Since SD comes first, every round I was sure that SD would win because it's so good already, but then every round the mule shows more complexity and subtleties in tone. Great demo.
Mules sounded a tad brighter and I picked them at first but on second listen I liked the mids of the antiquites so I pick Duncan antiquities by a hair. Bit more power too on the bridge which I like. Close one.
Seymour gets overlooked for not being so boutiquey as the new comers. But, as this demo proves, he’s a master. I preferred the Antiquities here. Very intelligent a/b btw. Really let the gear show its stuff.
Nice comparison. Either one is a great choice for a paf type pickups. Having owned both in Les Pauls for years now I have to say that the Mules have a sweetness and harmonic content that I haven’t found in another pickup.
I think a better comparison is if both either had their covers removed or on... naturally the uncovered bare knuckles are gonna be brighter with no cover
I liked the SD Ants more than I expected too. Clean I think The Mules were better, but that last driven bit really showed the Ants can sound good when driven. I still think I’d favor The Mules overall though... but again, I’m probably biased. ;)
Thanks for chiming in. I really enjoyed the Mules when doing these shootouts. I read through your opinions on a few different vids and I agree with all of them. They really killed! Cheers!
Fabulous shootout! Thank you. So consistently played too. It really helps. I'm looking to replace the somewhat benign #7s in my PRS singlecut, so for me, the SDs sounds absolutely perfect for the rich, rounded but articulate tone I'm looking for. The BKNs are gorgeous too, but more like my Gibson LP Trad, so I already have a guitar with that more edgey, traditional rock sound.
I own both in two different Les Pauls. What i hear is a bit more high end clarity in the Mule which could be due to the A4 mag. But...the Antiquity feels like it has more girth and midrange punch. I prefer the Antiquity but we are comparing two fantastic pickups....cant go wrong. Put an A2 in the Mule and Ill bet it sounds like an Antiquity.
Some good points. But a regular A2 without the correct charge would not necessarily sound like an antiquity. Depends on the inductance. Thanks for watching!
Visual Guy Agreed. The A2s in antiquities are demagnetized slightly so 100% agree. As we guitar players usually do...we hear things normal people dont....lol
Sieg Mac depending on the guitar... but probably not. The antiquities are damn good. But, a used set of Mules and a used set or Antiquities are about the same. 200 ish. I’d buy the Mules for this guitar, and I always buy pickups used because i don’t really care about shiny covers.
What channel and settings were you using? Any pedals? I'm trying to compare a 490T with a 57 classic plus, the Riff Raff and the antiquities. Maybe swap out the 490 from my SG but only the bridge, rarely use the neck and the 490 is tremendous.
👉Okay boys n girls, i like the SD Antiqs Bridge but the BN Neck ! Tell me if ya feel the same. I read a lot of comments, and in my opinion -- the SD definitely have a more well rounded sound, seem smoother, and less harsh. Especially the bridge. The neck is great and has more mid to hear the notes being picked and pronounced, but at the same time, you give up a lil' less character and high end up top. The BN bridge is brighter, thinner, but more grit and grind. Like a Les Paul, or even P90. The neck is thicker but has a bit more glassy high end to hear the picked notes SO !! For the player who plays it safe, plays jazz, or metal, SD Antiq may be for you, but for the player who is more raw rock like AcDc, Country pickin', or even GnRoses, the BN suit better I think. BN are for the confident player whose able to control feedback live, and prefers more punch & raw power. If ya play in a CoVeRBanD or a versatile studio, I'd go SD antiq to be on the safe side. They've less feedback, and more control. But my preference by far is the SD bridge but the BN neck.
Great comparison! Think I may go for the BKP Mule in the neck position to accompany my bridge now! (ps, hopefully Zach or Rhett added ya to the livestream chat before next time)
I don’t put much warrant in YT videos after having a channel for 5 years, lol, but I have had more experience now and I agree covers CAN make a slight difference. Albeit there are so many different covers now, the differences vary. Depends on the metals, plating, etc.
