Bridge Pickup w/ VHII neck (Les Paul)

[keithburgin]

Hey everyone -

2013 Les Paul Traditional Pro II (gold top,) gutted, rewired 50's style, 500k CTS pots and .022 POI caps.  Strings are NYXL 9-46.

I'm concentrating on what I term "heavy blues," or Gov't Mule, Gary Moore, etc., style of med-gain blues.

Previously, I had Black Dogs in this guitar and felt that they were as aggressive as I needed but seemed too dark to my ears.  I replaced them with Lindy Fralin Pure PAF pickups and they lasted for a year before I began searching again - just not ballsy enough.

I stumbled on a set of VHII pickups, and purchased them used.  I love the neck pickup - it seems perfect for me.  But the bridge seems bright.  So I'm looking for a bridge pickup or a solution of some sort.  I don't chug or djent but I'd like some definition and some girth without getting muddy.

Suggestions?  Questions?  Thanks very much.

[darrenw5094]

Abraxas should be a choice here, plenty of mids and not as bright as VHII. The Mule if you want less mids though.

[keithburgin]

Thank you, Darren - I'll definitely look into that one.

[Muffler]

+1 for Abraxas.

The Rebel Yell could be a bit more modern option, brighter than the Abraxas but not as much as the VHII. Huge sounding pickup, specially in a Les Paul

[Telerocker]

That would be Mules or Abraxas. I love my Mules bec of the perfect balance of frequencies and refined articulation. Gov't Mule and Gary Moore used PAF-pickups, but if you need more mids and bass, the Abraxas is a good alternative. Just hotter than the originals.

[keithburgin]

Sounds like Abraxas is the one to look into. 


Thanks again for the suggestions.

[Lucas]

I would strongly recommend Emerald bridge. Fantastic pickup.

I have Emerald in similar guitar and it`s perfect for heavy blues/rock although it will give you bit more power and will be more into heavier side than Mule or Abraxas. It`s not as bright as I was suspecting, in dark sounding guitar it`s really balance with nice subtle roar in mids. It also has loads of presence too.
It really shines in chords and leads are beautiful with nice alnico vibe.

[Telerocker]

If the VHII is too bright for Keith, the Emerald will be too.

[richard]

The Abraxas set is great - plenty of power but still manages to have a vintage flavour.

[Yellowjacket]

To balance a VHII neck, I am inclined to mention a Rebel Yell bridge pickup.  The volume knob rolls down beautifully.  It is a gorgeous and articulate pickup. Lots of clarity and a very even harmonic spread that is not pokey in any frequency band. 

The pickup does great rock and blues tones.  It is not so contemporary that sounds out of place in the realm of classic Les Paul tones.

[Dave Sloven]

If the VHII is too bright for Keith, the Emerald will be too.

This might rule out a Rebel Yell too.  The Holy Diver might be a better option

[keithburgin]

Thanks everyone.  I pulled the trigger on an Abraxas bridge.  Now just waiting.

I'll offer my opinion, such as it is, when I get it installed and play it for a bit.

[keithburgin]

So the Abraxas bridge arrived yesterday.

I'd like to thank everyone for their help and also for the suggestions that led me to this pickup.  This is the perfect pairing for the VHII in the neck of my Les Paul.

The difference is, of course, immediately apparent.  The mids are present without being overbearing, the pickup is not muddy but has a full voice, I couldn't be happier.

There was nothing wrong with the VHII I had in the bridge... it just wasn't what I wanted for my playing. 

Thanks again, folks.

[Telerocker]

Good to hear that you made the right choice. I have a VHII in an ash strat and it's great for early VH, yet imo not as versatile as an Abraxas or a Crawler.