Been asked before but: Stormy Mondays or Mules in Les Paul??

[Brow]

Hey guys.

Just wondered what your opinions were on this: I have an R8 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul and as much as I like it in it's current state with its 57 Classics, it should have Burstbuckers but I assume a previous owner changed them, I feel it can still be improved a bit.

I have a set of Mules handy that I've taken out of my other Les Paul after about 10 years, they've been replaced with something else for a specific look and sound, and am hopefully sorting a trade out for a set of Stormy Mondays too. Whichever set I don't put in the R8 is probably going in my SG, so not like anything is going to waste 

So; back to my Les Paul. Between Mules and Stormy Mondays which would be 'best' as an old school/traditional PAF sound? I know they're variations on the same thing btw, but I can't think how else to word it! I use this guitar in my 70s style Punk band and also with my Rock covers band for the Free, Gary Moore, Guns n Roses etc type stuff. Pretty much anything where I let my amps do the work and where I don't need the drive of higher output pickups, I have other guitars for that.

Just wondered what everyones opinions are.

Thanks!

[AndyR]

Well, I've tried both and my personal preference is Stormy Mondays - they sound SO much more like my own imagined idea of "the PAF sound". Mules are fab too, you can't go wrong with them... but when I got my Stormy set in January I suddenly found the sound I'd been looking for ever since I started my BKP trip.

However, two reasons I think you might need to put the Mules in the R8:

1. "I use this guitar in my 70s style Punk band" - for my money, out of the two, that's Mules not Stormies (actually, I'd go Riff Raffs). But if you get more gigs with the Rock covers band, then I'd personally lean towards Stormies.

2. "Whichever set I don't put in the R8 is probably going in my SG" - if had just a Les Paul and an SG, and a set of Mules and a set of Stormies, I'd put the Mules in the LP and the Stormies in the SG (well, obviously it depends on the specific guitars, but I'd start out trying it that way).

[Alfi27]

The Stormy Mondays are magnificent pickups! I used to have them in a Les Paul Standard, and they replaced a set of Cold Sweats. At the time I had quite limited experience with lower output humbuckers, so I was, for some reason, expecting them to sound a bit weaker and somewhat "lacking". I was so wrong that I seriously thought I messed up something and put the CS back in by a mistake.. However I quickly figured out that I did not, particularly the clean tones were extremely nice. They did metal just as well as the CS set too. Unfortunately I do not have experience with the Mules, the closest thing would probably be Imperials but that is a different manufacturer etc. If it is any help, the Stormies sound much nicer than the Imperials!

[Telerocker]

Can't really comment on the Stormies, but I have Mules and they are for me the perfect PAF59-copies. Very balanced, organic and dynamic. They can handle loads of gain without mushing up. The inbetween sound has a 3D quality. It's a question of choice between A2- and A4-magnets. I read the Stormies are little brighter and hollower (slightly more scooped mids) compared to Mules.

[Brow]

Thanks for the posts so far guys, appreciate it :)

Seeing as I'll, hopefully, have both sets soon I think I'll try the Stormies 1st and see how I feel.

The Rock band gets a lot more work than the Punk band does too, but not sure that'll bother me too much to be honest as I vary my guitars a lot for both bands anyway so I always have something different to use if I find it not quite working 

[Brow]

The trade for the Stormies may have dried up so that may've made my decision a lot easier! 

[richard]

Hi Craig, why not give your Abraxas set a shot in your R8 ? With my Bernie PRS I have the basic sound of my amp set up for a good solid crunch but by backing off the guitar volume a little I can get the most gorgeous late 60's vintage LP type tones.

[Hayden Pimm]

Hi I am new here but I have very resently put a set of Stormy Momndays into my Les Paul. I am still in the honeymoon period. But what I can tell you is. Clean amp/Stormy Mondays/Les Paul = Mike Bloomfield Super Session.
H

[Brow]

Hi Craig, why not give your Abraxas set a shot in your R8 ? With my Bernie PRS I have the basic sound of my amp set up for a good solid crunch but by backing off the guitar volume a little I can get the most gorgeous late 60's vintage LP type tones.

I have thought about it, but I'm leaning towards something more 'traditional' for the R8. Sounds daft I know but in my own mind it makes sense! 

Hi I am new here but I have very resently put a set of Stormy Momndays into my Les Paul. I am still in the honeymoon period. But what I can tell you is. Clean amp/Stormy Mondays/Les Paul = Mike Bloomfield Super Session.
H

Thanks for your input! Can't say as I know much (if any) Mike Bloomfield so I might have to check it out.

[Elliot]

I'd say Stormy Mondays or PG Blues.

One thing about Bloomfield that always bothered me is how he got that iconic single coil sound from his Les Paul - and then I found he played a Telecaster in the studio in the early recordings......

[Hayden Pimm]

Hi
I have another really good example of what Stormy Mondays sound like. Robben Fords "The Art of Blues Rhythm" DVD in which he is playing Larry Carltons 57 Gold Top. I can't play like that but you can get close to those sounds.

[AndyR]

Yep, I'm finding that with Stormy Mondays, just turning down the guitar volume control(s), I'm playing parts that I used to only find possible with strats and teles. Stunning pickups.

[Brow]

Cheers guys.

I really want to try the Stormies now after what you've all said but the guy I was trading with has stopped replying, so not sure if I'll be able to try them instead of my Mules now 

[Telerocker]

Cheers guys.

I really want to try the Stormies now after what you've all said but the guy I was trading with has stopped replying, so not sure if I'll be able to try them instead of my Mules now 

I would first give the Mules a try and then see.

[Brow]

Cheers guys.

I really want to try the Stormies now after what you've all said but the guy I was trading with has stopped replying, so not sure if I'll be able to try them instead of my Mules now 

I would first give the Mules a try and then see.

Think I'll swap them at the weekend and see how I get on!

Might also do my Explorer whilst I've got the soldering iron out as I'm really not liking the Duncan Custom that's in there atm.