Bare Knuckle Pickups Brown Sugar Tele Set
Submitted at: 13:05, 7/3/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: For a tele... what do you think?
Impedence or other specs: 7.6k A5 Bridge/6.9k A5 Neck - Hand Wound
Price Paid: UK£ Gift
Purchased from: Bare Knuckle stand at Wembley Guitar Show
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Crafter Cruiser t-type
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Anything I like, but this guitar's for standard blues-rock
Reason for pickup change: I had these pickups in mind when I bought the guitar. I wanted a t-type and I figured to buy a cheap halfway decent copy and upgrade when I could affordit (In the end, my girlfriend obliged as a surprize b'day prezzy). The stock pickups are pretty much what you'd expect from a cheap t-type.
Sound
Perceived output level: All the virtues of a stock tele, but with more body, and the bridge unit is less likely to pierce your eardrums.
Tone: Chunky - the name gives it away really: Think Keef
Sonic evaluation: At the moment I'm just using a little H&K Edition Blue15 (only the clean channel - the O/D is too "fizzy" for me) & a Marshall G10 for the overdriven sounds. Domestic harmony sees me more often using my Korg Pandora or V-Amp with cans.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Perfect for rockin' and rollin', but these pickups have the beef to get heavier if you want, almost p90ish at times.
Overall Rating
Comments: Definitely buy again - for not much more than the price of a Squier Standard Tele, I've got a monster. I've been mucking about with guitars foe 30 years (truth be told, a 30 year learner, but hey, my kids have left home now!). I have an Epi SG (destined for some Bare Knuckle Mulee HBs) a couple of DeArmonds, a Wasburn Bandit, Squier 51 (seriously good value) an Ibanez Talman and a couple of other - this is probably the best sounding of the lot.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Chris Warburton <desdinova@madasafish.com>
Submitted at: 3:06, 6/1/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: Bridge DC: 7.6k* Neck DC: 7.65k* Magnet: Alnico V custom stagger
Price Paid: GBP £115
Purchased from: Oxford Guitar Gallery
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: 1984 Tokai Breezysound
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup: No idea
You musical style(s): Classic rock, blues, indie
Reason for pickup change: I was rebuilding and refinishing the guitar and wanted to give it something better than the rather flat stock pickups.
Sound
Perceived output level: Hotter and more aggressive than the stock pickups. Not brittle or glassy - good, full range sound
Tone: Balanced
Sonic evaluation: I'm using the guitar either through a POD XT or a Peavy Triumph (60 watt valve combo). Like the name implies, the pickups give an instant Stones sound - full, hot and rich. There's nothing glassy or brittle about these things.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play quite a few styles, and these pickups are good match for many of them - they're fabulous for classic rock rhythm.
Overall Rating
Comments: I've been playing for about 30 years, and have *lots* of guitars. I'm kinda depressed now as these pickups are making the Seymour Duncans in most of my other guitars sound rather lifeless by comparison. When I was looking for replacement tele pickups I went looking for SDs, but my local guitar shop (Oxford Guitar Gallery - highly recommended!) suggested I try the Barekuckles.
If they were stolen I'd definitely replace them with more of the same.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Eamonn Boylan <eamonnb@gmail.com>
Submitted at: 9:11, 2/9/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: passive single coils
Impedence or other specs: 7.7k-ish Bridge - 6.9k-ish neck open with no cover
Price Paid: pounds 125.00
Purchased from: bareknuckle direct
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Relic swamp ash tele, rosewood board
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: non, it's a project
Other pickups on guitar: none although i have tried other before, seymour duncan, wizard, dimarzio.
Artists using this pickup: don't know
You musical style(s): R&B, Dirty blues and a little bit of classic rock
Reason for pickup change: i had a sound in my head that i wanted to replicate, i told tim what i was looking for and he gave it to me (i haven't got a clue how he did it from my description).
I had to order a second bridge pick up as when i got the first ones my guitar wasn't ready for them, my mate borrowed the bridge pick up for his esquire and i never saw it again (i ended up having to give him it as a birthday present!!!)
Sound
Perceived output level: Slightly hotter than a standard tele pickup
Tone: unbeleivably well balanced, goes from fat round and sweet to a biting grind without being brittle.
Sonic evaluation: Playing thru a vox ad120vt and a traynor YGM-3 valve, sounds amazing thru the traynor, if you set up a good rythm sound thru the amp using the volume control you can go from a biting tone on the bridge pick up (without the brittleness) to a chunky smooth sweet neck pick up sound.
there are three very distinct sounds available from them, all of which are stunning.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Dirty blues (a la Black keys), Wilco style R&Band anything else i feel like attempting.
