Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Oh, I like it as well. Pretty solid.
Bare Knuckle impressions
- Thread starter Inflames626
- Start date
playas
Well-known member
I'm posting here as I hadn't posted previously and for some reason it's appearing again as having new posts.
...anyway I have a set of Bare Knuckle Apaches in a strat which are the nicest strat singles I've played so far.
I also have an old guard tele neck which is not really what I was after, but beyond that I can't say anything bad about it.
In fact I wanted to buy another Apache neck and middle, but the price has gone up such that between the price, exchange rates and customs I'm thinking of getting Van Zandts from the US instead.
I'm in Europe.
Btw if anyone can compare the apaches to the Van Zandt Pure Vintage or Vintage Plus I'd love to hear what you have to say.
...anyway I have a set of Bare Knuckle Apaches in a strat which are the nicest strat singles I've played so far.
I also have an old guard tele neck which is not really what I was after, but beyond that I can't say anything bad about it.
In fact I wanted to buy another Apache neck and middle, but the price has gone up such that between the price, exchange rates and customs I'm thinking of getting Van Zandts from the US instead.
I'm in Europe.
Btw if anyone can compare the apaches to the Van Zandt Pure Vintage or Vintage Plus I'd love to hear what you have to say.
freefrog
Well-known member
Van Zandt True Vintage? Or is there some discontinued / newest model named "Pure Vintage"? Excellent pickups IME, at least the old ones. My friend who owns a real 1962 L Series Strat has a Vintage Plus bridge PU in one of his Strats and although it has not the harmonic richness of 61 years old Fender PU's, it's in the ball park.
It would probably be a good idea to order directly to Van Zandt because in my own European country, a set of imported Van Zandt is not cheaper than 3 BK Apache's...
If you want to order direct for a cheaper purchase, Europe and USA host more than one local artisan able to sell you excellent hand wound Strat SC's without breaking the bank IMHO.
The Creamery (from Manchester) has a Classic 54 model with A3 rods, like the Apache, but cheaper (and A3 rods are IMHO a decisive factor in how Apache's sound).
Onamac Windery (Camano Island) bases his Vintage '54's on less original A5 rods but I'm not alone here to find Onamac's outstanding without being expensive...
Really non limitative list. I know personally several hand winders living a few miles from my house and offering superb Strat PU's at bargain prices. Should be the same anywhere in Europe. Good luck in your quest.
FOOTNOTE - This answer comes from someone who loves Duncan SSL1's for more than 40 years : a classic, not without reasons, and whose abundant production should allow to find a pair at lowered price for whatever reason (2d hand PU's, B stock because of a damaged box and all that kind of things).
playas
Well-known member
Thanks a million freefrog.
Yes, that was my mistake with the pickup name. I meant True Vintage
That's fantastic information, really helpful and much appreciated.
I did originally think of getting a hss set from a German winder but after being completely ignored I felt I would rather give my business to a company that I have had very positive experiences with, and knew what I was getting with those specific bkp pickups.
Yes, that was my mistake with the pickup name. I meant True Vintage
That's fantastic information, really helpful and much appreciated.
I did originally think of getting a hss set from a German winder but after being completely ignored I felt I would rather give my business to a company that I have had very positive experiences with, and knew what I was getting with those specific bkp pickups.
ToneFiddler
New member
BKP prices are crazy, execept for the UK. Before Brexit i was willing to try some, but at current prices it's not funny.
You really have to be sure or find a great deal on the used market.
i have some experience with them.
CobraT: first one bought used. i liked it that much i order a another one new. super brutal single coil sound, but also sounds good with less gain.
Nice full mids but with the perfect blend of highs and bass to back it up. So not honk city at all. Some compression which kind of fits the style.
you can get a good picture from the offical soundclips.
The Boss: tried it in 2 different teles. didn't like that one. big bass and scooped. had a fog horn quality in the distortion that i hated.
The only BKP PU which i didn't like so far and i also wouldn't describe as super articulate. sold it of pretty quick after the 2nd install.
It's nothing like the Duncan Broadcaster STL-1B by the way.
flat50: love it. fills in the mids some (compared to the Boss) but still very bright. great for every gain level. super articulate.
original 50s should have A3 mags as far as i know (it comes with A5), but i don't care if it sounds good!
RiffRaff: bought used and i could sell it of for more than i paid for it, but i won't. super articulate and cutting, nice and bright. Does well with every gain level but you'll will totally get where the name is coming from if you ever played them.
BlackHawk: bought used, because it might have some of the Cobra qualitys. did have enough time with it yet, but it might be a keeper from what i've heard so far, but it's probably not the best guitar for it. Will fit them in my next explorer build, when it's ready to play.
Normal covers do fit by the way.
the mule neck: always want to try this one, got this one right before the brexit to avoid taxes, but have never installed it so far. Should start that Les Paul build ...
You really have to be sure or find a great deal on the used market.
i have some experience with them.
CobraT: first one bought used. i liked it that much i order a another one new. super brutal single coil sound, but also sounds good with less gain.
