Mules Neck too dark in Les Paul Classic 60 ?

[billou_35]

Hi Guys,

I'm the lucky owner of a Les Paul Classic 60 and I put a calibrated set of Mules in there. Now, I found that the Mule in the neck is a bit too dark for my taste but the thing is I'm playing on a Bogner Shiva which is reputed to be a bit dark sounding.

So, As I know a looooooooot of you guys have Mules in the neck position (in Les Paul Classic or Standard), could you please tell me if some of you share this feeling or if the Shiva is clearly the responsive of this ? I sadly don't have the opportunity to test my Les Paul on another amp right now.

Thank you all for you answers ! Viva BKP !!!  :D

Cheers,
Fabien

[HTH AMPS]

I've got A4 Mules in my LP and the neck IS that classic dark/warm PAF tone.

For a brighter neck pickup tone, I like a PAF at around 7.5k with an A5 magnet.  This sounds defined in the bass and more more cutting.  You could try an A5 magnet in your neck Mule, but I think you'd get on better with an A5 Stormy Monday neck.

[Catalyst77]

I also find the mule neck a bit dark at times (although its great for soling in the neck position) i find that the Riff Raff works really well in a les paul neck and give a little bit more cut and clarity without losing that PAF style open/expressive tone.

[shaman]

I have a Classic-my neck is unpotted Mule-it nails Warren Haynes(dont know if that is considered dark or not...)

[sjwebb90]

Check the value of your volume pots. If its a 300K then up to to 500K. This will make it brighter.

Ideally both Volume and Tone should be 500K Ohms.

[billou_35]

Thank you really !!!  :D

I really like this forum with everyone ready to help !  8)

Would it make a huge difference to switch to a Riff Raff (Bridge) + Stormy Monday II (Neck) ?

The goal is to approach Led Zep II, Led Zep IV album, early Aerosmith (Dream on, walk this way, ...), AC/DC and Slash on the neck... ?

[hunter]

I would try these measures first before going for a new PU:

1. Lower height of the neck PU
2. Unhook the tone pot (assuming you don't use it) of the neck PU - this will also brighten it up quite a bit

[billou_35]

Hi Hunter,

1/ In fact, I already try this WE to change the height but I was not very happy with it because I loose the strength of the pickup so I find an intermediate position but that didn't change things that much.

2/ The tone pot is already at 10 so I guess will not change that much (even if pot at max still got some Ohms left)

Anyway, I got to confess that I'm not very "Les Paul-experienced" , I'm more from Strat world so as Heavier than Hell mentioned, if this is the classical & normal PAF sound so ok...  :D

The reference to Riff-Raff & Stormy Monday was more to stick to the sound I love...

[Twinfan]

If a stock Mule is too dark/thick, then an AII SM will have similar issues.

I would try an AIV Stormy Monday.  This is basically a less-hot Mule, which will mate well with a Mule bridge but be a bit more open.

I used to have this combination (AIV Mule and AIV Stormy) in a Les Paul and it was great!  :)

[HTH AMPS]

^ +1, the A4 SM would most likely be a bit sweeter and closer to what you're used to.

however, before ditching the Mule, try a couple of things...

(1) you could (as Hunter said) cut/unsolder the capacitor connecting to the neck pickup's tone pot - this will give a slight lift in the treble frequencies.  I'm not sure it would change things enough to get rid of the dark tone you've got though, but worth a try.

(2) make sure both the tone and volume pots are both 500k.  if they are and the neck pickup is still to dark, then a 1M volume pot will almost certainly solve the problem and give you a much brighter tone.  It'll only cost a few quid for a pot inc postage so it's a cheap mod.  trust me, this will give you a much clearer tone (I did this with a dark neck humbucker in my Tele)

[kellar]

I used to have a Mule set in my LP and found it a bit too dark so Tim suggested that I switch it up for an AIV SM/RR set and it worked magic. The set works really well for Zep and ACDC type stuff and the neck will make you smile if you are trying to play Slash's stuff. :)

[billou_35]

Excellent !!!  8)

Ok, I'll not give up the Mules immediatly, I got to try them again & again, check impedance of potentiometers, try to remove filter caps...

Ooop, got to sell my Ultimate Attenuator to afford a new set of BKP... anyone interested ?!  :lol:

[billou_35]

Sooo cooool Guys, I just check the vol pots and they are 300K instead of 500K  :D :D :D
I just got to change now quickly.

Could you please tell me what I need precisely : reference at CTS or others ? Long Shaft or short ?

If Push/Pull to go to Page mod, what do I need ?

I plan to change the caps for 0.022uF (actual value) but in Hovland caps, is it the right choice ?

Thanks !!!  8)

[Will]

A les paul generally neds long shaft, you can do the page mod if you have 4 conductor wiring.
Some people don't like the feel of push/pulls though, your call.

[lulusg]

Hi there billou! They have the potentiometers at the BKP store. You may want to ask Tim for more information on your needs. And any guitar builder on this forum like Feline, for advice also.