Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

['59]

I won a raffle at my guitar store for a free set of Bareknuckle pickups. What sets do you guys like the most and why? It doesn't matter what guitar it's going into because I'll probably buy a guitar for them, even if it means I'm playing right into their hands.

[Chistopher]

Re: Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

They sell most of their pickups with a neck and a bridge model that are actually a different wind instead of just adding a couple thousand more turns to the bridge. I got the chance to play a Les Paul style guitar that had an Emetald neck and Mule bridge. It sounded phenomenal, but then again it was a $4k guitar with like five different exotic woods on it.

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

I have a calibrated set of Rebel Yell pups. They are great. One of the best neck pickups I’ve ever had.
In fact I’m thinking I might put them back in my LP this weekend.

[AlexR]

Re: Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

What are your musical tastes/playing style???

Or indeed do you want to buy a guitar for maybe a new type of playing you want to try out.

Otherwise you're going to get just about every set recommended if you leave it long enough.....which won't narrow things down that much.

['59]

Re: Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

What are your musical tastes/playing style???

Or indeed do you want to buy a guitar for maybe a new type of playing you want to try out.

Otherwise you're going to get just about every set recommended if you leave it long enough.....which won't narrow things down that much.

I'm totally fine with that as I play just about everything. Well, except for Metalcore and stuff along those lines.

So I'll consider any set that any of you all really thought stood out as superior.

[AlexR]

Re: Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

Well, its still too open as a concept really........

but just to play along, the best set from them I have had is the Apache singlecoil set.

[metlking]

Re: Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

I bought a Mule bridge and had high hopes for it based on all the reviews I read about it. I was underwhelmed. It was rather weak. I discovered I pretty much HATE Alnico 4 magnets. Too "hi-fi" to my ears. I had a Miracle Man bridge at one time too but I sold that as well. Too hot and compressed/congested. I'm sure some of the others would have worked better for me. I like a hot PAF type with Alnico 2 magnets but I don't see anything quite like that. I could probably hang with the VHII or Black Dog set.

[TVFV]

Re: Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

I bought a Mule bridge and had high hopes for it based on all the reviews I read about it. I was underwhelmed. It was rather weak. I discovered I pretty much HATE Alnico 4 magnets. Too "hi-fi" to my ears. I had a Miracle Man bridge at one time too but I sold that as well. Too hot and compressed/congested. I'm sure some of the others would have worked better for me. I like a hot PAF type with Alnico 2 magnets but I don't see anything quite like that. I could probably hang with the VHII or Black Dog set.

Look into the Slash set.

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[metlking]

Re: Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

Look into the Slash set.

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I have a Les Paul with a Slash bridge. Its fantastic!

['59]

Re: Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

So I've better conceptualized the tone I am going for. I just got a sweet deal on an Epi Lucille that comes with the stock mudbuckers and was thinking about going for a blues/ hard rock tone. Picture ZZ Top or Led Zeppelin (please don't lecture me on Teles and soundboards) at the most and a pretty decent clean tone as well.

The SD pickups closest to what I want could be described as a 59 neck and a Whole Lotta Humbucker bridge. I might use a bit more mids than that, but clarity under distortion and a nonboomy neck are a must for this set. I am also a fan of A4 magnets, if that makes a difference.

I'll post tommorow some of my online findings for common sets if anyone wants to provide commentary on them.

[metlking]

Re: Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

The Mule set might be just the ticket in your case.....if not they sell quickly on the used market!

[Thundermtn]

Re: Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

Check out the riff raff's

[AlexR]

Re: Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

Most people seem to go for a mule/riffraff combo.....with the higher k of the two sets being the bridge pickup.

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

+1 on the Rebel Yell set. Aggressive enough to rock hard, still cleans up quite well. Cuts through a mix well without ever sounding thin or harsh. A really special neck pickup, one of the sweetest around.

[Shooweri]

Re: Best Bareknuckle pickup sets?

I had both Blackguard '50 and '52 Tele sets which both were exceptional! I soon settled with 50 bridge and 52 neck, as I liked the hotter/angrier bridge and very stratty neck pickup. I still have the 52 neck in my Warmoth swamp ash/roasted maple tele that has been installed there for 3 years. That's quite a long time as I normally go thru different pickups every few months.

I've also played Aftermaths that were too hot for my taste and Juggernauts, which have sort of hi-fi sound to them. I much preferred the Jugs since they have less compression and much more natural tone.