Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: stringtheorist on November 06, 2011, 11:08:40 AM
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Apologies in advance if this subject has been thrashed to death but after doing a lot of reading in the archives I'm still confused about which would be the best choice to replace the EMG set on my ESP Eclipse I (81/60). I like the output and tone of the EMGs but I would prefer the guitar to clean up better from the volume control, and I don't like having to worry about the battery going down at a gig.
It seems to me the best candidates are the MM, NB, PK and HD... but which ones to go for I'm still not sure. I play downtuned stoner rock, grunge, classic metal & thrash, so think somewhere between Zakk Wylde, James Hetfield, Jerry Cantrell and Josh Homme. That's quite a wide tonal range, hence adding to the confusion. Hoping someone out there can help me narrow it down...
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Miracle Man.
They are like Emgs, but better in every way. They got the tone, the cleaning up and are just great for the sounds you want, so they are a save bet (at least for the bridge. For the neck I am not 100% sure cause you got a 60 there).
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MM sounds like a no brainer. I'm contemplating them myself to get some high octane metal tones.
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Great. If the MM neck pickup turns out to be a little hotter but cleans up better with the volume knob, I'm good with that.
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Or a ceramic warpig(!!)
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MM's.
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I got a set of MMs to replace my EMGs with, but for some reason, I really prefered the Ceramic Nailbomb. But I'd recommend the Miracle Man to replace with at first. From there you can see if you like it. If you don;t, you can always send it back and get a replacement :)
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I got a set of MMs to replace my EMGs with, but for some reason, I really prefered the Ceramic Nailbomb. But I'd recommend the Miracle Man to replace with at first. From there you can see if you like it. If you don;t, you can always send it back and get a replacement :)
You can? Is that standard BK policy?
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You can? Is that standard BK policy?
Yup, two weeks return policy,
check it out:
"If you are unhappy with any pickup purchased directly from Bare Knuckle Pickups or would like to change it for another model, return the pickup in it's original condition by registered mail within 14 days of purchase date and we will either change or refund the pickup. Please telephone to obtain a returns reference as unsolicited returns cannot be accepted. Custom ordered pickups cannot be returned for exchange or refund(aged Strat and Tele sets are treated as custom orders)."
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That's awesome! :)
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MMs for sure. They tackle the KsE tone perfectly, and through my Invador 150 I matched the Decapitated tone off "Organic Hallucinosis". Scooping the amp brings out a Dying Fetus like tone; and yes those pickups are prett scooped already. Low mids and a huge low end that punches harder than EMGs, despite not quite the same output. I'd be interested to hear them with an EMG or SD preamp!
Warpigs have rediculous output too and are great for stoner metal. I have one in an 88 Kramer Pacer, and it does a great job with In Flames and Amon Amarth covers. Check out LiamENGL on youtube for an idea of how they sound run through a 5150.
The C-Bomb is amazing and I prefer it over MMs and Pigs as well, but not to "substitute" EMGs. I have a C-Bomb with a PK neck in a JEM 77FP and it is amazing for a Vai-like tone, plus it nails death metal and thrash. However, I'd start with the MMs as you have been advised and go from there. Make sure you have powerful pots and a good wiring job done.
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Make sure you have powerful pots and a good wiring job done.
"Powerful" pots? :?
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Sorry, poorly worded. I ment pots that can handle powerful pickups, like 500K as apposed to 350K. BKP has thier own pots custom made for their pickups:BKP Custom Audio Taper 550K CTS standard shaft pot
They are in the accesories page of the shop. Bad wiring and cheap electronics will affect your tone more than you think.
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As owner of the same guitar and someone who has used the Miracle Man in more than one guitars, yes, that would certainly work very well.
However, I have to admit, that if I'd swap my EMGs out, I would personally go with a Black Dog set, because that is my overall favorite pickup.
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Cool. Thanks guys - I'll need some new pots so I'll get them from Bare Knuckle at the same time.
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Cool. Thanks guys - I'll need some new pots so I'll get them from Bare Knuckle at the same time.
Oh and make sure you get a Jensen Capacitor if you're using a tone pot. U'll need a good one
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Check out LiamENGL on youtube for an idea of how they sound run through a 5150.
Which model does he use Warpig C or Alnico?
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The shred-o-holic from HCAF?
Welcome. I previously confused your pickup search under the name DVaz. Stick around, this is a great forum :)
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The shred-o-holic from HCAF?
