Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Studiostriver on April 27, 2013, 05:07:09 PM
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Hi to all! I need sincere opinion of guitar players who use this pickups.Bridge and neck also...
Unfortunetaly I have to wait 4 months to order my Nailbomb/Cold Sweat Bare Knuckles(when I `ll be in financial more situated postion)..But in meantime my plans ruins a Paiin.paiiiiin killleeeer,kiiiiiiiileeeeeeeeeeeer! Hope you do not mind with my Judas Priest connotations with these pickups? :)
I came from EMG type metal machinery guitarist,and played 81/85 707 and TW707...The reason I deciede to leave EMG`s is they always have something fuzzy/digital in their sound when you wanna play anything a little subtle stuff it pops up...
To shorten the story...
I feel like that Painkiller is next level EMG modern metal sound with that big bottom end(I think they`re passive pickups with biggest meaty tone I ever listen to be honest),but also very clear agressive tone and liquid alike when soloing,BUT with more organic feeling.
With what you are agree or disagree with me with me?And what is in your opinion reason why you chose Painkiller?
Best regards,
Studiostriver.
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I use the Cold Sweat bridge /Painkiller neck combo in the work we do with Blackmachine and I confess it to be one of my favourite combinations
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/Blackmachine%20B6/blackmachineB6-303_zpsbaf09dfd.jpg)
The CS is crunchy and remains organic and the PK neck is a great fluid shred pickup with a nice sharp tightness thanks to the ceramic magnet
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I use the Cold Sweat bridge /Painkiller neck combo in the work we do with Blackmachine and I confess it to be one of my favourite combinations
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/Blackmachine%20B6/blackmachineB6-303_zpsbaf09dfd.jpg)
The CS is crunchy and remains organic and the PK neck is a great fluid shred pickup with a nice sharp tightness thanks to the ceramic magnet
Wow,what a beautiful guitar!Thanks for your comment.Can you post sound clip of neck pickup when soloing please?
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Is it possible that no one here using Painkiller pickups? Come one people,share you thought,experiences and if possible some clips! Cheers to all. :) :shock:
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Sorry but I don't really know Painkillers at all. When I started reading your post I was immediately thinking of Black Hawks; have you considered those. I did consider Painkillers a while ago but I've read about them being described as 'ice-picky' a few times which didn't sound like me so I went with a Miracle Man instead. The Miracle Man certainly has a bottom end with aggression that is more 'smooth' than 'ice-picky'.
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Sorry but I don't really know Painkillers at all. When I started reading your post I was immediately thinking of Black Hawks; have you considered those. I did consider Painkillers a while ago but I've read about them being described as 'ice-picky' a few times which didn't sound like me so I went with a Miracle Man instead. The Miracle Man certainly has a bottom end with aggression that is more 'smooth' than 'ice-picky'.
From official clips,and some youtube Blackhawks sound like they are more in mid tones,they are very articulate and jazzy which is good and I like them in a certain way,like i love every Bare Knuckle so to speak.. :lol: .But Painkillers to my ears have more liquid high tone that reminds me of EMG`s and also bigger bottom end(on the official BK clips than any other)and surgic tight mids....
Maybe that ice picky description is the same as liquid tone i was talking about? :x
And Miracle man somehow sound too compressed and sharp on high tones which somehow distract me from thinking of buying them.
I would be happy If someone who using PK`s can tell me little more how theys sound and react,and as I always saying at the end,any sound clip would be very nice with some rhythm,solo,clean examples. :)
Please.
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It will 100% depend what the timbers and the scale length of the guitar is as to how you will perceive the Painkillers, and also how low you will be tuning
They are overwound and near symmetrical so they have a lot of mids.
They do have a cutting top end but it is usually balanced against a fat mid tone in most guitars.
To my ears imagine a Cold Sweat bridge with a more dense midrange.
The neck is very nice and flutey but with a crisp edge that makes it good for shredding.
If you've ever tried an EMG81 at the neck position it is similar territory.
I know mainly in regular tuning, drop D and straight D - lower than that is a bit alien to me.
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It will 100% depend what the timbers and the scale length of the guitar is as to how you will perceive the Painkillers, and also how low you will be tuning
Well I have this 7 String guitar: http://www.schecterguitars.com/International/Products/Guitar/Hellraiser-C-7-FR.aspx (http://www.schecterguitars.com/International/Products/Guitar/Hellraiser-C-7-FR.aspx)
Tuned to A so 1 whole step than regural tuning.
