94 Les Paul Standard -with Black Dog, good combo?

[Laars]

Hey guys,
I've got a 94 Les Paul Standard that has the 498T pickup in it, which I can't stand. I'm thinking of putting the Black Dog in it. The cover band I'm in does a lot of AC/DC and old Aerosmith. my sound is very old school. My amps are Voodoo V-plexs, so they are low gain amps like a Marshall 68 plexi. What I'm looking for is a pickup that has punch in the mids and low end but not harsh in the high end.

Here is a clip of my 2004 Les Paul with burstbucker pros, through the Voodoos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exSdhMJOEvI

Looking for a little more clarity in the notes.

What do you guys think of the Black Dog? Been reading about it for the last week, but was hoping to hear from someone that is going for that old school marshall sound, that might have one in there Les Paul.

[Mr. Air]

I think that the Black Dog will work well in your guitar and with your amp. The Black Dog is often described as a dark pickup so if you want something with less bass I'll suggest the Mule. I think the Riff Raff would be excellent for AC/DC and early Aerosmith, but it might be too bright in a LP played through a Plexi style amp.

[Laars]

I think that the Black Dog will work well in your guitar and with your amp. The Black Dog is often described as a dark pickup so if you want something with less bass I'll suggest the Mule. I think the Riff Raff would be excellent for AC/DC and early Aerosmith, but it might be too bright in a LP played through a Plexi style amp.

I do like more bass then most. I don't like bright, so this might be the one I'm looking for... Thanks for the reply.

[Alex]

First, I use the BD in a Gibson SG, not a LesPaul. I think it would work good for Aerosmith, but not for AC/DC. The BD on lower gain settings sounds smooth, full and warm, but lacks that aggressive upper midrange/treble from AC/DC. It's more Bonamassa IMO than Angus Young. For Aerosmith I think it's a good choice.

[JonnyScaramanga]

I haven't used a Black Dog, but the descriptions I've read of it match what you have described very well. I'm sure you'd be very happy with it.

That said, I think you could also get exactly what you want from a Mule set, which to me gives the archetypal Les Paul tone. Here's a cover of Aerosmith's Love in an Elevator I recorded with the Mules in my Les Paul, into a Marshall Jubilee 2550:

http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=5207588&q=hi&newref=1

I know Love in an Elevator isn't really old school Aerosmith, but I know the Mules would get you a killer Sweet Emotion or Rats in the Cellar tone.

[Telerocker]

The Mule has a balanced eq compared to the BD, which has quite some centermids. Both will work, it just depends on what you want (to use it for). I have Mules in an all mahogany Saint Blues Missisippi Bluesmaster and that's my first axe for blues(rock), classic rock and hardrock. If you want a bit more mids and output, but still PAF-pedigree, have also a look at the Abraxas (AIV-magnets too!). That one could also fit your bill.

[Laars]

gotta love the new guy who hits the wrong key and post three times..... I hate getting old!

[Laars]

I haven't used a Black Dog, but the descriptions I've read of it match what you have described very well. I'm sure you'd be very happy with it.

That said, I think you could also get exactly what you want from a Mule set, which to me gives the archetypal Les Paul tone. Here's a cover of Aerosmith's Love in an Elevator I recorded with the Mules in my Les Paul, into a Marshall Jubilee 2550:

http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=5207588&q=hi&newref=1

I know Love in an Elevator isn't really old school Aerosmith, but I know the Mules would get you a killer Sweet Emotion or Rats in the Cellar tone.

Nice Job..... Sounds excellent. I'm thinking if the Black Dogs are a little hotter, with a touch more mids, I should be golden.

This is our band doing AC/DC and Aerosmith. Very similar tones from what you have to what I'm after.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzA1EV_SMyQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6364X301z0o&feature=relmfu

Thank you for the post and example.

[Laars]

From what everyone is saying, I think I'm going in the right direction with the Black dogs. Sounds like its like the Mules, which sound great, but just a little hotter with more mids and lows, which is perfect. Thanks everyone.

[Telerocker]

The BD for Aerosmith yes, not really for AC/DC (Mules or RiffRaffs). The BD will work though and you can always tailor your tone with an eq-pedal or a treblebooster.

[darrenw5094]

I have a BD in a Jap Tokai Les Paul and it is not dark as most people say. Plenty of high end, but the high mids dominate a bit. Slightly crunchy in the high mids, not a very smooth pickup, slightly loose bass too. Tons of gain with it, as i have a Rif Raff in the neck and it has less gain when you flick the 3-way to the neck, almost making the RR neck feel single coily.

I also have a set of Mule in a Jap Bacchus Les Paul and it's more balanced all over. The neck pickup is pure quality, gets great reviews on here. I also just fitted a set of Abraxas to my '93 Gibson Les Paul Standard today, but haven't got time to give them a whirl yet.

Anyway, the Mule, Riff Raff, Abraxas, Black Dog and even the Holy Diver would all fit the bill here. And even an Emerald neck would be a great match for those bridge pickups.

[ericsabbath]

you could consider the vhII
plenty of punchy lows and mids but still lots of top end

[Laars]

Hey Guys,
Just installed the Black Dog in my main 2004 Les Paul.......AMAZING!!!! Not sure why some think its a dark pickup though. The highs are the same as my burstbucker that I just removed..... Didn't even touch the eq on my Voodoo V-plex. The output is close, but the low and mids are MUCH better sounding... Also the notes are clearer, but with gain. I just ordered a complete set of Black Dogs for my 1994 LP that this pickup was actually for... It will be here tomorrow....

The Black Dogs rule! The AC/DC tone is excellent too... I always thought AC/DCs tone was a little on the thin side with most songs.... Back in Black is the best AC/DC tone, and I'm now nailing it. Thanks for all the help...

[TheyCallMeVolume]

.... Back in Black is the best AC/DC tone

I don't know about that one...

[darrenw5094]

Hey Guys,
Just installed the Black Dog in my main 2004 Les Paul.......AMAZING!!!! Not sure why some think its a dark pickup though. 

Agreed, the BD is not dark at all, just has a lot of high mids but plenty of treble.