Let's talk about Bare Knuckle Tele pick ups.

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Who has them ?
Who likes 'em ?
Who wants some ?

Expensive, maybe . . . worth it ?

Any info about these hand-wound UK units will be very welcome

So, lets talk about these pick ups that keep on winning all these guitar mag awards.

 

[Groberts]

Who has them ?
Who likes 'em ?
Who wants some ?

Expensive, maybe . . . worth it ?

Any info about these hand-wound UK units will be very welcome

So, lets talk about these pick ups that keep on winning all these guitar mag awards.

I've heard a set of their Strat PU's and they were stunning. Really, really classic sounding. Totally copped a Mark Knopfler tone. Have not heard their Tele PU's in person however.

 

[Guitarmadcat]

BKs 'Piledriver' are fantastic rock-orientated pups that can do an excellent imitation of Tele-twang with vol rolled back.

'Flat '50s' for a very classy '50s Tele sound that overdrive without icepicking or gurgling.

From personal experience, you can NOT go wrong with BK!

 

[Sleph]

I figure that when you can get Lollars, Mares or Novaks, which are the deluxe ducks nuts of tele pups.... for le$$, why would I spend so much more?

 

[stratman323]

I figure that when you can get Lollars, Mares or Novaks, which are the deluxe ducks nuts of tele pups.... for le$$, why would I spend so much more?

Do the others cost less? I don't think they do over here.

 

[jjkrause84]

Do the others cost less? I don't think they do over here.

I think that's it.

BKPs are amazing...easily some of the best pickups around. That said, they're really for a UK audience.....much more affordable in the UK than most US-made brands. I use a mule in the neck of my Tele and a Brown Sugar in the bridge. Finest group of tones I've ever heard on a Telecaster.

 

[boosh]

I had a tele with a set of brown sugar pickups in it and also had a tele with a piledriver in the bridge - truly terrific sounding. Excellent pickups and at £140 for a set they are not bad value here in the UK. I really want to try a set of "the Boss" and the "Blackguard" pickups, heard nothing but good things about them as well. Planning to put together an esquire, so perhaps get to try out a Boss then.
Another big plus is that you can actually call them up and speak to Tim (I think), tell him the sound you are looking to obtain and will give you genuine advice on what would be best for you.

However I have had great results with Tonerider pickups recently for a fraction of the price!

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

BKs 'Piledriver' are fantastic rock-orientated pups that can do an excellent imitation of Tele-twang with vol rolled back.

'Flat '50s' for a very classy '50s Tele sound that overdrive without icepicking or gurgling.

From personal experience, you can NOT go wrong with BK!

AGGGgggg, great to hear.

I just put my order in for a set of "Flatt 50s".
IMO, nuffing beats a classic Broadcaster Tele tone = pure Eville


PS : what is "gurgling" :?:
Never heard of that phrase before . . .

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Thanks to all so far . . .


. . . keep 'em comming !

 

[stratman323]

Another big plus is that you can actually call them up and speak to Tim (I think), tell him the sound you are looking to obtain and will give you genuine advice on what would be best for you.

Yes he's very helpful. I bought a Strat with a set of BK Irish Tours in it & I found out that Tim will retro fit Tele-type baseplates to his own pickups for £10 each (I think). So I got that done to the bridge pickup & it turns out they're Slowhands, not Irish Tours - I guess Tim ought to know! Good service all round.

 

[Guitarmadcat]

AGGGgggg, great to hear.

I just put my order in for a set of "Flatt 50s".
IMO, nuffing beats a classic Broadcaster Tele tone = pure Eville


PS : what is "gurgling" :?:
Never heard of that phrase before . . .

It's the sound of some single coils that manifests itself through an overdriven amp at or around the 12th fret position. Literally - a horrible gurgling or gargling sound. Tends to be not so apparent when turning down the tone. It's the reason some discard s/ coils in favour of 'buckers for overdriven sounds.

Maybe others here can describe it better.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

It's the sound of some single coils that manifests itself through an overdriven amp at or around the 12th fret position. Literally - a horrible gurgling or gargling sound. Tends to be not so apparent when turning down the tone. It's the reason some discard s/ coils in favour of 'buckers for overdriven sounds.

Maybe others here can describe it better.

Gotcha - thanx

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

PS : i am playing with the idea to get a BK Black Dog for my Gibbo SG (bridge only) too now.


Any one else have something to say about the UK made, hand wound pick ups ?

 

[dmt101proof]

They are a great company to deal with. I had a tapped "Boss" bridge pickup wound for an Esquire (the tap took the wind down to that of a more vintage spec) - it arrived after about a week (over New Year) and Tim actually sent an apology for the delay!!! If only all comapnies had such respect for their customers.
The pickup itself was great - powerful (but not OTT) but still with definition and the Tele sound we all want. Sadly the guitar itself was a bit dark for the pickup and I swapped it out - it now resides in my big bag of spares with all the others I have replaced over the years.

 

[jjkrause84]

How does one 'tap' a single coil pickup?

 

[stratman323]

How does one 'tap' a single coil pickup?

I believe you run a wire off part way through the winding, so the tapped version is "typical Tele" & the full coil is rather hotter.

 

[craigfowler]

I have a set of brown sugars in a tele and mother's milk in the neck/middle of a strat.

Both sets are excellent. I confess I wanted BKs because I'm a Devon boy a long way from home. So, for that I'm glad I have them. I'm not sure I'd pay through the nose for them again being based in the U.S. at the moment. That's not Tim's fault, but the weak dollar makes it harder to justify them over Lollars, Fralins, Novaks etc right now.

 

[Maxwell Street]

Yes he's very helpful. I bought a Strat with a set of BK Irish Tours in it & I found out that Tim will retro fit Tele-type baseplates to his own pickups for £10 each (I think). So I got that done to the bridge pickup & it turns out they're Slowhands, not Irish Tours - I guess Tim ought to know! Good service all round.

How do you like the Slowhands? Are they dark? Highs?

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

I have a set of brown sugars in a tele and mother's milk in the neck/middle of a strat.

Both sets are excellent. I confess I wanted BKs because I'm a Devon boy a long way from home. So, for that I'm glad I have them. I'm not sure I'd pay through the nose for them again being based in the U.S. at the moment. That's not Tim's fault, but the weak dollar makes it harder to justify them over Lollars, Fralins, Novaks etc right now.

True, they are more aimed for the UK market.

If you want simmilar quality and maybe even more "hand-made" units (so hand-made, it is a one-man-company) look into the US made SD pick ups.

NO, not the well known Seymour Duncans, but Stephens Designed pick ups.
I have his Dirty Harry set - pure sex

 

[stratman323]

How do you like the Slowhands? Are they dark? Highs?

I like warm, fat Strat pickups, but these are a bit too fat & warm even for me! I'm struggling with them a bit, to be honest. There's just not quite enough top end there for my liking.