@@VisualGuy That's cool. I appreciate all of the videos you're posting. Those are the two sets that I've been thinking of buying. Unless you have other suggestions. My music is somewhere between early ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Blues Breakers and the Allman Brothers. In other words, blues-rock that goes from sweet, mellow, melodic all the way to ZZ Top level fuzz. Between the Mule and Marshallhead, which would you say is the most touch sensitive/dynamic? Did you ever try either with fuzz? Cheers, and thanks again for the videos, Danny
I’d say the Mules are a better choice for your description. MH is a little hot. Won’t do the bluesy, softer stuff as easily. Easier to add gain than take away output from a pickup. Ymmv
Hey do you know what exact DC resistance your mule is measures at? Mine specifically measures 8.7k, which is 0.3 above the stated 8.4k. My black dog oddly measures 0.3 higher as well, just curious about their tolerances.
The DCR can vary based on temperature and humidity. Likely if you see a consistent higher reading on your pickups, its because they are measured in a controlled environment and your place averages a diff temp. It was years ago since I had these so I don’t remember the exact measurements. FYI, inductance is more important than DCR since the DCR can vary measurement. Unsolicited advice: the output within 0.5k doesn’t matter, its barely audible and what you hear is more important than any measurement. If you listen first, and measure later, the opinion may be different than if you measure first and then listen. We are often biased with our senses based on knowledge. “I hear that extra 0.3 output bc I know its there” vs. “They sound Fn GREAT.” I’m guilty of this often. Wish someone would tell me this! 😂😂Cheers!!!
The Mules are ever so slightly better and complex, but find some Antiquities for half as much on the regular and unless you're in the same room as the Mules, that's the winner
@@VisualGuy I really dont see any downside of having a 4 conductor wire version and by extension the reluctance of SD to make 4c wire Aniquities. But then a lot of things in the guitar space are emotional rather than rational.
I think that is part of it. “Antiquity” is kind of a nod to a replica of the old, which were not four conductor. There are so many options out there, they don’t really need it. Lol. Contrary to that, not being able to find a Dimarzio that isn’t split is equally as nerve racking for me. I don’t much care for splitting coils personally, and I just want to try Larry’s pickups with braid wire! Lol
Bridge should be compared against bridge without switching to the neck in between. Totally throws off the comparison. Also, we're comparing covered vs uncovered pickups in this video, which is going to impact tone.
Two browsers helps or make chapters. I made 56 videos during this shootout series and as I’ve replied many, many times…chopping them all between bridge and neck, doubles the work from a storage, organizational and editing standpoint. As far as covers, that is what I had. Of course anyone can make their assessment based on the gear used and ask questions if they need answers about how the room sounds were. I’ve tried 75 sets of PAF clones by now and unless you have a side by side, nickel covers are all but sonically transparent and the differences are hardly audible. Plenty of sets with covers can sound brighter, clearer, etc. more than a set without covers, depending on the spec/wind pattern and most importantly the guitar. So while I see your point, most of is just details that aren’t as important actually trying them in real life. Which is what I’d suggest to anyone looking to really know the differences in any two sets. These videos are a starting point, but should never be the deciding factor. Cheers.
To my ears the BN Mule sounded very high fidelity (the classical trained perfect singer). The SD Antiquity more with a personal musical attitude (the very good singer, who got his voice by singing since childhood and later got that ripeness due some bottles of fine whiskey) . I choose the not so perfect smokey whiskey voicing
I love both of these sets of pickups - both are fantastic!!!
Thanks for watching! Hope you subscribe
Since SD comes first, every round I was sure that SD would win because it's so good already, but then every round the mule shows more complexity and subtleties in tone. Great demo.
Thanks! There are a lot more on the channel. Same licks. Have fun! Hope you subscribe!