They are overwound and near symmetrical so they have a lot of mids.
I do not mind that,just not to get to much shhhh like Blackhawks,i tried to say not to get to dominant without having a big bottom end.
They do have a cutting top end but it is usually balanced against a fat mid tone in most guitars.
This guitar is Mahagony /quilted maple and rosewood(pretty heavy I must say)and have a lot of dark tone i think if it is not the sound of EMG 707 TW more than wood tone. :?
To my ears imagine a Cold Sweat bridge with a more dense midrange.
The neck is very nice and flutey but with a crisp edge that makes it good for shredding.
If you've ever tried an EMG81 at the neck position it is similar territory.
You are talking about Cold sweat neck know?
I know mainly in regular tuning, drop D and straight D - lower than that is a bit alien to me.
I like D tuning,and I am in D,but with one extra string. :)
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Cheers mate,
feel free to read my short review about the Painkiller:
https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=29572.msg383531#msg383531 (https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=29572.msg383531#msg383531)
Here's a clip of the neck version, made by forum member Witeter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEl6E83gnJc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEl6E83gnJc)
I don't have any clips recorded with the Painkiller unfortunately due to my lack of time and proper recording gear. The Bridge however is amazing, tight, clear, aggressive. I wouldn't say it has a big bottom end, it's rather the "tracks triplets like a mofo" pickup with lots of high mids, almost like a Marshall in a small metal box. Just read my review ;)
I'd describe the neck as bluesy, with enough girth to overcome the flabiness some neck Pus seem to have due to the increased string signal, however my experience only comes from clips I've heard so far. Don't worry about it failing to keep up with EMGs, that thing will make you hate actives once you use it. Just be sure not to put it into an overly bright instrument, I'd imagine it being too abrasive then.
Hope that helps, good luck!
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I have to tell you. Painkillers are my favorite Bare Knuckle pickups. I have them in a silverburst Gibson Nighthawk, and I play that guitar pretty much exclusively. Its the cheapest guitar I own, but it is something about the painkillers that gives me that extra umph when I am shredding.
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Cheers mate,
feel free to read my short review about the Painkiller:
https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=29572.msg383531#msg383531 (https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=29572.msg383531#msg383531)
Here's a clip of the neck version, made by forum member Witeter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEl6E83gnJc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEl6E83gnJc)
I don't have any clips recorded with the Painkiller unfortunately due to my lack of time and proper recording gear. The Bridge however is amazing, tight, clear, aggressive. I wouldn't say it has a big bottom end, it's rather the "tracks triplets like a mofo" pickup with lots of high mids, almost like a Marshall in a small metal box. Just read my review ;)
I'd describe the neck as bluesy, with enough girth to overcome the flabiness some neck Pus seem to have due to the increased string signal, however my experience only comes from clips I've heard so far. Don't worry about it failing to keep up with EMGs, that thing will make you hate actives once you use it. Just be sure not to put it into an overly bright instrument, I'd imagine it being too abrasive then.
Hope that helps, good luck!
I read your info,and also thanks for answering to my questions.That was of big help.
My Hellraiser 7-Fr has a mahagony body mixed with quilted maple,maple neck,and rosewood fretboard so I think after all guitar have balanced sound slightly towards to the dark,warmth sound area I think.
I like that pickups are going in a little sharp abrasive territory,I think it need a little bit if you wanna play bad ass riff Pantera like. :) I heard a soloing neck clip and it sure reminds of EMG when soloing I must say.
When I listen demo clips from Official BK site,to me Nailbomb has a more character and mids spitting fire,but somehow compare to Painkiller sound less articulate,tight and softer in bass response.
I know Bare Knuckles are crushing almost all pickups in industry but I am not sure how mean in bass response they can go.Painkiller to me have a bigger bass response from any passive pickups i heard so far,but do not know can they compete with EMG 81/707TW?
I would be nice if someone who use Painkiler and EMG`s can tell me,if there is such a person here? :)
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I have to tell you. Painkillers are my favorite Bare Knuckle pickups. I have them in a silverburst Gibson Nighthawk, and I play that guitar pretty much exclusively. Its the cheapest guitar I own, but it is something about the painkillers that gives me that extra umph when I am shredding.
