Pickups for my LP Standard

[Kilby]

Apparently you have a more 'open' sound (I think I know what that means but am too illiterate to put it into words).

As for being microphonic, I apparently that Tim has taken care that it won't be a problem (there is a thread regarding that with input from tim)

Rob...

[fps_dean]

Ona last question, I have seen mention of some people having them un-potted. What is the advantage of this, and how does it weigh up against the potential microphonic feedback risk?

If you don't pot them they will feedback when the gain goes up, the only thing that varies is how much gain you can have before they will feedback.... and distance from the amp does not seem to matter.

What you want to do is ask Tim about this, if he normally pots them and winds them to compensate, or if there is anything else he can do.

[Twinfan]

So, my decision is... a pair of Mules, and I can't resist having a zebra pair, reversed for the bridge and normal for the neck, which will mean the cream bits face in towards each other, correct?

Nope - you want a pair reversed zebras.  Screws on the black coil both times  :D

[carlaz]

Just chiming in late to agree (redundantly) with the Mules recommendation.  I was replacing the same pickups in my '90 LP Std, and went with Crawlers because I wanted vintage vibe but a bit hotter.  Since you've got the Charvel for heavying up, though, then for the classic rock type vibe, the Mules will take you straight there! :)

[simonp]

So, my decision is... a pair of Mules, and I can't resist having a zebra pair, reversed for the bridge and normal for the neck, which will mean the cream bits face in towards each other, correct?

Nope - you want a pair reversed zebras.  Screws on the black coil both times  :D

Oh, yeah, I forgot the neck pickup is the other way round to the bridge, DUH :oops:

[PhilKing]

So, my decision is... a pair of Mules, and I can't resist having a zebra pair, reversed for the bridge and normal for the neck, which will mean the cream bits face in towards each other, correct?

Ona last question, I have seen mention of some people having them un-potted. What is the advantage of this, and how does it weigh up against the potential microphonic feedback risk?

You need 2 reverse zebras for what you want.  The style refers to which coil is black, the screws or the slugs. In a reverse zebra (which is actually the way the original PAF's all seem to have been), the screw coil is black and the slug is cream, in a zebra the screw coil is cream and the slug coil is black.

Unpotted gives a more 'open' sound in my opinion, though it is not a pronounced difference on BK's.  BK unpotted don't seem to howl like other unpotted, I have unpotted Stormy Mondays in my 335 and you can really bring up the gain and all you get is beautiful harmonic feedback.  If you are playing classic rock or blues without a high gain amp, then I would go for them.

[simonp]

Well, I have just ordered the pickups, a pair of reverse zebra Mules, and went for the unpotted option too, as the chap I spoke to (presumably tim) said you get added sparkle at the top end, which has been a major complaint form me with the current setup. I don't use mega gain (a reasonable ammount sometimes, but not serious metal gain) so hopefully squeeling wont be an issue. So, hopefully I'll be geting the soldering iron out in a wek or so :D

[simonp]

How's this for speedy service/
I rang BKP on Monday aftrenoon, ordered my Mules (reverse zebra, unpotted) and was told they would try and get them done this week.
Well, they arived this morning (Wednesday), how damn quick is that for something made to order?!! Top marks to Tim and co on this one.
The ste of strings and pick are a nice touch too, I was thinking that I needed to get a set for after changing the pickups and didn't have a full set (lots of sets minus the 10 top!), so that was cool.
As they are a birthday present and my birthday (39th!) isn't till Sunday I'll have to wait to see how they sound.