New bridge pick up on a les paul studio

[BigB]

After the bad experience with the 57 i feel like my next pickup has to be a sort of high pickup able to do heavy rock like some classic rock.. Something like the jb probably

I've been using mainly high output pups for quite a while (including JBs and Nailbomb), and I can tell you that you _dont_ need anything hotter than Mules or RiffRaff for heavy (and I mean HEAVY) rock stuff.  It's not a problem of output but definition (or more exactly: ability to retain definition under gain).  Mules will do anything rock with no problem (including Pearl Jam) and even some metal (possibly not djent <g>).

For more br00talz stuff like AiC, the ABombs could make you happy - they have that abrasive yet low-mids heavy roar -, and they also do a pretty decent job at more classic rock and bluesy tones when rolling down the volume pot, but you won't have as much of that "instant classic LP tones - and then some" as with Mules, and less versatility.

tl;dr : unless you're mostly interested in modern hi-gain stuff and you don't really care about magic clean / crunch tones, I strongly suggest you first give the Mules a try - chances are you won't look back. 

[Ale84]

Thanks.. If mules do alice in chains well i'll buy them without any doubt.. Witn Abomb you mean nailbomb?

[Kiichi]

Thanks.. If mules do alice in chains well i'll buy them without any doubt.. Witn Abomb you mean nailbomb?

Yeah, in the alnico version. It is forum lingo and we often forget that it can confuse people....took me a bit to figure out back in the day too. Abomb = alnico nailbomb; Cbomb = Ceramic Nailbomb; APig = Alnico Warpig; CPig = Ceramic Warpig.

Mules should do you nicely I would say. When driven they have an amazing old school rocking dirt to them that is pretty unique I find. There is a reason ´59 humbuckers are somewhat of the goldstandard of the humbucker world.

[ericsabbath]

the OP seems a little confused
the 498t is one of the least 3d sounding pickups I've ever played
and if he likes it better than the '57 classic, I don't see why he would like the mule any better
perhaps something thicker and more compressed like the crawler or the holy diver

[Ale84]

It's not 3d but it's deeper and also more scooped than the classic 57, no doubt about it to my ears

[darkbluemurder]

I have never had a 498T in one of my guitars. I had the 57Classics and did not like them. I found them quite dull with the covers on and fuzzy with the covers off. Probably the 498T has more output and bass than the 57Classic so my hint would be to look for the higher output models in the vintage hot or the lower output models in the contemporary range.

Still I think the Rebel Yell would be best, with the Holydiver as a warmer alternative.

Cheers Stephan 

[Dave Sloven]

I had a 498T in my SG, replaced it with a Cold Sweat.  Beats it comprehensively in every department, including output.

[BigB]

Thanks.. If mules do alice in chains well i'll buy them without any doubt.. Witn Abomb you mean nailbomb?

As I mentionned ABombs would do a better job at AiC tones - the Mules will stand this gain level without problem and deliver great tones but will still keep a more vintage character and  won't give this "90s metal" edge. 

[Ale84]

Ok, i'll for RY. Finger-crossed :D

[Wayne_S]

Not too get ya all confused but I've heard tracks with Mules and Blackdogs that were very heavy and metal to a point. The one post here about retaining definition at amp gain is spot on. IMO the last thing anybody wants is mush and lack of clarity under loads of amp or pedal gain for that matter. It seems in general lower output pups track better thru gobs of gain. I'd venture to guess what kind of tone you want when you or if you are going to be up in massive gain ? I can tell you the RY's track real good thru gain galore. Still I'm not saying a Mule or Blackdog might suit your situation better. For what it's worth my next BKP is going to be a Mule or Blackdog once I find another LP to stick them in.

BTW there's plenty of mention of pots and caps on the forum here. I gutted my whole LP and bought a RS Guitarworks Vintage/Modern kit. Honestly if your gonna invest in a quality caliber pickup it's highly recommended you be sure you got good stuff wired to it.

Got my LP back from the luthier shop today. It got passed around jamming thru few hands before I left. They were asking .. What pickups are thoes ?? I had a harmonic fiesta jamming it before I got it in the case to come home. Luthier said it's perfect needs nothing more and never sell it !! Rebel Yell full review coming soon  :D

[Ale84]

Black dog and mule is something i'm considering with the rebel yell like like also an upgrade in pots etc.. Looking forward to read your review of ry!!

[Dave Sloven]

You might also want to consider something between the Riff Raff and the Rebel Yell, i.e., the Emerald.  They sound especially good in Les Pauls.  The have the higher output (a little less than a Rebel Yell, the one I got measured around 12.9K from memory) than a Riff Raff but still with a vintage character.  Like the RR and RY it's a brighter pickup that will balance out the usually dark character of a Les Paul.

[Ale84]

Bareknuckles suggested me to go eith a set of nailbombs but i still think a bd/ mule combo or a ry might be better for me. The emeralds, from what i read, seem to be too bright also on mahogany guitars so i guess i'm going to discard them

[darrenw5094]

The emeralds, from what i read, seem to be too bright also on mahogany guitars so i guess i'm going to discard them

The Emerald was designed for the Les Paul, i can't see it being a problem in there.

The BD is great for Led Zep riffs, but has a ton of low mids and little or no high mids. If you prefer balanced pups, then you might not like the BD for most tones. But that was just my experience.

[Ale84]

Thr confusion grows : ) i have to say that i own a kemper so i'd have chances to shape the sound with eq's etc..