Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: FuZZBoY on July 03, 2012, 11:40:03 AM
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Hi everybody,
this is my first post here, I'm just writing to talk about the flat 50's I'm waiting for, can't wait!!!
They're going into my US G&L Asat Classic, ash body with rosewood fretboard.
The original pickups were way too harsh. It seems that whether you love them or you hate them... guess which side I am?
It's strange though they're Leo designed...
For those who don't know these pickups, these are called mfd for magnetic field design, which only are ceramic bar p90s in a tele shape.
Well it's been 4 years that I have this guitar, and I always felt like I've been missing something.
I've been playing my bassist's Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster for a few weeks now and I LOVE it, especially the pickups (Alnico III).
So I decided it was time for me to get new alnicos for my dear Asat, and as I want the best for her, I chose Bare Knuckle!!
So I've chose Flat 50s on Tim's advice, as I play in a power trio "ala white stripes/black keys" yet different...
I went for the stock neck polarity as I chose a 4 way too.
I hope I will be satisfied!!
What do you think?
(sorry for the bad english)
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Welcome to the forum FuZZBoy ! :D
I have not tried the B.K.P. tele pickups yet, as my main need of their excellent pickups has been in the Humbucker / Humbucker sized P90 range. I would love to try a B.K.P. Tele set in my Baja Tele one day, but meanwhile - have just bought a new B.K.P. for the neck of my main Archtop. I feel confident that you will be delighted, and therefore feel enthusiastic on your behalf ! Don't forget that B.K.P. are very responsive to pickup height adjustments, as all settings give you a good sound, but one will give the 'Holy Grail' for your ears. I know this is usually thought to be applicable to any type of pickup, but in practice, I find the mass produced brands can sound somewhat homogenised and 'blocky' - unless you do a large adjustment, whereas B.K.P. can change within half a turn of the pickup screw, once you get it into the general height range. I usually try about 2-2.5 mm between (fretted ) strings and the top of the pole pieces to start from, but I hope the many B.K.P. Telecaster pickup users on here will give more specific examples.
Enjoy ! :D
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Thanks! I take note of your advices about pickup height adjustments ;)
And happy to see (again) a very satisfied BKP user, even if you are not a Tele BKP user.
By the way which tele pickups pair would you advise me for slide? (for another tele I could gas for :lol: )
I've tought about the Yarbirds for a change...
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Hi there and welcome. I have an old-spec BFG50s (now known as BFG52s) set on my Telly (CiJ '62 Custom RI) and they are just great. I've not tried the new BFG50s in the flesh but from the soundclips they should really rock for White Stripes / Black keys kind of material and I think you'll enjoy the change.
FWIW I'm considering getting myself a BFG50 bridge someday (but I'll stick with the BFG52 neck which is really unique with a kind of a stratty tone - gives me better early Knopfler tones than the Texas Specials on my Strat).
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Yes I've read about the old spec flat 50s you all were enthusiastic about 8), it even made me hesitate between the flat 50 and 52!!
I don't know exactly what I'll get, but Tim said it will be perfect!!! (I guess he knows his job ;) )
I hope them to be powerful but pick sensitive, and just enought highs to cut through the mix.
I hesitated to put a p90 on the neck but I was afraid it'd be muddy, and I didn't want to rerout the body...
Do you know if the neck BFG50 is stratty too? Besides, it doesn't seem to be owerwound (DC = 6.8KΩ)
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Welcome from me too- I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts after installing your BKPs.
I have a set of Country Boys in my Mex Tele and I use it for slide a fair bit. The tone is superb- warm and clear and responds well to cranking the amp a bit. Having said that, I wouldn't want to suggest that they are your only option.
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Yes I've read about the old spec flat 50s you all were enthusiastic about 8), it even made me hesitate between the flat 50 and 52!!
I don't know exactly what I'll get, but Tim said it will be perfect!!! (I guess he knows his job ;) )
You'll get great pickups for sure, and as far as I'm concerned, Tim _really_ knows it's job - I even suspect he has some mind-reading superpowers. For the record, my own "first choice" for this telly was Piledrivers, and I was really surprised when Tim answered "BGF52s", decided to go for what the man said thinking "hey, there's this 14-days return policy you know", and never looked back.
