Bare Knuckle Pickups The Mule Custom
Submitted at: 7:23, 8/14/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: Humbuckers - Passive
Impedence or other specs: AlnicoV "SG wind"
Price Paid: 170
Purchased from: Direct from manufacturers website
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Flying V
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Standard gibson ( 500T and 496R - i think)
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: No Idea
You musical style(s): Blues / Rock / Pop
Reason for pickup change: Wasn't happy with the stock pickups - especialy clean or cleanish sound. After seeing the Bareknuckle ad in Guitarist reading reviews here and checking out the website I wrote to Tim at Bareknuckle explaining what I was looking for and asked what he suggested. Basicaly I told him that why I didnt like the standard pickups and that I wanted pickups that would sound like my 1980 SG standard.He suggested that I should try a pair of mules but with AlnicoV magnets instead of AlnicoII and what he called a SG wind ( I think this translates to a few extra turns )
Sound
Perceived output level: About the same as an SG standard ( maybe fractionally less)
Tone: Slightly more trebly than an SG Standard
Sonic evaluation: Pickups mounted in a flying V use a Laney LC30 II which is a fairly bassy valve combo.I have had the pickups for about 10 months now. My first impresion was that they have a pretty similar sound to the pickups in my SG standard but slightly more trebble.A definate improvement over the pickups which came on the guitar my V now sounds like a slightly brighter version of my old SG. I was really pleased with the kneck pickup sound both clean and overdriven.I have now been using the pickups for about 10 months and have played live and recorded with both guitars and the Laney and find that (probably partly beacause of the carachteristics of the amp) this translates into a clearer sound in the mix (especialy notable when recorded).
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: These pickups are good in both positions for all styles of Rock.
Overall Rating
Comments: I've been playing off and on for about 18 years. My other guitar is a 1980 SG. When I started playing in a banda again after a few years layoff ande needed a backup guitar I decided to get a V. I love the SG looks and sound but didnt want to get another SG and decided on the V for its retro/futuristic vibe but wasn't happy with the pickups so after a couple of months use decided to change them. I now love this guitar. Sounds similar to the SG but a little different - how it should be , no point in having 2 identical guitars. If the guitar was stolen I'd probably get a 335 just to try something diferent - If I decided to change the pickups I would definately talk to Bareknuckle again
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 9
Submitted at: 4:22, 11/24/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Mini-humbucking passive
Impedence or other specs: alnico V...can't remember the impedance, about 6 I think
Price Paid: N/A
Purchased from: Direct from Bare Knuckle
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Tokai Firebird copy
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock nasty taiwanese things
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: based on on Warren Haynes sound (Allman Bros & Govt Mule)
You musical style(s): Rock with attitude
Reason for pickup change: Horrendous woofy neck pickup,harsh bridge pickup takes your head off.
Sound
Perceived output level: Very articulate and responsive to pick attack, cleans up well with the volume control, no hiding place!
Tone: neck pickup very woody, bridge bright and clear, no harshness at all
Sonic evaluation: Currently using a Tech21 Trademark 60 through a Marshall 4 x 12 with a Jeckyll & Hyde overdrive in the front. Waiting for an Engl Screamer 50...watch this space!
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Playing mostly Rock and blues and these pickups are spot on. Probably doesn't do the shreddy stuff but neither do I
Overall Rating
Comments: Tim Mills, the Bare Knuckles bloke, doesn't do mini humbuckers, so he rewound these and changed the nasty ceramic magnets for alnico Vs.
He will pretty much do whatever you want, I bowed to his superior knowledge and went with his recommendations regarding magnets and output etc.
I've been playing for donkeys years (mules actually!)also got a Les Pal, Strat and Musicman supersport.
Thede pickups really suit slide/open tuning Black Crowes type of stuff cause they are so touch responsive and articulate for fingerpicking/slide.
They don't make you play like Warren Haynes though...shame
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Nick <nick@stringsandthings.co.uk>
Submitted at: 21:21, 11/15/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Humbucking 4 wire conductors
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: British Pounds 180
Purchased from: BareKnuckle direct order
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: PRS Santana Brazilian limited
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: PRS Snatana III
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock
Reason for pickup change: Wide range of variaty
Sound
Perceived output level: MegaHot
Tone: what ever you need, from Paula to Strat, fromTele to heavy metal
Sonic evaluation: Marshall, Huge and Kettner
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Mainly rock, sometimes hard rock, but also covered songs of actual music
Overall Rating
Comments: I would go to hell and back to get this pickups again if they were stolen !!! No matter how hard that way would be
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value
Submitted by: Maddoc-LA <Maddoc-LA@t-online.de>
Submitted at: 4:08, 6/21/2004
Product Info
Pickup features: Humbucker, Passive, Chrome Cover
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: GBP 94
Purchased from: Direct from Bare Knuckle (London Guitar Show)
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Standard Fit Epiphone Pickup
Other pickups on guitar: Bare Knuckle 'Warpig'
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, Metal
Reason for pickup change: I wanted a richer and fuller sound from my neck pickup, you know that rock/blues sound that has a lot of crunch (Slash, Angus Young ect). I had a Bare Knuckle Warpig so it was a natural progression to go with something that would match it for output.. i was totally amazed by the range that this pickup has.. At the London Guitar Show, Tim offered to match the cover design for me so that it would match my Warpig... so i have the chrome pickup cover with the warpig allen bolt pole pots.. i am telling you know, this thing punches above its weight, it is excellent, a lovely warm rich and creamy sound, just right for rythem, blues and verse soloing, the accoustic/clean sound it really rich.. you just cant go wrong. I have now pared this with 'Warpig' in my bridge position (Check my review of that out too).. and the two together are just brilliant.. Look no further for excellent pickups, oh and Tim from Bare Knuckle is one of the nicest guys you'll chat with.. all in all a pleasure
Sound
Perceived output level: Totally F*@!ing Awsome..
Tone: All Rounded..
Sonic evaluation: Epiphone Les Paul with a Marshall MG15CD amp, or Guitar Port
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock and Roll / Blues, an excellent match for bluesy rythem..
Overall Rating
Comments: I would hunt down and distroy the person that even thought about touching my Guitar.. If i lost this i think i would cry.. I would definately be getting another one.. there isnt enough praise that i can shower down on this pickup
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value