Les Paul pups - mule, perhaps?

[keithburgin]

Hi folks -

I own two Les Pauls.  One is a 2013 Gibson Traditional Pro II (goldtop, not that it matters)... I gutted the electronics, rewired it 50's style and installed BKP Black Dogs in it.  I'm happy with those pups and that choice... although I'm looking for something a little different in my other LP.

My other LP is a 2016 Traditional in lemonburst (50's neck like the GT, etc) and I'm thinking about unpotted The Mule pups w/ nickel covers in both holes.  My question is this:

The plan is to be playing heavy blues / hard rock with both.  Think Gary Moore, if you need a tone in your head.  My amp is a Mesa/Boogie Lone Star Classic combo (50/100.)

Should I go with The Mule?  Should I stick with Black Dogs like my GT?  Any suggestions?  Would you go another way?

[darrenw5094]

Almost sure Gary Moore had a set of PG's in his LP. But the Mule are a great all rounder in LP's.

[Telerocker]

Almost sure Gary Moore had a set of PG's in his LP. But the Mule are a great all rounder in LP's.

Absolutely and you don't need unpotted ones because the potted Mules have plenty of mojo. Perfect for clean, jazz, blues, bluesrock, rock and heavy rock.

[Nolly]

I'd wholeheartedly recommend going for Mules - they're a fantastic set that will cover everything you've mentioned and more. The only other option I'd throw you way is to pair a Riff Raff bridge with the Mule neck, which is a combination Tim himself uses quite often in his LPs. The AV magnet in the Riff Raff gives it a bit more bite but still stays within the classic PAF realm.

[keithburgin]

Thanks, everyone. 

I'd all be decided to pull the trigger on a set of Mules and just wanted a bit of feedback.

[schneidas]

I had a set of Mules. Can highly recommend them if you like vintage tone.

My only advice would be: *don't*, repeat, **don't** go unpotted if you want to use it with any kinds of high gain.
Out of fear of missing out, my first BKP order went with unpotted pickups (for the full mojo)... well, the drawbacks are just not worth the supposed extra "mojo".
Noise and squealing issues were plagueing me the minute those were installed. I sent them back, and went for properly potted Mules.
No loss in "mojo" to my ears - but all the noise issues were gone...

...maybe just something to consider.

Sometimes, a bit of added (subjective) voodoo comes with too much of a trade-off somewhere else. IMO, going unpotted is just not worth the added restrictions that come with it.

[keithburgin]

I had a set of Mules. Can highly recommend them if you like vintage tone.

My only advice would be: *don't*, repeat, **don't** go unpotted if you want to use it with any kinds of high gain.
Out of fear of missing out, my first BKP order went with unpotted pickups (for the full mojo)... well, the drawbacks are just not worth the supposed extra "mojo".
Noise and squealing issues were plagueing me the minute those were installed. I sent them back, and went for properly potted Mules.
No loss in "mojo" to my ears - but all the noise issues were gone...

This seems to be the thought on unpotted.  Thank you.

[Telerocker]

I would only go unpotted Mules if you play clean or with a light crunch. But hardrock will lead to unwanted squeals.