I hope them to be powerful but pick sensitive, and just enought highs to cut through the mix.
powerful : obviously. Pick sensitive : I have yet to hear a BPK that is not (played : BGF52s, Brown Sugar, Slowhand neck and mid, TS bridge, Crawlers, RR, ABomb bridge, Mule neck). "cut through the mix": also depends on the guitar and amp, but with Tele pickups on a Tele I don't think you have to worry about this (neck pickup on a dark mahogany guitar can be a different problem).
I hesitated to put a p90 on the neck but I was afraid it'd be muddy, and I didn't want to rerout the body...
P90 neck on a Tele is a well known and proven choice, and I don't think a decent P90 could sound muddy in a Tele. Now the routing is another problem...
Do you know if the neck BFG50 is stratty too? Besides, it doesn't seem to be owerwound (DC = 6.8KΩ)
The very stratty tone of the BGF52 comes from the wire gauge and winding and while based on an historic (even if short lived) spec it's very unique to this model, so I guess the BGF50 neck will be more on the warmer typical Tele neck tone (well, listen to the clips...) - which is nice too when well done. FWIW, quite a few Tele lovers don't like the BGF52 neck that much because of it's "non standard" character.
Anyway: don't worry, wait until you here these pups in your guitar, chances are you'll just love them, and if not (really unlikely for the tones you mentionned but well, shite happens) you can just send them back. For the record, the only time I sent a BKP back was really my fault, the pup was exactly what I asked for and what Tim told it would be, it just wasn't what I really needed for this guitar - and FWIW, I was so impressed with the pup (RR bridge) I ordered another one (whole set this time) for another guitar where it really shines (icing on the cake: the neck is just awesome).
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Thanks for all the answers! This is a friendly forum :D
Welcome from me too- I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts after installing your BKPs.
I have a set of Country Boys in my Mex Tele and I use it for slide a fair bit. The tone is superb- warm and clear and responds well to cranking the amp a bit. Having said that, I wouldn't want to suggest that they are your only option.
Sounds nice, but I'm more about a "P90ish" style kind of pickups for slide. Maybe the flat 50s would be the best for that purpose too!! I like low output pickups too (for practice) but maybe not for my band (but maybe I'm wrong...I'd like to try them though).
For the p90, I guess I'll try the telly neck pickup first (I like it a lot in the squier CV 50), and with the in series position I'll have for sure a nice phat lead sound ;)
So as soon as I get the pickups, I'll give my asat to the tech, a guitar which needs a good setup by the way!!
I'm not fixed yet on the gauge, I use Eb tuning : 9-42 is way too sloppy, I think I'll go to 11-48 with pure nickel strings 8)
About the piledrivers, it's funny I thought the same but Tim said they would be too compressed.
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Yeah I know what you mean. P90's for slide is a very good choice. Though the ex guitarist in my band had a Gibson with P90's for slide whilst I used my Tele ( we were tuned to Eb too by the way) and I could almost keep up with him.
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Yeah I know what you mean. P90's for slide is a very good choice. Though the ex guitarist in my band had a Gibson with P90's for slide whilst I used my Tele ( we were tuned to Eb too by the way) and I could almost keep up with him.
I'm a single coil guy, I have had humbucker guitars but never liked them...
I find the telecaster perfect for regular or Eb tuning in my band for a nice hot crunch which cut through the mix with clarity (even with a Big Muff Pi :lol: ) and for slide P90 are just fat enought but still clear.
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( we were tuned to Eb too by the way)
What gauge do you use?
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Welcome here! I have the old BG50-set (now BG52) which is stellar.
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( we were tuned to Eb too by the way)
What gauge do you use?
Oh I am back down to 10's after having used 11's for ages. I liked 11's a lot but I was given about 20 packs of strings by a friend and they were 10's and I an still working my way through them.
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Hi FuZZBoY!
I'm waiting for my flat 50's too, such a surprise to see common thread :D
I recently got Fender American Standard 60th Anniversary, with ash boby and rosewood fingerboard,
and though I liked pickups when playing clean (especially neck pu), overdriven tone left more to be desired - so I decided to change pickups for my favorute brand, Bareknuckles :)
I play anything from jazz\bluess, little bit country (I love and learn modern country shredding), and heavy progressive rock, so I wanted pu that would have nice thick, but cutting tone, and with volume pot backed - classic jazzy\bluesy\country tone.
