RY vs. CS neck/general Rebel Yell ?'s

[oilpit]

Alright, I read a post yesterday made by Tim saying that the RY and CS neck were one in the same.  However I then proceeded to read numerous posts saying that the RY was some kind of cross between a CS and a VHII.

I was wondering
A: Which is true
B: If it is a hybrid, how does it differ from the two pickups and which does it sound closer to?

As for my other question, I am wondering exactly how bright the RY bridge is.  I want something that has a singing upper midrange and isn't too peircing in the treble and presence.  I also don't want anything too grainy/grindy, a little crunch is fine, but overally I'm going for a relatively smooth sound.  I would go for a Crawler, but I worry that might be a little too dark.

Thanks for the help!

[dheim]

in my opinion CS and RY necks don't sound absolutely the same... the RY is more scooped and maybe a little brighter.

regarding bridge RY you descrided it quite well in your wish list. it's exactly like that, BUT maybe a bit brighter - being all but piercing in the treble range... a lot of presence, though.

anyway it could be useful to know exactly where you're planning to put them! ;)

[oilpit]

The reason I didn't mention the guitar is because it's kinda misleading.
It's a '57 reissue Les Paul Custom, so, all mahogany.  I say it's misleading because it's pretty bright, it's got strong mids, but a lot of high end as well.

I'll probably end up with a RY set, but I'm going to keep researching before I drop any cash...

[Telerocker]

RY's do well in Les Pauls. The Crawler will be warmer. I have the Crawler in a swampashbody, which is quite percussive in combination with the ebony fretboard, and it is very balanced, warm mids, round topend. Could be to much for you guitar. The Crawler is way more classic sounding then the RY,
For Les Pauls I think Mules are versatile. They cover everything from clean, classic rock to metal. You cannot go wrong with Mules. If you want bite in the uppermids, RY's are spot on.

[fr33man1]

I had CS set and RY set in the same les paul.

For the neck units the CS is brighter and more silky. It has a versatile clean/lead tone without much compression and its also very balanced. The RY is more scooped indeed and has that bluesy feel to its tone. Its really thick and warm, I found a bit too much in clean but really cool for leads.

the bridge units gave me opposite feel. The CS was meatier and more growly. It handled distorsion without issues and had a nice balanced clear sound. The RY was punchy but very middy with upper mid peak. It reminded me a seymour JB minus the mud and compression.

In the end I found the CS set to be versatile but it has not this particular sound some other sets have and I can tell the RY bridge is the first BKP I really disliked. To me it has to match your wishes and guitar because its the first pickup I'd say or you like everything about it or you really can't stand it.

[oilpit]

For whatever reason the soundclip of the Crawler neck kinda turns me off, I like how fat it sounds, but to me there is a lot of "fizz" in the high end.  I gravitate towards a smoother sound from my neck pickup.

I'm having more trouble than I've ever had choosing pickups for this guitar...one minute I want RYs then Crawlers, then Holy Divers, then VHIIs...it's madness!!!

[dheim]

eheheh... this happens when you've got a lot of choice! :)
anyway i'd suggest RY bridge and mule neck, for a slightly modern but definitely rock tone in the bridge and a classic PAF vibe in the neck. i've got this combination in a LP classic antique and i love it!