VHII and Mules considerations

[ericsabbath]

vhII coil readings (didn't test which coil is which, so I'm calling them by the wire colour):
bridge "red" coil 4.2k
bridge "black" coil 4.84
neck "red" coil 3.68k
neck "black" coil 4.49k


can't test the mules asymmetry as they are 2 conductor/braided
might test the riff raff and black dog, though

[Philly Q]

vhII coil readings (didn't test which coil is which, so I'm calling them by the wire colour):
bridge "red" coil 4.2k
bridge "black" coil 4.84
neck "red" coil 3.68k
neck "black" coil 4.49k

Interesting that there's still quite a big "stagger" on the neck pickup as well as the bridge.

I'd like to see how the Riff Raff compares - more symmetrical, I expect? 

Maybe your neck Cold Sweat, too.

[Mr. Air]

This thread makes me want to try a VHII neck in the bridge of my LP clone and I already have a list of pickups I want to try out... Oh bugger  :D

[ericsabbath]

vhII coil readings (didn't test which coil is which, so I'm calling them by the wire colour):
bridge "red" coil 4.2k
bridge "black" coil 4.84
neck "red" coil 3.68k
neck "black" coil 4.49k

Interesting that there's still quite a big "stagger" on the neck pickup as well as the bridge.

I'd like to see how the Riff Raff compares - more symmetrical, I expect? 

Maybe your neck Cold Sweat, too.

tim said the riff raff and the cold sweat are more symmetrical
I'll post the the riff raff and black dog readings today
they are wired, so the readings may be a little messed up
my friend who sold me the vhii's borrowed the neck cold sweat for a couple weeks, but he found it too trebly in the bridge (well, for his ears,  the 36th dimarzio paf was too bassy, bridge cold sweat was too trebly, vhII was too bassy, black dog was too muffled)  :lol:
he's going back to the stock prs pickups (it's a singlecut)
I'll read the coils when he gives it back

[CanadianMetalhead]

Not to necro a thread but i just tried the VHII neck in the bridge and it definitely sounds nice lol. Was way more organic and was smoother. Bass was deeper and less firm and even though wasn't the greatest for how i play which is fast and hard chording in the lower register i can totally see how people might think of this as a good bridge pickup as well.

I also one upped him and tried the VHII bridge in the neck! Which also sounds nice in the sense of having a firmer low end and more aggressive upper end. Was less organic as well but to me is very fun to solo with.

Anyways 2 cents /shrug

[darkbluemurder]

vhII coil readings (didn't test which coil is which, so I'm calling them by the wire colour):
bridge "red" coil 4.2k
bridge "black" coil 4.84
neck "red" coil 3.68k
neck "black" coil 4.49k

Thanks very much Eric, that is very helpful.

I got a creme colored VHII neck on the bench which was in the neck spot of my Single Cut. Got to try it in the bridge though.

Whtat do you think would be a good match for it in the neck - Riff Raff, Mule?

Cheers Stephan

[Philly Q]

I got a creme colored VHII neck on the bench which was in the neck spot of my Single Cut. Got to try it in the bridge though.

What do you think would be a good match for it in the neck - Riff Raff, Mule?

It's an interesting idea, isn't it?  :)

I was thinking of getting a VHII set for my Mira X.... but if they're a bit too powerful I might then switch the neck VHII to the bridge position and get a Mule neck.  I was always intrigued by the AV Mule, so the VHII neck might be a good alternative.

[Miracle Man]

I thought I'd pass along some info. I exchanged a few emails with Tim and he mentioned that the neck vhii and the a5 mule are not the same. The level of asymmetry is different between the coils of these two pickups, which results in different midrange and output. 

[darkbluemurder]

Yesterday I tried the VHII neck in the bridge spot of my favorite Les Paul. While I liked its tone for its slightly improved clarity over the one that was in there before (it was no BKP), I found the tone a bit thin in that particular guitar, and I liked the middle position better with the previous pickup. But I definitely want a warmer tone for this guitar - Mules or Black Dogs maybe?

Cheers Stephan 

[darrenw5094]

If you consider the BD, then the Abraxas should have a shout.

[darkbluemurder]

If you consider the BD, then the Abraxas should have a shout.

I know the Abraxas bridge and it is a fine pickup indeed but I don't want as much output for this guitar.

Cheers Stephan

[Telerocker]

Based upon your posts, I think you know the range good enough to know the difference between Mules and Black Dogs. I don't have experience with the BD. I have Mules and they are very balanced, deep and complex sounding PAF's. I think the bridge, which has some edge but is round enough, in general is a bit underestimated. You can play nearly anything with it.

[ericsabbath]

I thought I'd pass along some info. I exchanged a few emails with Tim and he mentioned that the neck vhii and the a5 mule are not the same. The level of asymmetry is different between the coils of these two pickups, which results in different midrange and output. 

thanks for the info, brother
I imagined that, but I couldn't measure the mules, as they have the vintage style braided wiring
is the mule more or less asymmetrical?
oh
by the way, my band Colidium is finishing a new ep, all recorded with bkps, mostly a miracle man, mules and the riff raff
if you liked the old raw recorded ep, you'll love the new one  :D

Yesterday I tried the VHII neck in the bridge spot of my favorite Les Paul. While I liked its tone for its slightly improved clarity over the one that was in there before (it was no BKP), I found the tone a bit thin in that particular guitar, and I liked the middle position better with the previous pickup. But I definitely want a warmer tone for this guitar - Mules or Black Dogs maybe?

Cheers Stephan 

I wouldn't say the mule is any thicker sounding than the vhii in the bridge
it's a little more compressed and the notes blend together a bit in a nice organic way
it might be warmer and just a little middier, but not thicker
maybe the dog might work
the bridge vhII is also pretty thick, but not warm

[Miracle Man]

thanks for the info, brother
I imagined that, but I couldn't measure the mules, as they have the vintage style braided wiring
is the mule more or less asymmetrical?

Not sure, but Tim did mention that the VHII coil offset is very extreme. I assume the Mule is the more symmetrical of the two. To be honest, after giving me such a straight answer I really didn't want to bug the man about the details of a pickup he doesn't even offer anymore  :oops:  He's probably busy enough as is, without me getting all nosy about a few one-offs.

oh
by the way, my band Colidium is finishing a new ep, all recorded with bkps, mostly a miracle man, mules and the riff raff
if you liked the old raw recorded ep, you'll love the new one  :D

Thanks for the tip! I'm looking forward to it!  8)   :drink:

[darkbluemurder]

Based upon your posts, I think you know the range good enough to know the difference between Mules and Black Dogs.

Well - only going by description as I did not yet have a chance to play either.

I will try the VHII neck in the neck spot of this guitar together with the bridge pickup I liked most in that guitar so far - that was a Wolfetone Marshallhead and see how that works. If the VHII neck works in the neck spot I may leave the guitar as is or change the bridge to a VHII bridge. If it does not work to my liking I put the previous set back for now in even if they are not BKPs. I can always go to Black Dogs later. 

Cheers Stephan