Let's talk neck pickups.......

[JTG]

Now, I'm still split on what to try for my first BKP offering. I'm still looking through the Riff Raff, VHii or maybe the Rebel Yells. Something versatile for a snappy-sounding Les Paul. Big, but snappy. 12lbs with an ebony board and thick maple cap.

Now, I have experience with the Gibson 490R and 57c and the Duncan 59 and Seth Lover for neck models. Out of this list, I disliked the 59 the most. WAY too boomy in this guitar, but the punch and clarity was there. The Seth Lover might be a little too round for my taste. The Gibsons were actually pretty nice. The 490R was probably my favorite of the bunch (flame away). While not as clear as the Seth and 57. Not as punchy as the 59, it was more liquid, I guess. It wasn't totally tubby, and there was kind of a fuzzy or "smokey" character on the notes that reminded me of Woodroe Weatherman from COC. I think he uses a Pearly Gates in the neck. What from the BKP lineup might be close to this? Would one of the RY, VH, RR pairs work well?

[Telerocker]

I think you're describing the RiffRaff-neck.

[JTG]

Well, considering I was thinking of trying a RiffRaff set, that would be phenomenal.

[Telerocker]

I don't own one, but I do have a Mule-set. Where the Mule is a copy of a PAF59, the RiffRaff sounds like an early sixties Gibbo-neckpickup. It's definitely clearer and brighter.

[Slartibartfarst42]

Sounds like there's a Riff Raff set with your name on it  :D

I'm afraid my own experience of neck pickups is very limited but happily that's because I found what worked perfectly for me almost immediately. The Cold Sweat was awesome and the Emerald is perfection. Job done.

[Telerocker]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIlkNeqd0MY

[JTG]

A few of those vids from Bruce and forum member Eric Hellstyle are what got me thinking more about the Riff Raffs. These vids also got me thinking that the BD might be a little too middy for my style (even though Bruce's tone is GREAT). Might be narrowed down more to the Riff Raffs. Thanks as always, guys.

~Jay

[JTG]

Sounds like there's a Riff Raff set with your name on it  :D

I'm afraid my own experience of neck pickups is very limited but happily that's because I found what worked perfectly for me almost immediately. The Cold Sweat was awesome and the Emerald is perfection. Job done.

Don't you just love when a plan comes together like that? :D Really, the MAIN problem is that I only have ONE guitar to find a set for, and since there are so many great options (and my inherent knack for indecision) that I ALWAYS have a hard time deciding where to start. Really, I just need more Les Pauls. :lol:

[Telerocker]

You will do yourself no harm with a calibrated RiffRaff-set.  :)