Author Topic: Stormy Mondays more than they say on the tin?... (ok... box) (Read 9652 times)

sambo · « **on:** December 17, 2007, 09:40:39 PM »

Ok so a lot is said about how Mules are fantastically versatile and much more than just a classic PAF pickup.

Well, does that apply to just the mules?

I say this because I play everything from Zeppelin to modern hardcore and have seen a cheapo set of Zebra Stormy Monday for sale. Wondering if they live up to the status of their Mule brothers?

Now I'm not a classic rock/blues nut... I don't need a nice vintage PAF tone. But I appreciate the characteristics of driving lower-output humbuckers harder e.t.c. and have always been recommended the mule.

I need nice clean tones, as well as the capability to remain nice and defined when driven hard.

Think this kinda tone; www.myspace.com/theghostofathousand

(probably not everyones cup of tea but bear with it- listen to the tone guys!!! :lol:)

Would it be wise to hold out until something else comes along?

For a Burny LP Custom by the way.

Cheers,

sam. :D

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #1 on:** December 17, 2007, 10:02:09 PM »

The Stormy Monday is a great pickup. I guess it comes down to how you like your distortion sound, really, and how much you desire.

From my experience, can you do metal on a SM? Yes, I did it with no problem at the last NY Bare Knuckle jam ... on a 335 clone, no less.

But, for the amount of gain required, and the amount of physical push (and I play pretty hard), the pickup doesn't shine in that setting.

When I played a gig recently using my Riff Raff bridge (also in a LP clone), I loved the tone, but the basic reaction was that it sounded more compressed than my Cold Sweat. Sounds impossible, right? But it's true ... I was pushing the Riff Raff outside of its performance parameters. Will it do metal? Yes, but not ideally.

Unfortunately, there is no panacea one-pup-does-all out there. If you're looking for something to straddle the fence well, however, I would recommend the VHII.

Hope that helps.

sambo · « **Reply #2 on:** December 17, 2007, 10:08:54 PM »

Thanks man, than does indeed help greatly.

It was as I feared I guess... asking for a bit too much.

VHII was my next port of call after mules before I considered something more high output.

I feel like I'm in a bit of a rut here!!!

I'm not after a 'traditional' metal sound... more huge, growly heavy rock/punk sound... like demon-PAFs on steroids. The band I referenced play straight into Orange AD series heads with Gibson Les Pauls + SGs, and live have an outstanding tone. Not a MASSIVE amount of gain in reality.

So what would you recommend- go lower output PAF (probably Mule..?) and play them hard, or go higher output i.e. Nailbomb-esque? Or is that effectively unnecessary? Does it just boil down to personal preference?

I just get the impression that there's a point when you cross a certain line in the BK range you hit metal territory. And I feel like I'm smack bang ON that line!

Thanks again for the help Ben.

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2007, 10:16:27 PM »

You hit the nail straight on the head -- personal preference.

For my nickel, I would go with a higher output pup and turn the gain down on the amp, as that's what it sounds like you want -- a bit of dirt on there no matter what.

If you want it clean, but a really dirty tone when cranked, the Mule might be the answer, but I would say the Rebel Yell would do that even better.

Twinfan · « **Reply #4 on:** December 17, 2007, 10:17:15 PM »

I think TOs suggestion of a VHII is a great one. Mules might be a bit too traditional for you?

I'd like to try a set of VHIIs in one of my Ibanez's.....

sambo · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2007, 10:21:59 PM »

Yeah wanting "a bit of dirt on there no matter what" sounds pretty accurate.

Okay so high(er) output. What are my options for a LP Custom to sound evil, but not OVER-evil or UNDER-evil?

(An embarrassingly terrible description I know :oops: :lol)

I'm leaning VH-II, Nailbomb... Black Dog even maybe?

Cheers for the help guys.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #6 on:** December 17, 2007, 10:22:24 PM »

I've (still) get to load that Black Dog in my LP, but I've always thought of the Black Dog as a hot PAF type of tone. That might work for you.

I'lll get the BD in my guitar over xmas and post some clips.

:twisted:

sambo · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2007, 10:24:48 PM »

Nice one mate, look forward to hearing it. :D

"Muscular growl and bite. Full bodied and strong with classic mid range detail."

Aha!!! As close to perfect description as I've read on the BK site.

Hmmm.

_tom_ · « **Reply #8 on:** December 17, 2007, 10:25:57 PM »

I still reckon Mules would do that Ghost of a Thousand tone, would say it depends more on the amp than the pickup in this situation as its not an extremely high gain or compressed sound, its just aggressive. I'll try to do a clip of that kinda thing tomorrow if you want, though my mic'ing isnt at its best yet so things may sound a bit scooped or fizzy.

Maybe the VHII would be better for you though, I remember really liking them in a PRS I played at Music Live years ago. I still want a PRS or something to put a set of them in :lol:

sambo · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2007, 10:27:40 PM »

Yeah that's the reason it's difficult to know what would nail that tone. Very aggressive and ballsy sound, (ENGL can do that no problem), but it's knowing what pickup will push that sound even further.

Mule, Black Dog, VH-II, maybe Nailbomb if I really did go high output.

(you've wanted a pair of VHIIs for AGES!!! :lol:)

_tom_ · « **Reply #10 on:** December 17, 2007, 10:39:50 PM »

I know I have, I just havent really got a guitar to put any in. I spose I could try one in my strat instead of the Rebel Yell but I need to get the Rebel Yell shifted first :lol:

Speaking of which, you may like the RY. I personally find it too aggressive/high output for my taste but could just be what you're looking for. Will do a clip of that tomorrow as well, though its in a strat so not exactly what you'll be using it in..

sambo · « **Reply #11 on:** December 17, 2007, 10:41:11 PM »

Ha, not enough guitars for the BKs you want; a financially good place to be in that is!!!

_tom_ · « **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2007, 02:53:07 PM »

haha I know :P I've found a MIJ Yamaha LP locally for £225 though so I might get that if I like it, seems like a great price.

Just did this clip of the Rebel Yell in my strat, I dont know much/any hardcore so go easy on me :lol:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GNCZ1AC2

Sounds a bit buzzy cos I'm still cr@p at mic'ing but the tone in the room was pretty good. I'd imagine it to sound a bit warmer in a Les Paul but I may be wrong. If you want to buy it send me a PM :P

badgermark · « **Reply #13 on:** December 19, 2007, 03:23:17 PM »

I'd possibly recommend the Holydiver. Bear with me...

Excellent clean tone, pushes the amp but still retains a lovely clean sound, and driven at the levels I play at (pretty dirty, not raaaah levels though, firmly in the just distortion growl) it works a treat. Plus not too hot, around 12k i think.

Apparently it is 'modern' sounding. I have no idea what that means.

Also, anecdotal here, but low powered pickups are cool with me. I'd imagine the Stormy Mondays being the LP equivalent to Country Boys in a tele, and I've managed some pretty heavy shizz on my tele. You do have to hit harder, and crank the volume a bit more (low output=quiet) which isn't that convenient really.

That's all I gots, I'm spent.

JamesHealey · « **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2007, 03:35:15 PM »

i think the mules sound fatter than the VH2 in that the lower mids and bass are fatter.. not as much high mid as the VH2.. and not quite as hot but it's deffinatly a great pickup for every style i can think of bar maybe tech metal.

Author Topic: Stormy Mondays more than they say on the tin?... (ok... box) (Read 9652 times)

TwilightOdyssey

TwilightOdyssey