Another KO for Bare Knuckle

[FlameTop]

A while back I bought a mid-price Korean Les Paul style guitar (mainly just as it looked really nice :) ) I was happy with the general quality and playability, but the tone was always a bit 'vanilla'. I have avoided the replacement PUP market mainly due to the amazing range of available options. But last week, after reading a lot of good reports on them, I decided to order a matched pair of Bare Knuckles as replacements.

I decided on a fairly 'vintage' tone so I went for the 'Mule' model in 'raw nickel' finish and 4-wire (the original wiring was setup for coil-tap and an active pre-amp). Fitting was no problem (apart from my eyesight not being what it was when soldering).

The neck pickup was immediatly 'nicer' than the orginal. Hard to say just what changed but the Mule was warmer without being over wooly in
any way.

But it was the bridge pickup that was the real eye opener. A world of difference. While the orginals were a bit sterile and lacking depth, the Mule is a revalation. So much more expressive.

So one very happy bunny. I managed to improve the sound of a mid-level LP style guitar no end with just a hour or so's work. Highly recommened.

[Jmilliondead]

i think it's becoming a bit obvious on this forum that im one that definately recommends these pick ups, a few years ago no one even around the UK had really heard of them, but their reputation has shot up! (good time to get these pickups now,before the price goes up!)

I used to have a Mole in the neck of my gibby les paul, and it was very sweet and smooth sounding, but admittedly im a heavier player, and since went for a pair of Miracle Mans in my SG, and they sound incredible, so responsive and harmonic.

if you want some pickups that might possibly kill you with distortion, check out the war pigs, they're evil, i swear.

[Sherpa]

I'm receiving 2 new guitars in a week or two. One is loaded with BK P90s, and the other with BK Knuckledusters.

The suspense is killing me. ;)

[zerolight]

The bridge Mule is indeed impressive, and copes well even with high gain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMpWLi2TnNQ&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ezerolight%2Eco%2Euk%2Fweb% 2F

[Valtiel]

I <3 Bareknuckles. I have a Crawler set in my PRS. My only gripe is that the bridge pickup is a touch hot, so I may swap it out for something more vintage later on, but other than that these things scream.

[GSVBagpuss]

These might tempt me to grab a SE singlecut and stick them in. When you say vinaage, are we talking more classic Les Paul type tone?

[zerolight]

These might tempt me to grab a SE singlecut and stick them in. When you say vinaage, are we talking more classic Les Paul type tone?Erm... my post above has a clip of the Mules he's referring to. You could listen and make up your own mind. But yes, they are meant to be the best PAF tone.

[FlameTop]

These might tempt me to grab a SE singlecut and stick them in. When you say vinaage, are we talking more classic Les Paul type tone?
The dealer described the Mule's to me as 'PAF but very slightly hotter'. My experience would seem to bear that out.

[Shark Diver]

I <3 Bareknuckles. I have a Crawler set in my PRS. My only gripe is that the bridge pickup is a touch hot, so I may swap it out for something more vintage later on, but other than that these things scream.


A VHII would be just the ticket. I have them in every PRS I have, even have them on my PS orders. Great harmonics, hot enough, but lets the amp get the distortion, not the pup. Articulate, warm, you get the point I love them.

[zerolight]

The makers site...

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/ZH-themule.html

And the man himself playing the Mule...

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/download.php?id=8

And how he describes them...

Patent tone and performance with a kick in the rear!

Built to the same specifications as the original PAF humbucker, The Mule is totally unyielding in its approach to definitive tone and construction.

The coils are scatterwound by hand and offset with a differing number of turns of vintage correct 42 AWG plain enamel wire resulting in outstanding clarity and extended dynamic range. Coupled with an unpolished Alnico IV magnet the tone is seriously organic with detailed bass, fat mids, great bite and more than enough power for most applications.

The solid nickel silver baseplate and cover are exact replications of the original along with the butyrate bobbins, nickel plated slugs and Fillister no.5 pole screws, maple spacers and authentic braided hook up wire all made by hand for a lifetime of use.

