Author Topic: Guitar and Pick-up question/advice/ideas (Read 8615 times)

BleedMarshall · « **on:** June 03, 2006, 04:24:57 PM »

I own a 2000 Gibson LP Smartwood (based on the 70's The Paul) that has a peroba top. The guitar is coupled with 498T/490R pick-ups, and for some reason when I use the 490R I have enough bass to drown the bassist out. Well not that bad, and it is nice when clean, but with any amount of distortion it is way too bassy to use at all, so forget it. I have ridden the tone knob till I am blue in the face, and have played others (Smartwoods peroba) without that much bass to them.

My questions are......

1. Do you think it might be a "wild" pot in/on the rhy. tone

2. Is this something that you would keep

3. Is there a neck pick-up that would go with
A. the 498T Alnico
and
B. go with the peroba top

4. Would it be better to have a matched set of pick-ups?

I do love the 498T, but the 490R is killing me slowly. I really don't want to change anything on my guitar(s), but I may have to. I was wondering if you all could give me a hand. I own a Gibby LP w/ the burstbuckers, and they are quite nice, and some of the best pick-ups out there, but that 490R is killing me.

Any ideas, advice, and suggestions are welcome, and thank you in advance.

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2006, 04:26:22 PM »

Get some Bare Knuckle Pickups instead lol

BleedMarshall · « **Reply #2 on:** June 03, 2006, 04:35:17 PM »

Which one(s) though? It is not just the pick-ups, but yet the wood as well. I know there has to be a pick-up that will go well, or at the very least better, than the one that is in there. I hope. :?

downrodeo · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2006, 04:58:37 PM »

What style do you play? Whose tones do you really like? These are the most important questions that need answering so you can get HOOKED UP!

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2006, 04:59:24 PM »

What style music do you play? And what are you looking for in it.

BleedMarshall · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2006, 06:34:56 PM »

Quote from: downrodeo

What style do you play? Whose tones do you really like? These are the most important questions that need answering so you can get HOOKED UP!

I knew I was forgetting something. :lol:

Quote from: Crazy_Joe

What style music do you play? And what are you looking for in it.

After 20+ years of playing, and running a guitar based board, you would think that I would have remembered that. :lol:

I play too many things/styles really, but mostly heavy blues, classic rock, X-country, rock....basically what anyones plays for fun, but I play it all the time. I don't need a pick-up to make Slayer look weak, but I do love a good cutting humbucker if I need it.

My two main influences are Billy F. Gibbons, and Warren Haynes, but I do love me some Waylon Jennings, Jerry Reed, and Brian Setzer too.

I run a Marshall VS100 Valvstate half stack, a CFH Crybaby, and a Boss Chorus Ensemble for my amp and effects. I have a Boss/Roland BR1180-CD that I use to record with, but my live tone is lacking with that 490R in the neck.

Hopes this helps.

Searcher · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2006, 06:49:28 PM »

Get the Mule pickup! You'll never regret it.

BleedMarshall · « **Reply #7 on:** June 03, 2006, 06:53:01 PM »

Mule neck huh? My buddy recommended that and a War Pig, but he said the War Pig was more high gain than the Mule. Thanks brother. 8)

Searcher · « **Reply #8 on:** June 03, 2006, 07:02:45 PM »

You're welcome.

He recommended a Warpig? Hmm. For the styles of music you play, I wouldn't have suggested that myself. The Warpig is more for heavy rhythm stuff--heavy being very, very heavy. Sure, it can be used for more than just that, but why buy a pickup designed for one use and not use it that way, when you can buy one that more directly suits your style? :)

BleedMarshall · « **Reply #9 on:** June 03, 2006, 08:52:46 PM »

Cool. Thanks. I appreciate the advice.

downrodeo · « **Reply #10 on:** June 04, 2006, 06:33:29 PM »

Nailbomb bridge, Mule neck...Most versatile pickups in the BK range!

Jappse · « **Reply #11 on:** June 04, 2006, 07:01:14 PM »

The NB/Mule combo is excellent, have them myself in a LP. But when its comes to the genres you play, I would rather go for a calibrated set of mules. The NB will just be too damn powerful.

screamingdaisy · « **Reply #12 on:** June 04, 2006, 07:04:33 PM »

Quote from: BleedMarshall

Mule neck huh? My buddy recommended that and a War Pig, but he said the War Pig was more high gain than the Mule. Thanks brother. 8)

For what you like, avoid the Warpig......too high output.

Check out the stuff in the Vintage and Vintage Hot lineups. Most of the stuff you listed has some good pickin' action and the lower output pups will be more open/dynamic sounding.

I suggest you find some clips for the Mule, Black Dog, and Rebel Yell.

Mule neck/Black Dog bridge

Mule neck/Rebel Yell bridge

carlaz · « **Reply #13 on:** June 05, 2006, 10:43:40 AM »

Quote from: BleedMarshall

I play too many things/styles really, but mostly heavy blues, classic rock, X-country, rock....basically what anyones plays for fun, but I play it all the time. I don't need a pick-up to make Slayer look weak, but I do love a good cutting humbucker if I need it. My two main influences are Billy F. Gibbons, and Warren Haynes, but I do love me some Waylon Jennings, Jerry Reed, and Brian Setzer too.

IMO, you want the calibrated Mule set. The Warpig, though extremely cool, is not the tool for the job you describe. :) If you wanted to go hotter than the Mule for some reason, I'd say go with the Crawlers (I replaced the 498/490 pups in my LP Std with Crawlers), but given you influences and styles, I'd say the Mules are right on the money!

Ratrod · « **Reply #14 on:** June 05, 2006, 12:49:11 PM »

I don't think you could go wrong with Mules. There's plenty of power in them for all the styles you play.