Author Topic: humbuckers for my gibson (Read 10587 times)

big steve · « **on:** July 19, 2005, 12:10:13 AM »

hi all,
i have an SG standard at present, with the stock gibson pickups. i like the crunchy rhythm chunk i can get from them, but they seem a little lacking and thin when playing single note lines.
i'm looking to maybe get a set of bareknuckles, if/when the funds improve. i'm overwhelmed by the plethora of descriptions, all of which sound excellent. i'm NOT looking for a gain set to 11, pinch harmonics, divebombing kind of vibe. just something with a good thick, cruncchy tone. i've seen the Emerald, which sounds like a thin lizzt reference, the riff raff would correlate to acdc and the black dog would seem to imply a zeppelin type of vibe. i would list all of these groups as influences, so i'm pretty much at a loss for what to choose. who has these pickups? what do you all think? should i cast the net a little wider?

cheers
steve

lulusg · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2005, 02:04:31 AM »

Hi StevO. I have a set of Emeralds on my SG Std. Just yesterday i started playing with the git. I have so far 4 sets of BKP and once i start to play a particular guitar with a particular set of pickups it is hard to put it down. There are lots of wise gents on this forum ready to answer, and help you out. I'll get in touch later I have to milk the cow :)

HJM · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2005, 07:27:07 AM »

Emeralds are the hottest output of the three, great harmonics and can really give your amp an extra kick PDT_007

Black Dogs have lots of mid, and slightly less treble, classic page tone but work very well as all rounders.

I haven't got a Riff Raff in a guitar, and it's been a while since I played one!

big steve · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2005, 10:38:22 AM »

does the emerald clean up well?

big steve · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2005, 10:53:37 AM »

oh, i was looking at the Mule too, they look like they would fit what i'm looking for too. how would they match up to an Emerald?

HJM · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2005, 10:55:07 AM »

The Emerald sounds great clean, but not as open as a Mule. The Mule is a touch more dynamic and open sounding, doesn't drive your amp as hard.

big steve · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2005, 11:54:24 AM »

how does mule a4 neck, emerald bridge sound? or would i be better using two of the same in the guitar?

this is the problem with BKP, too much great stuff to choose between...

HJM · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2005, 12:44:14 PM »

I used to mix and match, now I go for sets....but the Emerald/mule combo will sound great!

Metalaholic · « **Reply #8 on:** July 19, 2005, 02:43:31 PM »

Had a chap just recently put a set of Mules in a LP Std, and I have to say it sounded awesome! so can recomend them from a tone point of view!

Joe Dorcia · « **Reply #9 on:** July 19, 2005, 04:53:01 PM »

I built a crazy guitar and got a blog dog bucker for the bridge and it really wails!!!!! Its nice n thnk and crunchy. I havent played the other bukers you mentioned but there are some cool sound clips on the players page of this forum. I think all the pups you mentioned are on there.

Joe

PhilKing · « **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2005, 04:58:28 PM »

I have Emerald/Mule AIV in a Les Paul and the combo is great. I also have a Riff Raff with Stormy Monday AIV in another LP. The difference is that the Emerald/Mule is more rocky, the Riff Raff/Stormy Monday is cleaner, but can still drive really well too. If you think Gary Moore/Eric Clapton vs Paul Kossoff/Peter Green, perhaps a subtle difference, but that is how I hear it. Both the Riff Raff and the Emerald produce great harmonics. Also all of these clean up without losing tone (just like all my BK pickups).

big steve · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2005, 07:25:42 PM »

sounds good then, i'll probably go for an emerald bridge and mule AIV neck. when i have the money....

Ratrod · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2005, 09:13:07 PM »

If I had a Gibson SG, I'd go for the Riff Raff, but then, I am a bit of an AC/DC nut. However, like all BKP's, they'll do more than the name implies.

big steve · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2005, 10:18:29 PM »

i like ac/dc too, but the thing is that i don't see myself staying with the SG indefinitely - i'll probably switch to an LP standard or a jap tokai Love Rock (apparently they play very well, and they'll sound good with bareknuckles in) and use the same set of pickups i'm asking about in this thread. I'm not too keen on the skinny, flat neck of the SG either - seems to be aimed more towards shred stuff, of which i'm not a fan.

lulusg · « **Reply #14 on:** July 20, 2005, 02:23:33 AM »

Hi StevO. A mix match seems proper for you because they can cover different styles. I do like sets and little by little I intend to have more BKPs. This Emerald set won't be coming out of my SG any time soon, it's just perfect for the guitar. The tonality, harmonics, clarity, focus is excellent. :)