Bare Knuckle Pickups Mothers Milk
Submitted at: 13:47, 11/27/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: 6.5K, 5.8K, 5.8K
Price Paid: 165 GBP
Purchased from: www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Fender Highway 1 Strat with rosewood neck
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Fenders
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Classic rock, blues
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups sounded thin when amp was overdriven
Sound
Perceived output level: Seem louder than stock but stock had higher resistance
Tone: Full, rich, woody, very well ballanced
Sonic evaluation: I play through a Cornford Harlequin loaded with Mullard valves. These pickups sound fantastic. A rich, warm, woody sound that sounds very full and balanced.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Pickups will suit all styles except all out thrash
Overall Rating
Comments: Before buying the pickups I e-mail Bare Knuckle about what would suit be best. They got straight back to me but by then I'd come up with other questions so I phone them. Tim at BK took the time to talk to me explaining the differences between the pups and advised me as to what would suit me. Next day the pickups arrived in the post. Fantastic service.
The stock pickups in the strat sounded good clean but as the gain was cranked up they started to sound thin. I was never sure what was up - was it the amp didn't like single coils or the guitar. I now know it was the guitar. The Mother's Milks have an incredibly full sound that shows just how bad the stock pickups were.
My other strat has Seymour Duncan Alnico II and a SD Hot Rail. They're OK but these are in a different league. The quality of the sound has to be heard to be believed.
Previously I liked playing my Highway 1 acoustically before but plugged in there was something missing. These pups have fixed that. Clean, just breaking up and overdriven they sound the business. The best strat sound I've ever had.
The only problem is I've now started looking thinking of buying another guitar just to try more Bare Knuckle pickups.
There's clips of the pickups posted at the Bare Knuckle forum at http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php
Forum also has advice on how the different pickups sound
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Floyd Pepper
Submitted at: 6:24, 11/5/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: single coil,passive
Impedence or other specs: 6k
Price Paid: N/A
Purchased from: bare knuckle web site
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: shadow super strat from 80's
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: lace hot gold
Other pickups on guitar: bare knuckle crawler humbucker
Artists using this pickup: geoff whitehorn
You musical style(s): all styles but mainly classic rock and pop
Reason for pickup change: i had emg's on for about 10 years but as my taste\playing changed i needed a more open vintage sound.so i tried gison fender and lace pu's.i put the crawler on first which sounded fantastic but made the lace hot golds sound dull and lifeless so got 2 mothers milk for mid and neck.
Sound
Perceived output level: hot vintage about same as lace.
Tone: very well balanced.bright and clear but not hard.
Sonic evaluation: I am using Rivera amps but i do have a fender princeton reverb 2 from the 80's.i use a gibon les paul custom with a 'crawler set' on it and a custom made tele with a 'boss set' of picks ups.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: i now have 3 sets of bare knuckle pick ups on my giging guitars(lp,strat,tele).the is nothing i cant cover with these guitars.as for the mothers milk with the crawler bridge i can cover classic rock,blues country heavy metal.nu metal punk and the shadows(not that i would admit to that).
Overall Rating
Comments: If it was stolen i'd be well knacked as they dont make this guitar anymore,but would buy a strat and put the same combination of pick ups on as this on has now.btw all my guitars have cts pots in them which i believe makes a big difference to how the guitars resond.I have been playing and repairing guitars for 20 years most of which have been live.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted at: 5:59, 12/11/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Passive Single Coils - Middle rw/rp
Impedence or other specs: 6.8k average
Price Paid: GBP 120
Purchased from: Bare Knuckle Pickups direct
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: 1983 Squier JV series 1962 Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: DiMarzio HS2, Stock 1980s stock Fenders
Other pickups on guitar: SD Classic Strat Stack in bridge
Artists using this pickup: ?????
You musical style(s): Wide: Surf, Richard Thompson style Folk Rock, 70s Hard Rock, Punk
Reason for pickup change: Needed something to compete with the SD stack, hated the DiMarzio, wanted a classic 60s Strat sound.
Sound
Perceived output level: A chunk above stock Fenders
Tone: Clear in neck - bassy without being too so, good mid in middle position nice amount of creamy power
Sonic evaluation: I am using my Squier JV through a Vox AD30VT tube/modelling hybrid - these pickups are just so cool - Through the Fender amps models I get that clean but creamy sixties tone, through the Vox AC30 modelling setting I get the full on blues tone of many a famous guitarist and can even get the Hendrix Little Wing or Red House tone with ease with the middle p-up. Also the neck is now usable as before the tone lacked presence. The rw/rp has good humbucking effect in the n/m position. These pick ups have 'presence' and more and really lift your sound. I cant stop playing Jimi stuff and moving on to cheesy blues licks because these sound so good.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is the tone I was looking for - I doubt it would work for thrash, but who plays a strat and thrashes?
