Bare Knuckles’ Tim Mills on how he built the biggest indie pickup brand in the world

So that’s why my order has sat in “Production” status for 11 days so far, he’s doing interviews. I ordered a simple black bobbin ragnarok bridge pickup to try and thought they’d have some inventory and it’d ship quick but was wrong.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Geo
I'm really surprised at the negative comments about them. It seems for years all I've read is how they are the shit. I've never tried any because I'm not paying those prices.
What don't you guys like about them? Just curious.
 
Findthetone1 said:
I'm really surprised at the negative comments about them. It seems for years all I've read is how they are the shit. I've never tried any because I'm not paying those prices.
What don't you guys like about them? Just curious.
Click to expand...
I didn’t learn the first few times and tried a lot of them due to the hype. Sterile is the first word that comes to mind. I do agree that they handle extreme gain with clarity. But with a typical hot rod Marshall style, they neutered my tone. I prefer my bridge humbuckers not to sound and feel like 6.5k single coils.

Just my opinion.
 
Findthetone1 said:
I'm really surprised at the negative comments about them. It seems for years all I've read is how they are the shit. I've never tried any because I'm not paying those prices.
What don't you guys like about them? Just curious.
Click to expand...
I tried the Mule, Riff Raff and Black Dog and all lacked sustain and dynamics. It felt like they were almost over potted.
 
I've got the BKP Piledriver which is great for what it is, kinda incomparable to anything else in that range though (high output tele single coil)...so don't really get the hate around here.

Their humbuckers look good, but never tried one personally.
 
Findthetone1 said:
I'm really surprised at the negative comments about them. It seems for years all I've read is how they are the shit. I've never tried any because I'm not paying those prices.
What don't you guys like about them? Just curious.
Click to expand...
The hype was pretty thick for quite a few years, bound to be a backlash at some point. On top of that they are quite expensive nowadays, especially if you add covers, aging, etc.

I’ve liked all the pickups I’ve had from them, but it’s just as important to match the right pickup to the right guitar and some pickups just don’t work in certain guitars.
 
mnemonic said:
The hype was pretty thick for quite a few years, bound to be a backlash at some point. On top of that they are quite expensive nowadays, especially if you add covers, aging, etc.

I’ve liked all the pickups I’ve had from them, but it’s just as important to match the right pickup to the right guitar and some pickups just don’t work in certain guitars.
Click to expand...
So very true. I went through a bunch in my Les Paul before finding the Godwoods were the best fit for it. I once drove 1.5 hours just to get some Rio Grande BBQ buckers and discovered they do not like high gain :dunno:
 
I've tried way too many Bare Knuckle Pickups. They all have a distinct mid-range push, which is something I simply cannot do without. I haven't played a single set from them that I don't like from classic style Tele sets to modern high gain balls-to-the-wall. I cannot find a set that sounds bad. My current pick is a Ragnarok bridge / Cobra Neck. They are ridiculously expensive now, but it's a worthwhile investment for me since I know those pickups are never leaving that guitar. I have a Rag/Cobra in 2 guitars that they will never come out, a full set of Rags in a PRS CU24 that will never come out and another set of Rags that are waiting to go in whatever stupid guitar I buy next.

PXL_20240223_005145142.jpg
 
vultures said:
I've tried way too many Bare Knuckle Pickups. They all have a distinct mid-range push, which is something I simply cannot do without. I haven't played a single set from them that I don't like from classic style Tele sets to modern high gain balls-to-the-wall. I cannot find a set that sounds bad. My current pick is a Ragnarok bridge / Cobra Neck. They are ridiculously expensive now, but it's a worthwhile investment for me since I know those pickups are never leaving that guitar. I have a Rag/Cobra in 2 guitars that they will never come out, a full set of Rags in a PRS CU24 that will never come out and another set of Rags that are waiting to go in whatever stupid guitar I buy next.

View attachment 411873
Click to expand...
My deepest sympathies for your tone loss
 
vultures said:
I've tried way too many Bare Knuckle Pickups. They all have a distinct mid-range push, which is something I simply cannot do without. I haven't played a single set from them that I don't like from classic style Tele sets to modern high gain balls-to-the-wall. I cannot find a set that sounds bad. My current pick is a Ragnarok bridge / Cobra Neck. They are ridiculously expensive now, but it's a worthwhile investment for me since I know those pickups are never leaving that guitar. I have a Rag/Cobra in 2 guitars that they will never come out, a full set of Rags in a PRS CU24 that will never come out and another set of Rags that are waiting to go in whatever stupid guitar I buy next.

View attachment 411873
Click to expand...

Ragnaroks were the only ones I liked. I have a mayones regius with TKOs that are nice. I hate the polymaths in the duvell I have. Very neutral for a fairly bright guitar. Just a bit too in your face.
 
Handmade in England, they’re going to be expensive.
I think they are just like any other pickup company, some are amazing for what I like and others are not. They have good variety.
I love the Warpig, Painkiller, Cold Sweet neck and the Silo. Have a Ragnarok in process to try.
Didn’t care for the VHII, Holy Diver, Aftermath and Nailbomb.
I like the Trilogy single coil for neck ok.
I wish they made single coil sized humbuckers.

Really no different from SD, DiMarzio, Suhr, etc…in that some models are amazing and some are not for me.
 
Cmon guys, we all know Larry builds the best pickups in the galaxy, even if this Bareknuckle character is a worthy competitor. The dubbel kreems simply can't be beat. Whether you order dubbel kreems on an X2N, a Super Distortion, a 36th Anniversary PAF, or a Satch Track, DiMarzio just has the secret sauce.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top