Pick up Suggestions for MIJ Burny Custom type LP

[Arktik83]

Hi All!

I've done a little topic search but most of the people who are looking for pups who have similar specs to mine wanna play down-tuned br00talz metal.

Not my thing really!  I love to listen to it but not really play it! 

So I have a late 80's/early 90's MIJ Burny which is based off of the LP custom but it has a rosewood fretboard that has been "ebonized".  It's a short tenon/rocker neck and to be honest I think the pots and caps have seen better days (looks like it was left in a shed for years) so I'll be getting shot of all the electronics too.

Basically I'm looking for something that will brighten up the sound, it has a pair of VH1's in there at the moment those seem to be the stock Burny pups not aftermarket pups. 

As it has no maple cap I want some brighter/more articulate pickups.  I want to play blues rock/classic rock through to grunge style really.  So bands like: GnR, Thin Lizzy, Pearl Jam, Mountain, Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Thin Lizzy...Maybe some Alice in Chains.

I have a Blackstar HT1R but I'm thinking of getting a HT5R combo to get more options.  I also have an M13.  I'm just a humble bedroom noodler so excuse my ignorance in terms of gear/tech! 

I was thinking Emeralds?  Ben at BKP suggested maybe a Riff Raff set or Mississippi Queen in the neck/Riff Raff in the bridge.  I'm thinking uncovered as I prefer the better note articulation you get from them.  I liked Rebel Yell's but the demo's I've seen they just seem to be a bit too hairy for me, seem to drive the amp really quickly and whilst I wouldn't be playing loud and clean I would like some dynamic. 

Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks Everyone :)

[Twinfan]

Welcome!

Based on the tones you're after, and from my own experience with a bunch of different pickups, I think the classic Mules will be spot on.  They're quite bright, like the old PAFs, and very articulate.  You can always gain then up with pedals/amp if you need heavy.

If you fancy a slightly brighter, 'harder' tone then the Riff Raffs are also an excellent choice, but they don't do that slight creaminess that a softer pickup like the Mule does.

Emeralds you may find a little warm if it's a naturally darker sounding guitar.  If you want to go hotter again, I'm currently loving the Black Dogs in my PRS Singlecut.

[Telerocker]

Welcome!

Based on the tones you're after, and from my own experience with a bunch of different pickups, I think the classic Mules will be spot on.  They're quite bright, like the old PAFs, and very articulate.  You can always gain then up with pedals/amp if you need heavy.

If you fancy a slightly brighter, 'harder' tone then the Riff Raffs are also an excellent choice, but they don't do that slight creaminess that a softer pickup like the Mule does.

Emeralds you may find a little warm if it's a naturally darker sounding guitar.  If you want to go hotter again, I'm currently loving the Black Dogs in my PRS Singlecut.

Good advice here. I have Mules and they're dynamic, warm but with lovely crispiness to them. I like the depth of these pickups. RiffRaffs, like Twinfan suggests, for a harder and cutting tone.

[AndyR]

Yeah, I was thinking Mules earlier, as well. I've got Mules and Riff Raffs, and what the guys say is spot on in my opinion...

You can get the RRs to do the slightly creamier - especially if it's a warmer sounding guitar - by using the controls on the guitar. I originally had mine in a bright guitar, and they were a bit too much for me - couldn't quite get the "body" to the sound that I was hoping for sometimes. Stuck them in a darker/warmer guitar, and I love them. They do all your references and can smooth out nearer to how the Mules behave when I want them to.

If you hadn't mentioned "something that will brighten up the sound" I would say MULES for definite. But I have a feeling that Ben's suggestions might well be spot on for you.

And welcome from me as well :D

[Slartibartfarst42]

Strange, my first choice would have been Emeralds but I'm sure Mules will work well too.

[BigB]

At least someone not looking for brOOtalZ  8)

I can't really comment much on the Mules as a set as I only have the neck Mule (on a SG Standard). I've had a RR bridge on the same SG, and have a full RR set on a Hofner semi-hollow (brighter than a ES335-like but still a semi-hollow).

Honestly I think both the RR or Mules (or a RR/MQ combo) would fit your needs - RR being a bit more tight and aggressive . You could also go for a Mule bridge / RR neck combo - the RR neck is clearer and brighter than the Mule without lacking body so it might be a better fit on a full mahogany / no maple cap guitar.  Depends on your tastes and guitar, really...

