Username: Password:

Author Topic: PAF ... Mule or Stormy Mondey?  (Read 9798 times)

Bru

  • Strawweight
  • *
  • Posts: 4
PAF ... Mule or Stormy Mondey?
« on: March 22, 2010, 02:21:00 PM »
Hi, I'm from Italy and this is my firt post.
Sorry for my bad english.

Yesterday I played a Les Paul R9 with original PAF and now I'm desperete.
My Les Paul R8 with Burstbuckers was dumb in comparison with the clarity, definition, armonic and open sound of PAF, especially in the neck position.
My les paul is muddy in the neck.

I like burstbucker on the bridge for a while (good in cruch) but I wanna change the neck position pickup.
I want more hights and armony in clean sound in the neck pickup; Allman Brothers at the Fillmore to understand.

Mule or Stormy Mondey to couple with a burstbucker in the bridge?

Thanx and greetings

Fourth Feline

  • Guest
Re: PAF ... Mule or Stormy Mondey?
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2010, 04:14:50 PM »
Hello and a very warm welcome Bru,  :)

Having had a set of both those pickups in my Les Paul Standard, I would definately say Mules, for what you want. There is nothing wrong with Stormy Mondays in a Les Paul, in fact they are very nice - but the Mules have more 'push' due to them having a subtle ( but effective ) mid range 'hump' - and my favourites for that guitar. The Stormy Mondays have a more even E.Q - and lend themselves, to a slightly less aggressive sound, staying open, clear - but  even across the range.

Also, there is the fact that a Mule neck pickup will have a stronger (Alnico IV) magnet than the Stormy Mondays ( Alnico II ) . I have tried Alnico IV magnets in my Stormy Mondays, but as nice as that sounded ( tighter bass - and slightly sharper highs ) - the winding of the Mule pickup compliments the AIV magnet better to my ears -  is more the traditional Les Paul sound , to me.

As you may have also gathered, the nickname 'Mule' also refers to a similarity to the sound od Warren Haynes - of 'Government Mule' and the fact that when pushed a bit harder, it 'kicks' more than the Stormy Monday.

When overdrive is applied to the Stormy Monday, it sounds creamy - but the looser Bass and sweeter top might not cover as many bases for you.

So, I would vote 'Mule' - even more than a Stormy Monday .

I look forward to reading other opinions also. I would think of getting a pair , If I were you, as they are wonderfully balanced / matched - and once you here the difference between Gibson and B.K.P - I suspect you will soon be ordering the bridge one anyway.  :)

( Your English is better than mine, and I live here !  ) :lol:

« Last Edit: March 22, 2010, 04:19:44 PM by Fourth Feline »

hermetico

  • Guest
Re: PAF ... Mule or Stormy Mondey?
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2010, 04:20:55 PM »
The mules: IS THE SOUND. PERIOD!

Bru

  • Strawweight
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: PAF ... Mule or Stormy Mondey?
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2010, 04:51:28 PM »
Thanx to everyboy.

I'm a big fun of Warren Haynes and Gov't Mule, but I hope Mule pickup will be more open in high frequency the the classic Warren sound ... but Warren has HIS sound and he often close the tone pot in bluesy style (He's the Best).
For this reason I was inclined to Stormy Weather.

Anyway, tomorrow I'll try a set of Mule in a Les Paul R0 and Mule in a R8.
Then, I have only to decide and pay Mister Bare Knuckle  :D

Fourth Feline

  • Guest
Re: PAF ... Mule or Stormy Mondey?
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2010, 05:01:23 PM »
Thanx to everyboy.

I'm a big fun of Warren Haynes and Gov't Mule, but I hope Mule pickup will be more open in high frequency the the classic Warren sound ... but Warren has HIS sound and he often close the tone pot in bluesy style (He's the Best).
For this reason I was inclined to Stormy Weather.

Anyway, tomorrow I'll try a set of Mule in a Les Paul R0 and Mule in a R8.
Then, I have only to decide and pay Mister Bare Knuckle  :D


Don't worry,  the Mule starts out much cleaner and open - than the  stage sound that he eventually produces . With Mules, You decide what you want, from a much more flexible base. The scatter winding , helps in that respect. Some people new to B.K.P  find  that the point at which they start to thicken and / or  'push' is much more dependent on pick attack e.t.c You get a fresh , sweet 'Sorbet', and decide if you want to add cream or not.

 :)

Bru

  • Strawweight
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: PAF ... Mule or Stormy Mondey?
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2010, 05:06:38 PM »
"You get a fresh , sweet 'Sorbet', and decide if you want to add cream or not".

Ah ah, his is the greatest spot for the Mule  :D

Fourth Feline

  • Guest
Re: PAF ... Mule or Stormy Mondey?
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2010, 05:25:02 PM »
I almost forgot to mention; for best effect / appreciation of your new pickups ( or any  pickup - but more B.K.P due to their more 'open' sound / design ) do ensure the Volume and tone potentiometers in your Les Paul are 500K. if they are 300K, anything sounds darker and more 'muffled'. If you need any, you can buy them with your pickups here , from the 'Accessories' section. Tim actually has top quality CTS pots , specially selected to ensure they are at least 500K .

You might also wish to consider un-potted Mules ? I have had no experience of these, but I hear they have a slightly different quality.  Also with B.K.Ps ,  pickup height adjustments become much more crucial, due to their greater flexibility .

There is a great video demo of 'clean' and driven Mules in a Les Paul, by a Mucho Cool French Gentleman on this forum / You Tube somewhere - I will find it and post it as soon as I can.  :)

For reference, he has his pickups set  way down towards the body :  most of us here set them about 2-2.5mm from the underside of the  strings - as measured when fretted at the last fret.

( Here ! )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nre-ddVAsaQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmeyhEzX0Jc&feature=related

 :D

 :)
« Last Edit: March 22, 2010, 05:41:03 PM by Fourth Feline »

Bru

  • Strawweight
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: PAF ... Mule or Stormy Mondey?
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2010, 07:21:41 PM »
My Gog! The first video is amazing, great playing that man and great tone with a Blues Deluxe (good amp, but not a Badger o a Super Reverb Blackface).

You convinced me, The Mule is the right pickup.

Yes, i have 500K pots (RS guitarworks kit), 50 wiring and PIO caps. This is the first indispensable in a Les Paul for a good tone  :wink:

I play rock blues and 70's classic hard rock in a JTM45 Bluesbreaker and I like overdrived tones too (not metal!  8); i think  potted pickup is better.

PS: Marshall UK ... I need an english pickup for my american Les Paul  :D

Fourth Feline

  • Guest
Re: PAF ... Mule or Stormy Mondey?
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2010, 08:30:17 PM »


 I certainly agree about potted ;  for although I've never compared potted to un -potted, my potted ones never made me think they could have been somehow better . It sounds like you are going to have a lot of fun, with your Mule(s) / Les Paul R8 - and that JTM45 'Bluesbreaker' combo , especially for the  stuff that you cover.

As 'Hermetico' put it far better than me  -  " The Mules: IS THE SOUND - PERIOD! ".  :lol:

Enjoy  !  :D

hermetico

  • Guest
Re: PAF ... Mule or Stormy Mondey?
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2010, 11:52:53 PM »
I certainly agree about potted ;  for although I've never compared potted to un -potted, my potted ones never made me think they could have been somehow better . It sounds like you are going to have a lot of fun, with your Mule(s) / Les Paul R8 - and that JTM45 'Bluesbreaker' combo , especially for the  stuff that you cover.

I agree. Potted and covered. No tone loss. The Magic is there.
What an incredible rig!!!
If you don't kiss the sky with that axe, pickups and amp...