Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Lew on November 05, 2013, 11:47:33 PM

Title: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on November 05, 2013, 11:47:33 PM
Imma change the pickups in me Daemoness sometime soon(ish™). I've got a RY/VH2 in there at the minute and I'm leaning toward a pair of ceramic Nailbombs. Anyway, what covers would y'all go for in this guitar? http://www.daemonessguitars.co.uk/gallery/atlantean_es7.php (http://www.daemonessguitars.co.uk/gallery/atlantean_es7.php) I'm pretty sure gold covers would be too much but would a pair of open blacks be too boring? Maybe I'll just go black covers again as it works (I don't like that they kinda look like EMG's).
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Kiichi on November 06, 2013, 12:01:23 AM
Middle ground in black covers with golden pole pieces?
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on November 06, 2013, 12:06:42 AM
That's a great idea!
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Telerocker on November 06, 2013, 12:56:43 AM
I can't think of anything better as this guitar is already quite extravagant.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Dave Sloven on November 06, 2013, 02:39:58 AM
Open red bobbins and gold screws! Go loud!
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: juansolo on November 06, 2013, 09:11:45 AM
Middle ground in black covers with golden pole pieces?

^ Yup
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on November 06, 2013, 05:00:10 PM
I like the red and gold idea too - could work well with the red cross.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: d1dsj on November 06, 2013, 09:16:49 PM
Definitely red in that one although I'd go custom with double black screw or Allen heads.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Philly Q on November 06, 2013, 11:11:21 PM
I like the red and gold idea too - could work well with the red cross.

The only problem there is that sometimes two shades of the same colour - red in this case - can clash worse than two completely different colours (IMO of course).

I quite like the black with gold poles suggestion.

Incidentally, I hadn't realised how amazing that translucent white finish on quilt maple looked.  It's got real depth to it, like looking at water through frosted glass.  Or something.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on November 07, 2013, 12:02:19 AM
Good point . Anyone actually got a decent pic of the red bobbins?

Yea, it's pretty rad, Philly. Some dude on facebook said it looked like it was carved out of ice. It doesn't look as clean and dent free now, though hah
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Dave Sloven on November 07, 2013, 12:52:13 AM
Good point . Anyone actually got a decent pic of the red bobbins?

Not easy with google, but here:

https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/faq.php (https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/faq.php)

And here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Bare-Knuckle-VH-II-humbucker-bridge-pickup-with-red-coils-/350870967599 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Bare-Knuckle-VH-II-humbucker-bridge-pickup-with-red-coils-/350870967599)

EDIT: I also found this:

(http://axepalace.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/w/p/wp7s-red_2.jpg)

The one in the BKP shop is not reliable, lighting seems to be enhanced or something.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: _tom_ on November 07, 2013, 11:22:34 AM
Black with gold poles looks great, I have a set in my sg and love how they look! Think theres a pic in the users gallery somewhere.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on November 08, 2013, 12:17:35 AM
Thanks Agent! Going by that pic it looks real close to the red cross. Think I'm gonna take a risk an order a set 8)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Dave Sloven on November 08, 2013, 12:45:42 AM
Hopefully it looks spectacular when done!
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on November 08, 2013, 06:44:57 PM
Ordered with Feline earlier. Alnico WARPIGS. Red bobbins and gold hex thingys  8)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on November 22, 2013, 02:50:41 PM
We have them here waiting to go out

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1398272_599457566767998_2063133030_o.jpg)

Not long to wait now Lew
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on November 22, 2013, 04:04:57 PM
Excellent  8) thanks for the suggestion Agent Orange
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Dave Sloven on November 22, 2013, 11:43:32 PM
Cool, I can't wait to see them in!
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on November 23, 2013, 11:09:43 AM
Went off special delivery - should be with you quickly.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on November 27, 2013, 06:09:24 PM
The Warpigs are installed 8)

...but I've not been able to give them a good go yet as Dylan wanted to keep the guitar a few days to give it some TLC. He's giving it a fret polish and cutting the saddles wider for the strings I'm using now and a few other things to make it play at its best. It's not had a proper set-up in three (?) years to be fair and I've gone from 9-60 to 11-68!

