Which BK humbuckers are the brightest ?

[richard]

I've heard the Mule, Emerald, VH11 Riff Raff and Rebel Yell described as bright pickups ? Which of these would you say is the brightest and which the least bright ?

[FELINEGUITARS]

a little tricky to say as a couple of those have lots of top end cut but also lots to offer in the mids and bass (VH2).
The RY is a bit bass light but not too cutting on bass - seems to be a lot of emphasis around 1000-1600 hz - cuts through in a band with keyboards
Emerald can be bright for sure and a bit light in bass but in a Les Paul (it's natural home ) seems quite balanced.

Mules always seemed quite middly and not overly bright but the A4 magnet does have a nice almost fragile sounding edge to it

[Philly Q]

It's difficult to compare due to various factors, a bit apples and oranges really - Jonathan has done a much better job than I could.

Of the ones I've tried, I perceive the RY as a bright pickup overall - because it not only has a lot of treble/upper mids but is also light in the bass.

You could add the Cold Sweat bridge to your list as well - bright treble (but a fair amount of bass).

[richard]

I've heard my Rebel Yells recorded and the low end seems fine but it sometimes FEELS a little lightweight when gigging although I'm only using a 1 x 12 combo. What would you say is the closest to an RY but with a little more weight in the bass ?

[Telerocker]

I've heard my Rebel Yells recorded and the low end seems fine but it sometimes FEELS a little lightweight when gigging although I'm only using a 1 x 12 combo. What would you say is the closest to an RY but with a little more weight in the bass ?

That would be the Holy Diver, but I think a bigger 2x12 cab will do wonders. It can even make my Blues Junior sound (sort of) big at small venues.

[ericsabbath]

just set it a bit closer to strings or change your pedal/amp settings

[Slartibartfarst42]

Of the pickups I've tried, the Emerald bridge was easily the brightest sounding. That was in a PRS SE Custom 24 (mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood board) and it was so bright I had to send it back and exchanged it for a Holydiver.

[darkbluemurder]

I guess you are talking bridge pickups here.

Of the ones you mentioned I only played the VHII and the RY and the VHII is definitely the brighter of those two.

Cheers Stephan

[richard]

I guess you are talking bridge pickups here.

Of the ones you mentioned I only played the VHII and the RY and the VHII is definitely the brighter of those two.

Cheers Stephan

I only have the RY but I was under the impression that the VHII would be brighter but I've read threads where people have been warned off of the RY because of it's brightness and encouraged to try the VHII instead.