set of SM + ?? for a 3 PU LesPaul Custom

[sushi]

Hello

I have a 3 PU Gibson LesPaul Artisan (like Custom). I already installed 2 stormy monday in bridge and neck position. I really love the sound of the neck pickup ( clean sound  is wonderfull !!). I want to put the bridge Stormy Monday in middle position and buy a new Mule to put on bridge position. I think an ALNICO II Mule should be better than a ALNICO IV Mule if I want a sweet clean sound (and some time, make it scream !).
Is it a good solution ?
Any advice ?

Thanks

Charles

[Fourth Feline]

Hi Charles,  :D

Having tried both SMs and Mules in my Les Paul Standard, I can confirm that the 'standard' AIV Mule is also sweet sounding - albeit with a bit more clean 'push' if you need it - notably with more midrange than the SM. It is still not compressed though, so you will get that lovely open sound from both.

Both are lovely pickups - and if you play a lot of clean ( like I do ) both work nicely. I gather the 'Mule' is closer to the original sound of a late 50s PAF - and the SM an early 60s.

It must be lovely to have a Les Paul with both types in together,  especially using the combination of pickup positions you are considering !   8)

[Catalyst77]

I was thinking about putting a SM in my 3 pickup LP custom; what does it sound like?

Are they really versatile?

[sushi]

Hi Charles,  :D

Having tried both SMs and Mules in my Les Paul Standard, I can confirm that the 'standard' AIV Mule is also sweet sounding - albeit with a bit more clean 'push' if you need it - notably with more midrange than the SM. It is still not compressed though, so you will get that lovely open sound from both.

Both are lovely pickups - and if you play a lot of clean ( like I do ) both work nicely. I gather the 'Mule' is closer to the original sound of a late 50s PAF - and the SM an early 60s.

It must be lovely to have a Les Paul with both types in together,  especially using the combination of pickup positions you are considering !   8)

I used to play a standard LesPaul with a pair of Mule Alnico IV, the sound was louder (with mid) and it is a pleasure to play it "Rock". But the Lespaul artisan is totally different (acousticaly !) and the fretboard is ebony with wide and low frets, so I play differently ! Yesterday, I compare both guitars on a Marshall JTM45 Reissue, and the LP std was very "mid range" and had some crunch. But the LP Artisan was very clean, the neck PU was jazz/funk and the bridge was bright but not loud enough to crunch.
So, if I want the same bridge sound with more level output, should I choose a Stormy monday Alnico IV or a Mule Anico II ?

ps: excuse my english, I'm french ...

[sushi]

I was thinking about putting a SM in my 3 pickup LP custom; what does it sound like?

Are they really versatile?

Yes !
I will post some MP3 later.
But you can watch this video (it's me...):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuavPedirvA

charles

[Twinfan]

I think I'd email Tim and see what he says.

The Mule has a different 'voice' to an SM, so it's not just a louder version of the same thing.  Same goes for an AIV SM rather than an AII SM.

If it was me, I think I'd try an AII Mule.

[sushi]

I think I'd email Tim and see what he says.

The Mule has a different 'voice' to an SM, so it's not just a louder version of the same thing.  Same goes for an AIV SM rather than an AII SM.

If it was me, I think I'd try an AII Mule.

I agree with you, SM and Mule have different 'voice'.
Do you think the Mule AII is brighter than Mule AIV ? Does the mule AII is "like" an SM AII but louder ?

[PhilKing]

Tim has told me in the past that he doesn't like the sound of AII and AIV together.  If you are wanting more push from the bridge with a brightish sound, then I would check out the AV Mule.  I have a set with the AV Mule and AIV Stormy Monday coming for my Zemaitis Pearl Front (clone!).

[sushi]

Tim has told me in the past that he doesn't like the sound of AII and AIV together.  If you are wanting more push from the bridge with a brightish sound, then I would check out the AV Mule.  I have a set with the AV Mule and AIV Stormy Monday coming for my Zemaitis Pearl Front (clone!).

I didn't indicate before that my set of Stormy Monday is Alnico II !
Maybe I should choose a Mule Alnico II for the bridge... it will be good with SM Alnico II in neck and middle !

[PhilKing]

You could still get AV with AII.

[sushi]

Does Mule Alnico V have a great clean sound ?
what's the difference between Mule AIV and AV ?

And what about the PG Blues ?

[gwEm]

Does Mule Alnico V have a great clean sound ?
what's the difference between Mule AIV and AV ?

And what about the PG Blues ?

A5 vs A4 mule:

A5 has more bite and is a little more modern/transparent. It has a great clean tone, and works really well with a A4 neck (and i imagine A2). Of course the A5 version is a little hotter, but not by too much.

I wrote a comparative post of A4 vs A5 mule a while ago, have a quick search for it.

I agree with Phil and Tim that A4/A2 mix doesn't work that well. i mean - its not bad - totally usuable, but A5/A4 is better. Can't speak for A5/A2

[Twinfan]

I agree with you, SM and Mule have different 'voice'.
Do you think the Mule AII is brighter than Mule AIV ? Does the mule AII is "like" an SM AII but louder ?

I would think a Mule AII is no nrighter than a Mule AIV, it'll just sound a bit "softer".

[sushi]

You could still get AV with AII.

A bridge riff raff AV ? for example ?

[PhilKing]

[quote="sushi]A bridge riff raff AV ? for example ?[/quote]

Always a great combination!