VHIIs or mules??

[dheim]

i'm thinking to replace the stock '57 and '57plus pickups in my gibson les paul classic... i'd like to stay on the vintage side to get some nice blues-rock tone, but i will certainly play some metal as well with it... i heard a lot of nice clips made with mules, and after all i don't dislike my stock pickups, so i was looking for something not too different from their sound - just better and clearer. and so mules all the way...
BUT last hunter's VHII clips gave me some strange idea... i never really considered them (i don't like VH himself, maybe that's the reason!) but the tone i'm after is quite exactly that.
how do you compare VHIIs and mules (or other vintage/vintage hot BKPs)? a bridge VHII and a neck mule could possibly be a good idea?

[JamesHealey]

mules sound like gibsons stock pickups but clearer and full of harmonics the tone is fat warm and evenly voiced, tonefully bland would be the words i'd use to describe them.

the vh2s are bright and sound like a really angry little fire ball is burning right in the high mids that just spits harmonics out at you like a really angry pit bull terrier, but they retain the output of a vintage pickup and they're also really nice clean.

here is a picture of what the VH2's midrange would look like (ignore that fact it's a picture of a very strong drug)

[hunter]

VHIIs will be more a hit and miss, Mules more the "safe bet" as they are perfect match for an LP guitar (VHII more special, some like, some don't - - actually I sometimes like, sometimes don't to be precise).

I don't have Mules yet, but really need a set to be able to join the discussion though :O)

[Philly Q]

I haven't tried them, but I've always liked the sound of the AIV neck, AV bridge Mule set.

That would give you a little bit of extra sizzle from the bridge pickup, without being as hot as the VHII.

[shaman]

mules sound like gibsons stock pickups but clearer and full of harmonics the tone is fat warm and evenly voiced, tonefully bland would be the words i'd use to describe them.

the vh2s are bright and sound like a really angry little fire ball is burning right in the high mids that just spits harmonics out at you like a really angry pit bull terrier, but they retain the output of a vintage pickup and they're also really nice clean.

here is a picture of what the VH2's midrange would look like (ignore that fact it's a picture of a very strong drug)

...very nice use of visuals!!!
I have a set of unpotted Mules in my Classic.....they are damn near perfect...I had a set of Mules in my LP Custom...too bright(300 k pots prob. would bring them in, but I am a lefty and getting the right pots are a drag,so Nailbombs are on the way!!)

[Denim n Leather]

VHIIs will be more a hit and miss, Mules more the "safe bet" as they are perfect match for an LP guitar (VHII more special, some like, some don't - - actually I sometimes like, sometimes don't to be precise).

I don't have Mules yet, but really need a set to be able to join the discussion though :O)

Hehe, my feelings exactly ... sometimes the VHII really scratches you where you itch, and other times I wanna run screaming in the other direction!

[dheim]

I haven't tried them, but I've always liked the sound of the AIV neck, AV bridge Mule set.

That would give you a little bit of extra sizzle from the bridge pickup, without being as hot as the VHII.

this could be an excellent idea

[gwEm]

the A5 mule is still a mule in character. you lose a little of the mules vintage kick, and its replaced with a bit of modern bite. i have one in my Greco V (see avatar image) and its perfect there. Philking has one in some sort of les paul shaped guitar (i think another Greco) where its also perfect.

i think the A4 default is the one to go for if you're unsure. in a les paul riff raffs can sound quite warm too, unlike how the do in an SG/V where they are pure cold dry bite.

[dheim]

my LP has got AII pickups, that are very warm - and i like them. i never loved too much the neck '57, too warm and a bit muddy, though it has got amazing cleans...

[PhilKing]

the A5 mule is still a mule in character. you lose a little of the mules vintage kick, and its replaced with a bit of modern bite. i have one in my Greco V (see avatar image) and its perfect there. Philking has one in some sort of les paul shaped guitar (i think another Greco) where its also perfect.

i think the A4 default is the one to go for if you're unsure. in a les paul riff raffs can sound quite warm too, unlike how the do in an SG/V where they are pure cold dry bite.

Mine are in my shell top Bacchus Zemaitis clone - the AV Mule is a great sounding pickup.  When I first tried it I was knocked out by the sound.  My other Zemaitis clone has an Emerald/AIV Mule set in, and I like the AV mule more, though the Emerald is a great pickup too.

[ftwizard]

[
[/quote]
but I am a lefty and getting the right pots are a drag,so Nailbombs are on the way!!)
[/quote]

Pots are ambidextrous, what do you mean?

[shaman]

well, not all pots are created equal for the southpaw....I ordered some from RS that are lefty(reverse taper,I think, for you righties...)I already had a box full of these RS500 K reverse tapers,and they have a sweet taper,indeed-

[dheim]

is this an infiltration from another thread or did i miss something? :)

[shaman]

...he was referring to my previous post,whch was somewhat on topic :)

[dheim]

i know, i was joking!  :P