First time considering new pickups

[drtrouthair]

How do all.
As you may have gathered from the title of the post, I’ve put up with the pickups that have come with all the guitars I’ve had. I’m thinking its time that changed.

The guitar I’m thinking of putting through the change is an Ibanez AS50 – 335 copy.
The problem with it is that the bottom end is way to muddy and the top end is ear splittingly tinny.

My quandary is this - what Bare Knuckle Pickups should I go for?

I’m not a technical guitarist, I’m more interested in creating sounds. Check out www.myspace.com/thelavaexperiments for a taster.

My live set up includes, Moog Ring Modulator, Line 6 Delay Modeller, Electro Harmonix Hog, Electro Harmonics Big Muff Pi, Cry Baby and an Ebow. I use a Grainger Blue Twin amp. All beats, other instruments, sounds etc come from Ableton running on a MacBookPro.

A pure but rich, clean, sustained sound is what I’m after. Not at all tinny or muddied. Due to the amount of effects I use big volume would be ideal but without a heavy/rough sound. I can get all the filthy heavy darkness I require from the Pi so I’d rather keep the guitar sound purer. (At gig volume the valves in the amp overdrive nicely to give a heavier sound anyway.)

Right, I’m sure I’ve bored the shite out of you enough for a Friday afternoon. I’m looking forward to your thoughts.

Cheers,
Fraser

[ilÿti]

For a semi-hollow, it's generally advised to go low output. I'd say Mules, because you seem to want to pile on a lot of gain at times, and the SMs are generally not advised for that.
Something else you may want to consider is the Cold Sweat. It's fairly high output, but it is said to work really well in semihollows and it would ensure that your sound stays tight under gain. Maybe combine it with a Mule or Stormy Monday in the neck for the "purer" tones.

[drtrouthair]

Many thanks ilyti.
The operation shall be taking place over the weekend.
I'll be sure to let you know how she fares.

[badgermark]

Interesting requirements, but your best bet is to get in touch with Tim. As he makes and designs the pickups he will have a great insight into what model/type of pickup you need. Pop him an email and he usually gets back fairly quickly.

[Emperor]

Any BKP will sound " pure "   just e-mail Tim he'll make you what you want/need

[froglord]

I'd also say Mules.

[ailean]

Definately email Tim, but I'm thinking Mules or something from the Vintage Hot series, maybe Black Dogs or VHII's? But Tim is the man to ask.

[drtrouthair]

Happy Tuesday all.
I just nipped out in my lunch break to pick up my guitar, fresh from a setup and a matched pair of Emeralds.
They sounded outstanding in the shop so I’m gagging to get home and test them out on my amp.
I’ll report back tomorrow with the verdict.

[Twinfan]

Interesting choice!  Let us know how you like them  :)

[drtrouthair]

I didn’t get as much time as I had hoped last night…… but it was enough to get a warm fuzzy feeling.
There’s no comparison to what I had in before.
The overall tone has an exceptional degree of clarity to it. Really well rounded and smooth.
I have the opportunity to switch to SM’s or Mules but after having discussed it with Tim this morning I’m going to stick with the Emeralds.
There’s a great dynamic with them; play softly and there’s a genteel expression coming through the amp. Play a bit more heavily and the tone hardens – although not quite as much as I’d like. Tim suggested getting the pups closer to the strings so I’m going to give that a go. (It was suggested that there would be even less harshness to be had with the SM’s or Mules.)
There’s a significant improvement with the Ebow too. Whereas before I struggled to find the sweet spot and keep it (whilst signing etc) I’ve a much greater degree of control. In fact if anything the out put is way too much directly over the pup – but I can deal with that.
An added Brucey Bonus – a free plectrum and set of strings. Nice!