Hi guys,
I'm looking at upgrading the pickups in my Les Paul standard (490/498 I believe). The Bridge isn't bad but I find when setting the amp up for a tone I like on the bridge, the neck can be a bit muddy and not open sounding. I play mostly clean/edge of breakup stuff through Blackface style Fender amps, I sometimes use a Barber LTD or TS for mild-medium overdrive, nothing too heavy.
I have BK Flat 50s in my Tele which I love so I've been looking at the vintage range of BKs for my Les Paul. I like the idea of the PG Blues but I'm not that keen on Peter Green's out of phase tone, I much prefer his live neck pickups tones and Danny Kirwan's bridge ( Boston Tea Party for example ). Then there's the Stormy Mondays, Mules, Riff Raffs, Potted/Unpotted, 2/4 conductor, 550k pots, new capacitors??.. From what I've read the Stormy Mondays sound like they would have a fantastic clean sound but maybe lacking when it comes to OD.. on the other hand the Mules sound like they are a great all rounder so that might be the way to go..
Has anyone got any experience with the BK vintage humbuckers? Thanks for any help!
Comments
I had them in my Jackson for a while. I only got rid as hotter P/ups suit me better.
Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21)
My set from deacci are customized. Based on his Lp-zero which are the most accurate PAF copies. I asked for out of phase magnet and as my maison 335 copy is solid maple with mahogany tone block (not laminate) it's a little less resonant/cooler than real 335 so asked him to tweak winding to add a little warmth. Results are just what I wanted
I've yet to hear a bad word about the products of either.
his recipe is 550k bare knuckle pots, BK mule bridge, wolftone dr vintage neck, and has changed his tailpiece to an aluminium one. Again it's another route I can guarantee won't dissapoint if you want a PAF sound, blues gain.
Oil City + Deacci sound very interesting
I'll take a look into all these suggestions thanks again!.. More choice :-( ;-D
I really like those pickups, and prefer them over the Sheptones and Custombuckers I have had. I think I just like Alnico IV's.
Rob
Is there a big difference after upgrading pots/caps?
I'd recommend Riff Raffs if a Les Paul is very dark acoustically. Otherwise I love the Mules for just about any style. But I'm sure the Stormy Mondays would be great too, including under gain. Although BK's Tim Mills is not a huge fan of Alnico II for rock, lots of big name rock players are. Slash uses very low output Alnico II humbuckers.
If you want the PG tone without being out of phase, Stormy Mondays would be the closest in the range.
Disclosure: I am a Bare Knuckle artist. Other pickup brands exist.
If it was BKs it would definitely be the SM, Mules or PGs.. or even a mix? @jonnyscaramanga yes this would be ideal, a PG set without the OOP ;-)