SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

[Push to Shuv]

Has anyone experienced both?

I have Antiquities in my LP and they are incredible. I have been curious about the Mules lately (and Stormy Mondays too). The BKPs are highly regarded but I'm wondering if they are comparable to the Ants. Ants have a little something extra that I have never heard in other PAF types, some magic if you will. They are my favorite pickups, hands down and I have had almost all of the Duncan line and some boutique models as well. The complexity is amazing, and they can get downright spanky especially in the middle position.

The Mules are expensive and I'd like to know if they are on the same level. For the same money or less I can get some Custom Shop PAF variant.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

The problem of BKP's price in the States is the valuta exchange.

In Europe, both are in the same price ballpark.

Here in Italy, no too much love for them, guessing it's because the importer doesn't do a great job promoting'em. Even the small, high-priced luthiers use Duncan, Di Marzio or Haussel.

Also, the aftermarket p'up market is not too big here, and Lollar and Fralin are considered THE p'ups to get from the "ones in the know".

Guitar players still think that they HAVE TO change GUITARS to get the tone they want. That's why the market in general moves so slowly.

HTH,

 

[hermetico]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

I cannot compare both, unfortunatelly but, I hope I will do in some time (when I recover a bit my economy).

I've got the Mules and, they have a very complex voice, with kick enough, organic, articulated, and I'd would say, the right EQ. They have an outstanding definition note by note and, sound awesome when drived hard.

I think one of the main differences will be the magnet. Mules use an Alnico IV magnet (that I loved specially at neck positions).

I want to test those antiquity to dead.
I had my strato loaded with BKP Mother's Milk calibrated set and, they were the best strato pickups I've ever heard but, man, once I've loaded my axe with the Antiquity II surf, those Mother's Milk were beated and, my search for strato pickups ended.

I hope that those antiquity humbuckers can sound as good as the antiquity for strato. If they do, forget BKP.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

I have used them both and actually prefer the Antiquities.


My favourite BKP is the Black Dog set. Very PAF sounding but with a great musical midrange snarl

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

Sounds like Ants are preferred over Mules. I think I'll just go the CS route then. This was my first instinct but I was curious as to how the Mules fit in the mix.

Basically I will probably be putting my Ants in my Sheraton and having some CS PAF types made for my LP. The Ants are the best pups I have ever played and I hear they are even better when ordered/tweaked through the CS. I shall soon order some Ant *BASED* CS pups

 

[Simon_F]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

I have had both Antiquities and Mules in LPs.

My perception is that the Mules have more output (more noticable on the bridge pickup), and a brighter top end (more noticeable on the neck pickup).

Another difference, apart from the scatter-winding and degaussed magnets already mentioned, is that by default the Mules are potted and the Ants aren't.

The Antiquities have more of that honky midrange thing that I associate with old PAFs, while the Mules have a very balanced, open and clear sound. Can't really describe it any better than that!

They are both fine pickups. I didn't keep the Ants because I wanted more beef from the bridge (probably should have tried a full strength magnet).

And I have experienced nothing less than excellent customer service from both companies.

 

[hermetico]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

That's what I really love in this forum. You all administrators are really getlemen.
As a forum member, I highly appreciate your way of doing things.
+12

 

[Brow]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

I have had both Antiquities and Mules in LPs.

My perception is that the Mules have more output (more noticable on the bridge pickup), and a brighter top end (more noticeable on the neck pickup).

Another difference, apart from the scatter-winding and degaussed magnets already mentioned, is that by default the Mules are potted and the Ants aren't.

The Antiquities have more of that honky midrange thing that I associate with old PAFs, while the Mules have a very balanced, open and clear sound. Can't really describe it any better than that!

They are both fine pickups. I didn't keep the Ants because I wanted more beef from the bridge (probably should have tried a full strength magnet).

And I have experienced nothing less than excellent customer service from both companies.

Very well put Simon!!

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

Simon, you mentioned that the Mule has a brighter top end. The Ant bridge in my LP has a very bright treble response, do you think the Mule would be brighter in the bridge than the Ant?

 

[Simon_F]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

I don't think there's a lot in it but my comment was based on my perception of the neck pickup. I like a bright neck pickup because I like to roll the volume back for a cleaner bluesy/jazzy tone and some pickups get pretty murky when you do that. It seems to work better for me with Mules than it did with Ants. Maybe clarity would be a better word.

I find all PAF-style pickups to be bright in the bridge position and I often roll back the tone knob to compensate when playing rock stuff.

 

[Brow]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

I don't think there's a lot in it but my comment was based on my perception of the neck pickup. I like a bright neck pickup because I like to roll the volume back for a cleaner bluesy/jazzy tone and some pickups get pretty murky when you do that. It seems to work better for me with Mules than it did with Ants. Maybe clarity would be a better word.

I find all PAF-style pickups to be bright in the bridge position and I often roll back the tone knob to compensate when playing rock stuff.

Clarity is a very good word for this Simon.

All BKPs I've tried do seem to stay extremely clear under even the heaviest amounts of gain.

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

I too prefer neck pups on the bright side.

So in your experience the Mules had more clarity than the Ants? I am considering Mules again. There are some videos of them that really speak to me. It is certainly a different flavor of PAF than the Ants, but one that really appeals to me for this LP.

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to find out all I can before I drop all that money on some. The other set I am considering is the Bonamassa set, but I feel it might sound just like a lower output version of my Ants. (my Ant bridge was rated at 8.73k but reads 9.0k on my multimeter, definitely on the hot side)

 

[blueman335]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

Sounds like Ants are preferred over Mules. I think I'll just go the CS route then. This was my first instinct but I was curious as to how the Mules fit in the mix.

Basically I will probably be putting my Ants in my Sheraton and having some CS PAF types made for my LP. The Ants are the best pups I have ever played and I hear they are even better when ordered/tweaked through the CS. I shall soon order some Ant *BASED* CS pups

I'll take Seth's over Ant's any day (I have both). Aged A2's just don't have much treble or output, muffled and not much bite.

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

I'll take Seth's over Ant's any day (I have both). Aged A2's just don't have much treble or output, muffled and not much bite.

I haven't tried Seth's (yet) but hear great things. The Ants that I have in my LP have a lot of bite in the bridge and plenty of treble.

 

[Brow]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

I'll take Seth's over Ant's any day (I have both). Aged A2's just don't have much treble or output, muffled and not much bite.

I always preferred Seths over Ants too. They just seemed to have a bit of extra 'something' about them.

After that I tried Mules and the Seths were gone. They're still my favourite Duncans though.

 

[blueman335]

Re: SD Antiquities *vs* BKP Mules

I always preferred Seths over Ants too. They just seemed to have a bit of extra 'something' about them.

I agree. I think that a common perception amongst PAF fans is that is that Seth's are great and Ant's must be even better because more work goes into them and they cost more. That's what I thought too until I got a set of Ant's. For me they were a bit of a disappointment after Seth's. I'm sure some of the guys with both would prefer Ant's, but side-by-side most would probably choose Seth's.