Rio Grande Mud

[Darg1911]

Not the ZZ Top album, the pickups ...

I quit playing over a decade ago due to an injury that affected my fretting hand and fingers. Skipping the long story, I'll just mention that after several abandoned attempts to start playing again since then, I finally started back up a few months ago and, as frustrating as it has been at times, I'm making progress and sticking with it. That brings me to the Rio Grande pickups.

I had a Texas and BBQ set in two guitars at one point. One guitar went missing. I still have the other. I've slowly been going through my guitars, set-ups, cleaning, re-stringing etc. Finally got to the guitar with the Rio Grande set. I used to love these pickups but now, I cant understand why. The guitar is an import, mahogany, maple top, rosewood board. To be fair, I am still appreciating some of attributes of the BBQ in the bridge and it may stay. But Rio Grande Mud is the perfect description for the Texas neck pup. At any rate, I'm looking for a replacement. I'm thinking that a 59 in the neck may mate ok with the BBQ bridge. I have a 59 with JB in another quitar. I will if I have to but I really don't want to pull it to try in this guitar. I like the 59. Was never over enthusiastic with the JB but it does some things really well.

At any rate, I'm looking for opinions on a couple of things. One is on the 59 neck BBQ bridge combo. Or, if you have another suggestion for something that may pair ok with the BBQ.
Also interested if anyone has tried a Texas in the bridge? I think I'm going to get around to trying it in the bridge in something, just wondering if anyone has done it. It have a feeling that, in the bridge, it will be more open, less mud. Probably a less ballsy version of the BBQ.

The Texas is the poster child for how the magnet is only one part of the recipe. I haven't checked specs but I'm sure that SD makes an Alnico V wound close to 9K that sounds completely different than the Rio Grande. I'm an electronic tinkerer, but I'll leave pickups to the pickup makers. Unless ... anyone swap magnets in a Texas?

 

[SFW]

Re: Rio Grande Mud

I've always like the 59n. Some will say that it can get boomy in the neck position, but I find that if you adjust the screws to match the radius and keep the pickup at a good height- then it's a fine pickup. To be honest, I can't stand the BBQ. I have tried many times to like Rio's pups- as they are. Local company. However, I alway end up thinking that they are overly dark and uninspiring. Tone is subjective, however, and you may really dig them. At any rate, the 59 and the Jazz are the two most popular Duncan neck pickups for a reason. They do their job very well.

 

[swissmountain]

Re: Rio Grande Mud

Also interested if anyone has tried a Texas in the bridge? I think I'm going to get around to trying it in the bridge in something, just wondering if anyone has done it. It have a feeling that, in the bridge, it will be more open, less mud. Probably a less ballsy version of the BBQ.

I did - in the bridge position of two different Les Pauls. I think it is much more at home there than in the neck. Sound is hot PAFish with that typical smoky Rio quality. I agree to the "less ballsy BBQ" description.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Rio Grande Mud

I did - in the bridge position of two different Les Pauls. I think it is much more at home there than in the neck. Sound is hot PAFish with that typical smoky Rio quality. I agree to the "less ballsy BBQ" description.

Did you find a neck pup that paired ok with it?

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Rio Grande Mud

I have a Tele Deluxe and I have a BBQ bridge with a UOA5 and a Gibson 496R with a UOA5 neck. Those two make a very good pair. I tried a Jazz, A2P and 59N but they weren't a good match.

 

[superpete]

Re: Rio Grande Mud

I'm a big fan of the BBQ in the bridge, not so much of the Texas in the neck. The last time I installed a BBQ I paired it with a Seth Lover in the neck. Both positions sound good, but they don't sound that great as a set. The BBQ is thick and middy, more compressed, the Seth is clear and open. Both great sounds, but maybe not in the same guitar.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Rio Grande Mud

Yeah, I can see trying to find a neck pup that will offer a good middle position with the BBQ in the bridge as being a problem. The Texas and BBQ match if you like the thick Rio Grande tone. The neck is just too damned dark for my tastes now. I'm still undecided on the bridge. I may have to pull the 59 neck from the other guitar and try it with the BBQ and also try it with the Texas in the bridge. Should give me something to work from before I start spending money. I'm too skeptical about an unoriented A5 making enough of a difference to try it. I'd probably try it anyway if they weren't covered. Worst case, I'll just sell one or both before I get too deep in. The pups are in great condition.

 

[swissmountain]

Re: Rio Grande Mud

Did you find a neck pup that paired ok with it?

Not really - most full size humbuckers in the neck sound a bit too dark for me.

 

[swissmountain]

Re: Rio Grande Mud

I may have to pull the 59 neck from the other guitar and try it with the BBQ and also try it with the Texas in the bridge. Should give me something to work from before I start spending money.

I would definitely recommend to do that, and in that order.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Rio Grande Mud

I have a Tele Deluxe and I have a BBQ bridge with a UOA5 and a Gibson 496R with a UOA5 neck. Those two make a very good pair. I tried a Jazz, A2P and 59N but they weren't a good match.

I gotta ask. What did the unoriented A5 do for the BBQ's tone. And was it a fairly subtle change or a big one?

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Rio Grande Mud

I gotta ask. What did the unoriented A5 do for the BBQ's tone. And was it a fairly subtle change or a big one?

The unoriented A5 adds midrange complexity, rounds off the treble and fattens bass response. It has qualities of an A2 magnet without all of the mush and random overtones. What I like most about them is you can take A5 pickup's that sound scooped or shrill and give them warmth/grit.