0:13 3:18 - SD Antiquity
0:42 3:38 - BK The Mule
0:13, 0:42
3:18, 3:37
Mules sounded a tad brighter and I picked them at first but on second listen I liked the mids of the antiquites so I pick Duncan antiquities by a hair. Bit more power too on the bridge which I like. Close one.
Seymour gets overlooked for not being so boutiquey as the new comers. But, as this demo proves, he’s a master. I preferred the Antiquities here. Very intelligent a/b btw. Really let the gear show its stuff.
Thank you Shane. You are right. The Antiquities are killer pups.
Shane! Lol
Sorry man! Stupid phone!
👍🏻
Nice comparison. Either one is a great choice for a paf type pickups. Having owned both in Les Pauls for years now I have to say that the Mules have a sweetness and harmonic content that I haven’t found in another pickup.
Have you played the Gibson custombuckers? If so, how would you compare those to the mules?
Bare Knuckle seems to be a higher quality sound but the Duncans sound more like the sound on classic records to me.
Great review. For me the Mule won every time
Thanks for watching! Hope you subscribe!
I think a better comparison is if both either had their covers removed or on... naturally the uncovered bare knuckles are gonna be brighter with no cover
Yes obviously if I had covers to put on the bare knuckle than I would have for consistency. Sometimes you make due with what have.
I liked the SD Ants more than I expected too. Clean I think The Mules were better, but that last driven bit really showed the Ants can sound good when driven. I still think I’d favor The Mules overall though... but again, I’m probably biased. ;)
Mules sounded better to me. The very last lick really demonstrates that, especially on bridge pickup. Great video and demo!
Thanks for chiming in. I really enjoyed the Mules when doing these shootouts. I read through your opinions on a few different vids and I agree with all of them. They really killed! Cheers!
Fabulous shootout! Thank you. So consistently played too. It really helps. I'm looking to replace the somewhat benign #7s in my PRS singlecut, so for me, the SDs sounds absolutely perfect for the rich, rounded but articulate tone I'm looking for. The BKNs are gorgeous too, but more like my Gibson LP Trad, so I already have a guitar with that more edgey, traditional rock sound.
Nice!
I own both in two different Les Pauls. What i hear is a bit more high end clarity in the Mule which could be due to the A4 mag. But...the Antiquity feels like it has more girth and midrange punch. I prefer the Antiquity but we are comparing two fantastic pickups....cant go wrong. Put an A2 in the Mule and Ill bet it sounds like an Antiquity.
Some good points. But a regular A2 without the correct charge would not necessarily sound like an antiquity. Depends on the inductance. Thanks for watching!
Visual Guy Agreed. The A2s in antiquities are demagnetized slightly so 100% agree. As we guitar players usually do...we hear things normal people dont....lol
bareknuckle actually makes an A2 humbucker called the stormy monday. It's my favorite pickup
Cool!
Bridge = mule
Neck = Antiquities
Is this your preference?
Visual Guy My personal preference for pickups is Gibson’s 498T/490R.
@@jimjim7008 interesting. I hated the 498 in my 08 SG std. Way too bright and mushy.
I agree, but... diff strokes! Never a wrong answer.
I'm starting to get "Pickup anxiety" !!
Good!!!!! Haha
Quentin James Yah man. It’s a beautiful but stressful rabbit hole.
Both sound amazing, subtle differences in my opinion so it boils down to personal taste. SD's have a bit cleaner sound imo.
Thanks for watching!
Just subbed! What did you personally liked?
For my guitar, the Mules sounded REALLY good!!!
@@VisualGuy you think it justifies price difference?
Sieg Mac depending on the guitar... but probably not. The antiquities are damn good. But, a used set of Mules and a used set or Antiquities are about the same. 200 ish. I’d buy the Mules for this guitar, and I always buy pickups used because i don’t really care about shiny covers.
@@VisualGuy used is the way to go then! Thanks mate!
