Gibson Explorer Pickup Leg Length and Spacing? THE MULE, BABY.

[GibsonExplorer]

Alright, so I need to replace the 57 Classics in my Gibson Explorer because they are microphonic. Lovely.

I've been looking at getting a set of Mules. What leg length and spacing should I get?

Also, my Explorer is black with a white pickguard and witch hat knobs. I'm trying to decide between burnt chrome and aged nickel. My Explorer is a bit dinged up, so I'm thinkin aged nickel would look killer. But at the same time, i play psychedelic/latin/posthardcore/progressive rock, so the burnt chrome might look killer as well.

Why can't i afford two Explorer with two different sets of BKP?  :(

[schantist]

Both long and short leg will work, you can go for either;
50mm are usually fine for TOM-equipped guitars, just measure from high e to low E right above the bridge P-up

[GibsonExplorer]

Awesome! thanks for the help!

Any opinions from anyone on what covers?

If someone has a black guitar with a white pickguard and burnt chrome pickup covers, please upload a picture!

[GibsonExplorer]

Oh hold the phone, I just measured over the bridge pickup and got about 52mm.

I currently have 57 Classics installed, and they fit just fine.

Would I be getting the 50mm set or the 53 mm set?

[FernandoDuarte]

I believe the 53 will be the one with less diference from the centre of the poles...

[FELINEGUITARS]

I would normally choose long leg on a Gibson like that
Sounds like 53mm will be the best bet

For the record we offer a wax dipping service (as do BKP) for microphonic pickups - not that you shouldn't find a good excuse to buy some BKPs

[GibsonExplorer]

Wax dipping? How much would that typically cost for a set?

I might just sleep on it if it's not very expensive.

And that 53mm spacing is just the pole pieces and not the width of the pickup itself right? I don't really know a whole lot about that kinda stuff, I just know what sounds good to me. hahaha

[Madsakre]

i believe the wax potting is free.

[FELINEGUITARS]

i believe the wax potting is free.

The wax potting is free on a set of new BKPs - but BKP and Feline(me) both offer a service to wax pot old pickups of any brand that may have become microphonic.
That is obviously a paid for service.....

[Philly Q]

And that 53mm spacing is just the pole pieces and not the width of the pickup itself right? I don't really know a whole lot about that kinda stuff, I just know what sounds good to me. hahaha

Yep, just the polepieces (middle to middle, not outside edge to outside edge)

[BigB]

Aged nickel cover, definitly. Also and FWIW, you may want to consider RiffRaff in an explorer (not that Mules should sound bad in it, but this huge mahogany plank may benefit from brighter / punchiers pups).

Just my 2 cents...

[GibsonExplorer]

I think I've decided to just upgrade to a set of Mules instead of dipping my 57 Classics. I've listened to some comparisons, and I just like the Mules a lot more. The 57s sounded pretty punchy in my Explorer, and I hear BKP have a little more presence and air, so they should be perfect. I want an overall dark and punchy sound, partly why I bought an Orange.

I have a thread I started on whether or not I should go potted or unpotted for my sound/rig- if anyone could give me some additional help there, I would greatly appreciate it. I've been reading forums for days, but I'm not sure which would be better for my rig and gain/volume level. If I can safely go unpotted, I would prefer it

[Madsakre]

I would go for potted. Unpotted makes it all a bit more bright, and less controllable

[Philly Q]

I have a thread I started on whether or not I should go potted or unpotted for my sound/rig- if anyone could give me some additional help there, I would greatly appreciate it. I've been reading forums for days, but I'm not sure which would be better for my rig and gain/volume level. If I can safely go unpotted, I would prefer it

Have a look at the thread below - Nolly gives some information about unpotted vs wax potted vs lacquer potted.

http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=24808.0

[GibsonExplorer]

What is the difference between wax and lacquer potted?

That whole thread got me thinking- would that exact setup be a good idea for an Explorer?

I gravitated towards the even resonse of the Mule, because I like a slightly dark, balanced tone. But would a Riff Raff possibly balance my guitar out a bit more?

My ultimate goal with my tone is somewhere along the lines of The Fall of Troy's "Phantom On the Horizon" EP, but with a bit more vintage flavor.