Bare Knuckle Pickups BP-90

Submitted at: 2:08, 1/30/2005

Product Info

Pickup features: P90
Impedence or other specs: Alnico 5, 7.0K, scatterwound
Price Paid: UK Pounds 59.57
Purchased from: Bare Knuckle Pickups Ltd

Instrument

Model of guitar or bass: JJ Retro
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: JJ
Other pickups on guitar: Riff Raff (custom) - see separate review
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock, Punk
Reason for pickup change: Beautiful guitar with uninspiring sound

Sound

Perceived output level: Slightly hotter than medium, perfectly balanced to the Riff Raff
Tone: Rich, full and open
Sonic evaluation: As well as the JJ Retro I own a vintage '56 Les Paul Junior which I play through a VHT Pittbull 45. I used to swear that I could never understand the point of a neck pickup. I really thought they were only for jazz guitarists. At least I'm sure that's the only use you could have found for the original JJ neck pickup. The custom BP90 has convinced me otherwise. I explained to Tim at Bare Knuckle what I was looking for and he's created a BP90 with Alnico 5 magnets for more bite/edge but with a slightly lower than normal impedance and open wind. It gives you that perfect BB King style blues sound. Rounded and warm but with harmonic richness and real edge without a hint of brittleness.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a great singing blues sound with edge.

Overall Rating

Comments: I've raved enough about Bare Knuckle Pickups elsewhere (see the Riff Raff review). They are the perfect package of quality, service, image and value. I'm a huge fan. They make any guitar seem unique. If you want your own sound and to feel that your guitars are truly special, you don't need to look elsewhere.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value