Low output humbucker users

[richard]

For those of you that prefer the PAF type buckers- Mules, Stormy Mondays etc. What do you prefer about them compared to the higher output models ?

I'm using RYs at the moment but I'm thinking of something lower ouput the next time I have the cash. I'm a little concerned that they won't have enough gain for the crunch sounds I like.

[Twinfan]

You can always gain up a vintage humbucker using a pedal, but you can't "back off" a high output one...

[gwEm]

using a pedal is different to using a high output humbucker though.. but i do agree that its often a good way to get a more gainy tone from a PAF type.

I like the feeling of openness to the tone that PAF type pickups give. People say they're more dynamic too, but I've always been happy the dynamics of BKPs higher gain offerings as well.

[Keven]

i like how they grind hard when you whack'em, and really back down and sing with a softer style of playing.

that and it's also a good way to use alnico pickups into ERG guitars like a 7 or 8 string.

[Alex]

I like the clarity, especially on the low notes. High output often puts out more a compressed wall of sound.

You can always add more gain.

[Frank666]

I like gain coming from the amp instead of the pickup. Mules can distort really well through a gained up amp too

[gordiji]

cleans! stormy neck is so beautiful sounding for clean bluesy, jazzy, souly tones for those that way inclined.... but it will
do gary moore just as happily. so for a non metal player , it's the versatility offered by low output paf style pups.
i personally think it's easier to get a good rock tone from a low output pup than it is to get a good clean sound from a high output. i for one want both sounds.

[FELINEGUITARS]

I tend to like both low output and medium/high output pickups

I absolutely love Cold Sweats, Painkiller and Miracle Man pickups and sometimes nothing else will do
However I have mules, VH2s and Stormy Mondays in other guitars and love both the clean sounds and how they can get gainier and still clean up nicely.

Some of the BKP pickups defy normal logic - I find that sometimes certain high output pickups  cope well in the clean realm and for some purposes I enjoy them more even in that context - so everyone's experience will vary.

[PhilKing]

I'm with everyone else on note clarity.  Being an older player, most of the classic stuff that I like was recorded on low output humbuckers and so that is the tone I love.  I have high output too, but tend to play them for one or two numbers and then go back to the regulars.  For an incredible rock sound, you can't touch an AV Mule.

[Telerocker]

I agree. Though my Crawler has these qualities too, though it's not in the vintage(hot)-league.

[Nolly]

I agree with everything said so far. It's worth mentioning that the lower output models are considerably less forgiving than the hotter and more compressed pickups in the range (not that your current Rebel Yell is particularly hot or compressed really), so you'll find that if you're having a bad playing day they will not help you out in the slightest. However, when you are on form you should find the openness, rich harmonic content and dynamic range leads to an overall much "bigger" sound.

You can certainly get some wicked crunch and high gain sounds out of them too by the way, don't let that worry you in the slightest. Here's a metal tone I recorded with a set of Mules:

http://soundcloud.com/nolly/blackmachine-b2-burl-high-gain

Bear in mind that's with an AIV magnet too - a Riff Raff would be even punchier and more aggressive sounding with its AV magnet.
Even the Stormies are capable of some crazy sounds, though the low end is significantly less percussive than with a Mule or Riff Raff.

[BigB]

I'm currently using a vintage/low output neck and modern/hi output bridge, and I kind of like this combo for the moment, even if the difference is a bit drastic. Playing with the volume and tone pots on the middle position gives quite a wide range of (interesting) tones and makes for a very versatile guitar. I first tried a low output bridge (RR), was pretty good but didn't worked that well with my rig for the higher-gain tones I was after, but I have to admit I'm a bit spoiled by 15 years of hi-output 'buckers. Can't really afford another axe ATM, but I'd like to get me some 335-like semi-hollow mounted with vintage / low-output BKPs (SM or Mules).

It's worth mentioning that the lower output models are considerably less forgiving than the hotter and more compressed pickups in the range

When I first tried the Crawlers, I already found them to be quite unforgiving, but they're nothing compared with the (hotter) ABomb bridge.  Also and FWIW, I would even consider the Mule neck as the most "forgiving" of the BKP buckers I tried, so it may not be only related to compression but also voicing, bass response and how much definition the pup maintains under higher gain.

Just my 2 cents...