Two sets for 2 guitars

[Gibson 1964]

I have 2 guitars that will be getting one of 2 sets of pickups, 3 out of 4 pickups are BKPs.

The Guitars:

1981 Gibson The Paul Firebrand Deluxe, solid mahogany, sounds like a slightly fatter sg. (It was made the day I was born, so it is sort of special) Plays great, but the pickups sound a bit shrill and muddy simultaneously.

A 1970s guild S-100. THRASHED, was living on the wall of a bar, has a signature of a very famous rockstar on it. Pretty much like an SG with an extra switch. Electronics do not currently work at all.

The pickups.
A Bomb calibrated set
Riff Raff bridge, rio grande texas neck. I don't use the neck pickup enough to really warrant another BKP and well, the rio grande is a fine pickup, especially since I spend 95% of the time on bridge work.

[ericsabbath]

pics!

[darkbluemurder]

I would first put the Nailbombs in the guitar which sounds brightest unplugged. If you like 'em you're done with that guitar.

Then put the Riff Raff bridge in the bridge position of the other guitar and the Rio Grande TX in the neck spot. Be prepared to find out that the Rio is too loud compared to the RR. If you like the RR in the bridge spot, keep it there and save for the Riff Raff neck. Sell the Rio.

If you don't like the RR bridge, put the Rio there and the RR bridge in the neck. If you don't like that either, call Tim.

Cheers Stephan

[Gibson 1964]

you think the rio grande would be too loud a match for the riff raff?

The strings need replacing on the guild, but I suspect it will be warmer as the Firebrand is kind of bright. (and yes, it is mahogany, not walnut)

[darkbluemurder]

you think the rio grande would be too loud a match for the riff raff?

Yes - the Rio Genuine TX has about 9k ohms DC resistance, and I know that it is rather on the hot end of the PAF type winds. Its concept was to balance in the neck spot with the hotter BBQ in the bridge spot.

Cheers Stephan

[Gibson 1964]

I'll drop it low. My main reason for having it in there is just because the color matches and I don't want an open slot. I also don't have any other chrome covered pickups that would work. I have it because someone gave it to me. I have a baby coming in a couple weeks so chances are it will be a while before I can buy another pickup, so repurposing what I have makes sense. IME the Tx is a good pickup, but not on the BKP level.

If I find myself loving the riff raff and actually wanting to use a neck humbucker I will look into replacing it when I have money. Which could be a while.

[darkbluemurder]

IME the Tx is a good pickup, but not on the BKP level.

I fully agree.

Cheers Stephan