Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Players => Topic started by: Fourth Feline on June 17, 2012, 06:18:37 PM

Title: Two from Manhattan : ( Re-mixed for clarity and volume e.t.c )
Post by: Fourth Feline on June 17, 2012, 06:18:37 PM
 Here are the two clips of the BKP Manhattan pickups I threatened / promised.  

They are demonstrated here  in a 'Vintage VS575'  (  ES-175 copy ).  As with my previous Stormy monday clip, the tone and volumes are set at '8' on the guitar - and the lot running through Guitar Rig Mobile , 'Twang Reverb' - all controls at '5' on the amp, except '2' for reverb - bright switch 'Off'.  From there, straight into it's own tape deck.

The first ( The very thought of you ) is neck pickup only :

https://www.box.com/s/f2071c8bf347ea15eed8


The second ( When I Fall In Love ) is neck and bridge together :

https://www.box.com/s/6bec361af2d11ec2a380



Both the Stormy Mondays and Manhattans are excellent for this stuff, but you will ( hopefuilly ) hear how the Manhattans are even more articulate in the highs, and yet have a resonant , but clear and balanced bass.  8)
Title: Re: Two from Manhattan : The very thought of you / When I fall in love.
Post by: roland_rat on June 17, 2012, 10:28:00 PM
They sound lovely. Cheers for posting it there are so few clips of the manhattans.
Title: Re: Two from Manhattan : The very thought of you / When I fall in love.
Post by: Fourth Feline on June 18, 2012, 07:52:49 PM
Thanks R.R.  :)

I appreciate the time taken to download the files and listen.

I think that the Manhattans and their nearest kin , the B.K.P. 'Half Note' - are often overlooked, simply because we all 'know' what we expect from a nice underwound humbucker ( i.e the potted or unpotted Stormy Monday ) - and it is tempting to just go with that .  The idea of taking a punt on an 'airy' flavour of P90 , in an already conservative end of the market , constitutes something of a gamble.

I therefore wanted to try and demonstrate that you really get something nice for your money - and one that gives a sound that is both unique , and yet adaptable.  

If they can sound like this in a sub £300 guitar,  through a P.C with basic amp modelling, and no extra mixing / balancing - then imagine how seductive they are in 'real life' - and a room / real amp of your choice.  I certainly hope they continue to gain more market share amongst the Jazzers ,  even though that is not the limit of their function.   :)
Title: Re: Two from Manhattan : ( Re-mixed for clarity and volume e.t.c )
Post by: Fourth Feline on July 15, 2012, 11:31:26 PM
Forgive the re-post ; but when Roboten reminded me that people might still refer back to these , I thought I should try and rescue the mix, NOT by altering the E.Q. or otherwise 'dressing up' the original recording, but by trying to improve the signal to noise ratio in 'Tracktion'.  The links should now sound more like the actual recording.

Not meant as shameless self promotion ,  just that I thought the Manhattans deserved to be heard ; especially as there seem to be  more people interested in the Stormy Monday / Manhattan sounds recently.  If I left the soundclips where they were, people might assume they were still 'as was'.

Thanks to Roboten for the 'nudge' ( and the listen  :) )
Title: Re: Two from Manhattan : ( Re-mixed for clarity and volume e.t.c )
Post by: 38thBeatle on July 16, 2012, 08:35:28 PM
All I can say is "superb".
Title: Re: Two from Manhattan : ( Re-mixed for clarity and volume e.t.c )
Post by: Fourth Feline on July 18, 2012, 10:05:35 PM
All I can say is "superb".

I just wanted to say a belated " Thank you ! " for the kind comment 38th,    :D I didn't want to jump straight in - and folks think I was merely 'bumping' the thread.  However,  good manners and genuine gratitude must prevail.  

Cheers ! :)
Title: Re: Two from Manhattan : ( Re-mixed for clarity and volume e.t.c )
Post by: Lucifuge on July 26, 2012, 09:18:51 PM
From someone who doesn't listen to much jazz - they sound great.

I wonder how a low-wind AII P90 like the Blue Note would sound in a similar guitar - and whether Tim would make a pickup like that in humbucker size...
Title: Re: Two from Manhattan : ( Re-mixed for clarity and volume e.t.c )
Post by: Fourth Feline on July 26, 2012, 09:55:19 PM
From someone who doesn't listen to much jazz - they sound great.

I wonder how a low-wind AII P90 like the Blue Note would sound in a similar guitar - and whether Tim would make a pickup like that in humbucker size...

Thank you !  :)

I read ( somewhere round here ) that Tim had said he can put any of the  P90s in the B.K.P range, into a Humbucker sized casing for you upon request.  :)

 As for the sound of a low wind AII 'Blue Note' option ,  it would indeed be interesting.   My own feeling being   ( when the Manhattans are heard side by side with the Stormy Mondays - and from memory, compared to the Mississipi Queens) - that  more of the unique character of  the  Manhattans, appears to be more influenced by that 'magic ' open sounding AIII magnet -  than the fact that they are a P90 . The combination is of course a match made in heaven.

However,  one of the things that sway me back to the Manhattans as my ( hotly contested ) Number 1 choice for this stuff, is the fact that they somehow keep the Bass in control / very clear focus, whilst still managing to make that articulate bass , still sound very spacious and full of dynamics.  Whilst I appreciate that the single coil format gives this a head start ;   I still think the AIII does things to the general 'Soundstage' of the pickups , that AII would do less decisively.

Title: Re: Two from Manhattan : ( Re-mixed for clarity and volume e.t.c )
Post by: JJretroTONEGOD on July 29, 2012, 02:48:59 AM
superb tone and playing! truly professional. It's nice to hear jazz and some warmer tones  :D
Title: Re: Two from Manhattan : ( Re-mixed for clarity and volume e.t.c )
Post by: Fourth Feline on August 01, 2012, 06:38:06 PM
superb tone and playing! truly professional. It's nice to hear jazz and some warmer tones  :D

Thank you for your kind and encouraging comments !  :)

I'm still learning this style of playing, but shall continue to work on deserving your generous appraisal.

Cheers !  :D
Title: Re: Two from Manhattan : ( Re-mixed for clarity and volume e.t.c )
Post by: Telerocker on August 03, 2012, 12:30:26 AM
All I can say is "superb".

+1. Absolute fab tone and well recorded. It's like a nocturne, nice before sleeping.