Bridge humbucker for Les Paul Classic?

[jdbwales]

Hello all, just after a little help - I have a fairly dark sounding 2001 LP Classic that I'm looking for a bridge bucker for.
I play stuff in the vein of Manic Street Preachers, Weezer, Jimmy Eat World etc - pop to rock to hard rock, no metal - so I'm not after a gain monster (but also not after anything under 10k-ish) but something with nice harmonics and a fairly fat, thick but present tone. Alnico 5 is my magnet of choice.

I've tried a Duncan Custom and CC, which were all right but a bit lifeless, and just tried a friend's Rebel Yell. It sounded superb but the upper mids grated just a touch, so I was if there was something similarly bright but not so modern sounding.

How would a Black Dog do in this situation? I did consider an Emerald, but I've got one in my LP Custom and quite fancy something different.

Cheers!!

[Kiichi]

Mhh dang, I would have said Rebell Yell^^ IŽd say donŽt take it out of concideration, might sound different in your guitar, plus the right amp and stuff can get rid of that moderness. At least I can, though my Tiny Terror and 10band EQ help greatly.

Black dog might be a real good choice, if you want a tad more vintage. Or you could even go Mule as it is very versatile and a great rock pub, though I think that might be too much for you ;)
So IŽd probably say go with the Dog.

[kittyhawk]

black dog or alinco nailbomb would be my choice.

[Telerocker]

As the Black Dogs are a kind of middy middy, I would not vote for them in this case, how great they may be. Since you're not looking at RY's and Emeralds, don't wanna go for anything under 10k and you want vintageflavour, makes it difficult. I would not make a fuzz of the dc-resistance, cause these pu's don't sound weaker then hotter ones, just more open, alive and balanced. More versatile too. Therefore: Mules or VHII's.  I know Mules are Alnico IV, but hey man, listen to Nolly's clip and hear that crunch...

[Nolly]

I know you've ruled out sub-10kΩ pickups, but this really sounds like a job for the Riff Raff - similar brightness to the Rebel Yell, but with a more balanced and open midrange response. The Riff Raff's punch always amazes me - if you didn't know you'd swear it was a much higher output pickup, but of course the superb dynamic response is there to enjoy should you want to.

[Telerocker]

Yes, forgot the RiffRaff. Looking at the EQ-chart the VHII has quite some highs too.

[ericsabbath]

I'm with Nolly and T. Rocker

[jdbwales]

Thanks for all the help gents - I took advantage of the Stringbusters sale and picked up a Riff Raff bridge. I'll let you know how it sounds!

[Telerocker]

Congrats. I think you will not be disappointed.