Which SD is closest to a BKP Mule?

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Exodus5

New member
I have a 1978 Greco LP copy that is chambered. The original Maxon UD pickups seemed to be dying, so I swapped in a set of Thornbuckers/+ and it sounded only slightly better.
My go to in a Les Paul would be an Unpotted set of Bare Knuckle Mules, but I thought maybe I’d try something hotter so I picked up the JB/Jazz set from GC. They were no better, so now I need to exchange them with Duncan but I cannot see a pickup that matches the Mules. It looks like the Antiquities have the right readings but they have A2 magnets and I absolutely hate the Aph2’s.
I see they have A4’s in the Saturday Night Specials, but those are wound hotter and are potted.
Is there a set that more closely matches BKP Mules? Or would I need to try to order something custom like Antiquities with A4 magnets or unpotted SNS’s?
 
Re: Which SD is closest to a BKP Mule?

The mag is only a small part of the equation.....indeed some pickups sound almost opposite to their magnets general tonality.....some handle any magnet type well, whilst other deal poorly with mag swaps.
Another issue is that k readings are also another poor way of telling pickup tone or output. Not having used a mule I have no suggestions. Hopefully someone who has can offer some guidance over and above mere figures.
 
Re: Which SD is closest to a BKP Mule?

I’ll suggest changing your pots and caps/electronics in that guitar.
Generally, pickups don’t just die and if a JB and invader aren’t drastic differences tonally then I think the problem lies elsewhere.
 
Re: Which SD is closest to a BKP Mule?

I guess I'll play devils advocate here. How do you know you want the mules??? If the thornbuckers (which are really good) didn't help your guitar sound "Better" then I don't know if the mules are gonna get you there either. I hate seeing people spend a lot of dough to get no results. Tell everyone here what sort of sound you are looking for, or what is wrong with your current tone, and what sort of music you like to play, and someone here will have some great suggestions.
 
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Re: Which SD is closest to a BKP Mule?

what didnt you like about the thorns? what didnt you like about the jb/jazz? be specific as you can be and we can give better suggestions
 
Re: Which SD is closest to a BKP Mule?

My guess would have been the Saturday Night Specials. They don't sound too hot to me. If you are only looking at the DC resitance, that isn't a good indication, since they use a different magnet etc. According to the output scale on the Duncan website they look like they have similar output to the 59's.
 
Re: Which SD is closest to a BKP Mule?

those output scales are suspect. the sns is hotter than a 59
 
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