Black Dog = Beefed up Mule, but Abraxas' brother?

[fdesalvo]

The description of the Black Dog lends itself to that of a beefed up Mule, but that's the Abraxas' sandbox.  What makes the BD special?  It seems like a fatter version of the Abraxas from the tone chart.  I see it similar asymmetrical windings as the Mule.  Does this one split well into a decent tele tone at the bridge? 

Thank you,

[darrenw5094]

The Abraxas is a beefed up Mule. The BD has a ton of low mids, but slightly scooped in the high mids, or that is the impression from the boosted low end. Both the BD and Mule are brighter than the Abraxas though, so you could call it a beefed up Mule depending on what angle you look at. :)

[fdesalvo]

Ah, I see.  Thanks, dude.

[ericsabbath]

I'd say it sounds more like a PAF'ed up holy diver than like a hot rodded mule
it sounds nothing like the mule, in my experience

the mule has a very open and smoothly dosed midrange, while the dog has a really dense wall of mids and a "grungier" texture, almost like there's a wah or overdrive pedal
the dog sounds more reminiscent of the dimarzio lineage than from actual vintage PAFs

I'd even say the VHII sounds way closer to what I'd expect from an overwound mule, despite of its much stiffer response
I wonder if a VHII would sound good with A4

[fdesalvo]

That's an interesting observation and question.  I'm really finding myself pulled towards the VHII bridge lately.  Very curious about it.

[Telerocker]

I'd say it sounds more like a PAF'ed up holy diver than like a hot rodded mule
it sounds nothing like the mule, in my experience

My thoughts too, of all the vintage humbuckers in the BKP-range the BD sounds less PAF-ish to my ears. The Abraxas has way more in common with the Mule, just a tad beefier and compressed.

[Alex]

I think the BD has a bit of a unique voice, as others are hinting at.
It's neither a classic PAF, nor a typical hot-rod PAF.
What makes it different to most other pickups in its output range is that it sounds very big and full due to the many lower mids. Hence the description of it as a "PAF-ed up" Holy Diver from Eric isn't a bad one.

[nkay]

I think the BD has a bit of a unique voice, as others are hinting at.
It's neither a classic PAF, nor a typical hot-rod PAF.
What makes it different to most other pickups in its output range is that it sounds very big and full due to the many lower mids. Hence the description of it as a "PAF-ed up" Holy Diver from Eric isn't a bad one.

This is all very true. I have my BD in a 2011 Les Paul Traditional. It's around 9 lbs, but after putting in the Black Dog, it sounds like 11lbs ;)
Whoever described it as adding a lot of weight to notes wasn't kidding. The mid character is very similar to the Holydiver, but it's way more open pickup with a deep growl. Very unique.

[Slartibartfarst42]

I'd say it sounds more like a PAF'ed up holy diver than like a hot rodded mule

Now that makes it sound like a pickup that would be right up my street 

[fdesalvo]

This is all very true. I have my BD in a 2011 Les Paul Traditional. It's around 9 lbs, but after putting in the Black Dog, it sounds like 11lbs ;)

LOL

[darrenw5094]

Soooooo guys, which is a beefed up Mule? Abraxas or Black Dog?

[Telerocker]

Soooooo guys, which is a beefed up Mule? Abraxas or Black Dog?

Abraxas!  BD is the seventies Diver. ;-)

[darrenw5094]

Soooooo guys, which is a beefed up Mule? Abraxas or Black Dog?

Abraxas!  BD is the seventies Diver. ;-)

Agreed, so that is it official.

[ericsabbath]

This is all very true. I have my BD in a 2011 Les Paul Traditional. It's around 9 lbs, but after putting in the Black Dog, it sounds like 11lbs ;)

LOL

saying it out loud sounds stupid, but that was exactly my impression too 
specially in the '78 greco lp standard I had
it had a maple neck, like late 70's original les pauls, and was pretty bright and middy
the dog made it sound huge, heavyand more like an actual gibson from that era

[Slartibartfarst42]

I'm REALLY wanting a Black Dog in my Les Paul now