Help with pickups for a Hamer Standard

[Fuzz/Doom]

Hi all – few weeks ago i got a great deal on a Hamer Korina Standard xt (think explorer with a maple body, Korina top (veneer i’m guessing), maple neck and rosewood finder board).

Right now i’m getting all set to pimp this thing out – hardware is all sorted. I’m just looking to nail down the right pickups. I’ve been looking at the Mules (Alnico IV), perhaps the Stormy Mondays (Alnico II – i really like Alinco II pickups), or even Mississippi Queens. I’m pretty big on the whole “vintage” sound thing but any suggestions welcomed.

I’ll be stringing this thing up with 12-56 gauge strings and detuning it to C standard.

The main core of my rig is a 50W ’69 Marshall JMP (running at around 7-8) with a Tonebender MKIII clone. I’m planning on this guitar to compliment/backup for my band, we play Doom/Psychedelic/Stoner/Post Rock.

My current main guitar is an old Gibson S1 (another Maple bodied guitar) with a Lindy Fralin P90 in the bridge and Reed James Alnico II “woodbucker” in the neck – seems an odd combination, but it works quite well.

So yeah... Maple too bright for the Mules? Other pickups i haven’t thought of that i should? Any/all help appreciated.

[Ratrod]

Normally I'd recommend Riff Raffs for a vintage sounding Explorer but if I remember correctly the Hamer XT series are made from alder. Riff Raffs might be a bit too bright.

[Fuzz/Doom]

Some of the XT's standards were/are Alder, however the Korina is definitely Maple (http://www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=detail&mid=1987).

so how do the Riff Raffs compare to the Mule or Stormy Mondays in terms of brightness?

[AndyR]

I haven't had them in the same guitar, but in my experience the Riff Raffs are not that much brighter than Mules, just "different" brighter. For example, the Mule bridge gives me a hairier, rougher bright... where the Riff Raff gives me a tighter bright... if that makes any sense?

However, I can tell you, that if you reach the conclusion that Riff Raffs are too bright - then Mississippi Queens might be as well. I have had both of these in the same guitars, and the MQs can get brighter than Riff Raffs.

I've always understood that maple bodies are brighter than what I'm used to, so I'm kind of out of my comfort zone making any definite suggestions for your guitar...

Now, if you had a mahogany Explorer :lol: (I have, and it's got MQs at the moment - lovely. It's had Riff Raffs as well, lovely...)

Welcome to the forum! :D

[gwEm]

would not hesitate with a4 mules here