Author Topic: Black Dog Calibrated Set? (Read 7632 times)

rinse_master · « **on:** June 16, 2005, 12:42:40 PM »

Hi,

TwilightOdessey recommended I try a a set of Black Dogs for my Edwards LP, what can I expect from them?

I have read a few reviews on HC, and they look to be right for me but I wanted to get a second opinion, as all I really know is that they are about 10k(b) & 8k(n) and they have mids.

Whatever I choose, they will be going in my Edwards LP Standard which is very vintage style, long neck tenon, thicker 1-pc body etc.

Lately I have been listening to a lot of Led Zep, Rush and Hendrix although other tastes include Helmet, Tool, The Mars Volta, Biffy Clyro etc.

I'm open to any suggestions, fire away!

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2005, 12:58:57 PM »

If I'm not mistaken, Brow has a Black Dog set in his LP, and I'm sure he'll chime in shortly. :)

Skybone · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2005, 02:04:14 PM »

I have a calibrated set of Black Dog's in my Tokai Love Rock, and I do have to sing their praises, they sound excellent in a good LP. If you read the reviews at HC, you will have seen my contribution (the 3rd review).

I had a Seymour Duncan 59 & JB combo in my Love Rock, and it sounded good with them in, but I was unhappy with the lack of mid detail in the SD's, which is why I chose the Black Dog's over any other BKP for my main guitar.

Output for mine is 10k bridge, 8.2k neck. Not super hot, but they do sound wonderful through a cranked amp, or through a pedal. I spent some time restting my gear so that I could find the sweet spot for these pickups, but once you're there, oh boy, it's classic rock heaven! Forget scooping the mids out with this pickup cos you can't.

What can you expect from them? A real classic rock sound, with a full body and a great mid detail. The product description for these pickups is absolutely bang on.

rinse_master · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2005, 02:14:34 PM »

Thanks!

I was thinking 8k might be a little too hot for the neck for really clean type stuff (although I know DC res. is not always representitive of output).

How are they split, have you tried?

BTW, I was reading that reveiw when you posted :D

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2005, 03:11:10 PM »

Skybone, slightly O/T, but how do you like your Love Rock?
I saw a cool one in NY with Brow last week; I'll post a pic of it when I get home. :)

Skybone · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2005, 08:46:40 PM »

rinse_master,

IMO 8k is about right for the neck position, especially with a calibrated set. Clean it gives a really nice plummy tone with the tone pot rolled off, and with a little drive it does a wonderful "Woman Tone", admittedly, I use a fair bit more drive than that, but even then it sounds great.

TO,
It's a fantastic guitar, definitely a keeper. It's the LS-70F model (MIJ) with a 2 piece back, maple cap and a flame sycamore veneer top in blue. It certainly feels and weighs like the real thing, and I don't think there'd be much in it tone wise between an LP and an MIJ Love Rock. They do have the vibe of being a tough, working guitar.

The older one's from the late 70's/early 80's are becoming really sought after (like similar period Ibanez), but if you pick up a one from the mid 80's through to the late 90's, you'll be getting a damn good guitar. They were made to change the headstock design from around about late 2003, but up until then they used the "Open Book" design.

http://www.tokairegistry.com
http://www.tokaiforum.com/

Ratrod · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2005, 09:00:40 PM »

I have some pictures of Tokais somewhere. Gorgeous tops and paisley graphics. Too bad the name sounds so cheap 'cause they're really good.

rinse_master · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2005, 09:10:26 PM »

Quote from: Skybone

rinse_master,

IMO 8k is about right for the neck position, especially with a calibrated set. Clean it gives a really nice plummy tone with the tone pot rolled off, and with a little drive it does a wonderful "Woman Tone", admittedly, I use a fair bit more drive than that, but even then it sounds great.

Just what I wanted to hear :D , gonna shift the SD's and order a pair as soon as. (I have the same combo, JB & 95, they came with the guitar)

By the way your Tokai looks nice.

Skybone · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2005, 11:20:22 AM »

IMO the SD 59 & JB sounded good, but a little too "clinical", and there didn't seem to be any mid detail in there (at best, there's very little). I was getting a bit hacked off with all the other pickup MFR's, as there didn't seem to be anything out there that catered for my requirement for some mids in my tone. Thank whatever deity for BKP's!

Thanks, I think it's a great guitar, especially now it sounds like I want it to. Like I said, it's a keeper.

The Paisley's are great, especially the Love Rock's, wouldn't own one personally though! ;)

Ratrod · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2005, 11:32:32 AM »

It's nice for a WHTTHFCK!? effect. A pair of Warpigs in a pink paisley Love Rock, a set of Sinners in a pink Strat. :twisted:

rinse_master · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2005, 11:43:27 AM »

Quote from: Skybone

IMO the SD 59 & JB sounded good, but a little too "clinical", and there didn't seem to be any mid detail in there (at best, there's very little).

I know what you mean, the JB is all treble and high mids which kinda grates on me after a while, although in my LP Studio it sounds better?

I don't like the '59, a bit too bassy and like you said, no mids...

I just saw your clip you posted of the black dogs, will def. be giving that a listen once I get home, thanks!

Brow · « **Reply #11 on:** June 19, 2005, 06:42:08 PM »

Hey guys.

I can't believe I only just saw this post?! :oops: Maybe I should start opening my eyes a little more :roll:

To was half right when he said I have a Black Dog set in my Gordon Smith Graduate 60. I have a Black Dog bridge and a Riff Raff neck :)

I find the black Dog to be a good pickup for the slightly more 'aggressive' Classic Rock style guitar sounds. The Black Dog does have a fair whack of mids to it (which helps it cut through a mix) and it also has a 'snarl' to it that, imo, puts it more in the slightly more 'aggressive PAF' pickup category.

I still find myself playing my Gibson LP with Seths more than the Gordon Smith, but that's just because I prefer the playability of my Gibby and is nothing against the Black Dog at all :)

Infact, I'd love to hear either a Black Dog or a Mule in my Gibson, just to hear how it differs to the Black Dog in my Gordon Smith :)

Craig

rinse_master · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2005, 09:36:48 AM »

Brow, thanks for the reply!

It is def. sounding like the sort of thing I'm looking for, "aggresive PAF", I'm guessing these pickups could handle most styles with ease?

_tom_ · « **Reply #13 on:** June 20, 2005, 10:15:27 AM »

I'm kinda wishing I got one of these now as my Mule sounds kinda low output compared to the neck pup in my Epi. I'm sure I wont mind when I get my new neck pickup though (I start working next week so hopefully it wont take ages to save up :twisted: )

Brow · « **Reply #14 on:** June 20, 2005, 11:22:17 AM »

Quote from: rinse_master

Brow, thanks for the reply!

It is def. sounding like the sort of thing I'm looking for, "aggresive PAF", I'm guessing these pickups could handle most styles with ease?

To me, they do seem like a pretty versatile pickup. The large amount of mids that come from the Black Dog means that it wouldn't be my 1st choice pickup for some styles, although you could probably EQ the amp differently and it'd be fine :)

Let us know how you get on if you do get the Black Dogs :)

Craig

Author Topic: Black Dog Calibrated Set? (Read 7632 times)

TwilightOdyssey

TwilightOdyssey