Which humbuckers for cleans and jazz on my solid body? Stormy M / Mule?

[Randychops]

I'm looking for the absolute best p'ups for an Aria Pro II CS-400 MIJ Matsumoko made solid body guitar.

Specifically, nice glassy, spanky tones, but a top Jazz sound for the neck at times is a must. Maybe something with a bit more bite and raspiness for the bridge.

I was thinking a Stormy Monday/Mule combo or a manhattan for the neck but I'm not sure if my guitar is suitable. It's a set in maple neck, rosewood fretboard, alder body carved top. Its a double cutawY similar to a PRS I suppose. The BK site really only suggests hollow bodies for the manhattan so I'm not sure.

Anybody have an opinion on superb clean pups?
If I'm not in to high gain at all, does this completely discount all the Contemporary models?

 :D  Thanks for any input   :D

[Telerocker]

Considering the timbers and construction I suggest a calbrated set of Mules. I use Mules mainly for clean and crunchy stuff. They sound open, lush, rich, nearly 3D with a delightful crispiness. The neck en inbetween-position produce nice jazzy tones too.

[Philly Q]

I could be wrong, but isn't the CS-400 an ash body, rather than alder?  I've always imagined they would be fairly bright guitars, despite the set neck, so you might want some naturally warmer-sounding pickups.

I only know that because I've been on the lookout for one on eBay for a long time.  You see quite a few bolt-on CS-250s and CS-350s, but very few CS-400s.  The original owners must have kept hold of 'em.

[Randychops]

Thanks Telerocker, I am seriously considering the Mules. I emailed BK and they suggested a Manhattan or a Mississipi Queen on the neck and a Mule on the bridge. The Mississipi isn't labelled as a Jazz pup but I was told it's very clear and fatter than the manhattan. I guess it depend on wanting a P90 sound or a humbuckers sound. Seems like the Mule is a very safe bet.

[Randychops]

I could be wrong, but isn't the CS-400 an ash body, rather than alder?  I've always imagined they would be fairly bright guitars, despite the set neck, so you might want some naturally warmer-sounding pickups.

I only know that because I've been on the lookout for one on eBay for a long time.  You see quite a few bolt-on CS-250s and CS-350s, but very few CS-400s.  The original owners must have kept hold of 'em.

Actually, my model is a 'CS Black n Gold', so technically not a 400 (sorry). I thought it was just an upgraded 400 but perhaps not. I bought it in Japan for about £200 to tide me over until I could afford something better, but I have fallen very hard for this guitar. It has such quality parts that the low value really confuses me. If you've been interested in a 400 i'd also have a look at this, i've seen them go for very cheap. I'd love to know why as they seem so well built. They also have Matsumoko made Protomatic-V (aka MMK45) pups, but I don't know how they compare to BK. Do you know?

There are some unofficial sites with old catalogue scans showing that this Black n Gold version is alder. Would the sound properties be the same as ash, i.e. just as bright? Maybe the mellower Mules would be the best choice as you say - thank you  :D

[Philly Q]

Ah, it's a Black 'n' Gold!  :)   I think you're right then, apparently they did have alder bodies, although  the catalogues can be a bit confusing!  It seems odd that they would be different from the regular CS400 models, but I think they came along a bit later if I remember right, so maybe they just decided to change the specification.

I've never had the chance to play any of the Cardinal/CS models, but I've always remembered them fondly because they were advertised in the very first guitar magazines I bought back in the early '80s, along with things like the Ibanez Artist and Washburn Wing series.  I don't know if I'd actually like them in reality, I suspect I'd find the bodies too heavy and the necks too skinny....

If it is alder I'd expect it to be more middy than ash, a bit less bass and treble.  I can't really help much on pickup suggestions, but for mostly clean sounds I think you are certainly better off with the more vintage models.

[Telerocker]

A MQ -neck will do, but might have a little too much power for the Mule-brige. Maybe some guys here have this combo and comment on that. I also don't know how the Mule-bridge and the MQ-neck blend in the middleposition. Could sound good, but a Mule-set would be a safe bet and the Mule-neck is in my experience a delight.