Zebra or reverse zebra?

[darkandrew]

I've done the easy bit - decided on a set of Mules but now the tricky bit; zebra or reverse zebra? The guitar is an ESP Eclipse 1 in dark brown sunburst with cream binding and cream pickup rings. I have a set of zebra Crawlers in an identically looking guitar and to my eyes the reverse zebras now just look wrong! Would it be too clichéd to go for a zebra neck with a reverse zebra bridge, Slash style, just to make it different to the other guitar?

[gwEm]

I think we need a picture of the guitar for this big decision ;)

[darkandrew]

I think we need a picture of the guitar for this big decision ;)

The guitar on the left is a 2012 model Eclipse 1 with Nailbombs in brushed nickel and the guitar on the right is a 2008 model with Crawlers in open coil / zebra (the stock pickups in both cases were reverse zebra Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pros). It's the 2012 one on the left that's going to have its Nailbombs replaced with a set of Mules.

[darrenw5094]

Black bobbins dude 

[darkandrew]

I'm not sure about black pups with cream surrounds - I think I need to keep an element of cream in the bobbins (or go nickel / brushed nickel covers). Here's a picture of the same guitar in stock configuration with reverse zebra A2 Pros, to be honest it doesn't look too bad, maybe reverse zebra is the way to go?

[gwEm]

If the 2008 guitar with Crawlers has normal-zebra, then I think it would be nice to have reverse-zebra on the nailbomb guitar. The picture with the A2 pros does look good.

Another option would be double cream. But I think reverse-zebra.

[darkandrew]

I'm starting to question whether I really want Mules now - will they really be different enough from the Crawlers to make them worth getting? The 2008 guitar with its slightly thinner / lighter body and thin neck really suits the Crawlers whereas the 2012 guitar with its heavier and slightly thicker body and more traditional neck profile is just calling out for a set of Mules.

[gwEm]

I'm starting to question whether I really want Mules now - will they really be different enough from the Crawlers to make them worth getting?

I think its always right to question expensive purchases. I think Mules are probably the best pickup BKP makes. It depends if you are after an open, versatile, articulate tone. They sound alot more open than Crawlers I think.

[darkandrew]

The picture with the A2 pros does look good.

It's just a shame that they sounded so bad!