Mule bridge work with DM 36th neck?

[Exodus5]

In my Les Paul Classic I currently have a Dimarzio 36th neck pickup and a Super Distortion in the bridge.  I used to love this combo, but my high gain needs are serviced by my PRS now, so I want to replace the bridge pickup.  I found a nickel covered Mule and I'm wondering how well that will work with the 36th in the neck?  The 36th seems to be "most like" the Stormy Monday, right?  A2 but a little more DC resistance.  I like the neck pickup sound, so I hope it will work but I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has tried it before I pull the trigger.

[Kiichi]

Could be that the neck would seem a good bit more compressed, hot, and dark than the bridge since BKP are known to be very open, uncompressed, and seemingly bright and low output compared to the competition, especially the vintage models.

Dunno about this exact Dimarzio model, but that is my guess. As an alternative to avoid this you could go Abraxxas. Kinda a Mule on steroids. Still vintage, but a bit more all around.

[Telerocker]

The Mule-bridge is a very good PAF59-copy. I would just try it, I think they could work together, being both low output.

[ericsabbath]

don't remember much about the neck 36th paf, but the bridge model is louder, fatter and middier than the bridge mule
almost like a black dog, but less modern

[Telerocker]

don't remember much about the neck 36th paf, but the bridge model is louder, fatter and middier than the bridge mule
almost like a black dog, but less modern

If so, the Abraxas will be a better alternative.

[Exodus5]

I find the Dimarzio neck to be much "rounder" than the 496R that it replaced.  Not sure if that helps.  I am going ahead with the Mule in the bridge and I'll let you know how that turns out.

[ericsabbath]

well, the 496r is wound pretty hot and has a ceramic magnet

you'll probably be able to pair the 36th with the mule if you counteradjust the heights (setting the dimarzio low and the mule pretty close to strings)

[Exodus5]

Thanks Eric.  I'll give that a try.

[Tim]

I'm with the rest of the guys. Install the Mule and give it a try and I'm sure it'll balance out with some judicious height adjustment.

[Exodus5]

Installed the mule (I freaking love this pickup, BTW) and put a cover on/dropped the 36th and I think I'm in the ballpark.  Of course, I now want the neck Mule, but I'll have to wait a while on that.  Hard to find these used (and single).

[cousingrandpa]

The neck Mule is so good, once you get it you will almost never want to use the bridge & you know how good that is.

[Exodus5]

Little update...After getting a Phaez AFD and really loving the Mule bridge through that amp I've realized how much less "lively" the Dimarzio is.  I've ordered the neck Mule and I'll be installing that this week.  MY next question....My LP still has the original wiring.  The old "pots on a metal plate" setup.  Have any of you replaced your wiring with any of the custom builders and was it worth it?

[Kiichi]

I am really not surprised that you donīt like the Dimarzio that much anymore.^^ Commen issue when seeing the light. ;)

Depends on what is in there right now in terms of wiring. Can be ok, but might not be a bad idea to switch. If you were to go for the BKP treatment, 550k pots, at least orange drop capacitors, and 50s style wiring, you can get that last bit out of the pickups. Hard to say if it will be worth it, but when you spend BKP money Iīd say go that last step too. Makes everything just that extra bit more lively by unleashing the pickups fully.