
Crawler - PAF vibe, but hotter with a midrange focus, more modern sounding
Abraxas - PAF vibe, but hotter, similar tonal balance to a PAF, great all rounder

NECK
Crawler - PAF vibe, but hotter (not much though), much like a Mule, can be a bit blurred in the bass notes
Abraxas - more like a Patent# PAF or T-top, a little less hot, but clearer (more top end) with no blurred bass, can sound just as fat as Mule or Crawler neck by running the tone on around 5.


From that I take that the Abraxas set should have significantly more top end compared to the Crawler.

Cheers Stephan
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: Alex on May 06, 2011, 02:34:11 PM
May I ask why not a Black Dog? I thought that be a great choice for a LP custom.
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: Telerocker on May 06, 2011, 07:30:35 PM
A Black Dog could work too in a Les Paul, but I think - and read this a few times - it's less versatile then the Abraxas or a Mule. It's a middy middy pu and that has to be your cake. It so, count in the Black Dog.
About the Crawler: big mids, but not a piercing topend, however it's not dull too. I like it, but depends on your amp and guitar too. I would stick to the Abraxas for the bridge.
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: ztikmaen on May 07, 2011, 01:16:34 AM
The bridge Abraxas sounds legendary, but by the sounds of it the neck PU Abraxas is similar to the Mule?
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: Telerocker on May 08, 2011, 01:01:50 AM
Specs for the neck-pu's are close. Both AIV and similar dc-resistance, there should not be a big difference.
Title: Re: I need an aggressive Mule!
Post by: ztikmaen on May 08, 2011, 06:38:01 AM
Specs for the neck-pu's are close. Both AIV and similar dc-resistance, there should not be a big difference.
Should be awesome then :D