Options I liked were Flat 50's, The Boss and Piledrivers. Tim suggested Flat 50's for hat I want, and I think he knows his pickups (he did great job to offer me Emerald neck\63' Veneer Board single coil\Crawler bridge for my Suhr modern - exactly what I've wanted). So I don't think you would be dissapointed with you purchase.
The only thing I worry about - if flat 50's will have enough cut, but it depends on the guitar a lot.
I use 010 strings and play in standard tuning.
And my baby looks like
(http://www.themusiczoo.com/images/4-07-10/American_Standard_Telecaster_Rosewood_Fretboard_Crimson_Red_Transparent_Z9448584_1.jpg)
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Welcome here! I have the old BG50-set (now BG52) which is stellar.
Thanks, I see a lot of old BG50 users in this forum, but few with the new one.
Oh I am back down to 10's after having used 11's for ages. I liked 11's a lot but I was given about 20 packs of strings by a friend and they were 10's and I an still working my way through them.
11's in Eb seem a good compromise for me as I mostly play rhythm (but harder than 10's when soloing) in a power trio (I guess so as I like 10's in standard tuning).
Hi FuZZBoY!
I'm waiting for my flat 50's too, such a surprise to see common thread :D
I recently got Fender American Standard 60th Anniversary, with ash boby and rosewood fingerboard,
and though I liked pickups when playing clean (especially neck pu), overdriven tone left more to be desired - so I decided to change pickups for my favorute brand, Bareknuckles :)
I play anything from jazz\bluess, little bit country (I love and learn modern country shredding), and heavy progressive rock, so I wanted pu that would have nice thick, but cutting tone, and with volume pot backed - classic jazzy\bluesy\country tone.
Options I liked were Flat 50's, The Boss and Piledrivers. Tim suggested Flat 50's for hat I want, and I think he knows his pickups (he did great job to offer me Emerald neck\63' Veneer Board single coil\Crawler bridge for my Suhr modern - exactly what I've wanted). So I don't think you would be dissapointed with you purchase.
The only thing I worry about - if flat 50's will have enough cut, but it depends on the guitar a lot.
I use 010 strings and play in standard tuning.
And my baby looks like
(http://www.themusiczoo.com/images/4-07-10/American_Standard_Telecaster_Rosewood_Fretboard_Crimson_Red_Transparent_Z9448584_1.jpg)
Wow very nice guitar (can't find a nice picture of mine right now), she has the same wood combination as mine, should sound pretty similar with the flat 50s. Did you go for the 4 way switch?
By the way (as my guitar will go to the tech), what do you think of 022 vs 047 tone cap for the BG50's?
And what about a treble bleed mod?
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By the way (as my guitar will go to the tech), what do you think of 022 vs 047 tone cap for the BG50's?
And what about a treble bleed mod?
Can't say much about tone caps - I have Delta-Tone curcuit in my Tele: when tone pot is at 10 - tone is bypassed and I have pickup straight to the output (but volume pot is still working). I think it will sound great with BG50's, but I still thinking about treble bleed mod too, because when rolling down volume, even in Delta-mode, I loose some treble, so I may try treble bleed at volume pot too.
I like to do all soldering and setup myself, but this time I'll bring it to my tech, guitar needs some good setup - little bit of nut and fretwork, for which I don't have any tools.
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I've never tried the delat tone circuit, the tone is brighter with more output isn't it?
(I wouldn't do the mod with the asat classic original pickups as they're SO bright!!)
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I've never tried the delat tone circuit, the tone is brighter with more output isn't it?
(I wouldn't do the mod with the asat classic original pickups as they're SO bright!!)
Yes, you are right, with tone at 10 you have more treble and little more output.
As for a treble bleed mode I've found some diagram on Fender Forums
(http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/telecaster-discussion-forum/15007d1222110130-what-cap-best-treble-bleed-mod-fezz-parka-copy1-jpg)
Just run piece of wire from outside leg of Tone pot to middle one on Volume pot.