I did get ten minutes with it through a Cube, though and I could hear that the pickups were a much better match for the guitar and for each other than the RY/VH2 for what I like. Alot more balanced across the pickups - it's naturally a really bright guitar. Gonna take a while to get used to the new look  8)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iKi7JqIpOH4/UpYogXELEwI/AAAAAAAAAro/yE1xa2cK3q0/w606-h808-no/IMG_1189.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4FGLJO6GoG0/UpYogIgKO2I/AAAAAAAAArk/XPHX_9bbCwU/w606-h808-no/IMG_1190.JPG)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Philly Q on November 27, 2013, 07:41:28 PM
Always a bit hard to tell from photos, but the red looks a good match.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Dave Sloven on November 27, 2013, 08:27:49 PM
The audience will need sunglasses  8)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on November 27, 2013, 08:54:40 PM
Yep the red is pretty much dead on. It looks kinda extreme, gonna take a while to get used to the psychadelic look  :lol: but I dig it
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Dave Sloven on November 28, 2013, 09:49:52 AM
You're going to have to get some louder clothes to go with it
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Keven on November 30, 2013, 05:00:11 AM
Looks bloody stunning. awesome pick!
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on December 02, 2013, 12:27:35 AM
8)

I'm really loving the Warpigs. Much happier with these than the RY/VH2 set.

They're not nearly as dark as I'd thought they were going to be, actually - I think the charts are pretty misleading. The neck pickup is really usable now too which was a problem for me with the RY/VH2 as I'd EQ for the RY which made the VH2 really boxy. They've got a great wide and balanced sound.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Keven on December 02, 2013, 01:37:01 AM
i think you're coming around with the same realization as me, i love the black dog in my ERG guitars, but for proper 6 string heaviness, the contemporary series rock. i got into BKP coming from a low output school, but their higher outputs really have tone and are as usable as their lower output ones, compared to major brands which have their definite stamp on lo and hi models, especially dimarzio.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on December 02, 2013, 04:43:47 PM
Maybe. I dont buy into the lower output=better tone but then my reference point for good tone is Matt Pike  8)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: witeter on December 02, 2013, 08:36:47 PM
Nice one man- a real beast of an instrument! love Fist of the North Star so its a big thumbs up from me  8)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: d1dsj on December 02, 2013, 11:05:12 PM
Woahhhhhhhhh........ that looks bloody awesome!  8)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on December 05, 2013, 11:23:00 AM
I think it could be even better with a Kahler ;-p
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Philly Q on December 05, 2013, 01:03:08 PM
I think it could be even better with a Kahler ;-p

That was just a joke, right?
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: gwEm on December 05, 2013, 01:07:39 PM
great look mate!

you took a risk there and it paid off  8) 8)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: gwEm on December 05, 2013, 01:09:35 PM
(surely one of those images can be your new profile pic..)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on December 05, 2013, 04:32:56 PM
I think it could be even better with a Kahler ;-p

That was just a joke, right?

 :lol: C'mon, tell me this wouldn't look ace!!!

(https://www.kahlerusa.com/public/images/productImages/2327gx.png)

(surely one of those images can be your new profile pic..)

Good idea.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Dave Sloven on December 05, 2013, 10:49:08 PM
I think it would look good, but the routing might change the sound of the instrument in a way you don't like.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on December 05, 2013, 11:11:38 PM
Yea, maybe. It's a big and heavy instrument though so it wouldn't be like routing an SG. Infact, It's pretty much a Bass  :lol:

Anyone good with photoshop?
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Philly Q on December 05, 2013, 11:21:55 PM
I can't deny it would look ace, but it would definitely change the tone.  You'd have to, at the very least, get it recessed into the body to give a decent angle of the strings over the saddles. 

But I think it would be a crying shame to replace that nice hardtail bridge with a tremolo.  I made a massive mistake - way back in 1985 - putting a Kahler on my Hamer Special.  It was a good learning experience from a guitar DIY perspective (that guitar suffered so many modifications!), but I really wish I hadn't done it.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on December 05, 2013, 11:45:18 PM
In what way should I expect the tone to change? Is there an inherent tone to the Kahler you dislike or do you mean because of the routing? The rout is really small compared to a Floyd or even a vintage Strat trem as you know.

