Bare Knuckle Pickups Irish Tour
Submitted at: 14:19, 12/14/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: single coil, vintage stagger
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: sterling 165
Purchased from: Bare Knuckle online shop
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Fender American Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: All Stock Pickups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickups on my American Strat seemed to be a little bit lifeless. I wanted a hotter pickup that would help me get an edgier SRV type sound.
Sound
Perceived output level: Definately hotter than stock pickups, drives the amp very nicely but still isn't OTT
Tone: well ballanced- has a warm vintage vibe to the tone, not too harsh
Sonic evaluation: I am using a 2005 Fender American Strat tuned half a step down through an Orange Rocker 30 combo amp. Through the clean channel the pickups sound rich and full, very well ballanced and warm, the neck and neck/middle sounds are particularly addictive. Response to picking dynamics is amazing, sounding superb when digging into the strings, perfect for blues playing. Playing through the dirty channel set to break up and using a crowther blueberry to drive the amp and another overdrive pedal for lead tones, there are simply some monstrous sounds to be had especially in the SRV, Rory Gallagher, Hendrix ballpark. Each position on the 5 way switch sounds so full and rich compared to the stock pickups, the Irish tours just make the Strat a joy to play. What's particularly great about these pickups is how well they drive the amp without ever sounding too harsh and they have a real vintage vibe.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mainly blues, SRV, Hendrix etc- these pickups are perfect for that kind of sound- Little Wing/ Wind Cries Mary sound so full and Fat.
Overall Rating
Comments: I have been playing for over 12 years and I have never bought replacement pickups before and I really didn't know what to expect. I have to say though I am very glad I did and I don't think I could play a strat without them now. They've really brought the guitar out of it's shell and given it a bit of life. The Irish Tours really do deliver and my start is now just a joy to play. Don't let the whole Texas vibe put you off these if that isn't your thing, they will suit a wide variety of styles.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 9
Submitted at: 14:09, 6/5/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: Single Coil Set
Impedence or other specs: DC: 7.65/6.5/6.5k calibrated*(so the website says)
Price Paid: US $300
Purchased from: Bare Knuckles Pickups
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: '93 Fender Japanese Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock in the neck and middle, and some old Seymour Duncan in the Bridge
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Blues/Rock/Country
Reason for pickup change: wanted a better sound, didnt like what i had in
Sound
Perceived output level: higher output than a normal set of pickups
Tone: very balanced
Sonic evaluation: Im playing my strat through a 1974 Fender Deluxe Reverb, and it sounds amazing clean. The pickups respond very well to how much attack you use. Step on my Fulltone Fulldrive 2 and it sounds even better for some overdriven tones
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: great for all styles of Country, Blues, and Rock.
Overall Rating
Comments: If this guitar was stolen, I'd buy a new one just like it with the same pickups in it. I love them. I've been playing for about 3 years, and have a variety of pedals, and guitars... Theres nothing i dont like about it. Greatest sounding pickups I've heard in a Fender Strat. Gets that Rory sound like its supposed to no problem. I would highly recommend them to anyone.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: gio <gio@mchsi.com>
Submitted at: 3:13, 5/25/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: Single Coil Passive
Impedence or other specs: See Bare Knuckle Web Site
Price Paid: $AU360 Landed
Purchased from: Bare Knuckle Pick Ups
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Fender Highway 1 Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Fender Pickups
Other pickups on guitar: n/a
Artists using this pickup: Me & other fortunates
You musical style(s): Rock/Blues/Eastern/Melodic & Rhythmic
Reason for pickup change: I heard some Apache Bare Knuckles in a friends guitar
Sound
Perceived output level: a tad hotter than the fenders being replaced
Tone: Beautifully Rich & Full Bodied. Ooozes dimension & tone. Awesome bite in sustain mode.Harmonically rich in crunch mode
Sonic evaluation: Behringer AC112 Vintager. Line 6 Flextone 3. Computor based Amps
Played thru a Marshall and Fender Blues Junior
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: My upbringing was in Rock & Blues but I play a lot of variety. I love melody and Rhythm in music. These Pickups play beautifully in anything I choose to play.