Thanks bro,for your opinion.Much appreciated. :P
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Is it possible that no one here using Painkiller pickups? Come one people,share you thought,experiences and if possible some clips! Cheers to all. :) :shock:
No fear... I use a calibrated set of PKs in my ESP NT-II, 4 conductor, coil tapped.
Straight up, the only beef I have with 'em is in coil tap mode, the neck sounds anemic. That's it that's all.
Now, onto the real gods - these pups are in a guitar full step down drop C, 11s for strings, heavy bottom EBs. The guitar is used primarily with an Uberschall TwinJet, VH4 and Hagen. The pups were an incredible addition to the guitar from its stock SD pups. What are they like? Really powerful but without too much compression (like that of the MMs, just my opinion, nothing more nothing less). I don't feel they're at all pigeonholed into the Judas Priest context of music whatsoever. I play a lot of prog metal, some finger pickin' jazzy bits, and straight up hard rock with these. They've got a real nice ceramic sounding midrange bite. In the neck position, they're rich and loud, with that warmer flutey style of tone. They really sound nice through everything, and have been employing this guitar as one of my main Axe-II guitars - the Axe-II being exceptionally sensitive to pups.
Strong mid voice, medium bottom but held very tight, excellent for chugga palm muting styles of music, ring openly with nice string distinction. In the real higher gain settings, they're still rich - not squishy and fizzed out. You can still feel the "bulk" of the tonal chords being pushed through the amp. I love their response - fast, articulate, and punchy. I was warned these were love/hate pups - in this particular guitar, they sound awesome - clear and bright, but not shrill.
Hope this helps.
V.
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Soo... I recorded a quick poor quality sample of the Painkiller. This is my Jackson 93 Fusion with the PK Bridge through a cr@ppy Vox Metal Amplug Headphone amp into Audacity. Remember the quality is poor (can't offer anything better though) and excuse my sloppy playing. Maybe it helps.
Cheers
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Just read everything again and realised you're talking about a Seven String Guitar. Although this is "Djent", it gives you a good example of Painkillers on lower tunings:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPEOyWyXl4M&playnext=1&list=PLAyQ7rxpD54AodZid68Ew2mCQYNMliocd (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPEOyWyXl4M&playnext=1&list=PLAyQ7rxpD54AodZid68Ew2mCQYNMliocd)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTK3W5PDwe4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTK3W5PDwe4)
I always liked them more than Aftermaths. They have less of that "squacky" dry Djent tone and sound more Death Metal, if that makes any sense. Anyhow, I don't know how much you'll like my clip I posted in the previous response but I really can only recommend Painkillers! I'm only downtuned to E Flat Standard and it sounds amazing.
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First of all thank you GuitarIv for trying to help me to get a better clue what PK should sound.I`m greatful for your clips,I must be honest completely,yes you played a little slopy,but heard how clear tone they have,so that was very helpful. :) Tone is very saturated and gainish.
As these djent clips concern,i do not know what to say,these guy makes that every guitar and pickups sound the same with this playing style and adjusting gear.Personally I find djent music little annoying.I like more true metal music and riffs. This is ti alternative and urban to me. Metal should never be urban,but always to have a street rock attitude..Like all rock music genres,where they belong.IMHO.
I know this youtube clip i will post is very bad,but this is the sound I trying to achieve and direction where i wanted to go.This is one of my favorite artist who is by the way born on the same date as I. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUdGTBVzk6c (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUdGTBVzk6c)
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Hi to all! I need sincere opinion of guitar players who use this pickups.Bridge and neck also...
Unfortunetaly I have to wait 4 months to order my Nailbomb/Cold Sweat Bare Knuckles(when I `ll be in financial more situated postion)..But in meantime my plans ruins a Paiin.paiiiiin killleeeer,kiiiiiiiileeeeeeeeeeeer! Hope you do not mind with my Judas Priest connotations with these pickups? :)
I came from EMG type metal machinery guitarist,and played 81/85 707 and TW707...The reason I deciede to leave EMG`s is they always have something fuzzy/digital in their sound when you wanna play anything a little subtle stuff it pops up...
To shorten the story...
I feel like that Painkiller is next level EMG modern metal sound with that big bottom end(I think they`re passive pickups with biggest meaty tone I ever listen to be honest),but also very clear agressive tone and liquid alike when soloing,BUT with more organic feeling.
