Seymour Duncan Blackwinters or Bareknuckle Black Hawks?

[nightlight]

On the fence about getting a set of either of these two pickups. I like all the clips I’m hearing of both pickups.

They’re to replace a set of Bareknuckle Aftermaths that I have in one of my guitars.

Wish I could get both and then just sell the one I don’t like, but it’s an expense I can’t commit to at this time.

Thoughts? I know the Blackwinters get a lot of love on forums. What about the Black Hawks?

 

[Apex1Rg7X]

What is making you swap out the Aftermath's?

 

[nightlight]

What is making you swap out the Aftermath's?

It’s a good pickup, but looking for a change. When I compare it to the Juggernauts I had in an older guitar, I used to prefer the sound of that guitar more.

I prefer the sound of the EMGs I have in a couple of other guitars even more, but already have two guitars with them, so would like some variety.

I would try out the Fishman Fluences, but this guitar doesn’t have a battery jack and I’d like it to remain passive.

 

[Apex1Rg7X]

It’s a good pickup, but looking for a change. When I compare it to the Juggernauts I had in an older guitar, I used to prefer the sound of that guitar more.

I prefer the sound of the EMGs I have in a couple of other guitars even more, but already have two guitars with them, so would like some variety.

I would try out the Fishman Fluences, but this guitar doesn’t have a battery jack and I’d like it to remain passive.

What guitar and tuning?

 

[Mr.Fun]

I’ve never played the BKP Black hawks, but I’ve had Black Winters in several guitars.
They are an amazing pickup.
If you like actives but want something passive, they will scratch that itch.

 

[nightlight]

What guitar and tuning?

It’s an OD Guitars Venus 6. This one:

It came factory fitted with the Aftermaths, but I can’t help but think the guitar would sound better with something a little less compressed.

I usually play in either Drop D or E standard, so not super low tuned (though I’m thinking nowadays about going to drop C# or C, as my cigarettes have taken a toll on my voice.

 

[mchn13]

I don't know much about the blackhawks, but i much prefer painkillers to blackwinters if you're trying to stay with bkp's.. i was using blackwinters, then switched to nazguls for a few years, but the painkillers are just clearer, and tighter than either of them. i still like both of them and still have a nazgul in my old charvel, but they're just a little messy in comparison.

 

[Apex1Rg7X]

Could also consider an SD Pegasus in that as well.

 

[Mr.Fun]

It’s an OD Guitars Venus 6. This one:

View attachment 246866

It came factory fitted with the Aftermaths, but I can’t help but think the guitar would sound better with something a little less compressed.

I usually play in either Drop D or E standard, so not super low tuned (though I’m thinking nowadays about going to drop C# or C, as my cigarettes have taken a toll on my voice.

Yeah, the Black winter are still pretty compressed.

 

[nightlight]

Yeah, the Black winter are still pretty compressed.

Yeah, I was just reading that on a forum. I also read that it's like a cheaper version of BKP Aftermath, so maybe not what I'm not looking for.

I just recorded this with the Aftermaths. Anyone have an opinion on these pups? Should I stick with them? I played in Drop C# tuning than in Drop D tuning.

 

[nightlight]

I may also use one of the bridge pups that I salvage in the bridge of my Caparison Horus HGS. I think that axe would also benefit from a pickup upgrade, I've been using the stock pup since I got it.

 

[MetalThrasher]

Try a Duncan SH5 in the bridge. If you can get BK at a decent price, I've heard the rebel yell is good as well.

 

[JohnnyGtar]

Try a Duncan SH5 in the bridge.

This is an excellent choice. It's legendary. The SH5 is for standard Gibson string spacing and the TB5 is the same pickup with the wider Fender string spacing. That's one trippy looking guitar! I dig the body shape.

 

[Rex Rocker]

The Black Winter is one of my favorite passives. It's got a REALLY unique and emphatic attack. Very fierce-sounding. It's got a lean and tight low-end. Yes, it's not a PAF as far as compression, but I wouldn't say it's the most compressed passive I've tried. It's REALLY hot too. Like X2N levels of hot. I'd have not hesitation recommended. It's got a very Swedish chainsaw kinda vibe, but that's what it was designed around.

Constructive criticisim about that Metallica clip... I'd tighten up that timing a tad. You seem to know your way around dialing in an amp and mic'ing stuff up. Your gear is fantastic and really high-end. Squeeze the most out of it with some machine-like tempos! JMO.

 

[the4thlast1]

BlackHawk is awesome , I would recommend the Alnico version. I’ve tried all the modern BK humbukers and that one is my favorite. It’s a balanced sounding pickup , great clarity, good aggression. It’s perfect for rhythm and not bad at leads but it’s not a wet sounding pickup if that makes sense , it’s on the dry side Whcih can be a good thing depending on what you want.

 

[nightlight]

The Black Winter is one of my favorite passives. It's got a REALLY unique and emphatic attack. Very fierce-sounding. It's got a lean and tight low-end. Yes, it's not a PAF as far as compression, but I wouldn't say it's the most compressed passive I've tried. It's REALLY hot too. Like X2N levels of hot. I'd have not hesitation recommended. It's got a very Swedish chainsaw kinda vibe, but that's what it was designed around.

Constructive criticisim about that Metallica clip... I'd tighten up that timing a tad. You seem to know your way around dialing in an amp and mic'ing stuff up. Your gear is fantastic and really high-end. Squeeze the most out of it with some machine-like tempos! JMO.

Thanks for the constructive criticism. Yeah, my playing sadly lacking unfortunately. Just a hobbyist, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try harder.

Noted on the Blackwinter. I just don’t know if it will be too close to the Aftermaths which I already have. Looking for something that does metal well, but is more balanced than what I already have.

This is an excellent choice. It's legendary. The SH5 is for standard Gibson string spacing and the TB5 is the same pickup with the wider Fender string spacing. That's one trippy looking guitar! I dig the body shape.

Thanks for the recommendation. The guitar is one of my main axes, not that I have a lot of them. There is one problem with it after I lowered the action however: tonnes of extraneous noise seems to creep in whenever I play this one. Looks to be a fretwork issue. I plan on getting the axe pleked the next time I find myself close to a machine.

BlackHawk is awesome , I would recommend the Alnico version. I’ve tried all the modern BK humbukers and that one is my favorite. It’s a balanced sounding pickup , great clarity, good aggression. It’s perfect for rhythm and not bad at leads but it’s not a wet sounding pickup if that makes sense , it’s on the dry side Whcih can be a good thing depending on what you want.

I am leaning towards this pickup at the moment, but in two minds over whether I need the expense and the headache of swapping out the pups. The guitar, I think, sounds good. I would like something drier though. I used to own a Wilde Bill Lawrence L500XL. One of the favourite pups I’ve played. If it’s anything like that, I’ll be very happy.

 

[MetalThrasher]

Thanks for the recommendation. The guitar is one of my main axes, not that I have a lot of them. There is one problem with it after I lowered the action however: tonnes of extraneous noise seems to creep in whenever I play this one. Looks to be a fretwork issue. I plan on getting the axe pleked the next time I find myself close to a machine.

Seems that your pickups might be too high. Try lowering them a little and see what happens.