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaster-discussion-forum/124412-what-cap-best-treble-bleed-mod.html
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Well done, I've seen that topic too ;)
I guess I'll leave it stock with the BG50's to begin with (I have a 047 tone cap)
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Well done, I've seen that topic too ;)
I guess I'll leave it stock with the BG50's to begin with (I have a 047 tone cap)
Me too. First I'll leave it as is, but if needed I always can solder piece of wire myself.
For me now fret work and nut is more important, compared to my Suhr it is much harder to play Tele, action feels quite high (although it's 4/64 inch gap between strings and fret on 17th fret by Fender specs, same on my Strat). I think nut cut to high, or grooves just have not enough depth for 010 set of strings (guitar came with stock 009).
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Yes the nut cut is critical!! Same for me as I'll go to 11's from 10's
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I've been liking the twang of single coils lately too - using my Tele (Shed p/ups) and Les Paul (BKP MQ's) more so than my Vee. Makes a change as the Vee has been used almost exclusively since I got it last Aug/Sept.
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I love single coils!! I had an Agile les paul custom replica, black with gold hardware, I thought about putting some Mississipi Queen in it, but I've finally sold it, les pauls are way too big for me...I much prefer Tellys 8)
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By the way I just got a great Reverend charger 290 (one of the very first models), loaded with P90s.
If the BGF50's are that good, maybe I'd consider the NANTUCKET 90's :twisted:
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Now that I look for tele mods, I want to get those Glendale hardware :
Bridge double cut : (http://www.glendaleguitars.com/C02.jpg)
with Glendale saddles : (http://www.glendaleguitars.com/thetwangset.jpg)
I NEED the double cut because I do a lot of palm muting (but they'll sure look great on my Asat 8) , very expensive though... ). The other reason I need these is saddles going down on my current bridge...
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I personally don't like ashtray bridge, and prefer separate saddle for each string also - maybe it's not "vintage" Tele spec, but it's one of the things that sold me on American Standard, and not any classic reissue or etc.
I have 6 bent saddles and no borders around bridge plate that I like a lot.
Another thing I like - it's 9.5 inch fretboard radius instead of 7.5 on classic Tele.
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I don't like 7.5 inch radius neither, I have a 12 inch radius in my Asat.
I do like classic 3 saddles look, some say there's more sustain with those.
But the main reasons are those explain above!! (palm mute and saddles going down...)
Are you satisfied with your american standard bridge?
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I do like classic 3 saddles look, some say there's more sustain with those.
Maybe it's true, but I prefer 6 saddles because I can intonate each string better, it's a good option if suddenly I will move to hybrid string sets.
Are you satisfied with your american standard bridge?
Hardware-wise I have no complaints about bridge, feels same as on my Strat Plus, and close to Suhr.
Frets are good, but fretwork still can be better, I think. Even I hope to see Fender PLEK all his American models at least, as G&L does lately.
But Suhr is still a killer instrument - both quality of craftsmanship and sound.
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I do like classic 3 saddles look, some say there's more sustain with those.
Maybe it's true, but I prefer 6 saddles because I can intonate each string better, it's a good option if suddenly I will move to hybrid string sets.
For those of us that are not going to move to a hybrid string set anytime soon, using compensated saddles is a good option...
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D*** I'm really gasing for the glendale bridge+saddles!!!
2 or 3 weeks to wait though...(out of stock bridge plate)
Still don't know which gauge I'm going to use, 11-48 or 10-46? (in Eb tuning)
10-46 is fine for slinky blues licks, but I REALLY like more tension for rhythm (and I play 90% rhythm).
Forget the hybrid sets, I don't like them.
Still I have time until the glendale bridge arrives!!
Ps: my BGF50 just arrived today but I won't be back home until sunday :(
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I personally don't like ashtray bridge, and prefer separate saddle for each string also - maybe it's not "vintage" Tele spec, but it's one of the things that sold me on American Standard, and not any classic reissue or etc.
I have 6 bent saddles and no borders around bridge plate that I like a lot.
Another thing I like - it's 9.5 inch fretboard radius instead of 7.5 on classic Tele.
Yeah, that's how I like it too: 9,5 radius, six saddle bridge. Much more comfortable, easier to lay your hand on etc.