Nice full mids but with the perfect blend of highs and bass to back it up. So not honk city at all. Some compression which kind of fits the style.
you can get a good picture from the offical soundclips.
The Boss: tried it in 2 different teles. didn't like that one. big bass and scooped. had a fog horn quality in the distortion that i hated.
The only BKP PU which i didn't like so far and i also wouldn't describe as super articulate. sold it of pretty quick after the 2nd install.
It's nothing like the Duncan Broadcaster STL-1B by the way.
flat50: love it. fills in the mids some (compared to the Boss) but still very bright. great for every gain level. super articulate.
original 50s should have A3 mags as far as i know (it comes with A5), but i don't care if it sounds good!
RiffRaff: bought used and i could sell it of for more than i paid for it, but i won't. super articulate and cutting, nice and bright. Does well with every gain level but you'll will totally get where the name is coming from if you ever played them.
BlackHawk: bought used, because it might have some of the Cobra qualitys. did have enough time with it yet, but it might be a keeper from what i've heard so far, but it's probably not the best guitar for it. Will fit them in my next explorer build, when it's ready to play.
Normal covers do fit by the way.
the mule neck: always want to try this one, got this one right before the brexit to avoid taxes, but have never installed it so far. Should start that Les Paul build ...
What BKP does exceptionally well, is all their custom options. I'm a simple guy, I like gold covers, cream coils, and sometimes an etch here or there.
I have tried every BKP under the sun. Here are my thoughts.
Stormy Monday: amazing PAF pickup. Clean, clear, warm, yet very transparent. Nothing fat about it. Just lush. Think, Seth Lover.
Mule: quintessential PAF. Think Pearly Gates meets '59. Not as raunchy as the Pearly, not as honky as the 59.
VH2: hotrod PAF that sizzles. Love it in the neck, by the way.
Black Dog. Not my thing. Sounds great (think Custom Custom + A2Pro in the neck), but just too broad for my taste.
Holydiver: JB/Jazz set, but without that annoying uppermid spike of the JB. As if the JB has had a facelift.
Cold Sweat: crunchy and biting in the bridge, fluid clarity in the neck. Insanely good. Reminds me of the Pegasus in the bridge and the Sentient in the neck if the Sentient had an alnico II.
Juggernaut: totally its own thing. Unique. Tight, clean, clear, very even sounding. I HATE this pickup with a passion.
Silo. JB/59 set, but without the honk of the 59 in the neck, it is way clearer and more even. The bridge silo reminds me of the JB but is not as brazen as the Holydiver and yet retains that upper mid spike but not nearly as harsh as the JB. Silo is great, truly.
Crawler. HOLY SMOKES this pickup is cool. It's like a Perpetual burn in the bridge and like a pickup that holds the middle between the Jazz (clear, clean, open), and the A2Pro (some fatty roundness in the top end). I know that the jazz and a2pro share all but the magnet but I don't have a better way to describe it.
Emerald: thick, fat, crunchy. If a Snickers-peanutbutter bar was a pickup set, it'd be this.
Ragnarok: Think 'Black Winter' set but more polished. Not as sizzling as the BW.
Riff Raff: PAF but with a ton of bite and bark. I think this pickup is great in a LP, not in an SG. Too harsh.
Nailbomb. SD Custom5 comes close but the Nailbomb is bolder, fatter, tighter, more chunky in the low end. The neck pickup is fat and creamy.
The rest I tried but didn't like enough to register mentally.
OH, the Polymath! Oh that set is the perfect allrounder. It has brightness but not too much, it has crunch but not so much it becomes sizzling. It's just a great allrounder and a joy to play.
I have tried every BKP under the sun. Here are my thoughts.
Stormy Monday: amazing PAF pickup. Clean, clear, warm, yet very transparent. Nothing fat about it. Just lush. Think, Seth Lover.
Mule: quintessential PAF. Think Pearly Gates meets '59. Not as raunchy as the Pearly, not as honky as the 59.
VH2: hotrod PAF that sizzles. Love it in the neck, by the way.
Black Dog. Not my thing. Sounds great (think Custom Custom + A2Pro in the neck), but just too broad for my taste.
Holydiver: JB/Jazz set, but without that annoying uppermid spike of the JB. As if the JB has had a facelift.
Cold Sweat: crunchy and biting in the bridge, fluid clarity in the neck. Insanely good. Reminds me of the Pegasus in the bridge and the Sentient in the neck if the Sentient had an alnico II.
Juggernaut: totally its own thing. Unique. Tight, clean, clear, very even sounding. I HATE this pickup with a passion.
Silo. JB/59 set, but without the honk of the 59 in the neck, it is way clearer and more even. The bridge silo reminds me of the JB but is not as brazen as the Holydiver and yet retains that upper mid spike but not nearly as harsh as the JB. Silo is great, truly.
Crawler. HOLY SMOKES this pickup is cool. It's like a Perpetual burn in the bridge and like a pickup that holds the middle between the Jazz (clear, clean, open), and the A2Pro (some fatty roundness in the top end). I know that the jazz and a2pro share all but the magnet but I don't have a better way to describe it.
Emerald: thick, fat, crunchy. If a Snickers-peanutbutter bar was a pickup set, it'd be this.