With what you are agree or disagree with me with me?And what is in your opinion reason why you chose Painkiller?
Best regards,
Studiostriver.
Since you asked for someone thats used both. Ive had a lot of time with PKs and EMGs.
You will find the PK cleans up better than the EMGs. If I understand what you mean by 'fuzzy/digital' then you may find that its two steps forward one back depending what guitar and amp it all ends up working with. The PK doesnt have as much high end extension (narrower frequency response), and you may find that cleaner, for want of a better word, but its got a spiky, kind of clicky high mid that can also be a bit grating. Matter of taste and circumstance imo. But, the aftermath is quite similar, with more even mids.
The PK will not be as tight by quite a ways, for 'metal machinery' guitar playing (now that term, I understand :D), but you may get were you want to go with it with a pretty significant re-dialing in on your amp. Its quite a lot cooler as well.
Better cleans than an 81.
Given what you describe being after (which is largely due to EMGs preamp clipping) I'd recommend trying the 18V mod before spending real money. More low mids and headroom, somewhat 'meatier' sound and it, counter-intuitively, makes the pickup sound and feel lower gain (as quite a lot of the EMG ALWAYS FULL ALL THE TIME feel and sound is from the clipping and the fact that you have to play quite gently to avoid it). I like it, and dont like 18V, but its easy and worth a try.
Otherwise, I'd recommend the miracle man based on what you seem to be looking for.
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MDV is the man you can trust mate. ;)
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Since you asked for someone thats used both. Ive had a lot of time with PKs and EMGs.
You will find the PK cleans up better than the EMGs. If I understand what you mean by 'fuzzy/digital' then you may find that its two steps forward one back depending what guitar and amp it all ends up working with. The PK doesnt have as much high end extension (narrower frequency response), and you may find that cleaner, for want of a better word, but its got a spiky, kind of clicky high mid that can also be a bit grating. Matter of taste and circumstance imo. But, the aftermath is quite similar, with more even mids.
The PK will not be as tight by quite a ways, for 'metal machinery' guitar playing (now that term, I understand :D), but you may get were you want to go with it with a pretty significant re-dialing in on your amp. Its quite a lot cooler as well.
Better cleans than an 81.
Given what you describe being after (which is largely due to EMGs preamp clipping) I'd recommend trying the 18V mod before spending real money. More low mids and headroom, somewhat 'meatier' sound and it, counter-intuitively, makes the pickup sound and feel lower gain (as quite a lot of the EMG ALWAYS FULL ALL THE TIME feel and sound is from the clipping and the fact that you have to play quite gently to avoid it). I like it, and dont like 18V, but its easy and worth a try.
Otherwise, I'd recommend the miracle man based on what you seem to be looking for.
Thanks for your reply bro.So let me get this straight.None of BK pickups can`t sound tight with high bottom end like EMG`s?
I tried 18v mode,it works good,but only for solos and clean parts,but for riffs i didn`t like it.
And I play very light,clipping is not a problem...
It`s just have something like I hear sound of preamp voltage in a certain frquency when playing subtle,i really can`t explain it well.English is far from my native language.
And from time to time i getting passive pickups nostalgic cause i played Strat before 5 years and i know that when actives are in game you loose that organic feel.
And second reason I have other influences in my music as I described on other thread,from very melodic prog rock vibe into neoclassical solos to most agressive modern riffs.
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BKs tend to be bassier than EMGs by default, but you cant get the same ultra-tight 'thunk' out of the low end with them, no. You may get a tight *enough* low end for you taste, and 'tight' in the grand scheme of things, but its far easier in my experience with EMGs, and all things being equal the EMGs will always be tighter.
If you didnt like 18V for riffing...well, that means that you basically shaved a little off the outright aggression of the EMG and found it lacking. BKs are all less aggressive than that still. If you play lightly youre going to have to dig in a lot more by comparison to get them to attack at much as EMGs (especially at 9V).
I cant say I know what you mean by hearing anything 'in preamp voltage'. I can say that though I cant swear that it is EMGs, youre gonna get closer to the sound in that track you posted with EMGs than any BK. It would be easier. On the other hand, if you want one piclup (or pair) that covers all the tonal territory you want there, I'm not sure such a pickup exists at all, but EMGs wouldnt be my first choice. I love them and they are in my opinion unrivalled in modern metal tones. And a lot of less modern metal. And they most certainly can do other things (dave gilmour and mark knopfler, anyone??), but for me they wouldnt be a go to. I have guitars with passives in, still, for that reason.