Yep, I realize it would have to be recessed. It's one of the things I've been discussing with Jon over the last week  :lol: This Waghorn is interesting, it's recessed and doesn't use a locknut or string lock. Doesn't sound too bad either ;-p

(http://www.waghornguitars.com/electric/ahseries/ah8gallery/ah8_03.jpg)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0W782Jn90E (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0W782Jn90E)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Philly Q on December 06, 2013, 01:37:57 AM
It's a long time ago, but it killed much of the sustain/resonance and just made the guitar sound duller.  I had a similar result when I put a Kahler Flyer on a Squier Strat instead of a vintage style trem - it felt better, stayed in tune better but I really don't think it sounded as good.

Just my theory, but I think the problem is the way the saddles stay put but the back of the bridge lifts up, changing the break angle so there's very little string pressure on the saddles when the pitch drops.  Recessing the bridge helps, but doesn't cure the problem.  Also I suspect roller saddles in general don't do much for tone, too many parts....

But hey, nowadays I like one-piece wraparound bridges and I don't like trems at all, so don't listen to me, it's your guitar!  :wink:
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on December 06, 2013, 10:47:15 PM
I appreciate you giving me your thoughts. Having said that, I just got an email from Kahler with these in  :lol:

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dQEl3DXMVtM/UqJMHTwo_LI/AAAAAAAAAvs/NsFTa72am4M/s912/photo.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-za2DoJR5fM8/UqJMGkliuvI/AAAAAAAAAvs/8vIuD857N9A/s912/photo%2520%25282%2529.JPG)

I'm not going to go for a locking nut or string lock at this point. I think the less I change the guitar the better it will be tonewise. Tuning wise? We'll see. For what I'll be using it for I'm pretty sure (fingers crossed) it will be fine, though.

They say it's a little different to other PROS as Gary Kahler had a jeweler plate a batch for promo and signature artists. It's different because it has a 14 carat gold plating (dunno what the usual carat is). Big thumbs up to them as they didn't even attempt charging me extra for it  8)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Philly Q on December 06, 2013, 11:00:01 PM
Oh well, can't say I didn't try!  :lol:

It looks nice, for sure.  Kahler stuff was always beautifully made.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on December 06, 2013, 11:08:08 PM
It's so elegant  8)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on December 20, 2013, 11:04:28 PM
Got the Kahler today  8)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/---PZPtnQG08/UrTMtr7rAwI/AAAAAAAAAxc/tH1Fv5MLGmk/w615-h461-no/IMG_1250.JPG)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Dave Sloven on December 20, 2013, 11:51:29 PM
Looks good, hope it sounds good.  Why no locking nut?  I hope you don't pop the strings out on the first dive-bomb.

BTW, I didn't realize that was nihongo on the neck when I first saw it.  I just thought it was some kind of awful wear or discolouration from the other angle.  Now that I can see it properly it looks kind of cool.  What does it say (in English)?
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on December 21, 2013, 11:39:55 AM
Looks good, hope it sounds good.  Why no locking nut?  I hope you don't pop the strings out on the first dive-bomb.

BTW, I didn't realize that was nihongo on the neck when I first saw it.  I just thought it was some kind of awful wear or discolouration from the other angle.  Now that I can see it properly it looks kind of cool.  What does it say (in English)?

Yea, a bigger bridge really suits the body shape better. The model looks badass with a Floyd, too. The Kahler will look fracking killer I'm certain of that. I know the tone will change but these things are so subjective, anyway. It's not something I'm worried about.

I can't see anything popping out of the nut, though. For a start the strings keep their height because the cam is separate to the saddles unlike a Floyd where it's all one unit (unless I'm missing something), the neck is angled and so is the headstock. Plus the Kahler is going to be recessed as much as it needs to be.

There are lots of builds that don't use locknuts with Kahlers - see the Waghorn video above for example or old Jacksons. Carvin often don't bother with locknuts on Floyded guitars too. Buuuuut ultimately it's going to be down to what Jonathans input is after it's installed. If he comes back to me and says it absolutely has to have one then I guess it has to have one. And if that happens I'd rather use a Floyd nut than Kahler anyway.

