Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Jopster on December 12, 2008, 07:00:14 PM

Title: BKP equivalent
Post by: Jopster on December 12, 2008, 07:00:14 PM
Hey,

What BKP models do you think are equivalent to the following Gibson PUs?

- Burstbucker Pro
- 490R Alnico
- 498T Alnico

Thanks!
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: ericsabbath on December 12, 2008, 07:11:50 PM
I can't think of any BKP sounding that cold, dead, sterile... :lol:
those pups are awful, imo

but considering output only, I'd say Riff Raff for burstbucker pro and Crawler for the 498t
the 490R and 490T aren't so different from the burstbucker pro
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: Jopster on December 13, 2008, 12:04:01 PM
I can't think of any BKP sounding that cold, dead, sterile... :lol:
those pups are awful, imo

Hehehe... Actually, I don't find them awful - but I agree there are better alternatives...!

but considering output only, I'd say Riff Raff for burstbucker pro and Crawler for the 498t
the 490R and 490T aren't so different from the burstbucker pro

Of course output is a factor, but I'm very much interested in the actual sound of the PU. Tim's opinion is that Mules compare to Burstbucker Pros (there are several versions) - only better sounding, of course  :lol:

The reason I ask for a BKP equivalent is that I just went to my local music shop and tried out one of the new Les Paul Standards (2008 model, assymetric neck.....). It's got Burstbucker Pros, and the sound was warm and with a nice bite, so I wanted a BKP PU in the same ballpark - only nicer  :D I'm installing the PU in my Les Paul Classic Custom (not the same as a LP Custom).
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: DimeZakk on December 13, 2008, 12:34:00 PM
While we are at it, which pickups sound comparable to the bkps, of course they don't sound similiar but just to get the idea of what the bkps sound if you have never heard them...

-People who actually have those pickups please correct and complete the list-

Riff Raff ~ Burstbucker Pro ?
Crawler ~ 498t ?
Holy Diver ~ Seymour Duncan Sh-4 ?
Cold Sweat ~ SD Sh-5 ?
Miracle Man ~ EMG 81 ?
Warpig ~ ???
Nailbomb ~ SD sh-6?
Painkiller ~ ????
Mule ~ SD Alnico II ?
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: CJ on December 13, 2008, 01:50:59 PM
i don't know, all this comparison stuff seems a bit like a waste of time to me... compare bareknuckles to bareknuckles, not to seymour duncans. you'll be better off just asking tim or telling us what you're looking for and we'll give you some ideas. you might be surprised to find that even though you liked this dimarzio, or that seymour duncan, you might find a BKP you love that sounds completely different.
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: Roobubba on December 13, 2008, 03:08:33 PM
And if it's to go in a LP, get a mule :)

Roo
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: shaman on December 13, 2008, 04:34:39 PM
I have a few Lp's..my rebel yell equipped Standard is such a great combo-much better than the bb's...warmer,richer, open, modern...my mule equipped Custom rips!!!it has bite, baby!!!my classic has unpotted mules(not for the faint of heart...sweet, but on the brink of falling apart....)the ry covers all grounds, IMO....I play in sort of a TOOL cover band now, and I actually prefer the MULe/Custom LP for the Adam Jones tone(crisp...)the RY is a bit compressed for that...dont get me wrong,they are spot on as well for TOOL, but the Mule nails it in my setup(LP-Mesa MArk IIC+-EV  speakers)..but I am picky when it comes to AJ... :D
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: ericsabbath on December 13, 2008, 05:47:17 PM
I'm installing the PU in my Les Paul Classic Custom (not the same as a LP Custom).

the classic custom must be awesome too! I'd love to get one in black, cream or silverburst
I've played the burstbucker in a lp standard transblack didn't like them at all
they don't mud or something... they just lack... tone! just like the 498t, but with half the output and a bit more scooped
I think any BK humbucker will be an improvement
you just need to focus in what styles you play and don't forget that your amp will be a big factor
some amps prefer some kinds of pups and don't work well with others
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: Fikealox on December 13, 2008, 05:57:48 PM
And if it's to go in a LP, get a mule :)

I couldn't agree more :) Amazing pickups in LPs
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: Jopster on December 14, 2008, 05:12:45 PM
My guitar "collection consists of:
- ESP Explorer Custom (EMGs) <- haven't decided what to do about it
- Gibson Explorer (will have the stock PUs replaced with PKs)
- Gibson LP Classic (I have replaced the stock EMGs with PKs)
- Gibson LP Classic Antique
- Gibson LP Classic Custom (it hasn't arrived yet...)

So, I think I'm going for PKs in my Explorer - I REALLY like the sound in my LP Classic. However I'm a bit anxious how they will sound in my Explorer since it's quite a different guitar... It has loads of bottom end.

My classic Antique has stock 57 Classics installed, but I would like to get some more hard rock-like PUs.

The Classic Custom also has stock 57 Classic installed, but I would like this guitar to become a BEAST.

THE BKP PUs in play right now are:
- A5 Mules (should be more agressive than A4 Mules)
- VH2
- Black Dog
- Emerald
- outsider is an A5 Warpig...