Overall Rating
Comments: I would definatley buy them again, they're the best tele pick up i've ever heard, it's as simple as that, and they're made in England.
the customer service and delivery are second to non, tim is a gentleman and a guitar palyer and a pleasure to deal with.
I've all ready enquired about having my ES325 minihumbuckers rewound, something else to look forward to.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: AndyH
Submitted at: 18:03, 12/18/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: passive single coil
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: N/A
Purchased from: www.barerknucle.co.uk
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Fender Mexican Telecaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues, Classic Rock, Country
Reason for pickup change: Guitar sounded like a cheap Mexican Tele which it is.
Sound
Perceived output level: Some what hotter than stock
Tone: Fantastic
Sonic evaluation: Tele into a Fender Twin or Marshall AVT 50
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Works for anything you want to play
Overall Rating
Comments: I got the Mexican Tele in a trade and wasn't impressed at all. I had been wanting to try a pair of Bare Knuckle Pickups and was I ever surprised. These things are great. I play this guitar more than all the others put together it sounds that good. I've been playing for 35 years and own around 25 diffrent guitars. It's an insult to put these pickups in such a cheap ass guitar. My other Tele's are collectables so that rules out changing pickups in them. Guess I'll have to get another American Made Tele just for these pickups. I'm going to order a pair of Warpigs For a Les Paul Studio that sounds like shit. I'd buy another set of Bare Knuckle pickup's in a heart beat.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted at: 9:37, 12/11/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: single coil passive-obviously
Impedence or other specs: alnico 3. bridge7.66 / neck6.97
Price Paid: sterling £125-ish
Purchased from: bare knuckle pickups
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: fender mex. standard tele
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: n/a
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): blues/country/rock, and combinations thereof.
Reason for pickup change: stock p/ups sounded a bit bland. not 'bad', just bland.
i only really ever used the bridge unit anyway, as there wasn't enough there to warrant buggering about with the selecter mid-song.
Sound
Perceived output level: i've heard humbuckers with less balls than these pickups!!! really!!!
Tone: sounds like a tele should, i reckon.
Sonic evaluation: i play thru a yamaha dg stomp, into either, a marshall 15 watter, or into my mac. the guitar sounds incredible now. whereas before the neck was a bit dull, and the middle setting was a bit of a nothing sound, it sounds amazing in all positions, clean or dirty. each setting now has a distinct sound of it's own, which it didn't have before. sounds like a fender should on the clean stuff. turn the wick up, and i swear, blindfold, you'd think you were playing something with humbuckers. it cries, it screams, it does it all !!!
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: country, rock, blues, but you could play anything with these.
Overall Rating
Comments: i already had a 'mule' on one of my guitars, so it was a case of which bare knuckles should i put on the tele? i went for the uncovered neck option, as i always thought the covered ones look a bit naff. this one looks like a real bad-boy! they both do, but the neck unit really looks like it means business. the bridge unit was a bit fiddly to get in place, as it's bigger than the stock p/u. i had to do a bit of routing on the body wood, and a bit of grinding on the bridge plate, but the sound is worth it. would i buy the same again, if anything happened to 'em? after i'd stopped bawling my eyes out, hell yes!!! been playing 20+ yrs. also have a home-built axe, with a 'mule' at the bridge (see review), and an epi. les paul hollowbody which will have bareknuckles as soon as i can reasonably afford to swap them. in conclusion, i would say to anyone, if you're replacing your stock p/ups, get some bare knuckles in! truly great pickups, and really nice to deal with, too.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: paul linley <telecaster@dsl.pipex.com>
Submitted at: 13:47, 7/19/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Passice single coil set
Impedence or other specs: Alnico 5 magnets
Price Paid: 125.00
Purchased from: Manufacturer direct
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Fender Jap Tele
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Neck & Bridge
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Me!!!! :-)
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, Pop, Soul
Reason for pickup change: Stock pick-ups since I bought the guitar, decided I wanted a change, something with a bit more character
Sound
Perceived output level: Slightly more output
Tone: Very balanced
Sonic evaluation: I tried it thru my Flextone Plus II, mainly on the Fender Deluxe settings with a bit of drive. The tone was amazing! Rich, colourful, with character, wind the guitar volume off a bit & they clean up, volume up & they growl!
