Recommendation for Vintage 50's Les Paul

[SJD44]

I have a 1953 Gibson Les Paul Standard I bought in 1977 which had already been recently converted in the mid-70's. The changes were the removal of the Trapeze bridge to a later style bridge and tailpiece, refinished except for front of head stock and changed from standard Gold to a Black top, routed for humbuckers, and replaced tuners with Schallers.  So in sorts, it is a '53 to later 50's conversion.  I'm considering replacing the Seymour Duncan pickups I had installed in the late 80's, even though the guitar sounds great with them, to something a bit more vintage with some late 50's LP Magic.  Pics are here: https://picasaweb.google.com/115653275197013013088/SJD1953GibsonLesPaul.

While I would love to buy original PAFs, spending $3k+ is not in the budget anytime soon.  I like what I've seen and heard of the Bare Knuckle Mules and wondering if anyone had any advice on what way I should go.  I play mostly jazz fusion, blues and love to rock out.  I play clean through a vintage '65 Fender Princeton Reverb and crunch and full on distortion trough an Egnater ie4 preamp and VHT 2150 power amp, both rack mounted, through two 2x12" Bag End cabinets. 

I would love any feedback or opinions you have.  Thanks.  -Steve

[cousingrandpa]

I would go with the Mule's, I just put them in my R9 & they are the best pickups I have ever played, very vintage with just the right amount of balls.

[bandmaster188]

i would either go with mules or stormy mondays. i recently fitted one of each into my 335 and have been so impressed with how they sound compared to the stock pickups.
i think i would go stormy mondays though for your guitar. they have got to sound good in a 50's les paul!

[Telerocker]

Mules are as close as you can get to the 59 PAF. You can cover a lot of styles with them, but certainly fusion, blues and rock. Tonespectrum is balanced, and they're very articulate, dynamic and crisp without being shrill in the trebleregister. If you prefer a 57/58 PAF-tone: Stormy Mondays, but I would pick Mules.

[PhilKing]

I have a 53 with the same conversion basically (though it is a sunburst finish).  I have black dogs in it and it sounds excellent.  One thing that I think makes a big difference on this over newer Les Pauls is the weight.  Mine weighs less than any other Les Paul that I've played, so the higher output black dogs really work well to balance out the sound.  I've also had the Abraxas set in it, but really prefer the black dogs.