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Author Topic: Blackhawk vs VHII vs Mule for basswood ((Bridge PU))  (Read 5296 times)

CanadianMetalhead

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Blackhawk vs VHII vs Mule for basswood ((Bridge PU))
« on: July 13, 2012, 08:13:11 AM »
So I'm stumped. After spending a couple hrs listening to clips and what not I narrowed it down to these 3.

Guitar is a ESP LTD F-200 with a HD bridge in their atm. Nothing wrong with it at all just bored and wanna try something new =D. Also it has a custom wenge neck so it is strong in low mid growl catagory lol. Even to the point where after a good half or so decade of using my one amp i finally had to roll down the bass setting lol.

Just wondering what the differences would be between the Blackhawk and the VHII and the Mule come to think of it. My only real concern with the VHII/Mule would be would it feel thin on the bass for my setup. The blackhawk to me seems like a great middle of the road versatile pickup with a good amount of low end for what i want but the VHII has that nice big, open ultra rock quality lol. Cleans up great too which I love the HD for. And the Mule just has that uber rich tone to it.

What I really would like outta the pickup is a massive amount of presence without sharpness, TONS of that "punch" quality with a good low mid "muscular" growl while being tightly controlled, open sounding and great for cleans. Organic would be nice but not totally needed this time. I don't really care about volume. Just needs to be loud enough to get to the point of where it almost starts to push the pre-amp tubes.

The music I play i guess would be best described as early 90's hardrock/metal. I love to mess with my amp and just play stuff so versatility if it is a factor between these 3 is a must I suppose. Even though they all seem like very versatile pups.

Oh yea one more thing....

Everytime i hear that hair metal clip of the Mule it makes me wanna buy one lol. So awesome!

Anyways TY for reading if you do and if you reply big ty  :D
« Last Edit: July 13, 2012, 08:26:15 AM by CanadianMetalhead »
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PU's owned : AWPb, CWPb, MMb, CSb, HDb, HDn, Mule n, VHII b+n

Telerocker

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Re: Blackhawk vs VHII vs Mule for basswood ((Bridge PU))
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2012, 11:40:23 AM »
It's either a choiche between the open, dynamic and classic PAF qualities of vintage(hot) en the more modern, hifisounding Blackhawks. I love my Mules for anything, but I don't really play metal. The Blackhawks could fit your bill.

I suppose your read the Blackhawks-thread

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=28035.0
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Mules, VHII, Crawler, MM's, IT's, BG50's.

darrenw5094

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Re: Blackhawk vs VHII vs Mule for basswood ((Bridge PU))
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2012, 02:09:32 PM »
Can't see the Mule or VHII being thin on the bass side. The slightly scooped Mule might suite the basswood body perfectly, but the VHII rock in most guitars too. If you are looking for a change, the Blackhawk might be the one.
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Telerocker

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Re: Blackhawk vs VHII vs Mule for basswood ((Bridge PU))
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2012, 03:28:07 PM »
Mule and VHII have good bass, not thin at all. Even in my ash strat the VHII has enough bass, just not as much as say a Crawler.
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Mules, VHII, Crawler, MM's, IT's, BG50's.

ericsabbath

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Re: Blackhawk vs VHII vs Mule for basswood ((Bridge PU))
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2012, 05:01:12 PM »
well... he said no sharpness, but I couldn't think of anything other than a cold sweat while reading the rest of the first post
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darkbluemurder

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Re: Blackhawk vs VHII vs Mule for basswood ((Bridge PU))
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2012, 05:17:03 PM »
Haven't tried one but Emerald could be what you are looking for going by the description.

Cheers Stephan
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CanadianMetalhead

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Re: Blackhawk vs VHII vs Mule for basswood ((Bridge PU))
« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2012, 05:20:25 PM »
Already tried a Coldsweat in this particular guitar. Loved how it handled the lows but its massive mid scoop and emphasis on highs kinda annoyed me after a while.

Anyways big ty for the replies. It helps a ton lol.

 

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PU's owned : AWPb, CWPb, MMb, CSb, HDb, HDn, Mule n, VHII b+n

Telerocker

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Re: Blackhawk vs VHII vs Mule for basswood ((Bridge PU))
« Reply #7 on: July 13, 2012, 05:38:17 PM »
If you find the CS too midscooped, the VHII might fit the bill.
« Last Edit: July 14, 2012, 02:43:17 AM by Telerocker »
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CanadianMetalhead

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Re: Blackhawk vs VHII vs Mule for basswood ((Bridge PU))
« Reply #8 on: July 13, 2012, 05:58:18 PM »
You know tele I was hoping you'd say VHII lol.

But I'm curious about how the mule and the VHII differ. Have you owned both?

And as for the emerald i was thinking of putting an emerald in the neck. I think the thing that ruled it out for me was that if i was gonna go lower output the VHII would have more upfront presence then the emerald and that's ultimatly what I'd love this time around. But everytime i go to buy a BKP it's always hard to decide lol.
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PU's owned : AWPb, CWPb, MMb, CSb, HDb, HDn, Mule n, VHII b+n

Telerocker

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Re: Blackhawk vs VHII vs Mule for basswood ((Bridge PU))
« Reply #9 on: July 14, 2012, 02:53:34 AM »
I have both, but in different guitars.

Mules - all mahogany bolt-on Saint Blues (Les Paul-tele-hybrid you could say): classic PAF 59-sound, quite close to a Les Paul, warm, depth, articulation, open, great inbetween-sound even for funk, neck is warm, big, round with just enough edge, bridge is great for everything, from blues, classic rock, hardrock and even metal. Keywords: warm, full, balanced, depth, yet a crispy divine topend (not harsh at all).

VHII: in an ash American Series HSS-strat
sounds a little more modern then the Mule, but still good PAF-pedigree, superb solotones, great brown roaring rhythm-sound, balanced, dynamic, articulate, highs that are present but smooth (no icepick), touchsensitive, cleans up to a near singlecoil-vibe.  This pickup screams when pushed. Compared to Mules, the Mules are a tad more open, both have good punch.

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CanadianMetalhead

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Re: Blackhawk vs VHII vs Mule for basswood ((Bridge PU))
« Reply #10 on: July 14, 2012, 07:50:28 AM »
Well that does it for me then i'm getting a VHII and try that out   8)

Big ty for all the help guys and that comparison Tele! Now i just need some money! :(
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PU's owned : AWPb, CWPb, MMb, CSb, HDb, HDn, Mule n, VHII b+n

Telerocker

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Re: Blackhawk vs VHII vs Mule for basswood ((Bridge PU))
« Reply #11 on: July 14, 2012, 11:29:38 AM »
Quote from: CanadianMetalhead on July 14, 2012, 07:50:28 AM
Well that does it for me then i'm getting a VHII and try that out   8)

Now i just need some money! :(

Can't help you with that I'm afraid. When I came back from holiday my dishwasser broke down, my laundrymachine won't centrifuge.  Big spendings coming up, I guess.
Just keep an eye on the Seconds Out and Ebay, maybe a VHII is passing by soon.
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CanadianMetalhead

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Re: Blackhawk vs VHII vs Mule for basswood ((Bridge PU))
« Reply #12 on: July 14, 2012, 06:50:44 PM »
Lol will do and ty again :)

By the way just for giggles. What would you recommend for a neck pickup to go with the VHII?

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PU's owned : AWPb, CWPb, MMb, CSb, HDb, HDn, Mule n, VHII b+n
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