Within EMG land, I would recommend an 85-60 combo. Youre gonna get a beefier, smoother high gain sound thats no less tight or aggressive from the 85 and outstanding cleans, lower gain and fluid as $%&# lead sounds out of th 60.
In BKs I'm sticking with miracle man bridge and would say cold sweat neck. They would be the closest analogues to the 85-60 pair, but will be less capable between them of ultra-tight mechanical aggression or facemelting shred, but will give very good cleans (in the CS; I actually prefer the 60s cleans myself, but the CS cleans are excellent), and will both respond to a volume knob and lower gain settings more naturally than the EMGs.
Your call. I dont think you can have it all here, I'm afraid. Theres gonna be a compromise.
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Im considering a BKP Painkiller for the bridge of my Ibanez RGD7421 (Basswood Body, Maple neck, 26.5" scale).
Any of you guys have any experience with PKs in Basswood? Seeing the EQ of the PK, the mids are quite high.
Will it be too middy or bright in basswood?
Thanks
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I've had PKs in basswood, alder, mahogany, dark red meranti and swamp ash.
In basswood I found the top and bottom both quite tailed off and very grindy mids left over. More or less turned the guitar into a JCM800. Same story in both an RG (2570 I think) and jackson DX1.
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I guess Basswood is pretty middy then?
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I guess Basswood is pretty middy then?
No Hence all the other pickups I've had in basswood guitars I've owned (though I've not had PKs in all the basswood guitars) being much more balanced than the PK
The opposite if anything. I've heard it said that basswood is quite 'transparent', insofar as it lets the pickup you put in the guitar sound like it sounds like, dominate the tone, rather than impose a lot of its own sound. I tend to agree. That would be quite consistent with my experience.
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I've got PK's (not calibrated) in a basswood 7-string, and I have to echo MDV here. I *love* the sound, but I can see where the PK's would sound even better in different wood - I'd even say the darker the better. On the other hand, as I said, I do love my PK's!
I'm tuned to drop-G with 11-49+68 Elixir's, playing through a Mustang Floor into studio monitors, and I'm really happy with the distorted tone, especially the high-gain amp models. Tuned that low, even the ultra-tight PK's get a bit boomy on that bottom string on the lower gain models (60's and 70's type amps). The cleans are really nice, if you like a very bright, chimey, tone; they don't really do that 'sweet' clean (through the Mustang clean models, anyway). With the output as high as it is, I really have to roll the gain DOWN to keep it clean.
Now that's my experience, YMMV. PK's are great in basswood, but aren't terribly versatile: you're going to have a clear, crisp, edgy sound, plenty of note definition, and grind that will cut through anything!
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Your call. I dont think you can have it all here, I'm afraid. Theres gonna be a compromise.
I`m afraid that every pick up(s) that is great is only great in it`s own way.And versatile ones are not shining that you could say they are great for one thing VERY GOOD,but it can do a lot other things and manage to sound averagely good for everything...If you can catch my ooga booga English. :?
So one that do specific thing will do it better that one that are versatile in few genres and styles...
Hm...I think I will have to stay in EMG territory cause my music is 80% metal and 20% of melting pot of genres...
It is my main music genre and really want to have thick modern and thight sound first of all.
I guess I will in future need to buy a one Stratocaster for other sounds..
MDV bro,thank you for your help...
Just another question,are you think that Nailbomb Ceramic for bridge can get very tight for this ordeal?
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The C-Bomb is no tighter than a painkiller, less so if anything.
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Hi to all! I need sincere opinion of guitar players who use this pickups.Bridge and neck also...
Unfortunetaly I have to wait 4 months to order my Nailbomb/Cold Sweat Bare Knuckles(when I `ll be in financial more situated postion)..But in meantime my plans ruins a Paiin.paiiiiin killleeeer,kiiiiiiiileeeeeeeeeeeer! Hope you do not mind with my Judas Priest connotations with these pickups? :)
I came from EMG type metal machinery guitarist,and played 81/85 707 and TW707...The reason I deciede to leave EMG`s is they always have something fuzzy/digital in their sound when you wanna play anything a little subtle stuff it pops up...
To shorten the story...