Overall Rating
Comments: If someone nicked my Squier I would get a JV off ebay and buy three of these to get it up to the tone it has now. I have compared these to Fender Custom Shop 57/62s and I think they beat the Fenders (although they are very good). They beat Duncans and for handmade, scatter wound pups turn out cheaper.
One more thing - Bare Knuckle customer service is without comparision in the industry - I emailed them with questions about the rw/rp middle and how it would effect the Duncan and got an answer from Tim in less than 2 hours. That sort of service is unheard of in the usually unfriendly world of guitar retail. I hope this companies never loses its touch because their products and service are the best (and no, I do not have shares in Bare Knuckle!).
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: ecv <ecv20@netscape.net>
Submitted at: 0:46, 11/17/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Single coil set
Impedence or other specs: 6.8,6&6K
Price Paid: UK Sterling £165
Purchased from: Music Live Show
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Fender US Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Fender
Other pickups on guitar: 0
Artists using this pickup: Don't know
You musical style(s): Have a go at most classic stuff.
Reason for pickup change: Tried them at the Music Live Show and was blown away by their power and accuracy.
Sound
Perceived output level: Hotter than those on my US Strat but not over the top.Bridge is well balanced.
Tone: Bright and punchy.No mud and no glass or mid spikes.Great Hendrix tone, even SRV!!
Sonic evaluation: Marshall combos and one Fender.These sound great going straight into the front without any effects. The only extra I use is a good George Ls lead.To be honest the tone these produce is so good I don't want to colour it at all with anything else.I can hear the amp and guitar which is all I want whereas before the tone was a little indistinct, not bad but it's night and day with these.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I wanted this for doing Chilli's stuff and with a name like Mother's Milk they're right on the money.All my Hendrix stuff works too and they sound fantastic run really clean.There is plenty of sparkle in the highs without cutting your head off and the bridge keeps suprising me with it's power.The balance is really good especially compared to my old set.
Overall Rating
Comments: I wanted to write this review after reading a previous slagging by some no brainer on a Bare Knuckle Mother's milk bought off ebay.This person is obviously deaf or never played a quality piece of kit before.Thin tone....I don't think so!!I think the moron has probably put a bridge or neck in the middle position and has discovered the joys of out of phase tone. Lesson-always buy your single coils in sets it'll save you any magnet or phase problems and stop you looking really stupid on Harmony Central. To slag Bare Knuckle is pointless, the guys at the show I went to not only knew their stuff really well but also played great guitar and promised me my money back if I wasn't totally blown away when I put the pickups in my own guitar. At least the idiot got one thing right, he isn't an expert and from the sounds of things never will be and I'm glad I trust my own ears not those of a talentless prat.
I've bought humbuckers from Bare Knuckle earlier this year and was really impressed by the build and most importantly the tone-these single coils are no different-total Strat heaven. For a perfect jobbing Strat set with awesome tone you can't buy better.Overlook these at your peril.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Stephen May <stephenmay@ukgateway.net>
Submitted at: 11:54, 11/9/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Single coil
Impedence or other specs: about 7.5K
Price Paid: N/A used
Purchased from: ebay
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Jackson
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: DiMarzio Air Norton in the bridge, Duncan Hot Stack in the neck
Artists using this pickup: no idea. Are they that stupid?
You musical style(s): all sorts, mostly rock, blues & UK indy
Reason for pickup change: looking for a specific tone. I won't find it with one of these.
Sound
Perceived output level: very low. I mean LOW ... hello?? can you hear me?? Makes a duckbucker sound good. What are they thinking? I suppose with a full set of these (at £165 ... ouch) you wouldn't notice the dramatically low output of each individual pickup, but I'd rather not have the amp on so high.
Tone: Crappy tone. I've got a new slogan for the company ... "Underwound for a shitty thin tone". What do you reckon .. bit like "They're boxy but they're good" for Volvo's. Not complimentary but totally accurate. If you want your Fender to sound like a Squire fit these pickups.
Sonic evaluation: I generally play through a Marshall, occasionally through a small Sessionette (very clean tone). I have mixed and matched pickups for years and I own and regularly play 7 electric 6 strings of all combinations, from Gibson SG through to Mexican Strat. The Jackson was a whim buy, but I like it so I'm preparing it for gigging ... buy this pickup on the recommendation of a pal of mine and boy does it ever suck AND blow. I wouldn't insult anyone else by selling it again on ebay. It stayed in the guitar for about 3 minutes then I had to take it out again. The hole it left sounds better. Do yourself a favour. If you want tone then buy anything other than one of these little horrors.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup wouldn't even be good for country music, and you can play that on a shoebox and 6 rubber bands.