Ragnarok: Think 'Black Winter' set but more polished. Not as sizzling as the BW.
Riff Raff: PAF but with a ton of bite and bark. I think this pickup is great in a LP, not in an SG. Too harsh.
Nailbomb. SD Custom5 comes close but the Nailbomb is bolder, fatter, tighter, more chunky in the low end. The neck pickup is fat and creamy.
The rest I tried but didn't like enough to register mentally.
OH, the Polymath! Oh that set is the perfect allrounder. It has brightness but not too much, it has crunch but not so much it becomes sizzling. It's just a great allrounder and a joy to play.
German beers are soft and tasteless. Köln bier, Weihenstephaner, Franziskaner, Schultenbräu... all soft and weak. Not for me. I prefer IPA's and stouts. And triples.
ToneFiddler
New member
It's PAT and to me a SG is warmer than a LP, just a bit less Balls, but rounder and therefore can benefit from a bright Pickup.
At least the ones i played.
Nah, not all them. There is tons of stuff available.
The nordish stuff in general is pretty bitter, as are Pilsner. Not my thing with few exceptions.
Wheat beer/white beer is typically soft, fruity and not bitter at all. Also not my thing.
IPAs are my favorite at the moment.
PAF. Buddy.. sorry, don't mean to sound like a dick but I know my pickups. I typed PAF not to be pedantic but to throw out a ballpark description of that pickup. The PAT is a PAF with alterations to it (shorter mag, different alloy, different insulation), but there are more commonalities between a PAF and PAT than differences. How many have tried, consciously, a PAF type versus a PAT?
SG is considered by many brighter than an LP.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I love Tripels as well. That's the apex of beer for me. I also really like Quadrupel.
I like IPAs as much as anyone, but they're not my favorite. I guess it's because it's the most common type of beer that you find in the craft beer market. At least here. So while there are a few extraordinary ones, there's A LOT of pretty bad ones too.
And stouts, I like some. I can appreciate a really good stout. But it's certainly not the beer that I seek out the most.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
IME, they kind of are because the bridge pickup is closer to the bridge than a LP, and so is the neck pickup.
ToneFiddler
New member
Well the PU bridge position on a gibson is anything but a constant! It varies quite a bit. You're right about the neck.
there is no easy answer if a SG is brighter than a LP. some say the JB is too bright, some say it's only high mids. or is the PGb brighter than the 59b. it's debatable.
Anyway back to the RiffRaff: one could argue that a PU with that name might be considered to be put into an SG, and it crossed the mind of Tim Mills.
I personally think it's a great match in a SG, but everybody is entited to his own opinion.
A late PAF and a Early PAT might be the same thing, agrred.
PAT had different insulation as PAF? Didn't that come later, just before they changed to the T-Top bobbin?
there is no easy answer if a SG is brighter than a LP. some say the JB is too bright, some say it's only high mids. or is the PGb brighter than the 59b. it's debatable.
Anyway back to the RiffRaff: one could argue that a PU with that name might be considered to be put into an SG, and it crossed the mind of Tim Mills.
I personally think it's a great match in a SG, but everybody is entited to his own opinion.
A late PAF and a Early PAT might be the same thing, agrred.
PAT had different insulation as PAF? Didn't that come later, just before they changed to the T-Top bobbin?
marcello252
Well-known member
In Italy they are outrageously pricey
ToneFiddler
New member
what i forgot: if find it pretty ironic that this high price boutique hand winder is not willing to make a tap to their Tele bridges. I asked them over the chat function if they would make me a Piledriver with a tap at around 10k, but they declined.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Point taken.
Now that I think about it, more than brighter, I'd call them thinner. But yeah. It's debatable.
Inflames626
New member
This thread seems to support my impression that, while they are great pickups, the cost (in this part of the world at least) makes them not really worth it.
Kind of sucks that they wouldn't build what you wanted for the prices being paid.
Kind of sucks that they wouldn't build what you wanted for the prices being paid.
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Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I agree. I am curious about them. I would so buy a set of Aftermaths or Black Hawks (tee hee) if I found a good deal on them. But I don't feel compelled to pay that kind of money on a pickup which I'm not sure I'd dig. I'd much rather spend that money on a Lundgren M6, personally.
They aren't a "build you what you want" operation. They used to offer a bit more customisation years ago but I'm not surprised they don't have the capacity for it now. The Creamery has a great rep if you're looking for something more bespoke in the UK. Elysian makes nice stuff here in the States and you can email with the owner if you need something specific.
If you're just looking to experiment and thinking about cycling through pickups, BKP prices are tough to swallow. If you know that you're getting exactly what you want and it's going to stay in your guitar for the long haul, the price difference is not an issue. Especially considering how much some of y'all are happy to drop on other extras and aesthetic tweaks.
If you're just looking to experiment and thinking about cycling through pickups, BKP prices are tough to swallow. If you know that you're getting exactly what you want and it's going to stay in your guitar for the long haul, the price difference is not an issue. Especially considering how much some of y'all are happy to drop on other extras and aesthetic tweaks.
