What instead of a Black Dog in a Les Paul clone?

[Brow]

Hey guys.

Just lately I've been thinking that when I get the Mules for my Gibson LP (which will be soon hopefully!) that I'll pretty much have the 'traditional' LP tones covered, so I've considered trying something else in the bridge of my Gordon Smith Graduate60 inplace of the Black Dog which is currently there.

I love the sound of the Black Dog, but sometimes it's a little too 'thick' sounding and would like to try something that's a little more open sounding,  and also something a little hotter too.

My main thoughts at this time would be an Emerald or a Rebel Yell (hotter than vintage but not too much   ) but would something like a Cold Sweat or a Nailbomb be 'too much' for what I'm looking for?

I know I've not been too specific what I want, but it's late so I'll probably re-word this post at somepoint tomorrow  :roll:

[TwilightOdyssey]

VHII

[I_cant_play]

I think the nailbomb and the cold sweat would be too hot. I think VHII is probably a good suggestion..

[Twinfan]

I had a similar thought about the bridge for my Gordon Smith GS-1.  I've got a Mule arriving any day, as I went for a good all rounder.  My shortlist was:

Rebel Yell
Mule
Emerald

I thought the Emerald might be a bit thick (as you say your Black Dog is), and the Rebel Yell would be too bright for me (I'm not a big treble fan).  Tim's suggestion was a Rebel Yell though.

From what you've said, I would say VHII or Rebel Yell.  Apart from your request for something hotter, I would have said a Riff Raff...

[sgmypod]

Emrald are great in LP style guitars...quite open but with the LP sound to them

[Skybone]

VHII or Emerald.

[Brow]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I never really considered the VHII, I thought that was more of a 'Strat' pickup.

Does anyone have a clip of a VHII or an Emerald in a LP at all?

[Philly Q]

There's a really nice Les Paul/Emerald clip by Chris O'Donnell on this thread:

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=343&highlight=emerald

[fps_dean]

Dude put the Mules into the Graduate '60 and put Rebel Yells in the Les Paul... they sound awesome in Les Pauls (if I am not mistaken, the Gordon Smith Graduate '60 uses slightly different woods).

I like my Rebel Yell set a lot...

Emeralds, VHIIs may do as well...

Nailbombs are very versitile however not quite as open as you probably want however they will gain up a lot and their clean tone is suprisingly good too.... would certainly be a good contrast to Mules (where Rebel Yells would be a little more specifically tuned towards lower gain brighter sounds).  Crawlers are not so much open per say but have a really nice clean sound to them (sound way too nice for their output) and for some reason I think they may split nicely as well.

[Brow]

Thanks for the new posts guys.

The Graduate 60 currently has a Riff Raff in the neck, which I really like, so I'm only considering trying a different bridge pickup at the moment :)

I'm about 99.99% sure of the Mules for my Gibby LP, so whatever pickup I decide to try if almost certain going in the bridge of my Graduate 60 :)

[fps_dean]

I'm about 99.99% sure of the Mules for my Gibby LP, so whatever pickup I decide to try if almost certain going in the bridge of my Graduate 60 :)

But that leaves a 0.01% chance you may take my advice and put Rebel Yells in the Les Paul? Sweet! lol

[Brow]

But that leaves a 0.01% chance you may take my advice and put Rebel Yells in the Les Paul? Sweet! lol

I may take your advice on the Rebel Yell, but it'll just be in my Graduate60 and not my Gibby :)

From what I gather, Gordon Smith don't use woods that are that dis-similar from the 'proper' woods that an LP should be made of :)