Sieg Mac I’m all for supporting the manufacturer but sometimes you have to go used to keep it easy on the wallet!
Sorry if I missed it, but what amp?
What’s the Marshall to your left that appears to be mic’d up?
Thanks
It was a JTM45 with 6l6 in a 1x12 cab.
@@VisualGuy sweet. Thanks!
Mule vs 57 classic?
Not sure I have that one
What channel and settings were you using? Any pedals? I'm trying to compare a 490T with a 57 classic plus, the Riff Raff and the antiquities. Maybe swap out the 490 from my SG but only the bridge, rarely use the neck and the 490 is tremendous.
High treble channel, Presence on 6, bass 1.5-2 mid 8, treble 6 and volume at about 7.5-8.
Love your videos Visual Guy. I've learned so much. What kind of amp and OD pedal are you using here? Thanks for your time.
Thanks! No OD on these shootouts. Cranked JTM45 and the guitar volume at different levels on all the shootout vids! Cheers!
both are amazing better depend in ur taste
Thanks for watching!
👉Okay boys n girls, i like the SD Antiqs Bridge but the BN Neck ! Tell me if ya feel the same.
I read a lot of comments, and in my opinion -- the SD definitely have a more well rounded sound, seem smoother, and less harsh. Especially the bridge. The neck is great and has more mid to hear the notes being picked and pronounced, but at the same time, you give up a lil' less character and high end up top. The BN bridge is brighter, thinner, but more grit and grind. Like a Les Paul, or even P90. The neck is thicker but has a bit more glassy high end to hear the picked notes SO !! For the player who plays it safe, plays jazz, or metal, SD Antiq may be for you, but for the player who is more raw rock like AcDc, Country pickin', or even GnRoses, the BN suit better I think. BN are for the confident player whose able to control feedback live, and prefers more punch & raw power. If ya play in a CoVeRBanD or a versatile studio, I'd go SD antiq to be on the safe side. They've less feedback, and more control. But my preference by far is the SD bridge but the BN neck.
its ironic that both angus young and slash both have signature seymour duncan pickups
Great comparison! Think I may go for the BKP Mule in the neck position to accompany my bridge now! (ps, hopefully Zach or Rhett added ya to the livestream chat before next time)
Hey! Thanks for watching! Hopefully they have! I’ll message Zach to make sure. Enjoy the BK. I’m missing that set.
Thanks for the video but one pair has covers and the other doesn't so the uncovered pickups are going to sound much brighter.
Yea, but you use what you have and this is what I had.
@@VisualGuy there are tons of video on youtube proving that covers are cutting highs
I don’t put much warrant in YT videos after having a channel for 5 years, lol, but I have had more experience now and I agree covers CAN make a slight difference. Albeit there are so many different covers now, the differences vary. Depends on the metals, plating, etc.
Both good, but the SD’s shade it for me!👍👍
Is it possible to have a shootout between the Marshallhead and the Mule?
Not anymore man. The Marshall head and the Mules were borrowed from a friend in Arizona and they have been returned to his keeping.
@@VisualGuy That's cool. I appreciate all of the videos you're posting. Those are the two sets that I've been thinking of buying. Unless you have other suggestions. My music is somewhere between early ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Blues Breakers and the Allman Brothers. In other words, blues-rock that goes from sweet, mellow, melodic all the way to ZZ Top level fuzz.
Between the Mule and Marshallhead, which would you say is the most touch sensitive/dynamic?
Did you ever try either with fuzz?
Cheers, and thanks again for the videos,
Danny
I’d say the Mules are a better choice for your description. MH is a little hot. Won’t do the bluesy, softer stuff as easily. Easier to add gain than take away output from a pickup. Ymmv
@@VisualGuy Great point. Thanks for the suggestion!
Danny Daniels no problem man. Thanks for watching the vids. I really appreciate it!