Overall Rating
Comments: This pickup sucks. Don't buy it. If it were stolen I'd pretend I never owned it in the first place. Seriously, it really sucks, and don't let the "purists" and "experts" tell you otherwise. I'm no expert, but don't believe me either. If weedy, thin tone is your thing ... go for it. And those polepieces?? They weren't just staggered, they'd gone postal. There was at least 4mm difference in height between the G and B ... no neck on planet Earth has that sort of radius. Buy an FS-1.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 1 - What a hunk of Junk!
Submitted at: 2:00, 10/29/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Single coil
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: Pounds Sterling Approx 210
Purchased from: Bare Knuckle Web Site
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Fender Standard Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Will try anything. Mostly straight-forward rock
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups weak, thin and toneless
Sound
Perceived output level: A good bit more power than stock
Tone: Neck pickup bassy and warm. Loads of bite from bridge pickup. Middle beautifully balanced somewhere in between. Lovely humbucking tones in position 2 & 4 (especially 2!)
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a Fender standard strat through a Laney TF100 combo amp. Several FX pedals - mainly Electro Harmonix.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: As the Mothers Milk name implies this is THE pick-up set for that vintage John Frusciante tone. I don't pretend to be half the player he is but I at least I can now capture some of his vibe. That said these babies are extremely versatile and will give a great tone for almost any musical style.
Overall Rating
Comments: I specifically bought a cheap standard strat with the intention of upgrading it straight away. I read about Bare Knuckle pickups in a magazine (forget which one) and had a look at the web-site (which is excellent - check it out). Ordered on-line. Took the option of getting the pick-ups pre-wired to a scratch plate (mint green - looks ace on sunburst strat) which saves a load of hassle. Just needed to solder wiring to input jack - easy! Service is second to none. Got delivered in about 10 days, good to go after about 30 mins with screwdriver & soldering iron. Didn't need to speak directly with company but got the impression that nothing is too much to ask. These pickups are not the cheapest but for the quality of the hand-made components, the improvement to your sound and the outstanding service they represent fantastic value for money. Seriously can't recommend them enough. Good work, keep it up.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Fraser <fraser.gill@nhs.net>
Submitted at: 18:26, 10/13/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Single Coil
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: Pounds sterling 210
Purchased from: www.bareknuckle.co.uk
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Fender 62 reissue Japan Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: All+pickguard+electrics
Other pickups on guitar: -
Artists using this pickup: Surely many soon, but none yet, as far as I know.
You musical style(s): Rock, jazz, funk, indie
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups were, er, rubbish.
Sound
Perceived output level: Slightle hotter than normal
Tone: Utterly balanced.
Sonic evaluation: I play through a Line 6 Felxtone II. They sound...well, despite the fact I am an English teacher, I really can't find the words. Really, really good would be a (totally understated) start.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock, jazz, funk, indie. Plus more I'm sure.
Overall Rating
Comments: Look, these are simply the best pickups you'll find. I have bareknuckles on all my serious guitars now, and Tim, who runs the company, is a musical genius. Don't believe me? Just try them. I always fancied a US Strat, but this Jap Strat+Bareknuckles beats every strat I have tried with effort to spare. WARNING: If you buy a set of bareknuckles, or even just a single pickup, be prepared for the financial outlay of re-equipping all your favourite guitars with bareknuckles, coz you'll never play them again otherwise......
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Daniel Simon <hueylondon@hotmail.com>
Submitted at: 11:51, 8/8/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: About 6.8K
Price Paid: pounds 65
Purchased from: Bare Knuckle Pickups
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: Only Bare Knuckle Pickups
Artists using this pickup: It will not be long before many do
You musical style(s): Anything i can mash out
Reason for pickup change: Muddy unclear stock.
Sound
Perceived output level: Medium Hot
Tone: Very Balanced, Open, Clear without being harsh.
Sonic evaluation: Ibanez - RMC3 Wah -BD2 Keeley - Mesa Boogie.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Anything from Hendrix (played badly) to John 5
Overall Rating
Comments: The quality I was looking for was the clean eerie quality that only a good single coil can produce. I spoke to 'Tim' on the phone discussed what types of music I like and he recommended the Mothers Milk for the middle pickup. My guitar has an H-S-H setup. I have installed many, many pickups and the best single coil I have tried is the Mothers Milk. It has great balance across the strings and responds better than any other pickup when the volume knob is turned down.
If you are after a medium/hot single coil replacement then look no further, the Mothers Milk is pure single coil class.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Greg. R.
Submitted at: 14:03, 3/29/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: 6.8K calibrated - The neck and middle are around 6K
Price Paid: GBP 165
Purchased from: Bare Kunuckle themselves
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: 62 Reissue Strat - Lefty
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock single coils
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock, Funk, Blues....
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickups were quite thin sounding and very 2 dimensional.