Overall Rating
Comments: If they got stolen I would be back on the phone to Tim for another set. Ive been playing for many years and these are without a doubt the best sounding pups Ive heard. They are a pleasure to play. No preoccupation or fighting with your instrument while trying to find your sound. All ya need to do is plug in and you're there for the ride. They'll go anywhere you wanna take em with ease. They also bring out the best tones in your amp. I have 2 other strats. I have a set of Apaches on the way & the other one is gunna have a hotter set. Ive heard a few different sets of the Bare Knuckles and what stands out apart from the unique sound of each set, is beautiful tonal quality and clarity with no hint of thin glassy, harshness, or the feeling of being slapped in the side of the head with an ice pick. Tim was so helpful & made it so easy for me with my enquiries and all his suggestions were bang on. Some one has got it right at last. Leo would be proud :) Oh ... I gotta buy a telecaster and................
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Eddie Hansen <pdelf@hotmail.com>
Submitted at: 11:27, 4/15/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: Single coil, passive
Impedence or other specs: scatterwound
Price Paid: 59 each £
Purchased from: Direct from Tim
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Blade RH4
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock levinson units- middle and neck
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan JB
Artists using this pickup: Moi
You musical style(s): Rock, pop, blues, metal,
Reason for pickup change: Needed more output, better tone, more responsivness. Also the neck & middle needed to balance with the SD JB in the bridge.
Sound
Perceived output level: Hotter than a normal single coil- balances perfecly with JB in bridge
Tone: well balanced- powerful bottom string response- lots of clarity
Sonic evaluation: Levinson Blade RH4_Crybaby_Mxr Zakk wylde_digitech bad monkey_Modded Peavey XXX 112(less gain than normal)_various modulation and delay pedals.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mainly covers- i need to be able to cover lots of styles
Overall Rating
Comments: I would but bareknuckles without looking around now- these are the only single coil pickups i have ever been happy with- works well with drive and gives classic strat clean sounds. Tim is really helpful and I think he makes better pickups than a certain mr Duncan!Thank you! Really good personal service & lifetime warranty- Bonus!
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Cletus the slack jawed yokel (Mark B)
Submitted at: 11:14, 4/12/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: Strat single coil passive, RW/RP middle pickup for hum-canceling
Impedence or other specs: DC: 7.65/6.5/6.5k calibrated, Alnico V flat profile,Vintage stagger hand bevelled magnets
Price Paid: pounds sterling 140.43
Purchased from: Direct from http://www.bareknucklepickups.com/
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: '02 Fender Strat (Corona Calif)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock fender p/ups
Other pickups on guitar: na
Artists using this pickup: they'd love 'em if they tried em
You musical style(s): Classic rock, blues... pretty much anything
Reason for pickup change: stock p/ups didn't do it for me, too crass and uninteresting.
Sound
Perceived output level: Vast improvement over stocks, hotter, more refined, & better output tappering (with included pots)
Tone: tonaly orgasmic ;-P, extremly well balanced, versitile, biting classic strat tones
Sonic evaluation: Stuff I've tried with this guitar w/the bare knuckles:
Marshall MG250DFX & MG50DFX
Marshall 6100 30th Blue Full Stack
New ORANGE Full Stack
Behringer X-Vamp, V-Amp2
Computer-based Dolby 5.1 upmixing to surround speakers
Damage Controll 'Womanizer' preamp
Rocktron BlackCat Moan
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I'll play anything I like the sound of, but I lean towards Hendrix/SRV style and sound. These pickups are a godsend for this kind of music, but they are also very versatile.
Overall Rating
Comments: I've been looking to replace my stock strat p/ups ever since I got the thing. It's a beautiful strat and was perfect in every way 'cept the pickups; they just didn’t match the quality of the guitar. These pickups make the guitar sound the way it should, like a classic strat... if Fender Strats sounded like this off the shelf, people would be a lot happier with their guitars and wouldn't spend years and $$$ searching for the sounds of Hendrix, Clapton, and SRV that they bought a Strat for in the first place!
If these got stolen or destroyed (along with my guitar I can only assume) I would be heartbroken/find and kill thief/get another strat and order these pickups.
Been playing for 6 years, only have this strat and a Jay Turser Sitka spruce acoustic w/a DiMarizo V-Acoustic. Used to have a Dan Armstrong.
