Author Topic: Miracle Man SET or Miracle Man/Mule combo? (Read 4455 times)

Wombatman · « **on:** January 07, 2006, 02:45:23 AM »

Hello Bare Knucklers. I'm about an inch away from picking up a pair of Bare Knuckle Pickups for my Gibson Les Paul Special (all mahogany, rosewood fretboard, no maple top).

I have definitely decided on the Miracle Man in the bridge based on my love for the EMG 81. I am looking for a blues pickup for the neck, and was steered toward the Mule. In my email convo with Tim today, I was told that the Miracle Man SET contains a Alnico neck version of the Miracle Man and a ceramic version for the bridge.

In short my questions are:

1) How does the Miracle Man compare to the Mule in the neck position?
2) Does the Miracle Man neck pickup possess the capability of being bluesy?
3) This is an inherently dark sounding guitar. Should I go with the chrome covers or go open (I'm trying to brighten up the guitar sound, not make it darker)? How do covers effect the sound?

That's about it!

Thanks to all who reply...

- Wombatman

steve · « **Reply #1 on:** January 07, 2006, 09:40:50 AM »

Quote from: Wombatman

Hello Bare Knucklers. I'm about an inch away from picking up a pair of Bare Knuckle Pickups for my Gibson Les Paul Special (all mahogany, rosewood fretboard, no maple top).

I have definitely decided on the Miracle Man in the bridge based on my love for the EMG 81. I am looking for a blues pickup for the neck, and was steered toward the Mule. In my email convo with Tim today, I was told that the Miracle Man SET contains a Alnico neck version of the Miracle Man and a ceramic version for the bridge.

In short my questions are:

1) How does the Miracle Man compare to the Mule in the neck position?
2) Does the Miracle Man neck pickup possess the capability of being bluesy?
3) This is an inherently dark sounding guitar. Should I go with the chrome covers or go open (I'm trying to brighten up the guitar sound, not make it darker)? How do covers effect the sound?

That's about it!.]

Hi,
1)The miracle man will have more gain and will sound a bit more compressed,the mule will sound more open but still handles high gain easily.
2)The miracle man does a great blues tone,i have had my set for about 3 weeks and theres not much they cant do.
3)I dont know this one!
All the best.

Thanks to all who reply...

- Wombatman

Quote

Neemo · « **Reply #2 on:** January 07, 2006, 10:58:09 AM »

A covered pickup loses a bit of high end compared to an uncovered pup, but Tim adjusts the wind accordingly so it sounds the same.

carlaz · « **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2006, 01:52:54 PM »

I think that the Miracle Man neck, though probably pretty smooth, will inevitably be a lot more compressed than a Mule! You could probably put a Mule in the neck, but you might have to mess with the pickup heights to help balance the relative output differences. Alternatively, you could go for the Abraxas (like a "Mule+"), which would keep up with the MM bridge better than the Mule, but still be pretty open compared to the MM neck.

Have you checked out the Miracle Man clips in the Players' section? I'm sure II remember some people using the neck for bluesier takes, and that may help you get an idea. And, of course, check with Tim :)

HJM · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2006, 03:33:35 PM »

I'd go for a set of Miracle Men - I had a Stormy Monday neck with a Miracle Man bridge. There's a huge contrast in output and tone, I think it will be very difficult to get the two pickups to work together well. You may struggle to get an amp tone set that works with the bridge and then still work when you switch to the neck!

The Miracle Man neck is pretty smooth and compressed, with enough edge not to turn to mush. It's a really good pickup, even clean it's a workable tone with plenty of quack.

Oh - Welcome! :)

Wombatman · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2006, 04:19:01 PM »

I'm thinking the MM set, especially considering that the neck pickup is Alnico. If the output is too high, I can use the volume knob.

My Les Paul is setup with the volume knobs working independently (I was told this is not the default), and for blues leads I've gotten a good Freddie King-like tone when I've gone to the middle position, put the neck pickup's volume on 9 and the bridge on 6.

Also, I save a couple of bucks in buying the set (I live the in the U.S.). Thanks again!

Tim · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2006, 06:36:16 PM »

Welcome...............I think the other guys have said it all.......if you want any more detailed advice feel free to PM or email me.

Trendkiller · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2006, 06:35:42 PM »

I use a MM bridge in one of my LP's, and a TomHolmes 450 in the neck.
This combo is just killer. A great blues pickup in front, and rock/metal in the bridge.
Maybe the RiffRaff neck is something similar as the TomHolmes? Tim knows for sure......

But, talking about a GREAT neck pick-up, the HolyDiver is real good.
Fat, woody and clear at the same time. And it also smokes for leads.
Compared to my VHII neck, the HD is fatter and just more woody.
The VHII neck is for some reason a bit "clanky and dark" by comparison.
I've not tried out the MM neck, as the TomHolmes def. will stay in this LP.

Good luck!
:)