Fourth Feline - we have some kind of reverse but similar path going on as I now want another Les Paul to try some Mules in, but don't have any cash left! How good are the Mules? Let me be more specific - they're bound to be good....what do they sound like in your view?
Hiya Fbloke ,
I always thinkof them as the next best thing in sensitivity to picking dynamics and 'openess' - but with a tasteful mid range 'hump' that just says "Les Paul".
When I pick up or listen to a Les Paul, I like to hear that 'thickness' and density in the mid range - that seems so characteristic of that size and weight of guitar. An intimate sound for an intimate shape of instrument. The nice thing about it still being a BKP and an Alinico IV - is that I hear in them the best of both worlds, i.e. the 'revelation' of dynamics you discovered with the S.Ms , but with a bit of creamy thickness that is so nice when you play quieter and / or further up the neck.
I must declare however, that I am more of a quiet player - heros including Peter Green, B.B. King and larry Carlton. There is however a more aggresive quality ( than the S.Ms ) if the Mules are picked harder, Mules do indeed 'kick' out the notes more from under the pick when hit harder.
I can imagine that an out and out 'Rocker' could get some great Paul Kossof / Gary Moore sounds with ease from the Mules in an L.P. It's well worth putting a Push/pull switch in one on the tone controls too, for an option of putting the pickups out of phase with each other in the middle toggle position. This I feel gives me the choice of either the 'nasal' Peter Green sound or a standard in between sound . I know that BKP do the very desirable P.G. pickup set, but 2x AIV Mules + switch = total flexibility.
The Mules still sound very open and spacious though, an Ideal next step from the S.Ms tonally. The other option I like the sound clips of are the 'Emeralds' for that more saturated mid push sound.
However, I feel that If like me you have fallen in love with the openess, sweetness and dynamic soundstaging of the Stormy Monday's - Mules are the next best source of
contrast -as opposed to outright change.
It would be interesting to hear from other members that push their pickups harder and louder than me though. :)