I love everything about these pickups, honestly can't find anything even remotely lacking in them.
When I was looking for new p/ups for my strat I checked out pretty much all the popular brands (Seymour D., Dean Markley, Fender Custom Shops)... these are better hands down.
Long story short, I am very satisfied with these and would recommend them to anyone.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Grayson Barke <killerloop69@hotmail.com>
Submitted at: 15:58, 4/8/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: Single coil
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: £ 165
Purchased from: Bare Knuckle Pickups
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues/rock
Reason for pickup change: custom made guitar...needs to have pickups
Sound
Perceived output level: More than the average US strat pickups
Tone: Perfect clean, classic vintage strat, balanced with bite, great presence
Sonic evaluation: Fender deluxe 90 / Fender Blues DeVille
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Gallagher, SRV...anything that comes to mind
Overall Rating
Comments: I would certainly buy these again if they were stolen. Great quality and the sound is such that I feel i could have put these pups into a skateboard and it would sound like a £1000 guitar. They are also the best guys to deal with......there isn't a single aspect that I don't love about these pickups
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted at: 6:23, 1/16/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: single coil
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: uk pound £60
Purchased from: Bare knuckle pickups.co.uk
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Fender Strat
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Standard Fender single coil
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Rock / Blues
Reason for pickup change: To Find the tone i have been searching for
Sound
Perceived output level: It's an overwound classic single coil
Tone: The tone is Bassy and middy but not glassy in any way
Sonic evaluation: I am using a fender strat with a Marshall 50w JMC 2000 valve head and a Marshall 2x12 1922 cab
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Classic rock, Blues.
Overall Rating
Comments: Forget all the other single coils you have heared, this is all you will need. I have been playing for 6 years and I'm a massive fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan, not just for his playing but his tone. As you can imagine i have bought many pickups along the way, Fender Noiseless, Vintage noiseless Ect, but none of them had that raw power or tone of Stevie. I found out about Bare knuckle in a guitar mag and gave them a ring. I explained what tone i was looking for and was actually greeted by somebody who understood me! As soon as i played it cranked up for the first time i knew it was the sound i had searched for, Clunky vocal single coil, sweet with the gain down but dripping with Texas power when cranked! There was no hiss either with the gain high. I know they say the review must be fair but it is! i can't find any fault with it for rock and blues. The down side is it may not be high gain enough for the metal players but anybody who cares about tone, this is the one.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Andrew Lambert
Submitted at: 8:41, 11/5/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Single coil
Impedence or other specs: Not Known
Price Paid: £169.00
Purchased from: Trevor Durant, Colchester
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Fender Stratocaster (Mexican 60's model)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Manufacturers standard
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: Not known
You musical style(s): Blues/Rock
Reason for pickup change: Original pickups too thin sounding,wanted to replicate the sound of a 1963 Stratocaster that circumstances forced me to sell recently.
Sound
Perceived output level: Roughly the same as my vintage '63 Strat.
Tone: Classic vintage Statocaster,beautifully mellow neck,balanced middle & biting bridge
Sonic evaluation: Mexican 60's Stratocaster through GT-5 processor into P.A. system. These pickups have exceded my expectations and have made an O.K. guitar into a great one.For the first time in ages I've played till my fingers bled! The dynamics and tone are spot on for that classic 60's Strtocaster tone.The presentation with aged white pickup covers and the attention to detail in construction with fabric insulation instilled confidence that this was a quality product.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Excellent for S.R.V and Gallagher style blues,boogie and rock.
