BK Pickups - I'm a believer!

[Mr. Willy]

Installed a VHII in my PRS CU24. It replaced an Anderson H2+ that's going into another guitar. The BK might be my new favorite bridge humbucker now. It's extremely versatile, clear, and loads of fun to play. It measures at 9.2, so it's a very low output, but it sounds soooo good into both my Bassman and my 2203 KK++. The string to string definition, bounce, and clarity is amazing. I think the biggest complement I can give is that it was so inspiring to play, I ending up doing a lot of new riff writing last night without even intending too. Killer pickup. The Anderson has its own thing going on and is cool for what it is, still love it, but the VHII is much more versatile and sounds amazing. I'm really blown away.

 

[Mr. Willy]

I should also mention that it's the most responsive pickup I've played yet in 20 years of playing bridge pickups. You get exactly what you put into it out of it. Dig in, and it screams. Back off a bit, and it backs off. Change the angle of your pick, it responds. I've been playing hot pickups too long and not realizing how much dynamics I was missing out on.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I never tried that pickup but have others
If I had cash they'd be in every guitar I own!
I bet the VH would rock in my HP special...

 

[Mr. Willy]

I went back and forth several times comparing tones on their website. The classic rock clips were the best for me at determining the pure tone of the pickups, and I kept coming back to the VHII. I'll try others later, specifically the Rebel Yell set for my Les Paul, but the VHII absolutely rocks!

 

[Ventura]

Bareknuckle's make very little sense until you actually OWN a set and are playing 'em. At that point in time, the reality hits that "these pups" have something very special going on with 'em.

FWIW, I found the soundclips borderline useless (but entertaining nevertheless) off their website. So much depends on the guitar, the amp, the player, the attack, everything. Out of the bunch I have? It'd be hard to pick a favourite. Love the Black Dogs, LOVE the Emeralds in a triple-pup format in my '57 BlackBeauty. I think the RiffRaffs are dead sexy rock and roll. Painkillers level the floor for true teeth and bite. Mules are up there with the best PAF recreations. Nailbombs are just "awesome". The list goes on...

I've got some Holy Divers incoming on a 7 string. Never played 'em before so we'll see how it pans out. I'm excited

 

[Badronald]

I really need to try one of these.
I have a Strat that sounds Great with an Aldrich but would like to try a BK in there for fun.
Not sure which BK to try though.
Painkiller?

 

[Shark Diver]

I have been using VHIIs for years. Really worked in the PRS MEs I had. My #1 has one in there now. Love them.

 

[Jofipe]

Installed a VHII in my PRS CU24. It replaced an Anderson H2+ that's going into another guitar. The BK might be my new favorite bridge humbucker now. It's extremely versatile, clear, and loads of fun to play. It measures at 9.2, so it's a very low output, but it sounds soooo good into both my Bassman and my 2203 KK++. The string to string definition, bounce, and clarity is amazing. I think the biggest complement I can give is that it was so inspiring to play, I ending up doing a lot of new riff writing last night without even intending too. Killer pickup. The Anderson has its own thing going on and is cool for what it is, still love it, but the VHII is much more versatile and sounds amazing. I'm really blown away.

Hell yeah!

I run a Riff Raff in my Custom LP into my KK++... seriously.... it's british steel matched to divinity.

Next on my list to get is a Mule and a Holy Diver.

I also find them great at anything.. the Riff Raff has an output at 8.2Kohm, and is absolutely a vintage pickup in terms of output. But when you crank that gain is sounds as huge as the warpig but with a much tighter low end and more cut.

The Nailbombs works GREAT for low / mid gain blues also... thats a high output PUP.

 

[FourT6and2]

Yep... BKP are legit.

I have a Holy Diver in one LP and a Black Dog in another. Best pickups I've ever used. Wish I could try them all. I still have a Riff Raff and a Nailbomb I haven't even installed yet. One day I'll get around to it.

 

[Ventura]

Yep... BKP are legit.

I have a Holy Diver in one LP and a Black Dog in another. Best pickups I've ever used. Wish I could try them all. I still have a Riff Raff and a Nailbomb I haven't even installed yet. One day I'll get around to it.

