Tempted by bare knuckles

[Uk Ant]

Ok, my shiny new gold Tokai explorer is going to have to get new pups at some point (after I've saved a bit of money).
Now I'd already mentally agreed in my head that SD's were the way to go, I like them. The final choice was not made but PG's, custom 5's were on the short list.
But today I was reminded of Bare knuckle pups. Made in England, hand wound and with groovy names.
Now I'm lucky as I can't afford to do anything at the moment, but when I can do I go the extra mile for the groovy bare knuckles (I have no idea which ones) or stick with the decidedly cheaper (even in the uk) SD's.
Tis a Dilema.
Thing is I'm sure that the brit pups will be more distinctive than the stock SD's, and custom shop will just ake life far to complicated getting them shipped over here.
But it's the great names that has also caught my mind.
My other guitar is my little test bed for me to be anal at, but a gold explorer.... a pair of Riff Raff's or Black Dogs just seem to fit the bill.

[eternal_metalhead]

Check out the Bare Knuckle Pickups forum : http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum and ask the people down there. If you aren't sure, ask Tim. But hey, if you really like Duncans get them. However, even with the price, I have yet to see one bad review for the BKP. Just my 2 cents.

[Aceman]

This really looked like a thread Odie might be attracted to...

Sorry the Duncans don't do it for ya - but I've been kknown to swing DiMarzio myself ocasionally! The guitar sounds tasty - pics?

And for what it's worth, the PG's might be pretty sweet.....

[_FR0D0]

I have a Bare Knuckle Miracle Man Bridge in combo with a Seymour Duncan SH-6N in my RGA121 an they both sound amazing, so you don't have to go with only one manufacturer

[Uk Ant]

This really looked like a thread Odie might be attracted to...

Sorry the Duncans don't do it for ya - but I've been kknown to swing DiMarzio myself ocasionally! The guitar sounds tasty - pics?

And for what it's worth, the PG's might be pretty sweet.....

Oh Duncan's do it for me, but in my head Bare Knuckle's just seem to make more sense in a shiny gold explorer.

[tubeman87]

I'd check both sides of the coin, listen to sound clips, talk to some folks over at the Bareknuckle forum...just do my research on both choices. I've done the same leg work, I was torn by the two (Bareknuckle and SD) for my current project. I decided to go with the Bareknuckle Mother's Milk Set, I'll hopfully order than by the end of the month.

Bottom line both companies put out great pups and a lot of different options. Just research.

[Peter Antal]

Tim's recommendations are always spot on. Just give him a call or send him an e-mail, he really knows his stuff. Explorers are a little bit tricky as they have large wings, which dampens the sound a little bit.

It's really up to you... if you like the Duncans in your SA, I don't think you can go wrong with either manufacturer.

BTW, I have Mules in my Strat and they're amazing pickups.

[Simon_F]

I have a set of BK Mules in my '96 Les Paul Standard and they are perfect for that guitar.

I love Seymour Duncans, but that doesn't mean there aren't other pickups worth checking out.

If you're in the UK, Bare Knuckles actually sit somewhere in the middle of the Duncan range pricewise. These recent prices are from one popular retailer:

SD '59/JB/Jazz/Custom etc. open poles - £56.95
SD '59/JB/Jazz/Custom etc. nickel covered - £71.95
SD Seth Lover nickel covered - £80.95
BK Mule/Black Dog/VHII/Emerald etc. open poles - £81
BK Mule/Black Dog/VHII/Emerald etc. nickel covered - £89
SD Pearly Gates nickel covered - £91.95
SD Antiquity humbucker - £113.95

[PFDarkside]

I'm also very intrigued by the Bare Knuckles, but I wonder how much of it is their naming/marketing that's interesting me? I've never had a bad Duncan experience, but the Nailbomb, Miracle Man, Warpig, Abraxas, Black Dog, VHII, Mother's Milk, et al. just sound too cool...

What is the Mule supposed to be?

[Markk]

I've heard only good things about BKP although I haven't tried them.

[Uk Ant]

I haven't worked out what the mule is supposed to be either.
The others are kinda self explanitory

[Metalblaze]

What is the Mule supposed to be?

I think it got the name from a band called "Government Mule".

[Uk Ant]

I think it got the name from a band called "Government Mule".

Well that's one explanation

[Iron Horse]

Could it be Gov't Mule ?

[PFDarkside]

I guess I could buy that. Warren Haynes? THey also have one modelled after Duane Allman too, right?

[Brow]

The Mules are essentially 1950s PAF style pickups. Slightly hotter (the high 7K, low-mid 8K range), they're quite 'neutral' sounding pickups, with no 1 particular frequency jumping out at you

The Stormy Mondays are 1960s PAF style pickups, which are lower output than Mules and are also brighter.

The Riff Raff and Black Dog pickups are also variants on the PAF theme

[Uk Ant]

Must be said the Tokai stock pickups must go, they’re not bad but they’re just a little too muddy for my taste. Unfortunately money is a bit tight at the moment so I’m going to see if I can pick up some SD bargains on e-bay. Possibly a PG and a ’59, can’t seem to find any custom 5’s which would be my preferred option.

[Metalblaze]

Could it be Gov't Mule ?

I'm not sure myself, but I saw a thread on the BK board with the names of all the BKPs and they give this explanation.

[Simon_F]

The Mules are essentially 1950s PAF style pickups. Slightly hotter (the high 7K, low-mid 8K range), they're quite 'neutral' sounding pickups, with no 1 particular frequency jumping out at you

That's how I hear them too. The output is similar to SD '59s, but they have stronger mids and slightly less bottom and top. They have alnico 4 magnets. I haven't heard '59s with A4 mags but it would be interesting to compare those with Mules - must be similar.

The BK I keep thinking I ought to try is the Emerald, because it's supposed to be modelled after Brian Robertson's Live And Dangerous tone (i.e. when he was playing the black LP Custom). Being a big Robbo fan, I probably ought to give those a spin - just need a third Les Paul to put them in.......

[Brow]

I wasalways quite curious about the Emerals myself too, but not alot of people seem to use them over on the BKF board, so thee's not too much user info floating around about them

Why don't you use it as a reason to get a new LP?