Overall Rating
Comments: I would certainly buy these again and am considering buying another set for another sixties reissused stratocaster. I have been playing for over thirty years, and own six guitars mainly strats but one acoustic and one Ibanez Satriani. Having sold my pride and joy, a vintage 63 strat.owned from the age of 17,I now feel that I have something that comes close to the mark.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Stephen Hedger <Doylegd@hotmail.com>
Submitted at: 4:33, 11/1/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: 3 x single coil
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: sterling 165
Purchased from: manufacturer
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: 1983 jap strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: 1x 1970 strat,2x not sure but fender modernish
Other pickups on guitar: -
Artists using this pickup: -
You musical style(s): rock and blues
Reason for pickup change: great guitar-weedy pickups
Sound
Perceived output level: much louder than stock
Tone: a driven clean sound ,no horrible treble spikeyness
Sonic evaluation: used with ltd edition blues deluxe(jensen speaker)I now have classic clean sounds and all the driven tones one could ask for.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: a better player could obtain all the classic strat tones-SRV,hendrix,clapton,shadows,dire straits etc
Overall Rating
Comments: I have previously fitted 'mules' into my flying V so knew what quality to expect.The sonic quality still surprises though.fantastic sounds on all strings and no crappy single coil thin tones at all.these pick ups have turned my guitar into a pro quality instrument.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: stu lawrence <studuke@hotmail.com>
Submitted at: 15:30, 9/27/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Strat Single Coil set
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: GBP 165.00
Purchased from: Manufacturer direct
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: American Std Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan SSL5's (x2) & an unspecified DiMarzio
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Me!!!! :-)
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, Pop, Soul
Reason for pickup change: Fancied a change, something with a bit more umph & grunt
Sound
Perceived output level: Perceived as louder
Tone: Very clear but powerfull, rich tone when wound up, a Texas Special on steroids!
Sonic evaluation: Tried through a Line6 Flextone Plus II on the Fender Deluxe setting
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Good all round replacement pickup, has good range of tone & character
Overall Rating
Comments: 10/10. I would buy these pick-ups again if I had to get a replacement Strat. Was so-so with the Duncans but, they never really did it for me, I always felt the tone of my Strat could be improved but didn't think the Duncans did it 100%. The IT's are superb & at last, it seems we have a home grown talent who can & will take on the Americans & provide equal if not superior pickups at a reasonable cost (well, come on, they are hand wound after all!). After sales service is second to none (installation query). I've had to call a couple of times & each time I have been greeted with hands on practical help & advice - Tim rules!
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Simon <simon_tree@hotmail.com>
Submitted at: 13:22, 9/22/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Passive Single Coils
Impedence or other specs: Scatter Wound
Price Paid: GBP £151
Purchased from: R2E Guitars
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: USA 62 Re Issue Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Pickups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Watch this Space!!!!!
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock and some Country
Reason for pickup change: Recommended by Ron.
Sound
Perceived output level: Warm and Slightly More Powerful than the Standard Pickups
Tone: Unbelievable Difference
Sonic evaluation: I run all of my Guitars through the same Rig irrespective. Fender Concert 4x10 Rivera Model.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: My REAL Influences are Rory Gallagher, Roy Buchanon, Robin Trower and Bernie Marsden
Overall Rating
Comments: I will admit that I have always been a Gibson sort of Guy, (despite my influences!!)
ALL I AM GOING TO SAY IS THIS...........
IF MY FIRST STRAT HAD SOUNDED LIKE THIS I WOULD NEVER HAVE TOUCHED ANOTHER GUITAR!!!!!!
I have been playing for some 37 Years and I have NEVER had a Sound like this before. THIS IS IT! AT LONG, LONG LAST.
Thanks Tim, You Sir are a Star.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Rob Stobbs <sonoma@stobbs3856.fsnet.co.uk>
Submitted at: 16:55, 8/2/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Passive Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: Neck and Middle 6.4k, Bridge 7.8k
Price Paid: 165 GBP
Purchased from: www.bareknucklepickups.com
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: 2004 Fender Highway 1 Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: All positions
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup: I thought they used paintbrushes.
You musical style(s): Blues, Blues-rock, A bit of jazz, some grunge and a bit of randomness.
Reason for pickup change: My stock p/ups on my Strat sounded too bright and harsh.
Sound
Perceived output level: Described as "Vintage hot", about the same as Texas Specials. More powerful than the majority of stock strat p/ups.
Tone: Very clear with lots of presence. Detailed, defined mids and crystalline bass.
