Vintage pickups for LP Studio

[kouri101]

Hey guys,

I am in the market for a new set of pickups for my Les Paul. The question is, what to get?

My current set up is the LP Studio Platinum, mahogany back/maple top with an ebony fretboard. I play into a Zinky 50w Blue Velvet  and have a Vox Wah Re-issue for support. At the moment I am using a Seymour Duncan Custom Custom/Pearly Gates combination but find the bridge pickup too high gain and lacking in character. The neck pickup is far too muddy.

My aim is to get a good blues/rock sound. My influences for guitar tones would be Eric Clapton (Beano), David Gilmour (The Wall), Neil Young (Southern Man) and  Abbe May and the Rockin' Pneumonia (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=110695255)

Many thanks to anyone who can give advice regarding this problem. Also, a hundred thanks to all those who put clips of their bareknuckles up on the players page/youtube, they have been EXTREMELY helpful!

[Twinfan]

Greetings!

Sounds like you're looking at Stormy Mondays or Mules to me.  If you like a brighter more biting tone, go for Mules.  If you like it smoother and warmer go for Stormy Mondays.

:)

[kellar]

I agree with the above. I think Stormy Monday's are your best bet, Mules if you want a bit more punch.

[Twinfan]

Seeing Kellar's post has just reminded me about Riff Raffs in a Les Paul.  I think they'd be a bit too clear and biting for the bluesier side of things.  That's why I didn't mention them in my first post  :)

[NotSoEasy]

I have a Les Paul too and spoke to Tim recently on the phone and email as regards a good blues rock sound and he advised me to get a Stormy Monday for the neck and a Mule for the bridge, so that may be a good bet for yourself too as you've mentioned that kind of sound... I should receive them soon so I can report back how they are haha

[PhilKing]

The other option is the PG Blues set.  I really like them for the sounds you are after.  They are based around Stormy Monday's but tweked to get the PG tone.

[kouri101]

Seeing Kellar's post has just reminded me about Riff Raffs in a Les Paul.  I think they'd be a bit too clear and biting for the bluesier side of things.  That's why I didn't mention them in my first post  :)

Riff Raff's  8)

The other option is the PG Blues set.  I really like them for the sounds you are after.  They are based around Stormy Monday's but tweked to get the PG tone.

I haven't heard too many clips of the PG Blues. I'll just listen to some of his stuff!

I have a Les Paul too and spoke to Tim recently on the phone and email as regards a good blues rock sound and he advised me to get a Stormy Monday for the neck and a Mule for the bridge, so that may be a good bet for yourself too as you've mentioned that kind of sound... I should receive them soon so I can report back how they are haha

Which magnets did Tim suggest you should have in both pickups? If you could let me know how they sound that would be fantastic!

[NotSoEasy]

Well he suggested just the normal A(II) for the Stormy Monday and A(IV) for the Mule... A few people on here advise that those two may not necessarily work well together but I double checked this with Tim.   He said its fine and its A(III) which he suggests that you never mix and match with any other magnet as it overpowers all of them for some reason...

Apparently the A(IV) does not over power the A(II) in tis case and will sound good with both pick ups selected...

They arrived today so i'll get them put in on Monday and report my findings next week  :)

[kouri101]

After thoroughly exhausting the clips available and mulling over both yours and Tim's advice, I decided to purchase a calibrated set of Mules. The extra kick they provided was just too pleasing to my ears to pass by.

The pickups were fitted into my guitar today courtesy of the Rock Inn, Perth (who did a great job at a great price) and I have been playing it since I arrived back home about an hour ago.

The results?

These Mules are worth double what they are priced at, considering how unbelievably superior they are to the previous Seymour Duncans. In fact, I doubt I would ever buy pickups from another manufacturer again! The tone is absolutely vintage and when paired with my Zinky Blue Velvet I find myself in aural heaven....I'm not the best at describing tone in words but I can say I cannot wait to jam with my friends in the near future and watch their jaws drop at the delicious sounds I can now produce with my setup.

I would recommend these pickups to anyone who is looking to upgrade their guitar. I understand now why there are so many glowing reviews of Bareknuckle Pickups.

YAHHHOOOOOOOOOO!

[MrBump]

After thoroughly exhausting the clips available and mulling over both yours and Tim's advice, I decided to purchase a calibrated set of Mules. The extra kick they provided was just too pleasing to my ears to pass by.

The pickups were fitted into my guitar today courtesy of the Rock Inn, Perth (who did a great job at a great price) and I have been playing it since I arrived back home about an hour ago.

The results?

These Mules are worth double what they are priced at, considering how unbelievably superior they are to the previous Seymour Duncans. In fact, I doubt I would ever buy pickups from another manufacturer again! The tone is absolutely vintage and when paired with my Zinky Blue Velvet I find myself in aural heaven....I'm not the best at describing tone in words but I can say I cannot wait to jam with my friends in the near future and watch their jaws drop at the delicious sounds I can now produce with my setup.

I would recommend these pickups to anyone who is looking to upgrade their guitar. I understand now why there are so many glowing reviews of Bareknuckle Pickups.

YAHHHOOOOOOOOOO!

Dontcha just LOVE that feeling?