For a sweet and full clean tone through to harmonically rich overdrive The Mule is unstoppable, delivering the goods every time!

Available individually and as a fully calibrated set with either open coils or covers(nickel, chrome gold)and a choice of braided 2 conductor or 4 conductor wire for series/parallel or coil split options.

[GSVBagpuss]

Thanks for replies. I can't get anything fancy like sound clips from here at work sp couldn't listen!

This SE upgrade is nagging at my mind....

[Perry]

I <3 Bareknuckles. I have a Crawler set in my PRS. My only gripe is that the bridge pickup is a touch hot, so I may swap it out for something more vintage later on, but other than that these things scream.I want to check out the Crawler, but for the neck pu only (I am very happy with the HFS in the Bridge). I currently don't use the standard neck PU (5-way rotary position 6) in my CU24 because it is weak and woolly IMO. However, I do love the mid-position 8 sound (both PU in series) and would want any replacement pu to retain that position's characteristic, if possible.

Has anyone tried the Crawler in the neck, whilst leaving the standard HFS in the bridge on their '24?

[Valtiel]

Well all I can tell you is that the Crawler neck pickup is one of my favorites so far. Very thick and rich, splits well, and only gets wooly if you want it to.

[March]

I'm also a big BKP fan having got the VHII (x2), set of Nailbombs, Abraxas, P92's, Crawler's and Irish Tours.

I've also ordered a couple of set of Bulldog pickups to try. I know Hayden who runs the company and I know he has an ear for tone. He's the man behind the voicing of Matamp's, Harry Joice amps, even some of the BKP's.

I've already tried (and ordered) a set of his Extremist pickups and they are certainly on a par with BKP. Well worth checking out.

http://www.bulldogpickups.com/

[Valtiel]

I'm also a big BKP fan having got the VHII (x2), set of Nailbombs, Abraxas, P92's, Crawler's and Irish Tours.

I've also ordered a couple of set of Bulldog pickups to try. I know Hayden who runs the company and I know he has an ear for tone. He's the man behind the voicing of Matamp's, Harry Joice amps, even some of the BKP's.

I've already tried (and ordered) a set of his Extremist pickups and they are certainly on a par with BKP. Well worth checking out.

http://www.bulldogpickups.com/How would say all of those BKP humbuckers compare to each other? Ive only ever heard the Crawlers so they are all I really know.

[March]

Well, the Abraxas are in a similiar ballpark to the Crawlers. The Crawlers have more midrange honk, the bass response of the Abraxas is also not as high.

As with any BKP, turning down the volume is almost like changing pickups, both exhibit PAF like tones. The Crawlers handle high gain slightly better than the Abraxas, but both are smooth and creamy. Clean tones are excellent, in fact I find myself more willing to listen to humbucking clean tones than any other pickup I have tried.

The Nailbombs I have yet to try in anything, I'm looking for a suitable project for these.

My personal favourite is the VHII. In both the guitars I have them in (a Strat and a PRS) they have bite, retain definition in all instances and clean up and tap beautifully.

My Strat also has a set of Irish Tours and I recently had the opportunity to try the single coils against a 62 Strat with original pickups as well as an EJ. Let's say the BKP's were not found wanting... :)

[Shark Diver]

My personal favourite is the VHII. In both the guitars I have them in (a Strat and a PRS) they have bite, retain definition in all instances and clean up and tap beautifully. :)

+1 The VHIIs are what are in any guitar I play now - I have them in 8 differerent guitars. I have played the Crawlers, Nail Bomb and Rebel Yells. All great pups, but to me the VHIIs are more harmonic, articulate and organic and are more than hot enough, while being able to clean upa nd split fantasticly. Not that all the others weren't great. Any of them would be my choice over any other pup I've tried.

[msnl]

The bridge Mule is indeed impressive, and copes well even with high gain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMpWLi2TnNQ&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ezerolight%2Eco%2Euk%2Fweb% 2F

How does Mule (bridge & neck) sound with coil taps with mccarty electronics?

Grtz MSNL

[zerolight]

Sounds OK. I've never been a big fan of tapped buckers. When I get time I'll make a clip.