Sonic evaluation: I'm using these pickups in my Highway 1 Strat through a Marshall DSL100 and matching cab. They sound fantastic. The overall balance of sound is the best I've ever heard, with the bridge pickup matching the output of the other two pickups perfectly. I'm amazed by the clarity and presence and how it is acheived without getting stratchy or wearing in the high end. Output is perfect for me, more forceful and solid than the stock pickups without getting muddy or lethargic (i.e not following your playing closely enough as if it's too fat to get moving!). These pickups are designed to offer sounds in the Rory Gallagher (hence the name) / SRV ballpark. To my ears, they come as close to the sounds of those players as your playing technique will let you (And let's face it, that's where 95% of your tone comes from). At the neck and neck / middle positions you can get all the mellow sweet clean tones from SRV tracks like Tin Pan Alley, Lenny, Little Wing etc as well as the chunky rhythm stuff (Pride n Joy, Mary Had a Little Lamb etc.). The bridge / middle combination is great for Rory Gallagher stuff like Brute Force and Ignorance, Bad Penny, What in the world. But most importantly of all, due to the clarity, openness and versatility of these pickups, I get to sound just like me. Top! They really let the nuances of your playing come through better than any strat pickups I've heard.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: As already mentioned, I play blues, rock, grunge, jazz, and weirdness. To me the Strat is the most versatile electric. These pickups are the most versatile I've heard. Neil Young, Pavement, Hendrix, RATM, Buddy Guy, Pearl Jam, Floyd...these pickups will go anywhere I want them to. Unless you want death metal, these pickups have your bases covered.
Overall Rating
Comments: I would definitely replace these pickups if they were stolen. I've been playing for 13 of my 21 years. I also own a cheap Encore strat with Kent Armstrong pickups (one hot single coil and 2 single coil sized humbuckers with a push-pull pot for coil taps) and two SGs: A junior with a Kent Armstrong humbucker and a standard with Wilkinson Humbuckers. All these go through an MXR Micro Amp and a Cry Baby, then into the aforementioned Marshall DSL100. There really is nothing to fault about these pickups. Everyone seems to be after the "like a Strat but louder" sound, and as far as I'm concerned, these provide that sound. I'm satisfied that I've got the best pickups for the job and that I can now get on with playing the guitar safe in the knowledge that if I sound crap, it's my fault. Add to all this the fact that you get very helpful and friendly service from the guy who actually makes the pickups, a lifetime guarantee, and free set of strings and a pick, and you're not likely to get much better. The fact that I use 10-52's rather than the 10-46's supplied is worth a moan though! The pick is cool and looks like it's filled with marmite.
Just a final word on the search for the tonal holy grail for a lot of us - SRV's 'Number One' Strat. Here's a quick breakdown of what I reckon contributes to his amazing sound, with helpful percentage points for each. Several Fender Vibrolux or Twin Reverb amps - 1%, 2 Ibanez TubeScreamers 0.5%, 1 Vox Wah 0.5%, GHS 13-58's 0.5%, 21 Huge Dunlop Frets 0.5%, 1 '62 Strat with slightly overwound but stock '58 pickups, 1%, and one Stevie Ray Vaughan 96%. Quite a long-winded way of making my point but I think you'll know what I mean.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Sam <Codboy56@hotmail.com>
Submitted at: 2:54, 6/13/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Single coil passive
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: Stirling £59.00
Purchased from: Bare Knuckle pickups direct
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Fender Strat, Clapton Signature
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Kinman Woodstock
Other pickups on guitar: Kinman Woodstocks
Artists using this pickup: Not sure
You musical style(s): Blues, Vintage Rock
Reason for pickup change: After changing the stock gold lace sensors to Kinmans to get a more woody vintage tone, unhappy with the result.
decided to have the real thing and forget about the noisless stuff. I've got Fralins in my Blade Strat and wasnt overly impressed so decided to try some home grown pickups and went for Bare Knuckle.
Sound
Perceived output level: The same as the Kinman Woodstocks, no volume change when switching between the 3.
Tone: Everything the Fralins were supposed to be these Bare Knuckles actually were! Tim from Bare Knuckle suggested the Irish Tour because they were slightly hotter than the Sultans, my concern were they may loose some sparkle but once played that was laid to rest as the sound had plenty of presence and makes the Kinmans sound sinthetic, which I suppose they are to an extent, althought probably one of the best of the noisless bunch.