Sound
Perceived output level: Slightly hotter than stock, vintage output.
Tone: Warm and clear - Like a good strat.
Sonic evaluation: These are being used through a 78 Marshall JMP 2204 combo with greenbacks, CS2 compressor, VL Sparkledrive, Jackhammer, DD# and holy grail.
The pickups are clear, very vintage strat like with a touch more middle and output - not as forward as texas specials but more punch than many vintage styled pickups.
This is the perfect set of pickups for me form vintage glassy strat through to modern rock - and as the name makes clear, these pickups pull off the chili peppers wonderfully.
Sounds incredibly cheesy but these pickups are the sound i could hear for my strat. They are clear and articulate and sound amazing distorted the neck pickup is smoooth and round and the bridge is bright and full with no harshness... Before these pickups i preferred my tele with Fralin Blues specials but now this strat is my main guitar due to the versatility and tone that these pickups bring... it never sounds anything less than brilliant.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup is extrmely versatile and will pull off most styles with aplomb...
Overall Rating
Comments: The service i recieved was second to none, i spoke to the maker on the phone to discuss a custom left handed stagger which they made for me at no extra charge. The provision of pickup covers and a new set of strings was great and the sound was amazing i have recommended these to many ppl on HC already and will continue to do so.... cna't believe i've written such a gushing review but i've had these a month or so now and love them as much as they day i bought them.
Seem better made and the service is far greater than with any other pickups i've bought including fralin, fender, duncan etc
Highly recommended my favourite piece of gear!
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Kieran <sarahandkieran@tiscali.co.uk>
Submitted at: 15:29, 3/21/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Passive single coil set
Impedence or other specs: Approx 6.8K
Price Paid: £ 165
Purchased from: Bare knuckles himself
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Jap reissue Fender Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock set
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): From Marr to Chillis with Albert Collins thrown in for variety
Reason for pickup change: The Stock pickups were thin, weedy, toneless and generally useless
Sound
Perceived output level: Slightly hotter then vintage but still has that 60's AC vibe but bigger and bluesier
Tone: Clear as a bell and very even
Sonic evaluation: These pickups are unbelievable! What a sound. My gear consists of a Laney VC30 with a Keeley compressor, Sparkledrive, EH Chorus and Watkins Copycat. Don't be fooled by the gear I'll try anything from the Beatles to Van Halen with this set up. The difference are these pickups. Hand wound is the way to go
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: You have to get the set no point otherwise!
Overall Rating
Comments: I have been playing for 20 years the last 5 as a full time muso. Being the typical guitarist I have never been happy with my sound, untill I bought these pickups. My Strat was bought purely on the strength of the bright resonant body and NOT for the rubbish Fender solder to the scratch plate. I have tried several pickups including some horrible examples from seymour duncan (toneless overwound overpriced) to try and bring out that resonance lurking in there. Tim at bareknuckes has nailed THE tone, so much so that I have ordered replacements for all my guitars. The best thing about the whole deal was Tim. You talk to him, tell him what you want and he winds them accordingly. The bloke LOVES the guitar. (If you are an Ozzy fan ring him because he plays in an Ozzy tribute band). If my guitar was stolen I would be on the phone the next day with no qualms at all. The industry needs more people like Tim and bareknuckles.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Sean Corker <seancorker@msn.com>
Submitted at: 13:01, 10/28/2003
Product Info
Pickup features: single coil set
Impedence or other specs: Alnico V, 6.8k, cloth leads, engraved baseplates, reversewound/reverse polarity
Price Paid: UK pounds 165
Purchased from: Direct
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Fender Strat USA standard 1995
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Fender standard set
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): blues, rock
Reason for pickup change: This was the first guitar I ever bought and since then I have become increasingly unhappy with the sound, hence never really moved it off position one. Therefore wanted to see what could be achieved with different pickups. Personal recommendation led me to take the plunge at try these pickups.
Sound
Perceived output level: Much higher the set they replaced
Tone: All three pickups provide distinct tone unlike the Fende ones and position two is sweet. There is no harshness in the tone whatsoever and whatever you do you can't make them sound muddy or lifeless.
Sonic evaluation: Fender Strat and Mesa Boogie subway rocket.
These pickups have brought the Strat to life. There is a great deal of clarity in the tone without any hint of muddiness that I had before. All positions are usable and distinctly different but blend so well in positions two and four. The pickups respond to the dynamics in your playing and the guitar sounds so good at the 'bedroom' level that I play at.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: blues, rock and yes they are a good match
Overall Rating
Comments: Compared the standard strat with Bareknuckles to a Fender relic and I am afraid to say that it blew the relic away. Would have to consider a set for the relic before it would come anywhere near the standard. I am now going to try a set of Humbuckers for my Patrick Eggle. Hope it does for that guitar what it did for the strat.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value