Mules/Riff Raffs.

[screamingdaisy]

Quick question

I'm looking at either a set of Mules or Riff Raffs...  I use a Les Paul into an Orange AD140 that's cranked up loud.  Think Jimmy Page.

1) What would be the difference between a set of alnico IV Mules and alnico V Mules?  Particularly when it comes to palm muted rhythm stuff.

2) Aside from magnet types, what are the other differences between the Mules and Riff Raffs?

3) If you were Jimmy Page*, would you get A V Mules, A IV Mules, or Riff Raffs?


* - in this case Jimmy Page doesn't want Black Dogs because they're too hot for what he wants to do.

[Twinfan]

I have Riff Raffs in an SG and Mules in a Les Paul.  Basically speaking, the Mules are smoother, warmer and a bit fuller and the Riff Raffs are clearer, tighter and have a bit more bite.  Some of this may be down to guitar differences of course.

I would imagine AV Mules are virtually the same as Riff Raffs, unless the BKP folk tell you different.  I believe the Mules have unbalanced coils (unlike the Riff Raff's balanced coils) which can give a few extra harmonic overtones, but the general tone will be very similar.

I would go for regular AIV Mules in your case.  If you want a bit more "edge" to the tone, go for unpotted versions.  My Mules are unpotted and there's an extra sparkle to the tone which is nice - very vintage.  If you want to fatten it up you can adjust your amp or roll down the tone controls a bit.  Lots of flexibility, as it's easier to fatten a tone then to brighten it...

[Philly Q]

I believe the Mules have unbalanced coils (unlike the Riff Raff's balanced coils) which can give a few extra harmonic overtones, but the general tone will be very similar.

Just to add to that, a quote from Tim (which, in my anally retentive way, I saved when I was trying to decide on my SG pickups):

"I have Riff Raffs in the 6 of my SG 6/12 double neck and love them...they're like a grittier Mule and sound fantastic in darker timbered guitars.The tone is bright and mildly aggressive whilst still being totally vintage in nature.
I view the Stormy Monday, Mule and Riff Raff as 3 different versions of the early PAF......the Stormy and Mule handle the two sweet spots in the original PAF wind with Alnico IV mags and the Riff Raff handles the transition @'60 to Alnico V and a more symmetrical wind(the Riff Raff still has a slight offset though, something I find hard to let go of!)."

[gwEm]

i have a mule bridge and a set of riff raffs in two of my flying vs. basically i fully agree with twinfan, but i'll explain in my own words ;)

to speak of 'vibe'. the riff raffs have a strong, yet transparent character (if that makes sense). they really smell strongly of late 70s hard rock IMHO. in that sense, i regard the riff raffs as being a bit more specialist, even though they remain very versatile pickups.

(the stormy monday and riff raff necks are very similar actually)

the mules are warmer, with more mids, but that just makes them more versatile than the riff raffs because of the rich fullness of the tone. for me, mules are the ultimate pickup. i never get tired of the sound, and i can play literaly any style of music with them and they always sound good. AIV magents work really well in the mules, i wouldn't request AV myself.

riff raffs are a little bit hotter, with more bite.

[ericsabbath]

i loved all riff raff clips in the forum