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Ps: my BGF50 just arrived today but I won't be back home until sunday :(
You are lucky, I even do not hope to get mine until the end of next week with our postal service :D :shock:
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I won't play the flats sooner than you because I'll have to wait the rutters (probably) bridge plated and then bring my guitar to the tech. I don't feel like installing the pickups myself...
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I won't play the flats sooner than you because I'll have to wait the rutters (probably) bridge plated and then bring my guitar to the tech. I don't feel like installing the pickups myself...
I have received mine today, and going to install them at evening, have you installed yours or are you still waiting for new bridge? :)
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Ah no infortunately, I'm still waiting for the bridge :shock:
I think I'll put 11-50 DR pure blues, but still not sure, I love slinky blues licks 8)
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Well anyway tell us about your flat 50s as soon as you've installed them!! :D
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Well anyway tell us about your flat 50s as soon as you've installed them!! :D
Well, it's early to give final conclusions, played guitar only half an hour or hour, but first impression are:
1. Neck pu is less output than stock, and more airy and open sounding, closer to Strat I think.
2. Bridge are not ice-picky or harsh, more growly than stock, but I didn't find him bass and mid-heavy - that sometimes can be dull. Also output is pretty the same as stock.
3. Both pu have TWANG - fat, quite warm but not overly mellow, liked it a lot :)
Now I'm going to fiddle with pickup height - it makes a lot of difference with BKP.
Interesting thing - pickups arrived in old-styled BKP box (not glossy, without graphics, with BKP logos and etc glued and not imprinted), and there was an only two options - flat 50 stagger, and 55 stagger. Could it be that I got old 50s (now it's 52s)?
But mine have steel baseplate, and 52s have copper plate.
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Well anyway tell us about your flat 50s as soon as you've installed them!! :D
Well, it's early to give final conclusions, played guitar only half an hour or hour, but first impression are:
1. Neck pu is less output than stock, and more airy and open sounding, closer to Strat I think.
2. Bridge are not ice-picky or harsh, more growly than stock, but I didn't find him bass and mid-heavy - that sometimes can be dull. Also output is pretty the same as stock.
3. Both pu have TWANG - fat, quite warm but not overly mellow, liked it a lot :)
Now I'm going to fiddle with pickup height - it makes a lot of difference with BKP.
Interesting thing - pickups arrived in old-styled BKP box (not glossy, without graphics, with BKP logos and etc glued and not imprinted), and there was an only two options - flat 50 stagger, and 55 stagger. Could it be that I got old 50s (now it's 52s)?
But mine have steel baseplate, and 52s have copper plate.
Maybe it's just me but you don't seem that enthusiastic about them!! Were you looking for a fatter sound? like the piledrivers? Glad to learn they still twang.
If you ordered them from Tim I don't think you have the old flat 50s...
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Maybe it's just me but you don't seem that enthusiastic about them!! Were you looking for a fatter sound? like the piledrivers? Glad to learn they still twang.
If you ordered them from Tim I don't think you have the old flat 50s...
I'm glad that you are wrong, sorry to say that :D
I like them a lot more than stock pups - BKPs has more life, fat and twang, I just thought from their description that they are more fat and bassy than actually is - but everything changes with the turn of the screw :)
Pickups height matters a lot with BKP and it takes some time to dial appropriate height.
I don't think that I need Piledrivers - way too modern, and for heavier stuff that we are playing with band I have another guitars.
My Tele is for fun - blues/rock/country beast 8)
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Edit : wow I didn't see my phone corrected what I writed...lol sorry!!
Very glad to be wrong then :D
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Well, I was going to give my guitar to the tech, but I decided yesterday as I received the Rutters bridge+saddles to try it by myself.
I had a little problem with the 4 way switch http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-technical/339563-4-way-switch-wiring-problem-no-bridge-only-too.html#post4316187 (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-technical/339563-4-way-switch-wiring-problem-no-bridge-only-too.html#post4316187) but it's allright now!
All I can say is : WOW!!!! This tele rocks!!! :band5:
Great for rock'n roll as the pickups are pretty hot (just enough), clean up perfectly (actually my Asat DOES HAVE a treble bleed) and I can get pretty good sustain with the THICK Rutters Plate.
(http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/2519/wp000086p.jpg)
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Well, I was going to give my guitar to the tech, but I decided yesterday as I received the Rutters bridge+saddles to try it by myself.