I think the 2 LP Classics should have Alnico 5 PUs installed, just to get something different than the PKs. And I don't know how the a5 Warpig would sound in my Explorer - would it be too dark?
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: Jonny on December 14, 2008, 05:19:32 PM
VHIIs are hot ass PAFs. According to Tim, not his exact words but I might get a set for Christmas.
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: ericsabbath on December 14, 2008, 09:08:11 PM
what about a cold sweat set for the explorer?
the bridge version is hot, crunchy and bright like the pk, but more balanced, a bit warmer and less middy
the neck version is clean, fluid and sustains like a violin
both are very articulated and present
I think a pig in an explorer might be too massive sounding
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: Jopster on December 14, 2008, 10:04:40 PM
Oh yeah, a set of CS might work well in my Explorer. Some time ago I asked Tim, and he said that the PK and CS both would work well in my Explorer. So... I'm tempted to try it out, just to try something different  :)

However, I still need to find a solution for my two LP Classics.

I'm still thinking about A5 Mules, VH2, Black Dog, Emerald and A5 Warpig. I have heard soundclips of almost all of them, but it's really hard when it's not the same guitar, amp, guitarist etc.

What do you think of those choices?

What I want:
- a ballsy tone
- it should growl and snarl
- handle fast palm mutes
- clear and crisp
- chunky
- warm
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: ailean on December 14, 2008, 10:34:16 PM

What I want:
- a ballsy tone
- it should growl and snarl
- handle fast palm mutes
- clear and crisp
- chunky
- warm

I'd say the Black Dogs cover most of that, not sure about the chunky / warm bit though, I'd have thought that a pup that is clear, crisp, with growl and snarl is by nature tending away from warm. (I could be wrong though :) )
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: Jopster on December 14, 2008, 10:50:25 PM
I'd say the Black Dogs cover most of that, not sure about the chunky / warm bit though, I'd have thought that a pup that is clear, crisp, with growl and snarl is by nature tending away from warm. (I could be wrong though :) )

Cool  :) What I mean by clear and crisp is "not muddy", I guess. And by "warm" I mean it should have bite (snarl, growl) but not in a sense that it will be trebly and without balls.

Heck this is difficult! Oh, by "warm" I mean like the sound of a 2008 LP Std. with Burstbucker Pros.
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: Will on December 14, 2008, 10:56:39 PM
Oh, by "warm" I mean like the sound of a 2008 LP Std. with Burstbucker Pros.

:lol: nice one.
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: CJ on December 14, 2008, 11:29:26 PM
yeah i'm also thinking maybe the black dogs would be good for that.
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: MDV on December 15, 2008, 01:54:35 AM
Oh yeah, a set of CS might work well in my Explorer. Some time ago I asked Tim, and he said that the PK and CS both would work well in my Explorer. So... I'm tempted to try it out, just to try something different  :)

However, I still need to find a solution for my two LP Classics.

I'm still thinking about A5 Mules, VH2, Black Dog, Emerald and A5 Warpig. I have heard soundclips of almost all of them, but it's really hard when it's not the same guitar, amp, guitarist etc.

What do you think of those choices?

What I want:
- a ballsy tone
- it should growl and snarl
- handle fast palm mutes
- clear and crisp
- chunky
- warm

Helluva jump from those mid powered pickups to the pig!

The NB will do all that. Whether its the right one for you I dont know. I havent played any non-contemporary BK humbucker save the crawler, so I cant comment on the others. Oddly the crawler would actually be a good choice for what you ask, if you like mids.
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on December 15, 2008, 12:59:02 PM
While we are at it, which pickups sound comparable to the bkps, of course they don't sound similiar but just to get the idea of what the bkps sound if you have never heard them...

-People who actually have those pickups please correct and complete the list-

Ok - here is my take on these and I have fitted quite a few

Quote
Riff Raff ~ Burstbucker Pro ?
I would go for a Mule, certainly at the bridge, and either one at the neck

Quote
Crawler ~ 498t ?
Either Crawler Or Holy Diver once again

Quote
Holy Diver ~ Seymour Duncan Sh-4 ?
Yeah - pretty good choice

Quote
Cold Sweat ~ SD Sh-5 ?
Yes - pretty close ,and also Gibson Dirty Fingers
Quote
Miracle Man ~ EMG 81 ?
Yes - the job it was designed to do

Quote
Nailbomb ~ SD sh-6?

More like Miracle Man or Painkiller = SD SH6
Nailbomb may be more similar to SD Custom 5, but still different

Quote
Painkiller ~ ????

Somewhere betwen SD Custom SH5 and SH6 Distortion , but with more mids in the Painkiller
Quote
Mule ~ SD Alnico II ?
No - try Stormty Monday - alnico 2 magnet and vintage winding
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: DimeZakk on December 15, 2008, 01:48:53 PM
Thanks Feline, that gives me a ruff image of what to expect from the BKPs...
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: Jopster on December 16, 2008, 10:54:53 PM
One thing I forgot to mention is what kind of music I'm playing. It's 80s inspired melodic heavyrock (Iron Maiden, Whitesnake territory) mixed with a modern sound (if that makes sense). You can hear my band on our MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/weareriperocks).

Will the Emeralds, A5 Mule or C-Pig do this?
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: Jopster on December 18, 2008, 10:10:56 AM
Anyone?
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: ericsabbath on December 18, 2008, 01:56:38 PM
so in the end, you actually want a cold sweat set  :lol: :lol: :lol:


great band, btw!
Title: Re: BKP equivalent
Post by: Jopster on December 18, 2008, 02:35:06 PM
LOL@Eric  :D

Now, I take it you heard our music, and you're seriously recommending a CS? What would the Emeralds be like (it's hard to find info on these)? Brutal? Smooth? Agressive? Too "nice"? Too heavy?