VHII, Black Dog, Abraxas, or Mule?

[HEadoftheAges]

So, I have fallen in love with The Mules, officially. I had a set installed in my semi-hollow Heritage H555 along with the accompanying 550k pots and 15/22 caps, and the tone is astoundingly good. I keep the guitar in standard tuning and it is good for everything, including thrash, which is odd for an ES-335 style instrument. In any case, I am now thinking that perhaps the vintage and vintage-hot range is where it's at, for me.

With that, I am thinking that perhaps the Alnico 5 Nailbomb might be a bit much for one of my other instruments, my previously alluded-to Monson Nomad (Mahogany Neck-through, Sapele body, 25" scale), in which it is currently installed in the bridge position. I have a VHII in the neck, which is absolutely wonderful. I keep the guitar in D-standard tuning, and I use it for everything from Jazz to black metal and effects-laden clean/ambient.  Should I go with a VHII bridge to match the neck? Or perhaps another suggestion would be good? I am leaning towards the VHII for consistency's sake, but I am open to The Mule, or The Abraxas, or even The Black Dog.

- Alec

[Telerocker]

The VHII is the logical option. The Abraxas is an option too, just different, more of a hotrodded Mule, where the VHII closes the gap between vintage and contemporary. It's a very focussed, noncompressed, touchsensitive and quite balanced pickup. The highs are prominent, but not harsh. The VHII has good mids, even divided over the spectrum, and quite some bass. Outputwise the VHII is close to the Crawler I have.

I would not pair the Mule with the neck-VHII. I'm afraid the neck will overpower the bridge.

[darkbluemurder]

I have both a VHII bridge and a VHII neck, but they are in different guitars. As a set I found the contrast between the bright bridge and warm neck too much. If you want the basic character of the VHII bridge but a bit more power you should consider the Rebel Yell bridge.

Cheers Stephan

[HEadoftheAges]

I actually had a Rebel Yell set in the same guitar at one time, and while it sounded very good recorded, it ended not being the best fit the Monson. A bit shrill, I found. 

[Telerocker]

I actually had a Rebel Yell set in the same guitar at one time, and while it sounded very good recorded, it ended not being the best fit the Monson. A bit shrill, I found.

In that case the Abraxas might be a good solution. It's a hotrodded Mule, with a bit more mids and less topend, yet chime enough to keep your guitar lively. The Abraxas is a bit of a chameleon, a pickup for many purposes, whilst retaining the PAF-flavour.

[HEadoftheAges]

I have long had my eyes on the Abraxas. I hear it suits all of kinds of guitars rather well.  The Monson is rather dark-sounding. Is it common to pair the Abraxas Bridge with a VHII neck?

[HEadoftheAges]

So I have opted for a VHII bridge, for now.  I am also going to update the caps and pots.

- Alec