I feel like that Painkiller is next level EMG modern metal sound with that big bottom end(I think they`re passive pickups with biggest meaty tone I ever listen to be honest),but also very clear agressive tone and liquid alike when soloing,BUT with more organic feeling.
With what you are agree or disagree with me with me?And what is in your opinion reason why you chose Painkiller?
Best regards,
Studiostriver.
Since you asked for someone thats used both. Ive had a lot of time with PKs and EMGs.
You will find the PK cleans up better than the EMGs. If I understand what you mean by 'fuzzy/digital' then you may find that its two steps forward one back depending what guitar and amp it all ends up working with. The PK doesnt have as much high end extension (narrower frequency response), and you may find that cleaner, for want of a better word, but its got a spiky, kind of clicky high mid that can also be a bit grating. Matter of taste and circumstance imo. But, the aftermath is quite similar, with more even mids.
The PK will not be as tight by quite a ways, for 'metal machinery' guitar playing (now that term, I understand :D), but you may get were you want to go with it with a pretty significant re-dialing in on your amp. Its quite a lot cooler as well.
Better cleans than an 81.
Given what you describe being after (which is largely due to EMGs preamp clipping) I'd recommend trying the 18V mod before spending real money. More low mids and headroom, somewhat 'meatier' sound and it, counter-intuitively, makes the pickup sound and feel lower gain (as quite a lot of the EMG ALWAYS FULL ALL THE TIME feel and sound is from the clipping and the fact that you have to play quite gently to avoid it). I like it, and dont like 18V, but its easy and worth a try.
Otherwise, I'd recommend the miracle man based on what you seem to be looking for.
For the tones in that clip my go to would be the EMG JH set. They aren't quite like the 81 but retain the majority of the tightness and aggression but have a bit more midrange and the highs are tailed off a little. After that i would go to either the 81 or the Miracle man.
I think the PK will be far too middy for that.
My go to Basswood pickups are either the Miracle man or bulldog black label if you want to get inbetween the MM & EMG tightness.
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Thank you bros for your opinions,I need it very much...So i guess I need two guitars then,very painfull option to my wallet I must say. :D But if it is the only way,then so it`s need to be done. :x
Thanks again to all for your comments. :P
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I own a calibrated set of PKs in my ESP NT-II 6 string.
This guitar is typically tuned down 1 full step, Drop C. Usually. The other 10% of the time it's half step down.
I run this axe through:
- Diezel VH4
- Diezel Hagen
- TwinJet
- Axe-II
The clarity, punch, growl and articulation are all there with awesome tone. I find I've been pulling back on the amp's gain and letting the pups do the talking more and more over the last 4 years. The music that's played with this specific guitar runs the gamut of Deftones, AIC, and a lot of prog metal. People have said the pups are too middy or too sterile or what not. I say no way. In this particular guitar, they're luscious. And sure, they've got a real bite to them, they are still well suited to all types of music - simply adjust the EQ to taste.
Of all the heavier decked out guitars I own, I like the sounds of this guitar with these pups the best due to the cut they offer, and how well they play in high-gain environs without having to rely on the preamp gain of the amp.
Hope this assists.
V.
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I own a calibrated set of PKs in my ESP NT-II 6 string.
This guitar is typically tuned down 1 full step, Drop C. Usually. The other 10% of the time it's half step down.
I run this axe through:
- Diezel VH4
- Diezel Hagen
- TwinJet
- Axe-II
The clarity, punch, growl and articulation are all there with awesome tone. I find I've been pulling back on the amp's gain and letting the pups do the talking more and more over the last 4 years. The music that's played with this specific guitar runs the gamut of Deftones, AIC, and a lot of prog metal. People have said the pups are too middy or too sterile or what not. I say no way. In this particular guitar, they're luscious. And sure, they've got a real bite to them, they are still well suited to all types of music - simply adjust the EQ to taste.
Of all the heavier decked out guitars I own, I like the sounds of this guitar with these pups the best due to the cut they offer, and how well they play in high-gain environs without having to rely on the preamp gain of the amp.
Hope this assists.
V.
Thanks for your opinion bro. I`m still in status quo .thinking a lot to buy a new pair of EMG 85/60 by MDV suggestion....
