Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Brow on May 09, 2015, 04:31:09 PM
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Hi Guys.
Just thought I'd get your opinions on what you would do in my situation, I'm not necessarily asking what I should do :grin:
I've had a pair of Mules in my Cherryburst LP Standard for a long time now. I've done hundreds of gigs and recordings with it and that pairing of guitar and pickup just works. Anyways, a few months ago I got my Custom shop 58 Reissue R8 and I'm thinking of changing the pickups for something else. Not that there's anything wrong with the current pickups it has, they're just a tad bland I think.
Here are the current options I'm thinking of:
1. Leave the Mules in the Cherryburst LP and get something like PG Blues for the R8 for something a bit different. Although I'm not sure how much I really need 2 LPs both with PAF type pickups. But I am a huge Gary Moore fan so this would be a different PAF type option I'd have available.
2. Put the Mules in the R8 and get a set of double cream Dimarzio Super Distortions for the Cherryburst. I did always want to be Ace Frehley after all :grin: :rolleyes:
3. Keep the Mules in the Cherryburst and get something lower output on the PAF scale for the R8. Again, not sure how much I really need 2 guitars with slightly different versions of similar sounding pickups but it's another option.
4. Put the Mules in the R8, move the black Dimarzio Super Distortion/Super 2 pair from my Firebird into the Cherryburst and then get something new for the Firebird (that'd be a new thread).
5. Keep the Mules where they are and just get something altogether different for the R8.
6. Move Mules into the R8 and get something altogether different for the Cherryburst.
7. Other options altogether?
Incase it helps with recommendations for other pickups etc I also have another LP with Black Dog (b)/Riff Raff (n) and a pair of customised pickups from another manufacturer in my Tokai LP that are more along the lines of the Suhr Doug Aldrich pickups.
For reference as it sometimes helps to know: Musically I mainly play 60s/70s/80s Classic Rock and Punk with the odd bit of metal chucked in through Splawn (Marshall-ish) and SLO style amps.
A shot of the LPs just because I can :laugh:
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/Browsif/11193374_10152715665436090_2792751262834210354_n_zpsvxyesj6z.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Browsif/media/11193374_10152715665436090_2792751262834210354_n_zpsvxyesj6z.jpg.html)
Thanks for any opinions!
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Option 6.
Move Mules to the R8 and Alnico Nailbomb for the Cherryburst LP for a hot modern touch
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If the Mules work well in the cherry, I'd be inclined to leave them where they are. Unless you want to see if they're even better in the R8? Personally, I'd go with your idea of PG blues, or maybe Stormy Mondays, for the R8. They just seem like the right pickups for that guitar.
Failing that, just stick a set of Ceramic Warpigs in it and scare people! :grin:
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What would I do? Stormy Mondays for both. No, actually, just the new one at first... then compare the two, to see what to do next... but I suspect I'd end up wanting Stormies in both.
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PG / Stormies or Mississipi Queens. Bäm. Get some P90 lovin. ;)
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While I was reading your post I consistently thought I'd leave the Mules in the Cherryburst and put Black Dogs in the R8 but then at the end you said you already had Black Dogs! So much for that idea. My next choice would be to put an Abraxas set in the R8. You love the Mules but might want something a bit hotter and the Abraxas just seems to fit the bill perfectly for me. Without a doubt, that's what I'd do. If you really wanted something with a more modern tone, I'd go for a set of Cold Sweats but for now, the Abraxas remains my top suggestion.
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Thanks for your opinions so far guys!
I've had Abraxas in my PRS for a while and never really gelled with them. I do still have them kicking about though si guess I could try them in the Cherryburst.
I've also had Nailbombs before and didn't like them at all. As with the Abraxas maybe it just wasn't a good fit for that guitar?
I currently have a Stormy Monday bridge in neck of my SG, but as I'm not gelling with the Riff Raff I currently have in the bridge then that may already have a new home.
I'm also considering Cold Sweats too but have a bridge CS in a Strat and a neck CS in my PRSso I could try them without too much hassle too I guess.
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Forgot to mention I have P90s covered with my JJ Jewel so MQs are also out.
