Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: chrisj1602 on August 04, 2014, 04:38:17 PM

Title: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: chrisj1602 on August 04, 2014, 04:38:17 PM
Hi

I would like to try something lower output in the bridge of my LP Custom.  It has a 498T in the bridge at the moment and I'm not keen on it. I read a thread on here about an unpotted Stormy Monday working very well in an LP Custom and I am leaning that way, but I don't want to rule out Mules and Riff Raffs, or even the PG Blues set.  I have wanted to try unpotted for a while and i'm only using a 15w Blues Jr so assume I will be ok feedback wise.  Has anyone got any experience with these pickups in a Custom?

Thanks,

Chris
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: littleredguitars2 on August 04, 2014, 06:35:36 PM
I haven't used any of those but from what I'd guess is that any of those would work really well in an lp. But it would helpto know what sort of music you're looking  to play
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: chrisj1602 on August 04, 2014, 07:38:43 PM
I play indie, rock, blues, Les Paul through a Blues Junior, nothing high gain, just clean and overdrive with a boost for solos.
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: darrenw5094 on August 04, 2014, 08:18:06 PM
Mule or Riff Raff would get you there. I haven't tried the other two, but Riff Raff bridge and Mule/Riff Raff neck would be nice
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: littleredguitars2 on August 04, 2014, 08:37:47 PM
agree with above! i like the Mule alot. it can cover a ton of ground but it would do definitely what you're looking for. i'm pretty sure the riff raff is a little brighter?
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: Telerocker on August 04, 2014, 11:48:37 PM
I would go for a calibrated unpotted Mules-set. Not the RiffRaff here, since the Blues Junior is already all about (upper)mids and treble. I have a BJ for practicing and my Mules-loaded St. Blues Mississippi Bluesmaster sounds great on it. Take pedals very well too.
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: littleredguitars2 on August 05, 2014, 12:33:45 AM
telerocker knows his stuff. i'd trust his opinion

Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: Yellowjacket on August 05, 2014, 03:43:05 AM
I would go for a calibrated unpotted Mules-set. Not the RiffRaff here, since the Blues Junior is already all about (upper)mids and treble. I have a BJ for practicing and my Mules-loaded St. Blues Mississippi Bluesmaster sounds great on it. Take pedals very well too.

No kidding.  Although I have heard that some people are really frustrated with a Mule bridge, this guy sounds like he wants as warm, buttery, and dynamic of a tone as possible.  Lower output vintage humbuckers really are beautiful and I think your advice is spot on here!!
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: chrisj1602 on August 05, 2014, 07:10:00 AM
I would go for a calibrated unpotted Mules-set. Not the RiffRaff here, since the Blues Junior is already all about (upper)mids and treble. I have a BJ for practicing and my Mules-loaded St. Blues Mississippi Bluesmaster sounds great on it. Take pedals very well too.

Thanks for the advice, good to hear from someone with same amp too.
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: nig1064 on August 05, 2014, 10:51:03 AM
You seriously can,t go wrong with the mules.

Amazing pickups.
Would love to try an unpotted set myself.
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: chrisj1602 on August 05, 2014, 10:58:23 AM
I have always fancied trying the Mules.  I am still seriously tempted by the Stormy Mondays too.  So at least I've narrowed it down to the two.

The Seymour Duncan descriptions suggest Alnico II pickups for Maple an Ebony 'boards and I think that got me thinking Stormy Monday, and I really like the demos I have heard.  And the Mules sound great too.  I might just have to flip a coin when I'm putting the order in!
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: littleredguitars2 on August 05, 2014, 12:31:06 PM
send bare knuckle an email if you havent already with your thoughts and see what they say.
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: Kiichi on August 05, 2014, 03:08:17 PM
Ok, I donīt have the Stormys, but I have the 10th Anniverarys, which are most similar to those, but hotter. What can I say....wow, wow, wow. Absolutly freaking stunning. So much musical clarity it is beyond belief. The Mule was also amazing, absolutly classic tone.

The PG Blues is high on my list of things I want, love those lower alnico magnets, and I would guess you would too. The Mule is AIV already, but I have a hunch that something lower might be even more up your alley. They are just so lovingly natural I just canīt get over it. In my book there is nothing better for clean and low gain stuff than an AIII or AII magnet. For higher gain AV bridge and AIV neck rules to me with few exeptions.

So I would suggest a closer look at PG Blues and Stormy.
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: ericsabbath on August 05, 2014, 03:55:45 PM
Although I have heard that some people are really frustrated with a Mule bridge

whatchoo talkin 'bout, willis?
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: bandmaster188 on August 05, 2014, 09:57:34 PM
I recently fitted a mule set in my Lp custom. But as much as I like the mules ( have a mule bridge in my 335)  the bridge position didn't quite cut the mustard for me in that guitar. The neck pickup is absolutely fine and is paired up with a wcr filmore.
I found it a little too bright and edgy sounding but that said, they are an uncovered set so this could be part of the problem. I'm not saying they will not work for you though, just bare in mind if you are going uncovered things do get a bit brighter.
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: Telerocker on August 05, 2014, 10:36:11 PM
The Mule has a decent amount of treble, but not annoying or shrill highs. It has tremendous stringseparatuion and clarity, as most BKP's, which you might to get used to coming from Duncans etc. You also might to dial your amp differently.
As a good PAF the Mule is lush with a lot of depth. It can handle gain with authority, without loosing definition.
Use 550k pots and quality capacitors. And use the tonepot to tailor the topend, if necessary. Btw, I have potted Mules which have plenty of mojo.
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: PhilKing on August 06, 2014, 04:17:03 PM
I have a Stormy Monday in the bridge of my 70 Custom and it works really well with the T-Top in the neck position.  I have PG Blues in a goldtop standard, but you would really need both pickups to get the best out of them.  I play classic blues and rock, with early Black Sabbath being as heavy as I get.  For me, they are the greatest pickups for this (I also have 10th Anniversary and Mules in other guitars).   I also have an all mahogany LP Custom with Emeralds, which I really like as a versatile pickup, for all classic rock, not just Thin Lizzy.
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: littleredguitars2 on August 06, 2014, 05:05:57 PM
man, phil aint messing around! haha

so thin lizzy was the inspiration for the emerald? didnt know that.
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: Kiichi on August 06, 2014, 05:25:50 PM
so thin lizzy was the inspiration for the emerald? didnt know that.
Yeah, the other one they inspired was the Cold Sweat. Both bloody great pickups.

Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: chrisj1602 on August 06, 2014, 07:15:38 PM
Thanks for all the advice..

So I had it narrowed down to Stormy Mondays or Mules, now I want PG Blues!
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: darrenw5094 on August 07, 2014, 02:13:35 AM
Thanks for all the advice..

So I had it narrowed down to Stormy Mondays or Mules, now I want PG Blues!

You also want another guitar by the sound of this thread. :)
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: chrisj1602 on August 07, 2014, 07:34:25 AM
Thanks for all the advice..

So I had it narrowed down to Stormy Mondays or Mules, now I want PG Blues!

You also want another guitar by the sound of this thread. :)

Absolutely! I'm thinking an R8 for some Mules!
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: darrenw5094 on August 07, 2014, 02:50:59 PM
R8? Someone has money to burn  :cool:
Title: Re: Vintage Humbucker for LP Custom
Post by: chrisj1602 on August 07, 2014, 10:16:37 PM
R8? Someone has money to burn  :cool:

I wish... I'll be lucky if I can get the PG Blues past the wife.