Author Topic: Pickup question (Read 8900 times)

Scotty477 · « **Reply #30 on:** January 24, 2008, 04:34:16 PM »

Sounds like a job for .....

Stormy Monday neck and Emerald bridge.

Everything I've heard from the SM neck sounds what you're asking for and as for the bridge Emerald ... If you want a bit of fire and bite, in a vintage 'hot' PAF manner then it will do that with ease.

kellar · « **Reply #31 on:** January 24, 2008, 04:57:00 PM »

Great. Thanks for the recommendation! Everything I have seen so far tells me the Stormy Monday is what I need in the bridge. Which magnet I have no idea, I'll wait for Tim's input.
The Emerald is interesting, haven't heard that yet. I have also thought about the Riff Raff or Black Dog in the bridge. Any input there?? I basically need something a bit hotter than the Mule, but still a good clean tone.

Scotty477 · « **Reply #32 on:** January 24, 2008, 05:09:27 PM »

This thread was my showcase of the Emeralds doing crunchy Blues.

The bridge Emerald is from 02:04.

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10741

I like the clips of both the Riff Raff and Black Dog BKP's. It was a close call for me between them, the Rebel Yell and Mules.

I chose the Emeralds for the warmth of tone - with bite - that they can deliver. Both of these characteristics are there in this clip - even though the crunch is being produced only using modelling effects directly injected on a digital recorder.

kellar · « **Reply #33 on:** January 24, 2008, 05:30:16 PM »

Wow! Great tone. I think I am looking for something that bites a bit more in the bridge though. But great job, super thick tone. Thanks a lot!

Philly Q · « **Reply #34 on:** January 24, 2008, 05:46:21 PM »

Quote from: kellar

I have also thought about the Riff Raff or Black Dog in the bridge. Any input there?? I basically need something a bit hotter than the Mule, but still a good clean tone.

I don't want to get too involved here, because these guys like Twinfan and Henk know way more about amps and "proper" gear than I ever will.

But just thinking about the pickups, you're probably spot on with the Stormy Monday for the neck. For the bridge, the Riff Raff is bright but I think it might be a little dry (can't think of a better word) for what you've been describing. The Black Dog is hotter but darker and more snarly. I haven't got a Mule personally, but I doubt the RR or BD will give better clean tones than the Mule.

What about the VHII? That's a brighter, open/dynamic pickup but still just in the PAF range, as pointed out in Henk's thread the other day.

kellar · « **Reply #35 on:** January 24, 2008, 06:16:43 PM »

Yes, I do believe the Stormy Monday is spot on for the neck.
The bridge is my dilemma now. The mule is actually quite good. The cleans are outstanding for a bridge pickup. I just want a bit more snarl and bite for solos. I think I have closed the Emerald out, as it seems to have a quite pronounced low end.
The VHII is something I haven't heard yet and quite interesting. Would it match up ok with a Stormy Monday?? Like I said, I haven't played any of these so I am going off the clips and various input.

Twinfan · « **Reply #36 on:** January 24, 2008, 06:42:09 PM »

Quote from: kellar

Yes, I do believe the Stormy Monday is spot on for the neck.

Agreed

Quote from: kellar

The bridge is my dilemma now. The mule is actually quite good. The cleans are outstanding for a bridge pickup. I just want a bit more snarl and bite for solos.

This is what pedals are for. I take it you're using your SD-1 for solos?

kellar · « **Reply #37 on:** January 24, 2008, 07:07:06 PM »

Yeah, SD-1.

Twinfan · « **Reply #38 on:** January 24, 2008, 07:11:08 PM »

Can you up the treble on the pedal for more bite?

kellar · « **Reply #39 on:** January 24, 2008, 07:17:13 PM »

No, my SD-1 always has the tone maxed out as bright as it goes. That's how i keep it.

kellar · « **Reply #40 on:** January 24, 2008, 10:00:42 PM »

You know, I really like the Mule bridge. I would hate to swap it just because I want a bit more bite. You just can't beat those clean tones for a bridge pickup! I wonder if Tim could wind it a bit tighter, squeeze out a bit more bite? That's all it needs.
As far as the neck goes, I am leaning towards the Stormy Monday.

Peter Antal · « **Reply #41 on:** January 25, 2008, 12:00:34 AM »

Quote from: kellar

I wonder if Tim could wind it a bit tighter, squeeze out a bit more bite? That's all it needs.

Sounds like you want something in the PAF range with Alnico V. I think a Riff Raff would do that job well.

Henk · « **Reply #42 on:** January 25, 2008, 05:33:47 PM »

Quote

It's just that in my experience pickups are a smaller part of your overall tone than your amp. I spent a lot of time and money hunting for my tone via a Marshall JTM60 and lots of pickups/guitars/pedals. I never found it.......

Its in the speaker/cab, yes ok also alot depends on how well you can 'communicate' with your power amp stage and all the rest obciously. I have said this before, -to me- (im talking from my own experience) the speaker are the voice, you can say brilliant things but if you shout like an idiot noone will listen to what you are saying anyway. Kind of rediculous sounding maybe, but i cant think of a better way to discribe it in a musical sence. Reminds me to get a better mic soon..... :oops:

Quote

You know, I really like the Mule bridge. I would hate to swap it just because I want a bit more bite. You just can't beat those clean tones for a bridge pickup! I wonder if Tim could wind it a bit tighter, squeeze out a bit more bite? That's all it needs.

I have pretty much given this alot of thought, but there is always the tradeoff raising its ugly head, the mules are as they should be, really.

The Riffraff will give you the bite you need on the amp you have now, BUT, if you are looking for a PAF which is comparable with the original Gibson PAF humbuckers, you allready have them.

IMVHO(which means : IN MY VERY HUMBLE OPINION!) you are crazy to change the Mules for anything that would sound a bit better on the amp you have now. Just take your guitar to a store and plug it into a quality Fender amp(or whatever brand) and base your thoughts on that, not on the EVJ. You just cant judge the quality of a fish when you toss it in the deep fat fryer....

Maybe not what you want to hear, but thats my honest opnion.

kellar · « **Reply #43 on:** January 25, 2008, 05:50:17 PM »

I certainly understand your point and it makes complete sense to me. As a matter of fact, I agree with you 100%. And, I will most certainly be purchasing the Mules as some point or another again. I certainly wasn't judging them through my current setup. I just think that for my current setup something else would be a bit more practical.
I talked to Tim and he suggested an AIV Stormy Monday in the neck and a Riff Raff in the bridge.
Thanks a ton for your input. It all made sense to me. Once I get my new pair, I will let you know what my final verdict is, if it was a smart move or not. One thing is for sure. Down the road when my setup is bit different, I will be ordering the Mules again!!