Hey do you know what exact DC resistance your mule is measures at? Mine specifically measures 8.7k, which is 0.3 above the stated 8.4k. My black dog oddly measures 0.3 higher as well, just curious about their tolerances.
The DCR can vary based on temperature and humidity. Likely if you see a consistent higher reading on your pickups, its because they are measured in a controlled environment and your place averages a diff temp. It was years ago since I had these so I don’t remember the exact measurements. FYI, inductance is more important than DCR since the DCR can vary measurement. Unsolicited advice: the output within 0.5k doesn’t matter, its barely audible and what you hear is more important than any measurement. If you listen first, and measure later, the opinion may be different than if you measure first and then listen. We are often biased with our senses based on knowledge. “I hear that extra 0.3 output bc I know its there” vs. “They sound Fn GREAT.” I’m guilty of this often. Wish someone would tell me this! 😂😂Cheers!!!
The Mules are ever so slightly better and complex, but find some Antiquities for half as much on the regular and unless you're in the same room as the Mules, that's the winner
Agee. Mules, more open, more clear. A bit sweeter.
Thanks for watching.
I've got Mule's in two of my guitars, and they are just the best!
Loved them in these shootouts!
The Duncans reminded me of having watermelon on a hot summer day. The Mules sounded like green grapes.
Were the Mules unpotted?
No, they were not potted. No wax, as God intended. 😀
Antiquity for me.
Awesome man!
Bare Knuckle are awesome. But the price is salty.
Haha! Thanks for listening! Hope you subscribe!
S.D by a lot for me.
Thanks for watching, my friend!
SD forever
BK all the way!....more subtle
Yep
No coil split version in the SD Antiquities (why oh why!) so the The Mules win!
Haha! Some need it!
@@VisualGuy I really dont see any downside of having a 4 conductor wire version and by extension the reluctance of SD to make 4c wire Aniquities. But then a lot of things in the guitar space are emotional rather than rational.
I think that is part of it. “Antiquity” is kind of a nod to a replica of the old, which were not four conductor. There are so many options out there, they don’t really need it. Lol. Contrary to that, not being able to find a Dimarzio that isn’t split is equally as nerve racking for me. I don’t much care for splitting coils personally, and I just want to try Larry’s pickups with braid wire! Lol
You cannot compare covered vs uncovered pickups c'mon!
I did though.
@@VisualGuy And I am grateful for that
Bridge should be compared against bridge without switching to the neck in between. Totally throws off the comparison. Also, we're comparing covered vs uncovered pickups in this video, which is going to impact tone.
Two browsers helps or make chapters. I made 56 videos during this shootout series and as I’ve replied many, many times…chopping them all between bridge and neck, doubles the work from a storage, organizational and editing standpoint. As far as covers, that is what I had. Of course anyone can make their assessment based on the gear used and ask questions if they need answers about how the room sounds were. I’ve tried 75 sets of PAF clones by now and unless you have a side by side, nickel covers are all but sonically transparent and the differences are hardly audible. Plenty of sets with covers can sound brighter, clearer, etc. more than a set without covers, depending on the spec/wind pattern and most importantly the guitar. So while I see your point, most of is just details that aren’t as important actually trying them in real life. Which is what I’d suggest to anyone looking to really know the differences in any two sets. These videos are a starting point, but should never be the deciding factor. Cheers.
Bare knuckles, winner.
Yep
Seymour wins this one folks
Hope you subscribe!
To my ears the BN Mule sounded very high fidelity (the classical trained perfect singer). The SD Antiquity more with a personal musical attitude (the very good singer, who got his voice by singing since childhood and later got that ripeness due some bottles of fine whiskey) .
I choose the not so perfect smokey whiskey voicing
Dig the mules!!!
Mules
Thanks for chiming in. Hope you subscribe!
whole demo is low volume, dark, and muffled... terrible
Mules
Awesome! Hope you subscribe! Lots of shootouts on my channel