Painkiller/Mule combo!!

[robthereefer]

any thoughts on this combo for heavy rock/metal???

very close to buying but just wanted some feedback from you guys  :D

[dheim]

what guitar are you planning to put them into?
the idea is good, you'd have a modern, tight metal machine in the bridge and a gracefully traditional sounding neck pickup... very versatile, on paper.

[robthereefer]

the guitar will be an Epiphone Les Paul custom when it finally arrives!!

the combo was recommended to me by Tim and im sure it will be amazing, i just thought id ask if anyone already had the combo or had any thoughts on it :D

[dheim]

never tried a PK in a Les Paul (well, i have them in an LTD EC1000 that looks like a LP but sounds quite different, so i can't judge...), maybe i'd choose a Nailbomb (a ceramic one, maybe...) and leave the mule as it is in the neck. great LP tone.

[HairyChris]

Got a MM/Mule combo which is similar in a lot of ways. Certainly with the MM having a neck pickup that sounds great clean is a real advantage! Also gives some interesting higher gain options.

[robthereefer]

cheers for your input guys, much appreciated!

[dheim]

just one thing... you said heavy rock/metal. what do you mean exactly?
i'm asking because the Painkiller is not exactly the most versatile BKP around...

[robthereefer]

i suppose the best way to describe it is a Guns N' Roses and Metallica style. Iv been listening to the sound clips and i just wish i had the money to buy a few different sets of BKPs! but for now i can only afford the one :(

[dheim]

Painkillers are too tight, direct and surgical for Metallica... The Miracle Man is more appropriate.
There's no way you can achieve the 80s hard rock tone (Slash, "Snake" Sabo etc...) with them AND with a ceramic pickup in general. at least that's my opinion... i can suggest you a Rebel Yell bridge pickup for that (ok, Slash uses AlnicoII low output Duncans, that have half the power of RYs, but they're very versatile for both hard rock and metal - i play a melodic style of death metal and they're powerful enough!)

[Krabbesmark]

I got the painkiller/mule combo in a Prs custom 24... I was looking for a sound similar to mark tremonti from alter bridge and Tim recommended the pk/m combo. I like the painkiller very much its great for highgain rythm and lead i think you can get close to a very good metallica sound with the painkiller maybe the mm is better suited for metallica but i like how the painkiller just tighten things up. The mule is a great pickup for clean sound and even though its a low output pickup it still works well with the PK.

[robthereefer]

cheers for your input guys, have ordered the killer/mule combo so will let you know what i think when i get them installed!