Bare Knuckle pickups choice

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Marshallman

Marshallman

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Hey guys.... in search for new pickups. I’m considering BKP but never played any. What do you recommend to put in a Fender Jim Root guitar to cover modern rock and 90s rock. Thanks.
 
I have a few BK's installed (Mules, Warpigs & Riff Raffs and for rock/modern rock I think the Riff Raffs are worth checking out.
 
+1 for Rebel Yells - that was my first BKP, and from what I understand was basically a slightly more vintage take on the Nailbomb, which I'd also recommend taking a look at. I've tried a lot of BKP and both of these sets remain among my favorites.

Edit: I've got Rebel Yells in an '84 BC Rich Warlock (mahogany neck & body w/rosewood board) and an '07 PRS McCarty (korina neck & body w/rw board).
I've got a Nailbomb in a '13 USA Jackson Rhoads (alder body, maple neck, ebony board).
 
The only BK pickups I've tried are the Mules, which are fantastic pickups. But I'm more of a classic rock guy. Not sure they would be my first choice if I was doing modern stuff.
 
I had a Miracle man in my Charvel and hated it. Too hi-fi. Somehow, the bottom end seemed to accentuate the top end and my ears hurt :(
 
I have both a Mule/Riff-Raff set and a Holy Diver set. Both are perfect for that. The Rebel Yell is very, very good. Abraxas and VHII of course. Don't count out some of the higher output models too as they can be very versatile, like the Crawler and Nailbomb.
 
I have a set of Mules and a set of Rebel Yells. Both are great. For modern hard rock, the RYs are hard to beat. I'm seriously considering dropping a set in my Charvel.
 
The Jim Root Telecaster is a mahogany body with maple neck, ebony fretboard - correct? Active EMGs, correct?

I know the BKP lineup pretty well... What amp(s) you using, cabinet/speakers, set and setting, and what are you wanting out of your pickups? With the mahogany body it's a warmer wood; but the ebony fretboard is gonna add some high-end to the strings just by nature.

Let us know the rest of the chain and I'll offer up some names of pups - Tim makes awesome pups. Rest assured... Love BKP!! :thumbsup: :rock:
 
Rebel Yell=bright and articulate in the mids, tight/direct low end response, crisp bright highs. I have one in a 04 LP and its awesome for classic rock, hard rock and modern metal. Cool pup!
 
Even though they aren't necessarily high output, I find Mules to sound amazing with a lot of gain. And they clean up so well with the volume. But that's how I like things in general - to get the gain from the amp rather than the pickups.
 
xzacx":3849mae2 said:
Even though they aren't necessarily high output, I find Mules to sound amazing with a lot of gain. And they clean up so well with the volume. But that's how I like things in general - to get the gain from the amp rather than the pickups.
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I agree, and it doesn't have to be high-output either. It's a loud pickup. It doesn't necessarily have the kind of output that drives your amp, but it has a lot of volume.
 
+1 for the Mules - thinking of them as great PAFs only scratches the surface, they can get pretty heavy and retain clarity.

+1 for the Crawler - one of my favorites, works well for leads and can go from vintage to 80s/90s metal.

+1 for the Holy Diver - definitely an 80s inspired hot rod.

I'll throw in the Black Dog, too. It's moderate output, but has more low-end clarity and less mid-hump than the mule. In my Explorer, it gets dangerously close to ZW-type EMG tone. Harmonics just jump off this thing.

I've tried most of BKP's humbuckers and across the line, they all have great definition. For what the OP's looking for, I think any of those mentioned here would be good choices. Like Ventura mentioned, it's kind difficult to get more specific without knowing more about the rest of your rig, etc.
 
Ventura":2onsn1uu said:
The Jim Root Telecaster is a mahogany body with maple neck, ebony fretboard - correct? Active EMGs, correct?

I know the BKP lineup pretty well... What amp(s) you using, cabinet/speakers, set and setting, and what are you wanting out of your pickups? With the mahogany body it's a warmer wood; but the ebony fretboard is gonna add some high-end to the strings just by nature.

Let us know the rest of the chain and I'll offer up some names of pups - Tim makes awesome pups. Rest assured... Love BKP!! :thumbsup: :rock:
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! ! EXACLTY ! ! Great questions .... I have a lot of experience with the lineup also. It depends on what you are going for a lot of people are saying the Rebel Yell but I find the Rebel Yell to be on the bright side with a lot of upper mids , character is not exaclty what I go for but some love it. I think it can sound great in a guitar that has a thick and dark natural tone on its own , then the rebel yell would balance it out nicely. Some BK's have EQ curves that are not very neutral and the rebel yell is one of them , its only gonna work well in certain guitars where other BK pickup models are more versatile in a sense that they can be at home in a several guitars of different wood combinations and scale lengths , tunings , etc. .

If your guitar does not have a BIG thick , warm and somewhat dark tone on its own I dont think the Rebel Yell would be a good match. What does your guitar sound like now with the EMG 81 ? is that whats in it now ? have you tried any other pickups in it ?
 
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