I had a little problem with the 4 way switch http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-technical/339563-4-way-switch-wiring-problem-no-bridge-only-too.html#post4316187 (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-technical/339563-4-way-switch-wiring-problem-no-bridge-only-too.html#post4316187) but it's allright now!
All I can say is : WOW!!!! This tele rocks!!! :band5:
Great for rock'n roll as the pickups are pretty hot (just enough), clean up perfectly (actually my Asat DOES HAVE a treble bleed) and I can get pretty good sustain with the THICK Rutters Plate.
Congrats on your new gear - guitar looks beautiful, and I'm glad that you are happy with new pickups. Looks like you set action pretty high and pickups closer to body, I'm doing vise versa - low-to medium action and pickups closer to the strings :-)
Also I figured out, that BKPs like to be at almost even height on bass and treble side, and not slunted as Fender pickups were earlier.
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Congrats on your new gear - guitar looks beautiful, and I'm glad that you are happy with new pickups. Looks like you set action pretty high and pickups closer to body, I'm doing vise versa - low-to medium action and pickups closer to the strings :-)
Also I figured out, that BKPs like to be at almost even height on bass and treble side, and not slunted as Fender pickups were earlier.
Thanks! I love it too, I hesitate to order a mint green pickguard.
Finally I didn't like Dr 11-50 pure nickel, great for cleans, a real piano like tone, but for od, not that good and I missed the slinky left hand feel and legatos! ;) I put back roto 10-46 (I'm even considering 9-42, but remember I'm tuned half a step down...).
I still need to adjust the pickups.
For the action, actually I lowered it, but I can't as much as I want because of the thicker bridge plate. I guess I'll have to put a shim under the neck (or my tech will do it...).
Anyway I have a pretty noticeable HUM, is that the same with yours? Maybe I got something wrong with the wirings...
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Thanks! I love it too, I hesitate to order a mint green pickguard.
Finally I didn't like Dr 11-50 pure nickel, great for cleans, a real piano like tone, but for od, not that good and I missed the slinky left hand feel and legatos! ;) I put back roto 10-46 (I'm even considering 9-42, but remember I'm tuned half a step down...).
I still need to adjust the pickups.
For the action, actually I lowered it, but I can't as much as I want because of the thicker bridge plate. I guess I'll have to put a shim under the neck (or my tech will do it...).
Anyway I have a pretty noticeable HUM, is that the same with yours? Maybe I got something wrong with the wirings...
I'm currently using 11-48 on my Start and Suhr in standard tuning and quite like it - gives more punch, and control, Ilike the feel of heavy strings. But on my Tele i went for 10-46 DR Pure Blues, like them more than Rotos.
I've ended to set pickups high - about 4/64 from both E sides at bridge pu, and 5/64 for the neck with string pressed at last fret, not sound much hotter and fatter, although I've lost some twang in middle position, but it's still present.
As for the hum - I've found BKPs more sensitive to envorinment than other pickups, so near the amp or under fluorescent lights they can make more noise, than others, but if you move away from amp/cab/computer display noise goes down significaly.
Also check if new bridge plate is grounded properly, there is a separate wire touching the plate underneath.
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Well I just did my first rehearsal with my new modded Asat and all I can say is WOW!!!
The guitar is transfigured! I didn't know she has a treble bleed and a 022 cap on the tone pot, now it's much better without the TB and the 047cap is way better for wha effects.
Anyway my tech set it just right with the 10-46 rotos (Eb tuning), I highly recommand the Rutters hot rod bridge, my guitar intonates greatly and sustains for days.
He also set the pickups height higher than before, but the bridge pickup is still louder than the neck, I'll have to adjust that.
I'm amazed by how well the pickups clean up and then oded in a sec when you turn up the volume.
These are great pickups!!!
About the hum, it's barely noticeable now...
Well I'm a happy man 8)
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Well I just did my first rehearsal with my new modded Asat and all I can say is WOW!!!
The guitar is transfigured!
(...)
Well I'm a happy man 8)
cool 8)
Now beware, BKP tend to be addictive... :mrgreen:
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And because we tele lovers all love tele porn, here she is now she's set up and with her new white parchment guard (fits the guitar and the bound much better IMO)
(http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1/wp000115.jpg)
(http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/3641/wp000114r.jpg)
cool 8)
Now beware, BKP tend to be addictive... :mrgreen:
Unfortunately I think you're right... :mrgreen:
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It's horrible, the more I play them, the more I love them!!!!!!!!