Welcome. I previously confused your pickup search under the name DVaz. Stick around, this is a great forum :)
Yes that's one of my places......I've been on alot of forums for years. Just not this one until today. Yes you did but I may go the route of the Nailbomb. I'm not sure still. Being a HUGE Soilwork fan I really like Liam's tones on YouTube covering Soilwork........so if I can get that tone then the Warpig might just be the ticket? I am also an EMG 85 proponent for most guitars but not on my new Bernie Rico Jr. Hesperian.
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I've also tried the MM which I did like it's smooth top end but the low end was pretty average but perhaps it was the guitar I was using it with. I did not like the Pain Killer particularly the top end brittle and twangy for me.
Is there a pickup that does the smooth nature of the MM with more ballsy powerful low end?
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The shred-o-holic from HCAF?
Welcome. I previously confused your pickup search under the name DVaz. Stick around, this is a great forum :)
Yes that's one of my places......I've been on alot of forums for years. Just not this one until today. Yes you did but I may go the route of the Nailbomb. I'm not sure still. Being a HUGE Soilwork fan I really like Liam's tones on YouTube covering Soilwork........so if I can get that tone then the Warpig might just be the ticket? I am also an EMG 85 proponent for most guitars but not on my new Bernie Rico Jr. Hesperian.
Link?
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The shred-o-holic from HCAF?
Welcome. I previously confused your pickup search under the name DVaz. Stick around, this is a great forum :)
Yes that's one of my places......I've been on alot of forums for years. Just not this one until today. Yes you did but I may go the route of the Nailbomb. I'm not sure still. Being a HUGE Soilwork fan I really like Liam's tones on YouTube covering Soilwork........so if I can get that tone then the Warpig might just be the ticket? I am also an EMG 85 proponent for most guitars but not on my new Bernie Rico Jr. Hesperian.
Link?
I started a thread on HC asking this very question with the video:
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?2842453-Which-BKP-is-being-used-in-this-video (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?2842453-Which-BKP-is-being-used-in-this-video)
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As per reply there: not a warpig. Thats about the only certainty (theres another, which is 'not an aftermath') since its single screw coil.
It could be a nailbomb. It doesnt sound unlike a nailbomb. But theres no way to know.
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As per reply there: not a warpig. Thats about the only certainty (theres another, which is 'not an aftermath') since its single screw coil.
It could be a nailbomb. It doesnt sound unlike a nailbomb. But theres no way to know.
Hmm he has been known to use the Warpig in the past.......wonder what it is?
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For technical reasons (limitations of NIPR computers while deployed) I can't watch the video in question. One of the first LiamENGL videos posted we was just testing his new BKP Warpig, and I'm pretty sure he said it was an Alnico V. He plugs straight into an OD808 and then the 5150. That video is when I first heard BKP tone (that I am aware of!) and I was on a hunt for an EMG substitute that was more organic, high as hell output, and huge bottom end. I found an Alnico V Warpig on Ebay and the rest is history. I was sold and have been swapping out every guitar with BKPs.
I like the Warpig for melodeath, metalcore, etc. There may be technically better choices (MM) but the tone I have dialed in, the my amp, works for me.
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Hmm he has been known to use the Warpig in the past.......wonder what it is?
Setup's a Capa Horus w/ BKP Nailbomb and DiMarzio ProTrack into an AxeFX ultra,
so no Pig, no Peavey...
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Hmm he has been known to use the Warpig in the past.......wonder what it is?
Setup's a Capa Horus w/ BKP Nailbomb and DiMarzio ProTrack into an AxeFX ultra,
so no Pig, no Peavey...
Thanks!!! That seals it for me. I was liking the Nailbomb clips I had been listening to by Nolly anyway.....that brings it home.......my 3rd attempt with BKP's........looking forward to it......
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Hell. It appears the knobs are glued onto the pots. I can't shift them. Has anyone here replaced the pots on their ESPs and can confirm that the knobs are glued? I don't want to wreck the hardware trying to remove them.
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Hell. It appears the knobs are glued onto the pots. I can't shift them. Has anyone here replaced the pots on their ESPs and can confirm that the knobs are glued? I don't want to wreck the hardware trying to remove them.
Take an old shoelace. Wind it around the pot shaft below the knob several times. Then gently pry up. That's the way I do it, and I have not had a knob giving permanent resistance to this treatment.
Cheers Stephan
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Hell. It appears the knobs are glued onto the pots. I can't shift them. Has anyone here replaced the pots on their ESPs and can confirm that the knobs are glued? I don't want to wreck the hardware trying to remove them.
Take an old shoelace. Wind it around the pot shaft below the knob several times. Then gently pry up. That's the way I do it, and I have not had a knob giving permanent resistance to this treatment.
Cheers Stephan
OK. Got them off now. :)