Well this is right up my alley, sorry i didnt notice it before.
Typically for driving a PAF hard you need one wound over 8K DC, there is a big difference in gain signature from a PAF wound under 8k and over 8k.
Comparing the Gibson classic and its big brother classic + PAF makes it very noticable, they are both AII magnets though, very different from the AIV magnet in the Mules. The classic+ i have is wound to about 10k and has a very particular growl, very saturated and natural sounding, very good highs too by the way, still sounds closer to a AV magnet then a AIV though. The Gibson classic's sound a bit like a nasty version of the SM's, the + version obviously even more.
I do love the Mules more, they have better and more low end(allmost tempted to say PERFECT), punchier mids and more then enough highs to retain a balanced character. Overwinding a Mule bridge would make it bottom heavy i think and darker sounding, which isnt the best of ideas IMO.
So i am thinking atm of an Emerald with AIV magnet, the VHII would be perfect in terms of 'Hot PAF' pickup signature, but you have to like the signature of the VHII, and the amount of punch for that matter, overwinding a VHII would be possible i think, allthough you would get a really heavy punch to it i think.
Another thing i could imagine is underwinding an Abraxas bridge so it retains more highs, but that would still be a dark sounding PAF i think.
Anyway, just my 2cents, the mules are very versatile and im 100% sure i could play anything with them, its just such a great PAF sound combined with pretty neutral characteristics which is just perfect for playing on various amps and using different effects or even for recording which would be my first pick choosing from my guitars.
Thinking about this, im pretty sure the Mules are the ultimate noodle guitarists wet dream :lol:
