Advice on pickups for my Patrick Eggle Berlin Pro

[Dave Samuell]

I am finally after 15 years replacing my Kent Armstrong pickups on my much loved Berlin Pro.  Which pickups are for me?  My sounds are frozen in time and I would like that David Kosoff (Free) sound with a splash of Angus Young.  The maple kneck on the Pro may make pickups sound too bright?  That is my current criticism of the Kent Artmstrongs.  And any advice on preferred wiring?  I use for gigs Kustom 75 Coupe valve amp

My other guitars -Gibson LP 1969 and Stratocaster 1981 fitted with Seymour Duncan

I am going for BK but which ones?

[HTH AMPS]

hmm, with all that maple going on and what looks like an ebony fretboard, you're gonna get plenty of snap/cut in your tone.

I'd normally say Mules, but they might be a bit bright with all the maple.  otoh, Stormy Mondays would be a little too polite imo, certainly for Angus but maybe not so much for the Kossoff/Free stuff.

I'd go with the SM neck as it's a bit sweeter than the Mule neck for those Free solo moments.

For the bridge I'd go with an AIV Mule, maybe ask for a slightly hotter wind to make the top end a wee bit fatter. 

I've fancied trying a slightly overwound Mule for a while now as the stock Mule in my LP can lack a bit fullness with lower gain stuff like Free.  However, if you wind up the gain a bit for AC/DC, the stock Mule is perfect.

[Kilby]

For my Berlin (also maple necked and Ebony fingerboard) I was looking for ZZ-Top (Degeullo album) meets Mick Ronson tone and Tim recomended Mules for that particular ballpark tone

Of course my wife spent all the money I had so I never got the the Mules (yet)

Iv'e included the reply here

The Mule humbuckers are definately the way to go-very balanced, mature and organic PAF tone which will sit well in the Berlin and give your those classic blues rock tones you're after.
RYs and Crawlers will be hotter and darker and push you into a much harder rock direction-great driven tones but not such good all rounders as The Mule.
4 con hookup will give you all the wiring options you require.

[Philly Q]

I would like that David Kosoff (Free) sound

Sorry.  :oops:

(For the benefit of anyone under 40, David Kossoff was Paul's dad, and quite a well-known actor back in the '60s and '70s)

[Ian Price]

I think David Kossoff has the holy grail of tone  :P

[38thBeatle]

I think Paul Kossoff was pretty good too.

[Roobubba]

I think David Kossoff has the holy grail of tone  :P

Dear Lord...

[Dave Samuell]

Thanks for your prompt replies.  You are right.  David Kossoff was a less than average guitarist even with divine intervention.!  I blame the drink.   :P Unfortunately I am old enough to remember  both members of Kossoff family and get them mixed up.  It sounds like Mules.  I am wary of mixing pickups.  But I will talk to the gurus at BK and see what they say. 

[Philly Q]

Unfortunately I am old enough to remember  both members of Kossoff family and get them mixed up. 

A few more oldies are always welcome!  :D

[Kilby]

Definately talk to Tim before purchasing as you may feel greater need for a darker tone than I wanted.

The Kent Armstrongs I still have in mine can only be described as "a bit shrill" when combined with the maple and ebony. Which was why I mentioned Crawlers to Tim

However Froglord (I think I got that right) is using Mules in his Berlin and he is very happy with them so that makes me think that it's the route to take.

Tim can also use different magnets to change the tone so definately speak to him

[PhilKing]

For my very first BK set a long time ago, I told Tim I wanted to cover Free and Thin Lizzy (Still in Love With You), as well as blues and classic rock.  The set I got for my Les Paul was an Emerald bridge and AIV Mule neck.  They are a great combo, and really do cover the bases.  However, more recently I got an AV Mule and AIV Stormy Monday set for my Zemaitis pearltop clone, and I have to say that I think this set may suit you even more, as I can get all of the classic Kossoff tones, plus everything from Fleetwood Mac to Wishbone Ash.