how do you think mississippi queens would react in the lucille ..
Hiya T.C,
My own observations ( and endorsement of the Mississippi Queens over Stormy Mondays on this occasion ) was based on a few factors that come even further to the fore after reading this second thread / post.
I tried in my Tanglewood 335 copy the Gibson 498T / 490R I had lifted out of my Les Paul Standard. I then tried the Alnico II and Alnico IV Stormy Mondays .
The Gibson 490/498 pickups I have ( and tried in the semi ) are what I understand to be the standard issue in a Gibson 'Lucielle'.
With the Gibson pickups, the bass strings gained volume / balance with the treble strings, BUT where of course a bit muddy and not very articulate compared to the B.K.P pickups . The trouble was , that with the Alnico II Stormys in my semi acoustic, I got flacid bass response due ( I presumed ) to the resonant frequency of the woods used in my 335 copy. Tim first recommended a magnet swap from Alnico II to Alnico IV, which was closer - but still no cigar...
I therefore asked myself, how I might get back the 'oomph' of the Gibson pickups in the bass strings whilst enjoying the characteristic sweetness and articulation of the B.K.P . vintage range in the treble ?
For me The Mississippi Queens where the perfect cross breed . Surprisingly, for Alnico V bridge and Alnico IV neck, they are sweeter and fatter sounding on the unwound strings than even the Stormys where !
I double checked by playing my Gibson S.G. with the Alnico IV Stormy Mondays in - and my Tanglewood 335 copy with M.Qs in. Sure enough, the M.Qs sounded fatter and more to my liking for clean / bluesy / jazzy tones yet equisitely defined in both the treble and bass strings.
I feel the ' focus' and clarity of definition in the bass strings will be even more of an issue for a " 95 % Rhythmn player".
So, if you want the 'heat' / output of the stock pickups , with the unequalled sweetness and articulation of B.K.P, I would naturally recommend that you also go with M.Qs. As hot / hotter as the Gibson stock pickups, but as detailed as the best vintage B.K.P .
The reason I posted my own guitar's photo in your original thread, was not to show folks my guitar ' just because' - but to kind of ask you if the cosmetic appearance of M.Q.s was something you felt you could 'see' in your own excellent choice of guitar ( I would
love to own a Lucielle ! ).
I understand that my suggestion may seem a bit 'off the wall' compared to the standard 'semi acoustic = Stormy Monday' equation, but
I was also really surprised ( having taken the gamble ) on how perfect the match is . It was after all one of the 'Tim approved' recommendation / choices.
The Alnico IV Stormy's sounded brighter and sharper - ideal in my S.G Standard, and the Mules more 'middy' than the Stormys - therefore ideal in my Les Paul Standard.
But for the Semi, it's now M.Qs for me all the way - and especially as YOU have the vari-tone switch on your 355 to optimise the potential flexibility of the fat / powerful M.Qs.
( * Edit : I base this statement on the understanding that the vari-tone circuitry can thin out a fatter sounding pickup such as the Gibbo 490/498 or B.K.P. M.Qs - better than it could fatten up a lean clear sounding pickup like the Stormy Monday, however excellent the Stormy Monday is in other applications / guitars *)
Bear in mind that M.Qs are also very responsive to pickup height, string choice, plectrum material , and other user variables - so a pair used in conjunction with the 'vari-tone' switching on yours , should be very flexible - from bright clear twang - to lovely fat slightly compressed notes that 'bloom' from under the pick.
You are however right to continue questioning, for whatever you eventually choose, these are investments in
serious tone ! :D