@Slartibartfarst42: remember it's a full mahogany / no maple cap guitar (and given the specs possibly a quite thick piece of mahogany), so medium output 'buckers might not work that well here, safer to go for vintage ones (the very obvious choice here) or really hot ones.

[Philly Q]

You could also go for a Mule bridge / RR neck combo - the RR neck is clearer and brighter than the Mule without lacking body so it might be a better fit on a full mahogany / no maple cap guitar.  Depends on your tastes and guitar, really...

I'd prefer a Riff Raff bridge, Mule neck combo - but then I like a big contrast between the two pickup positions.  That would certainly be my choice for an SG, and I guess an all-mahogany LP is similar, perhaps more bassy due to the extra mass of wood.

I was a bit surprised Dave said the Emeralds may be too warm - it's always been my impression they're one of the brighter BKP sets..... but again, I guess it's rather like the "medium-output pickups in an SG" situation again.

Sounds like a nice guitar, by the way.  I'm constantly on eBay alert for a nice Orville, Greco, Burny or Epi Japan LP Custom, but they always seem to be too heavy for me.  :D

 

[Arktik83]

Thanks for all the suggestions/welcomes!

It is a pretty thick n heavy guitar as the previous poster had suggested.

Riff Raff does sound interesting, I think it'd be a little too bright if the guitar had a maple cap but with a thick piece of mahogany it might balance out a bit better.  

The MQ in the neck does appeal to me because I do like the articulation you get from SC's but would prefer something more powerful so a P90 would be a good option there.

Will definitely have to give this a bit more of a think!

Thanks again :)

[Twinfan]

The articulation on Riff Raffs is excellent, it sounds to me that a matching set would be a good choice for you  :)

[TheyCallMeVolume]

My vote goes for RR!

[Arktik83]

The articulation on Riff Raffs is excellent, it sounds to me that a matching set would be a good choice for you  :)

I've had another listen to Riff Raff's and whilst I think if they were in a Maple topped guitar they'd be a bit too bright for me I think in an all Mahogany jobby they'd sound good!  Just debating whether to get a MQ in the neck.

I'm a bit indecisive as it's my first foray in to changing pickups on a guitar so I guess it's a big step for me!

['Ash' J. Williams]

I have a 82' MIJ Greco LP Custom with the exact same specs.
I tried Coldsweats, Nailbombs and Black Dogs in it and the Black Dogs are by far the best match for it.
Not too bright, not too warm. Perfects.

I also have a MIJ Orville LP standard with Emeralds in it and, while it's nice, the Greco with Black Dogs does Alice in Chains and Tool incredibly well and does an even better Thin Lizzy tone than the Orville...

FWIW, my 2 favorites hum sets are currently Black Dogs and Holy Divers, i personally see the BDs as lower output/more dynamic version of the HDs.

IMO, you'll be incredibly happy with a Black Dog set or a Black Dog bridge/Riff Raff neck.

[Telerocker]

The articulation on Riff Raffs is excellent, it sounds to me that a matching set would be a good choice for you  :)

I've had another listen to Riff Raff's and whilst I think if they were in a Maple topped guitar they'd be a bit too bright for me I think in an all Mahogany jobby they'd sound good!  Just debating whether to get a MQ in the neck.

I'm a bit indecisive as it's my first foray in to changing pickups on a guitar so I guess it's a big step for me!

Just one addition: my Saint Blues has only a veneer top, so 98 procent mahogany and Mules are very balanced in this one. Full yet crispy. I can get a thick bold drivetone on the bridge, classic PAF fluid necktones and a very a alive, sometimes even ''funky'' in between-sound. Mules will do, so will RR's, they're just a bit different and choiche is a matter of taste and the gear you use.

[Twinfan]

FWIW, my 2 favorites hum sets are currently Black Dogs and Holy Divers, i personally see the BDs as lower output/more dynamic version of the HDs.

A man after my own heart: +1  :)

['Ash' J. Williams]

FWIW, my 2 favorites hum sets are currently Black Dogs and Holy Divers, i personally see the BDs as lower output/more dynamic version of the HDs.

A man after my own heart: +1  :)