Yesterday it was HEAVEN through my 50w half stack plexi... :twisted:
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I am pleased to hear that you are so happy with your new pickups.
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I am pleased to hear that you are so happy with your new pickups.
Me too! Congrats!
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Thanks guys!!! 8)
Now I want to buy a G&L Legacy JUST for putting an APACHE set into it!!!!!
Still working on the pickups height as the bridge is pretty HOT!!! I guess I'll lower it a bit for more volume balance, but I don't mess with it now as I don't want to lose the magic it seems to have with this setting...
I love the neck pickup too, GREAT for bluesy stuff, as dark as it needs to be...
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Well I've just messed with pickups height, it's even better now!
I began by adjusting the neck pickup to taste (bass side futher from the strings compared to the treble side), fairly high actually, and then adjusted the bridge pickup to match the neck volumewise and to get a nice parallel tone.
The bridge is still punchier but the balance is fine (especially in od), and the pickups by themselves sound great!
I'm more and more amazed everyday using them!!!
I went back to standard tuning with the same 10-46 set (I was Eb tuned) and wow it's way more dynamic, and it sounds even better. I'll try to stay with this set up, I'll have to work on my singing 1/2 step up :mrgreen:
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I know what you mean exactly. They just get better.
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I know what you mean exactly. They just get better.
8)
Are you still happy with your Apaches? I'm so gassing for them... (I'd like some kind of buddy guy blues strat, and I think alnico 3 are the best for that purpose)
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Hey FuZZBoy! I recently loaded my favorite guitar with my first BKP and I'm well pleased too. I've been having the same issue with my early 90s G&L S-500. The pickups are too gritty, and just don't do this, otherwise flawless, guitar justice. I'm trying to decide between the Mother's Milk set,or the Irish Tours. I'm leaning toward the Mother's Milk.
I'm with you completely on the G&L MFD pickups. I find it hard to believe they're a Leo Fender design. I suppose you have to consider that they came about during the hair metal era. I guess he had his sights on the musicians looking for higher output pickups. Luckily for guys like you and I, there are guys like Tim Mills and BKP!
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With a maple neck I would def. look at Apaches. Mother's Milk could be a bit on the bright side. They're in the first place designed for rosewood fretboards. I have MM's in a rosewoodboard American Series 2005 strat and they produces a fantastic early sixties woody tone, but with a maple neck things can get to spanky and thin. The IT's are a sort of overwound MM's with more output, bass and slightly less bright topend, although quite cutting in my MXG customstrat with eboney board/swampash-body. Therefore I suggest Apaches. Don't worry they handle gain with authority (as all BKP's do).
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Hey FuZZBoy! I recently loaded my favorite guitar with my first BKP and I'm well pleased too. I've been having the same issue with my early 90s G&L S-500. The pickups are too gritty, and just don't do this, otherwise flawless, guitar justice. I'm trying to decide between the Mother's Milk set,or the Irish Tours. I'm leaning toward the Mother's Milk.
I'm with you completely on the G&L MFD pickups. I find it hard to believe they're a Leo Fender design. I suppose you have to consider that they came about during the hair metal era. I guess he had his sights on the musicians looking for higher output pickups. Luckily for guys like you and I, there are guys like Tim Mills and BKP!
I totally agree with you!!!
G&L are GREAT guitars (for ME betters than Fenders for the $$) with BAD sounding pickups IMHO, or at least not my cup of tea... I'm talking about the MFD's here, haven't tried the g&l alnicos yet, I guess they're ok (do you know they now make an ALNICO Asat Classic??).
As I said earlier I plan to custom order a Fullerton Red Legacy with rosewood (or ebony) fretboard with a fat V neck and 12" radius (love my current Asat neck, C shape though) and put an APACHE set in it (G&L electronics are great also)
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With a maple neck I would def. look at Apaches. Mother's Milk could be a bit on the bright side. They're in the first place designed for rosewood fretboards. I have MM's in a rosewoodboard American Series 2005 strat and they produces a fantastic early sixties woody tone, but with a maple neck things can get to spanky and thin. The IT's are a sort of overwound MM's with more output, bass and slightly less bright topend, although quite cutting in my MXG customstrat with eboney board/swampash-body. Therefore I suggest Apaches. Don't worry they handle gain with authority (as all BKP's do).