Sonic evaluation: I've never thought of the Clapton Sign Strat as a vintage sounding guitar, more of a versitile gigging tool that can sound real fat if you need it. However for the first time in 7 years I can not only get the Clapton sound but also the SRV and Hendrix sound as well. I play it through either a Marshall DSL 50 watt head and 4 x 10 cab or a Peavy Blues Classic (50 watt / 1 x 15 inch Speaker)or a Cornell Rambler (15 watt / 1 x 12). When i now switch between the B.K pups and the Kinmans its like going from a vintage valve amp to a bottom of the range Line 6!
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Great for Blues and Rock. i've only got it on the neck position at the moment but will replace the others now that i'm confident and happy with the results.
Overall Rating
Comments: I've got 3 strats and will replace all the pups in the Clapton sign and the Blade Texas Vintage (which currently have Frailin vintage hot in) as soon as i can. My 3rd Strat is a new (04) Fender Deluxe and has the Samarium Cobalt Noiseless in which I'll leave because they are the best sounding noisless i've had (which have inluded Kinman, Lace, EMG's, and Fender Vintage). I've been playing 23 years gigging for 11 and have, like most of us, spent a bloody fortune on equipment and wasted half of it. Music may be a fashion, but instruments shouldn't be. I've been led astray by advertising and big names. I've been equally disappointed with PRS guitars, Mesa amps and Kinman pickups, you dont get what you pay for all the time. My Favorite Guitar is a Levinson Blade Strat, Favourite amp a Denis Cornell Rambler and Favourite pickups are Bare Knuckle - BY FAR! Little advertising, Brilliant workmanship, Great Customer support.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Mark
Submitted at: 14:00, 6/8/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Single Coil Strat Set
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: GBP 210
Purchased from: Bare Knuckle Pickups direct
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: 78 Lefty Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Originals
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Clean 'n' dirty blues: Robert Cray and SRV
Reason for pickup change: Original 70's pickups were really dark and un-Strat-like. Wanted a good cleaner sound with the real 'quack' of great Strat pickups overdriving.
Sound
Perceived output level: Similar output, maybe slightly lower than originals, but more balanced
Tone: Superb - mid-trebly, great balance. Just amazing.
Sonic evaluation: 78 Lefty Strat into Marshall TSL122 100W valve.
Wow, clean channel fat 'n' clean, lead channel clear middly overdrive, crunch channel wailing blues. Awesome.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues style, fantastic match, great in all positions.
Overall Rating
Comments: OK, listen up. These are the best Strat pickups I've tried. I have finally found 'that sound'. I've tried several Seymour Duncan, Lace Sensor, Kent Armstrong replacements and these Bare Knuckles are the best. I contacted Bare Knuckle for advice on a Robert Cray/Dire Straits/SRV sound and Tim Mills suggested the Irish Tours. Hand scatter wound, lefty staggered pole pieces, wired to a replacement scratch plate and dispatched within a week of ordering. Fantastic service. I will be fitting these to all my Strats.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Peter Marshall <peter_marshall@claretandgold.com>
Submitted at: 18:06, 4/3/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Single coil
Impedence or other specs: 7.8 calibrated from bridge
Price Paid: GBP plus VAT £165
Purchased from: Direct from Bare Knuckle
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Kinman 56
Other pickups on guitar: n/a
Artists using this pickup: Unknown
You musical style(s): All
Reason for pickup change: Still looking for "that sound"
Sound
Perceived output level: Slightly hotter than standard
Tone: Well balanced
Sonic evaluation: "Stratulike" and Princeton - work very well together. Traditional strat tones but as you would expect from the name of the set - get that Rory Gallagher sound. Clean and crisp without being too sharp or edgy when clean and when pushed they have just "got it". Bridge and middle position best I have ever heard. All positions very usable, excellent range of tones and potential for use across just about all styles. Very quiet for single coils as well.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: All styles - calibrated set so all positions catered for
Overall Rating
Comments: Yes I would buy again immediately. Playing 40 years, other guitars Epiphone SG Custom (with a calibrated set of Bare Knuckle Mule Humbuckers - also brilliant!) and Epiphone Casino (Bare Knuckle P90s on order - will be in the guitar next week!). Quite simply the best brand of pickups I have ever used, and I have been through just about everything over the years, service excellent and the price makes them excellent value. The personal service makes you feel valued and I now have the sound that I have wanted for years - was feeling very jaded with my music, but now it's a pleasure every time I pick up a guitar!
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: David Ford