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Suitable Tele replacements for any styles
Overall Rating
Comments: Very satisfied with the tone of these units, would deffinatley buy them again if need be - VERY tempted to buy the Country Boy's for my other Tele as well although £££ is a bit tight at the moment having also splashed out on a set of the Irish Tour (which will either be fitted to my Clapton Strat or my American Std). Heartily recommend these to all & sundry!
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: simon <simon_tree@hotmail.com>
Submitted at: 16:05, 6/26/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Single coil, telecaster set.
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: Pounds sterling £125
Purchased from: www.bareknucklepickups.com
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Fender Mexican Telecaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Both
Other pickups on guitar: -
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Funk, rock, jazz
Reason for pickup change: Not happy with weedy sounds from stock pickups: impressed by bareknuckle stormy mondays on my Les Paul.
Sound
Perceived output level: Slightly more than average.
Tone: Balanced. Very, very balanced.
Sonic evaluation: With the telecaster though a Line 6 Flextone (particularly the Fender Twin setting) these pickups are jaw-droppingly good. Really, really, really good.Warm, crunchy or clean as needed but without losing that essential telecaster tone.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Good for R&B, jazz, rock, blues, the lot.
Overall Rating
Comments: If I lost this guitar I would go out and buy the same. For a little over £450 total I have what is basically a professional standard instrument. The tone is breathtaking. Compared to any other pickups I have heard/used, including Gibson, Fender, Fralin, Seymour Duncan, these wee all over them from a great height. Really could not be any better. And can be customised to your own specification, and come with a lifetime guarantee. Just try the website. The only problem is that if you fit one of your guitars with bareknuckles, you won't use any of the others again until they to have bareknuckles. Still, Tim does a full range....
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Daniel Simon <hueylondon@hotmail.com>
Submitted at: 22:57, 6/23/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Single coil - passive .
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: £125
Purchased from: Chandlers
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Fender Esquire
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan Broadcaster
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock
Reason for pickup change: More output ( "grit") required from my Esquire.The neck pickup is destined for another guitar very soon.
Sound
Perceived output level: These pickups are Bareknuckles own design rather than based on any particular tele era.Slightly hotter than stock.
Tone: A very balanced pickup.Strong in all areas.
Sonic evaluation: I play tele's through either a Mesa boogie Maverick or F30.With the "Brown Sugar" bridge you get a slight hike in output which enables your signal to break up through the amp a little easier however there is no compromise whatsoever with tone.Each note is stong and defined and by rolling back the volumn knob ever so slightly the sound cleans up up nicely.This pickup will do the lot and turns an Esquire into a very versatile tool indeed from Country and western into Led Zep/Stones territory and by tweaking the tone pot you get a hard strat type tone too.Its hard to describe but this pickup has a "sonic punch" which adds another dimention to your playing.Since the upgrade I haven't been able to put the guitar down!>
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mostly Rock however this pickup is capable of everything!.
Overall Rating
Comments: Ive been playing 31 x years, mostly telecasters/strats and tried played through all the stock pickups and aftermarket replacements inc Custom shop, Seymour Duncan,EMG etc.This "Brown sugar "pickup is where its at and what Ive been wating for for all these years.Brilliant! and worth every penny.The build quality of the pickup is second to none and even the base plate is bolted on to avaiod any potential loosening in years to come.Give Tim a ring at bareknuckle and as a the previous poster said,have your credit card to hand.Great pickup,great sound,top notch service.Unbeatable!> ( free strings with the package as well!)
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Robert Holland <robert.holland3@btinternet.com>
Submitted at: 2:16, 4/29/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Single coil passive
Impedence or other specs: bridge 7.6k, neck 7.65k
Price Paid: GBP 125
Purchased from: Direct
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: G&L ASAT classic
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Standard G&L
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Led Zep, Free, SRV,
Reason for pickup change: We're all searching for a better tone aren't we?
Sound
Perceived output level: Noticably hotter than standard, but not overly so
Tone: Really well balanced, warm bass, sweet treble
Sonic evaluation: G&L tele through Matamp 1224 or Ampeg Jet II combo. A really clear sound, doesn't get bassy, mushy or too piercing, sounds just like my dream tele should! Turning the guitar volume down doesn't make the sound go 'thin' like the previous pickups, keeps a lovely sound.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: bluesy, classic rock stuff, these pickups are perfect for it.
Overall Rating
Comments: Have been playing for 11 years, have owned Heritage, Fender, Gibson stuff, have finally settled down with G&L and a Greco LP copy which will have bareknuckles by next week! What more can I say, don't just sit there, give Tim a call, and have your credit card ready.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value