Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: WhiteRam on March 30, 2010, 08:52:01 PM

Title: Neck Position - Apache or Mother's Milk?
Post by: WhiteRam on March 30, 2010, 08:52:01 PM

Hey guys, exhausted myself over the last few days listening to all the different sound clips and reading posts, I've got it narrowed down to these two pickups, so would appreciate some input:

Neck position Strat alder body - maple neck/fretboard, no tone control in circuit just 250K volume pot.

Imagine plugged straight into a Plexi crankin' up a bit through a quad of greenbacks, the power tubes are pushing but there's hardly any preamp distortion being heard, you hit the low E string and hear that beautiful clear hollow bell, it sounds big and open, there is a presence of air inside this big open beautiful baby when you really got it hooked/dialed up!  Also think Robin Trower back in the 70's on his first live album doing Daydream or Lady Love.

I'm leaning towards Apache, but I don't know if the A3 magnet keeps this big beautiful bell from happening, I don't know what Tim means by transparent when speaking of the A3.  I don't have the resistance of a tone pot in the circuit, so I have to be careful to not get a pickup with too bright of top.

Lastly - I'm currently using a Fender CS '54 in the neck, it's a bit too dry if you know what I mean, I do like it but I don't love it.  The only other pickup I like is the Fender 57/62.  Note both of those use Formvar wire and A5, so I assume it's the Formvar wire that does it for me?  I know I could ask Tim to wind an Apache using A5, but I don't know if this would increase the top end too much?, or degrade the Apache's design and creation of intention & beauty?

Sorry about all the elaboration, I'm just frustrated and also need to get my promised order into Tim asap.  :?

WR

Title: Re: Neck Position - Apache or Mother's Milk?
Post by: Andrew W on March 31, 2010, 10:06:03 AM

When I got a BKP set for my Strat, Tim advised me that Apaches were for me as he felt Mothers Milk might not work so well with a maple boarded guitar.  Robin Trower was one of the reference tones I had when I talked with Tim.  I play quite a bit of Trower, Hendrix, Gilmour inspired noise and find the Apaches are great for me.  I do usually tune down half a step and use 11 gauge strings which beefs things up a bit.

Title: Re: Neck Position - Apache or Mother's Milk?
Post by: Prawnik on March 31, 2010, 11:44:14 AM

My feline opinion is: Apache if you have a maple board; MM is you have a rosewood board.

YMMV, but that is my rule of thumb.

Title: Re: Neck Position - Apache or Mother's Milk?
Post by: WhiteRam on April 01, 2010, 05:11:18 AM

Thank you Andrew and Prawnik, that answers my question as you knew it would, my good men. :)

WR

Title: Re: Neck Position - Apache or Mother's Milk?
Post by: MrBump on April 01, 2010, 09:44:34 AM

Is that a naked woman with horns in your avatar?

Title: Re: Neck Position - Apache or Mother's Milk?
Post by: Prawnik on April 01, 2010, 10:17:18 AM

If she is a "she," then "she" is probably not a white ram.

Title: Re: Neck Position - Apache or Mother's Milk?
Post by: WhiteRam on April 01, 2010, 07:17:50 PM

She is covered.  She's fantasy art, yes she has horns naturally.  On her planet they are all Rams, just like we are all humans whether male or female.  She is of the Northern Race which is of the highest order in their world.  They're fast and strong, very healthy, and quite sexy actually.

Thanks for the interest.  :)

WR

Title: Re: Neck Position - Apache or Mother's Milk?
Post by: 38thBeatle on April 01, 2010, 07:20:07 PM

I'd say Apaches too.

Title: Re: Neck Position - Apache or Mother's Milk?
Post by: Tomcaster on April 25, 2010, 10:55:21 AM

There is a '62 set available. It's not advertised on the webpage unfortunately. I think this is what you want.

Title: Re: Neck Position - Apache or Mother's Milk?
Post by: WhiteRam on April 25, 2010, 05:32:01 PM

Oooooo, thank you.  :D 

I'm loving my Apache neck, however when I need a change of flavor I'm definitely going to install one of those bpk '62 in my neck position.

Cheers,

WR