Well - I have gone with Riff Raffs so far and they sound wonderful.
The Riff Raff was based on the earliest Gibson "Patent Number" pickup that came out in about 1960-61.
Apparently Gibson had just brought a new winding machine online at the time and it had an automatic shutoff which eliminated the "overwind" that had been prevalent on some pickups over the previous couple of years (this overwind is what the Mule is based on to some extent)
Now for me the sound is excellant
It seems to be exactly right for Randy Rhoads LP sound and also Dave Meniketti (Y&T) who is one of my big faves.
The extra tightness that the Alnico 5 gives it and the more open middle (from the wind)mean you seem to have more clarity in the midrange - superb for rock rhythm. Does AC/DC really well - even in a Les Paul type guitar.
One sound that works really well is having both pickups on together.
This didn't used to be my favourite but with the Riff Raffs it sounds so right in the same way that a great sounding tele sounds good with both pickups on. I had seen Dave Meniketti from Y&T do this a lot live and his guitar never seemed to sound too bloated whilst it previously didn't work so well for me.
Really liking this set-up so far
Maybe I need another LP with Mules in as well!
Still intend to put an Earvana on it and I may elect to go Tonepros on the hardware too - just to add to the tone . I'm considering an aluminium tailpiece too which has worked wonders on so many axes before.
Here she is with the BKPs in - looking good!
