Pickups for my LP Standard

[simonp]

I'm after some new pickups for my '96 Les Paul Standard. Currently it has the stock 498T and 490R combo, but I find the output rather high, and my Trace Elliot C100 valve amp struggles to get clena up from the volume knob on the OD channel. I also find thjem a touch muddy sometims, with little "sparkle" at the top end.

Tim has suggested either Mules or Stormy Mondays, and just wondered what the thoughts here were.

My favourite LP tones are Green, Moore, Kossoff, Slash etc.

I play mostly rock with a bluesy tinge, and occasionally dip into heavier stuff, but I have a Charvel I tend to use for that stuff.

I also cannot decide on covers or not, currently I have a mix, with the bridge uncovered.

[CaffeineJunkie]

muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuules


:)


(Tim is always right, he is infallible :D)

[FELINEGUITARS]

+1 for mules.

i just put some Hovland Musicaps on my Mule equipped LP and it really has changed it a lot
Somehow sounds much more "old school"

[fps_dean]

muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuules


:)


(Tim is always right, he is infallible :D)

+1 here too.

[RorySRV]

For Slash and Moore I have also been recommended Mules.

So I will say +1 to Mules  

RorySRV,

[Fourth Feline]

+1 for Mules.

 I also had the 490R/498T combo and they are rubbish compared to a set of Mules. Mules will give you a sweet treble, creamy defined mid range and will take that horrible wooly sound off of your bass strings.

I have tried both Alnico II Stormy Mondays and Alnico IV Mules in my Les Paul, and observe that whilst the Stormy Mondays are delightfuly clear sweet and airy, the Mules put the characteristic 'creamy mid' back into the Les Paul. (Stormy Mondays seem to have a flatter E.Q response).  I have now put the SMs into my my S.G. (on Tim's recommendation) and now both guitars sound heavenly !

With reference to the covers, I would choose covered (as I did ) - as they have a more 'classic' look on a classic design such as the les paul. I chose nickel. They do however have a slightly yellowish tint to them which is slightly at odds with the blueish tint of the other chrome hardware on my guitar, but I like the idea of them looking less 'stark' in a honeyburst body.

Regards,
Derek.
 :D

[_tom_]

Can we make a sticky with the kinda tones each pickup is most suitable for and which guitars they are most suited to?

Just see a load of these threads and thought itd be easier to just have it all in one thing...

[RorySRV]

Yea that would be a good idea,

but some people dont know what mid range, highs, bass scoops etc mean so I think if you are going to do this when you post about a pickup you need to post some examples of an artists sound in which the pickup can replicate.

For example the black dog has (technical stuff).

They replicate sounds of artists such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath etc

Just my Two Cents,

RorySRV,

[simonp]

Yeah, I know I'm posting questions asked many times before, but sometimes it takes so long to trawl through old postings, plus you get fresh ideas, newer forum users replying etc sometimes this way.

I still can't decide on the covrs or not, at the moment I have have bridge uncovered and neck covered, and both look good (although not so good mixed) and I relly like the opposing zebra thing too on the pic posted. Too many choices :?

It sounds like the Mules are for me then if they give the mids a lift over the 498T which is both dark and harsh at times and not that sweet. The 490R in the neck however can sound very sweet at times, but best to go for a set I think.

[Twinfan]

+1 for mules.

i just put some Hovland Musicaps on my Mule equipped LP and it really has changed it a lot
Somehow sounds much more "old school"

Aren't they stupid money for just a cap?

[simonp]

Just to add to this to help my choice, this is how my LP Standard sounds with stock pickups:

http://us.f13.yahoofs.com/bc/45278638_14cc8/bc/My+Documents/simonp_LP_demo.mp3?bfXr4JFBQsjYrSBm

 This is bar far the best sound I have got from it. The first 2 "rounds" of solo are with the neck, the 3rd is with the bridge. As you can hear with the ammount of gain I have to run to get bite with the stock pickups  they sound similar, hence wanting to change.

[Fourth Feline]

Hi again Simon,

You will not regret going for a set, because the Mule neck is far more detailed and articulate than the 490R whilst being still sweeter. It was the somewhat  muffled nature of the stock Gibson neck pickup that first made me want to swap for BKPs. Playing your chords and solos through BK pickups (especially clean) is like having given your guitar elecution lessons !

   :D

[HTH AMPS]

+1 on the Mules, classic rock all the way.

I'd go for an uncovered zebra set coz they look the coolest (imo).

 :twisted:

[dave_mc]

Can we make a sticky with the kinda tones each pickup is most suitable for and which guitars they are most suited to?

Just see a load of these threads and thought itd be easier to just have it all in one thing...

that would be an excellent idea, I agree- thing is, the new website may have something along those lines...

[simonp]

So, my decision is... a pair of Mules, and I can't resist having a zebra pair, reversed for the bridge and normal for the neck, which will mean the cream bits face in towards each other, correct?

Ona last question, I have seen mention of some people having them un-potted. What is the advantage of this, and how does it weigh up against the potential microphonic feedback risk?