The RiffRaffs are luscious! I mean it - sooooooooooooooooo toneful.

 

[Steinmetzify]

Yep... BKP are legit.

I have a Holy Diver in one LP and a Black Dog in another. Best pickups I've ever used. Wish I could try them all. I still have a Riff Raff and a Nailbomb I haven't even installed yet. One day I'll get around to it.

LOL.....same here. Got a Holy Diver in my LP and a Painkiller sitting here waiting to go into my strat. Black Dogs are next, based on what you and Mo have said.

 

[FourT6and2]

Yep... BKP are legit.

I have a Holy Diver in one LP and a Black Dog in another. Best pickups I've ever used. Wish I could try them all. I still have a Riff Raff and a Nailbomb I haven't even installed yet. One day I'll get around to it.

LOL.....same here. Got a Holy Diver in my LP and a Painkiller sitting here waiting to go into my strat. Black Dogs are next, based on what you and Mo have said.

Every other pickup I've tried sounds thin compared to the Black Dog. Those pickups have some meaty mid-range. Love 'em! The Holy Divers, in comparison, are better for a searing type of high-gain sound. Kind of snarly but smooth top-end for single-note runs and stuff. Both very nice pickups.

 

[Jofipe]

I'm tempted to buy one of each.. seriously. I wish pickups were a simple swap sometimes, that didnt involve tools.

 

[steve_k]

Aftermath's are pretty nice. Big and punchy and articulate for a modern type pick up (not vintage). Not too high gain or shrill up top.

 

[Mr. Willy]

Guys with the vintage hot sets - which neck Buckner you like? Again, just have the website clips to go o , but it sounds like the Black Dog neck might be what I'm looking for. The VHII sounds a limited rounder than the Black Dog.

 

[DoomBuggi]

Bareknuckle's make very little sense until you actually OWN a set and are playing 'em. At that point in time, the reality hits that "these pups" have something very special going on with 'em.

FWIW, I found the soundclips borderline useless (but entertaining nevertheless) off their website. So much depends on the guitar, the amp, the player, the attack, everything. Out of the bunch I have? It'd be hard to pick a favourite. Love the Black Dogs, LOVE the Emeralds in a triple-pup format in my '57 BlackBeauty. I think the RiffRaffs are dead sexy rock and roll. Painkillers level the floor for true teeth and bite. Mules are up there with the best PAF recreations. Nailbombs are just "awesome". The list goes on...

I've got some Holy Divers incoming on a 7 string. Never played 'em before so we'll see how it pans out. I'm excited

The A5 Warpig in a Les Paul is by far my favorite. I'm also a big fan the painkiller, and the Blackdogs kick ass too. I would like to try some others, and I think the A5 Nailbomb is worth a go.

 

[Ventura]

Guys with the vintage hot sets - which neck Buckner you like? Again, just have the website clips to go o , but it sounds like the Black Dog neck might be what I'm looking for. The VHII sounds a limited rounder than the Black Dog.

What guitar?

BlackDogs have got a serious phat midrange bite to 'em. Love 'em. But for syrupy neck leads and gobs of richness?? Emeralds

 

[Mr. Willy]

Guys with the vintage hot sets - which neck Buckner you like? Again, just have the website clips to go o , but it sounds like the Black Dog neck might be what I'm looking for. The VHII sounds a limited rounder than the Black Dog.

What guitar?

BlackDogs have got a serious phat midrange bite to 'em. Love 'em. But for syrupy neck leads and gobs of richness?? Emeralds

PRS CU24. The Emeralds were a close second choice.

 

[Ventura]

Guys with the vintage hot sets - which neck Buckner you like? Again, just have the website clips to go o , but it sounds like the Black Dog neck might be what I'm looking for. The VHII sounds a limited rounder than the Black Dog.

What guitar?

BlackDogs have got a serious phat midrange bite to 'em. Love 'em. But for syrupy neck leads and gobs of richness?? Emeralds

PRS CU24. The Emeralds were a close second choice.

Can't go wrong with either. The Emeralds - IMHO - shine in the neck position.

 

[angelspade]

Bare knuckle guys, Question...If your "go to" bridge for mahogany guitars is a Duncan JB, what BK model should I be looking at?