Please STOP that Apache apology or I'll have to buy a set right now!!!! (and I'm broke...) :mrgreen:
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I know what you mean exactly. They just get better.
8)
Are you still happy with your Apaches? I'm so gassing for them... (I'd like some kind of buddy guy blues strat, and I think alnico 3 are the best for that purpose)
Yeah I still love the Apaches. I gig a lot and I take 2 electric guitars out of my 3 favourites: A USA Start with Apaches, A MIM Tele with Country Boys and a Gibson 339 stock ( though I am considering a change of pups). The Tele tends to be the main guitar as I need to play a fair bit of slide but I do like to swap with another and this means that I have those moments where I am listening to the guitars for the first few songs to ensure I have a tone that I like. I can tell you that the Apaches are a constant delight.
Sorry for the lengthy prattle!
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Yeah fellows, I thought about the Apache set for my G&L, but they just don't have the hollow mids that I'm looking for
I emailed BKP, and Tim said "I think the Mother's Milk will do really well." you have to keep in mind that my guitar is 20 years old. It's aged well, and has become deeper and much more resonant. I'm sure the MM set will work well. I'll certainly trust Tim's judgment on this one!
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Yeah fellows, I thought about the Apache set for my G&L, but they just don't have the hollow mids that I'm looking for
I emailed BKP, and Tim said "I think the Mother's Milk will do really well." you have to keep in mind that my guitar is 20 years old. It's aged well, and has become deeper and much more resonant. I'm sure the MM set will work well. I'll certainly trust Tim's judgment on this one!
Yes you can. Let us know how they perform.
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I know what you mean exactly. They just get better.
8)
Are you still happy with your Apaches? I'm so gassing for them... (I'd like some kind of buddy guy blues strat, and I think alnico 3 are the best for that purpose)
Yeah I still love the Apaches. I gig a lot and I take 2 electric guitars out of my 3 favourites: A USA Start with Apaches, A MIM Tele with Country Boys and a Gibson 339 stock ( though I am considering a change of pups). The Tele tends to be the main guitar as I need to play a fair bit of slide but I do like to swap with another and this means that I have those moments where I am listening to the guitars for the first few songs to ensure I have a tone that I like. I can tell you that the Apaches are a constant delight.
Sorry for the lengthy prattle!
Sounds pretty nice indeed...
I was set on the Apaches BUT I really like what I heard of the PAT Pend Strat Series '59 Slab Board set on this website!!
I'll love to try the Country Boys 8)
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Yeah fellows, I thought about the Apache set for my G&L, but they just don't have the hollow mids that I'm looking for
I emailed BKP, and Tim said "I think the Mother's Milk will do really well." you have to keep in mind that my guitar is 20 years old. It's aged well, and has become deeper and much more resonant. I'm sure the MM set will work well. I'll certainly trust Tim's judgment on this one!
Well as Telerocker said you can trust the man ;)
How do G&L's age? Does your poly finish fade?
I'm glad to read your guitar has become even better getting older, I hope mine too in the futur (she's just 4 years old, she can barely speak :lol:)
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My G&L actually has a fairly thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish. It's some sort of limited edition. I'm sure that hasn't hurt the wood's aging, and resonance. They do get better with age. Leo said they were the best guitars he ever built. They're excellent.
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Aha you're lucky to have a nitro finish, I think G&L should offer nitro finish as an option on all models.
Mine's poly but it's really beautiful, the finish won't age like nitro though, I'll keep a brand new guitar for decades 8)
Yes Leo was really proud of G&L, for me they're better than regulars Fenders (haven't tried Custom shop yet).
They're quite a bit different though and some Fenders lovers don't like G&L's for that.
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I did my nitro finish myself 2 years ago. G&L doesn't have much resale value, so I wasn't worried about it. I'll post a picture when I get to my computer. It's a limited edition, so there's a lot more hand work on it than normal G&Ls.
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Nice, I'm impressed 8)