Again i've had 1 before and didn't like it! :rolleyes:
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Get another Mules- or a PG Blues-set. You're obviously looking for a vintage-PAF tone.
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Get another Mules- or a PG Blues-set. You're obviously looking for a vintage-PAF tone.
Well, I'm not sure what I'm after tbh! Which I guess is part of my problem.
I have 80s Rock style pups in my Tokai LP, and Miracle Man/Holydivers in other guitars for the higher output side of things so I do kind of have all the bases covered that I need.
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[chant*]stormy... Stormy... STormy... STORMY... [/chant*]
* Think Animal House and toga
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I'm also considering Cold Sweats too but have a bridge CS in a Strat and a neck CS in my PRSso I could try them without too much hassle too I guess.
I would try this first. At least then you will have a benchmark
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You have too many guitars. Sell a few to me (cheap) and have a short holiday. Craig, how many bands do you play in ? How many guitars do you take to a gig ? How do you decide which ones to take ? I own three guitars. I'm soon to be taking early retirement/redundancy and am considering treating myself to another guitar but the thought of owning four guitars seems rather excessive to me.
I'd be inclined to try the Mules in the new LP - they may sound even better.
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[chant*]stormy... Stormy... STormy... STORMY... [/chant*]
* Think Animal House and toga
Depending how I go with my SG I may try the bridge Stormy from there in 1 of my LPs :)
I'm also considering Cold Sweats too but have a bridge CS in a Strat and a neck CS in my PRSso I could try them without too much hassle too I guess.
I would try this first. At least then you will have a benchmark
Although its the 1st time since owning it that I actually like the sound of the PRS, so I may not change it just yet :rolleyes:
You have too many guitars. Sell a few to me (cheap) and have a short holiday. Craig, how many bands do you play in ? How many guitars do you take to a gig ? How do you decide which ones to take ? I own three guitars. I'm soon to be taking early retirement/redundancy and am considering treating myself to another guitar but the thought of owning four guitars seems rather excessive to me.
I'd be inclined to try the Mules in the new LP - they may sound even better.
I am trying to sell some to reimburse myself for the R8! :grin:
I currently play in 2 bands, 1 in Standard tuning and 1 in Eb, and tend to take 2 or 3 guitars to a gig.
As regards choosing which to take: I have specific guitars setup for standard tuning and specific 1s for Eb. Alot of it depends on the freshness of strings, and just what takes my fancy at any given moment and what I think will work.
For the 60s - 90s Rock and Metal covers band I tend to have 1 Les Paul with mid output pickups and then something with a Floyd Rose (Peavey Wolfgang, Jackson or 80s Kramer usually) and then any 1 of the others for the 3rd as a spare if I need it. If I do only take 1 guitar to a gig, something like a botb or a short support set etc then it's usually a Les Paul to avoid the hassles Floyd Roses can bring.
For the Punk and Indie band my main guitars are the Gibson and Gordon Smith LPs, a single humbucker Strat that I cobbled together myself, my JJ Jewel for P90 moments and my cheapie Firebird with Dimarzio Super Distortions in it. I also sometimes use my roadword PRS or other Peavey Wolfgang if I want something a bit flashier and for the odd tune where I need a whammy bar.
I don't use much in the way of SSS Strats in either current band so they don't get much gig use, but I do sometimes record with them and play them at home.
Pickup wise at the minute I'm leaning more towards the Mules in the R8 and something else in the Cherryburst or leaving Mules where they are and going for something PGish for the R8.
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I almost bought a vintage 58 about 6 years ago, I thought in requesting Tim around that time to windup a pickup representing that year, vibe and the guitar.
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Craig, as you know, I've got Mules in a '96 Standard and am very happy with them, so my first thought is leave yours where they are :smiley:
Also, you'll have seen in my earlier PM that one of the options I'm considering for my other LP ('91 Classic) is a set of PG Blues.
So if it was me I'd probably go for option 1!
I like PAF-style pickups in my LPs but then my style is more 60s/70s influenced than 80s. It does seem you've got the higher output options covered in your other guitars.
I think a couple of different flavours of PAF would be nice in your classic-style LPs - A4 potted, A2 unpotted...
