Mississippi Queens in a 335

[MartinS]

Hi. I'm considering some Mississippi Queens for my Gibson 335. Does anyone have experience of these pickups in this instrument (or one of a similar design)?

Clips of MQs (like those of any other p90-style pickups) are as rare as hens' teeth, but if you have some, or know where there are some, I'd be grateful if you could either point me in the right direction or send them to me via email.

Many thanks.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Welcome to the forum!

You might want to check this thread, already in progress:

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9675

[MartinS]

Thanks for that. I have done several searches on the site for clips. I'm open to suggestions for other pickups. I'd like some versatility, so perhaps a tappable humbucker (my 335 has a coil tap switch in place) would be a better choice...?

Sometimes I like real mellow, jazzy sounds, sometimes a graunchy indie sound, sometimes a thick blues tone.

My stock Gibson humbuckers just don't seem to cut through. The bridge is way too trebly, and the neck can be boomy.

And it'd be great to support a British company.

Martin

[Twinfan]

The MQ won't really do a mellow jazz tone - it's quite hot and biting (I have one in an SG).

I would go for Stormy Mondays, but everyone says that about 335s  ;)

Maybe give BKP a ring and see what they advise?  You can't go wrong with SMs though.

[MartinS]

I'll have to see if I can find a variety of Stormy Monday clips.

If I went for those, what are the differences in terms of Alnico 2/4 and potted/unpotted?

I like to get some (good) feedback; can you get that potted?

Ta.

[MartinS]

Well, I found some, and read some reviews - these sound great! Tapped would give me options, too.

But Alnico 2 or 4?

[Twinfan]

2 is milder, sweeter.  4 is stronger and tighter.

I'd go for 2 personally, but it's your choice!

[TwilightOdyssey]

2 is milder, sweeter.  4 is stronger and tighter.

I'd go for 2 personally, but it's your choice!

Alnico II in the neck position can be a bit loosey goosey ... but I think it'll be fine in a 335.

[msplines]

The other guitarist in my band has 2 MQs in his 335 copy and it sounds excellent! From melt-in-your-ears plummy (tone backed off a tad, lovely for jazz tones) to growly, from crunchy to wailing and it takes gain exceptionally well, biting but not in the least ice picky and sweet in all registers - just the opposite of the humbuckers that were in there before. It also doesn't suffer from excessive hum unless you are really near the amp under high gain (He uses a Fender supersonic and a Rivera).
I don't think you can do any better than MQueens, but, as always, Tim is the final court of appeal.

[MartinS]

I did email a query:

"I have a 1979 Gibson 335 with coil tap, and am thinking of changing the pickups as the sound doesn't seem to cut through enough when playing with the band.

Could you advise me on what Bare Knuckle pickups would be best for my requirements? I'm in an indie pop band, and play both clean and overdriven (the latter through an Electro-Harmonix Tube Zipper). I like a crisp but not harsh/too trebly bridge sound, and a sweet but not muddy neck sound."

To which Tim said:

"I'm going to have to say The Mule humbucker set will do this the best for you. Bridge DC8.4K Alnico IV, very balanced, nice cut without any harsh highs and good mid projection. Neck DC7.3K Alnico IV sweet and articulate with not mush!"

[Ted]

Listen to the big man.

All my BKP's are exacly what I wanted after following Tim's advice.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Listen to the big man.

All my BKP's are exacly what I wanted after following Tim's advice.

But that hasn't been true for everyone.

No harm in asking for a general consensus, no matter what the final decision is, so long as you make up your damn mind and don't waste everyone's time with pointless arguing.

[MartinS]

Hmmm... I'm puzzled now. I *feel* that a fat single coil sound is what I want, hence the interest in MQs, but Tim's Mule suggestion has me confused...

Me scratchy head.

I'm sure Tim's the man to know, but does anyone else have an opinion (especially re Mississippi Queens)?

I thank you.

[badgermark]

Doesn't Tim do a Manhattan? Or used to anyway. It was a lower output MQ, HB sized P90. I know Wez just had one put into the neck of his fanned fret build. Possibly ask Tim about this?

[WezV]

manhattan is still available.  I only ordered mine last month - god know why tim doesnt advertise it on the website

The neck pickup is only 6k - sounds beautifull though, real cristal clear cleans with plenty of clarity but still handles dirt better than a fender style neck single coil even if thats not what its really built for.  Its has the extra fullness of a P-90 but isnt as aggressive.

i have mine partnered with a mule in the bridge with seperate volumes and its really versatile if you play with the blend between them