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Just to add,i have listened a lot youtube demos of each Bareknuckles pickups these days and I must tell i do not like at all Miracle man,too fizzy and pulm mutting do not have that ``jam jam``Metallica attitude I was after.Stamble upon this Painkiller clip,I must say with this Engl amp it sounds amazing,reminds me somewhat like modern thrash/heavy vibe like new Accept sound from last 2 albums.Pretty like it,very much more than Miracle man absolutely.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns99_nLpQoo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns99_nLpQoo)
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I do not know what it is going on with me,hehe. ;) I listened again all demos and know i liked Miracle Man for rhythm more...But for neck PK still has that liquid tone I prefer the most. :shock:
I must be tired or something...Or back then my ears got tired...Do not know exactly... :?
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selling my PK bridge. Just dont want the tightness no more. If you wanna hear it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COanFb69an4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COanFb69an4)
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selling my PK bridge. Just dont want the tightness no more. If you wanna hear it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COanFb69an4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COanFb69an4)
Hey man,I heard this song,I know you from SGear forum. :)
I must say that they are not enough tight for my taste.Thanks for clips.
So I guess Miracle Man bridge will be better solution for me.
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The Painkiller is tighter than the Miracle Man, less bass/low mids.
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The Painkiller is tighter than the Miracle Man, less bass/low mids.
I do not agree that less bass/low mids is definition of more tightens. IMHO It`s just an EQ spec or I`m wrong? :(
By the way (I know I sad it,but I will say it again :) I love meatier pickups in a first place but at the same time more tight like EMG 81/85/707/707TW etc...
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Dude, I don't know just how much tightness you want, but my Painkiller already has plenty of it. Even my Holydiver is tighter than most ceramic pickups by other manufacturers like Seymour Duncan, Dimarzio and so on. If BKPs are too loose for you, there's nothing wrong to stick with EMGs. No one says you need to have BKPs, there's just a certain flavour to them that you can't get with any other brand, the awesome clarity and dynamic response. Still they are passive, not active. So they won't be as tight as EMGs nor noiseless. I have two guitars with BKPs, an Ibanez RG with a SD Jeff Beck (which I love for it's respective qualities and the bigger amount of compression compared to the Bareknuckles) and I'm thinking about getting an EMG 81 for another guitar to play generic metal with it, because it excels at it. Use whatever suits you best for the application needed. Just my 2 cents :)
Cheers
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The Painkiller is tighter than the Miracle Man, less bass/low mids.
I do not agree that less bass/low mids is definition of more tightens. IMHO It`s just an EQ spec or I`m wrong? :(
By the way (I know I sad it,but I will say it again :) I love meatier pickups in a first place but at the same time more tight like EMG 81/85/707/707TW etc...
The MM is plenty tight, just saying the PK IS tighter, period. The MM is definitely beefier though. To me the MM sounds like a 85 with more clarity and a more organic voicing, the guitarist of Cynic used EMG's (85/SA/SA) on their debut Focus and started using the MM with 2 Trilogy Suites in the late 2000's.
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Dude, I don't know just how much tightness you want, but my Painkiller already has plenty of it. Even my Holydiver is tighter than most ceramic pickups by other manufacturers like Seymour Duncan, Dimarzio and so on. If BKPs are too loose for you, there's nothing wrong to stick with EMGs. No one says you need to have BKPs, there's just a certain flavour to them that you can't get with any other brand, the awesome clarity and dynamic response. Still they are passive, not active. So they won't be as tight as EMGs nor noiseless. I have two guitars with BKPs, an Ibanez RG with a SD Jeff Beck (which I love for it's respective qualities and the bigger amount of compression compared to the Bareknuckles) and I'm thinking about getting an EMG 81 for another guitar to play generic metal with it, because it excels at it. Use whatever suits you best for the application needed. Just my 2 cents :)
Cheers
You are maybe right ... :) But still trying to find alternative if it is possible...I somehow love and hate EMG`s at the same time,it is really difficult to explain.I just want little more organic feel without sacrificing too much tightness, nor low mids..Keep on trying. :shock:
The MM is plenty tight, just saying the PK IS tighter, period. The MM is definitely beefier though. To me the MM sounds like a 85 with more clarity and a more organic voicing, the guitarist of Cynic used EMG's (85/SA/SA) on their debut Focus and started using the MM with 2 Trilogy Suites in the late 2000's.
Thanks for info bro,you made me curious...Definitely gonna scratch even little more about MM pickups on net...