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I think I would be tempted to put Rebel Yells in a Les Paul if I had one.
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I'd say option 5 but I can't suggest what to put in the R8 but I'd be looking at Stormies if it were me based on the spec/rep.
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If the OP thinks the Mules in the Sunburst are a 'tad bland', then he should try them in the other guitar.
Sounds like the OP is not fully happy with the BKP in the Sunburst.
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Never change a winning team. I'd leave the Mules in the guitar.
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Hi Craig, leave the Mules, put either PG Blues or an Emerald/Stormy combo in the R8. Depends on what you want from it and how it's acoustic tone differs from the cherryburst. Emeralds are a very underrated p/u - they have a ton of harmonics and cover a wide range of sounds. The other set to see if you could get would be a 10th anniversary set, but I'm not sure if you'll find any now. They are like a rockier set of Mules (if that makes sense). Cheers
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Hi Guys.
Just thought I'd get your opinions on what you would do in my situation, I'm not necessarily asking what I should do :grin:
I've had a pair of Mules in my Cherryburst LP Standard for a long time now. I've done hundreds of gigs and recordings with it and that pairing of guitar and pickup just works. Anyways, a few months ago I got my Custom shop 58 Reissue R8 and I'm thinking of changing the pickups for something else. Not that there's anything wrong with the current pickups it has, they're just a tad bland I think.
Here are the current options I'm thinking of:
1. Leave the Mules in the Cherryburst LP and get something like PG Blues for the R8 for something a bit different. Although I'm not sure how much I really need 2 LPs both with PAF type pickups. But I am a huge Gary Moore fan so this would be a different PAF type option I'd have available.
2. Put the Mules in the R8 and get a set of double cream Dimarzio Super Distortions for the Cherryburst. I did always want to be Ace Frehley after all :grin: :rolleyes:
3. Keep the Mules in the Cherryburst and get something lower output on the PAF scale for the R8. Again, not sure how much I really need 2 guitars with slightly different versions of similar sounding pickups but it's another option.
4. Put the Mules in the R8, move the black Dimarzio Super Distortion/Super 2 pair from my Firebird into the Cherryburst and then get something new for the Firebird (that'd be a new thread).
5. Keep the Mules where they are and just get something altogether different for the R8.
6. Move Mules into the R8 and get something altogether different for the Cherryburst.
7. Other options altogether?
Incase it helps with recommendations for other pickups etc I also have another LP with Black Dog (b)/Riff Raff (n) and a pair of customised pickups from another manufacturer in my Tokai LP that are more along the lines of the Suhr Doug Aldrich pickups.
For reference as it sometimes helps to know: Musically I mainly play 60s/70s/80s Classic Rock and Punk with the odd bit of metal chucked in through Splawn (Marshall-ish) and SLO style amps.
A shot of the LPs just because I can :laugh:
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/Browsif/11193374_10152715665436090_2792751262834210354_n_zpsvxyesj6z.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Browsif/media/11193374_10152715665436090_2792751262834210354_n_zpsvxyesj6z.jpg.html)
Thanks for any opinions!
See, because this is an R8, it completely changes the answer I would have otherwise given. I realize that this is a real LP so I'm going to assume it doesn't have any of the problems that are apparently with my 2002 LP Standard that has the swiss cheese body.
If I had an R8 I'd most likely leave it stock =-o If I was forced the change the pickups, I'd probably go for an Abraxas bridge and a mule neck. Another pickup combo I would like in a LP would be a Rebel Yell bridge with a VHII neck or may be a Riff Raff bridge and a Mule neck.
If I ended up with an LP studio, there would be a Riff Raff bridge and a Mule neck.
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Craig, as you know, I've got Mules in a '96 Standard and am very happy with them, so my first thought is leave yours where they are :smiley:
Also, you'll have seen in my earlier PM that one of the options I'm considering for my other LP ('91 Classic) is a set of PG Blues.
So if it was me I'd probably go for option 1!
I like PAF-style pickups in my LPs but then my style is more 60s/70s influenced than 80s. It does seem you've got the higher output options covered in your other guitars.
I think a couple of different flavours of PAF would be nice in your classic-style LPs - A4 potted, A2 unpotted...
Cheers Simon!
I'm just as much in the 70s camp as I am the 80s so the Mules cover the 70s stuff just as much as the other customised pickups I have in my Tokai have the 80s thing covered :laugh:
I think I would be tempted to put Rebel Yells in a Les Paul if I had one.
I had Rebel Yells in my Tokai for years and never really got on with them. I've swapepd them out for another set that I'm a lot happier with.
I'd say option 5 but I can't suggest what to put in the R8 but I'd be looking at Stormies if it were me based on the spec/rep.
Stormies are still an option that I'm considering at this point :laugh:
If the OP thinks the Mules in the Sunburst are a 'tad bland', then he should try them in the other guitar.
Sounds like the OP is not fully happy with the BKP in the Sunburst.
It was the current pickups in the R8 that I said sounded good but a bit bland, not the Mules in the cherryburst.
The Mules in the Cherryburst have been my longest running Guitar and Pickup combo, couldn't be happier with them :grin:
Never change a winning team. I'd leave the Mules in the guitar.
The more I think about it the more I'm starting to believe this is the best course of action!
Hi Craig, leave the Mules, put either PG Blues or an Emerald/Stormy combo in the R8. Depends on what you want from it and how it's acoustic tone differs from the cherryburst. Emeralds are a very underrated p/u - they have a ton of harmonics and cover a wide range of sounds. The other set to see if you could get would be a 10th anniversary set, but I'm not sure if you'll find any now. They are like a rockier set of Mules (if that makes sense). Cheers
Thanks Phil.
I've always been quite interested in the Emeralds, and they would've been the 1st set Id've put in the Cherryburst to take the Mules for the R8, but I tried them in a mates LPC and really didn't like them. They seemed very thin and overly bright, no balls at all. At the minute I think I'm leaning more towards the PG type of pickup.
See, because this is an R8, it completely changes the answer I would have otherwise given. I realize that this is a real LP so I'm going to assume it doesn't have any of the problems that are apparently with my 2002 LP Standard that has the swiss cheese body.
If I had an R8 I'd most likely leave it stock =-o If I was forced the change the pickups, I'd probably go for an Abraxas bridge and a mule neck. Another pickup combo I would like in a LP would be a Rebel Yell bridge with a VHII neck or may be a Riff Raff bridge and a Mule neck.
If I ended up with an LP studio, there would be a Riff Raff bridge and a Mule neck.
I'll be keeping the stock pickups incase I ever *need* to sell it, but I tinker with all my stuff, I can't help it! :D
I currently have a set of Abraxas kicking about that I had in my PRS and I never really got on with them. I've also had Rebel Yells before and didn't like them either. I also have a Riff Raff/Stormy Monday combo in my SG that I had in my V and liked but not really liking in the SG.
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I'll be keeping the stock pickups incase I ever *need* to sell it, but I tinker with all my stuff, I can't help it! :D
I currently have a set of Abraxas kicking about that I had in my PRS and I never really got on with them. I've also had Rebel Yells before and didn't like them either. I also have a Riff Raff/Stormy Monday combo in my SG that I had in my V and liked but not really liking in the SG.
Yes. The Rebel Yell bridge was a bit of a 'miss' in my LP but in my solid mahogany axe, it is absolutely killer. In a darker and more bass heavy instrument, it really comes alive.
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EMG 57/66 :police:
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If you can find the 10 th anniversary set that would be great. PG's are up there too.
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Yes. The Rebel Yell bridge was a bit of a 'miss' in my LP but in my solid mahogany axe, it is absolutely killer. In a darker and more bass heavy instrument, it really comes alive.
My Tokai was the only guitar I ever tried it in tbh so not sure how well it fairs in others. I hear people have good experiences with them in PRSi etc.
EMG 57/66 :police:
Tbh I am quite interested in how an active PAF would work for me! Not for the R8 though eh :grin:
If you can find the 10 th anniversary set that would be great. PG's are up there too.
Probably easier to get a pair of PG Blues than trying to find a pair of those 2nd hand!
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1 set on sale on eBay in the US 375$.