It used to look nice and clean! But I've got better things to do than clean a guitar  8)

I can't remember exactly what it says (I'd have to dig around my emails) but something to the affect of "send love to hell"
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on January 24, 2014, 09:44:53 PM
Thanks Jon. Looking forward to picking it up  :D

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j45c_tqAuGs/UuLHRAuOfQI/AAAAAAAAA88/TwEx_7gyOQs/w792-h297-no/DSC06329.jpg)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on January 28, 2014, 10:33:45 PM
Not sure if I'm in this thread alone now. But anyway, new Kahler day. Jon and Tom did a great job on it and I'm very impressed with the tuning stability as is. I'll knock some locking tuners on it when I get a chance but even with sustained mentalness it only goes out of tune a little bit. Sounds great and I sound like a total w**ker with it, brilliant  8)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Dave Sloven on January 28, 2014, 10:39:43 PM
Glad it worked out.

Now you just have to try out some Rick Rozz style OTT divebombs on it, e.g., 2:45 in the clip below ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQFLNDrsTzA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQFLNDrsTzA)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on January 28, 2014, 10:50:44 PM
hah excellent. On a slightly similar subject I played an Ibanez ZRTrem for the first time t'other day. It felt really really stiff - I compared it to an original Edge on another Ibby and that was miles more comfortable. I've been doing sudo trem squeels for a while on a hardtail by using pinch harmonics just as I'm bending the note and then keeping it for the release. Bit easier on the Kahler ;-p
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Telerocker on January 28, 2014, 10:54:59 PM
Looks bloody good!
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Philly Q on January 28, 2014, 11:01:58 PM
It does look good, despite my misgivings!
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on January 28, 2014, 11:37:06 PM
It hasn't changed the tone massively which I'm sure is in part thanks to the installation. It's maybe a teeny bit darker and there is a little less sustain on the high notes (as predicted) but nothing that's a problem. First thing I did with the bar at Jons was too wammy the shite out of it for 10 seconds to see how much it would go out of tune and only the bottom three strings went a bit out of tune and the strings still hadn't properly settled. Well impressed. I see Jons built you a Tele too btw.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Philly Q on January 29, 2014, 01:53:41 AM
I see Jons built you a Tele too btw.

 :lol:  Eh?  Fat neck, hopefully?
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Dave Sloven on January 29, 2014, 03:00:54 AM
I see Jons built you a Tele too btw.

 :lol:  Eh?  Fat neck, hopefully?


(http://science.kukuchew.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/chris-farley-photograph-c10101992-fat-neck.jpeg)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Philly Q on January 29, 2014, 08:55:34 AM
Ah, the late Mr Farley!

By strange coincidence, I just bought Black Sheep on Blu-ray.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: gwEm on January 29, 2014, 09:35:43 AM
the Kahler does /look/ awesome on your guitar, no doubt about that. if your still happy with the tone and playability, what else to do but rock hard and divebomb :)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Dave Sloven on January 29, 2014, 01:21:02 PM
A quick comparison:

STOCK:

(http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/8193/img24022.jpg)

WITH BKPs AND KAHLER:

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j45c_tqAuGs/UuLHRAuOfQI/AAAAAAAAA88/TwEx_7gyOQs/w792-h297-no/DSC06329.jpg)

Personally I think the mods have really lifted the guitar visually.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on January 29, 2014, 01:56:18 PM
 :D it really looks like some crazy guitar out of an anime now. You can see how much the white has aged to a yellow on the edges (same on back) with those two pics. Guess I play it too much!
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on January 30, 2014, 12:07:47 AM
Here is a closer look at the Kahler instal
We had to recess it because the string height on the Daemoness was pretty low and slinky across the body
Note that on a Kahler you need to have the saddles pretty high up or you lose sustain from a lack of break angle across the rollers
We touched in the paint so you'd never know it wasn't all original.

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t31/1090884_626098190770602_140118814_o.jpg)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t31/1606280_626098547437233_1131746635_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Philly Q on January 30, 2014, 01:31:43 AM
Wow, it's really deeply recessed!  Nice work.
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: MrBump on January 31, 2014, 06:58:19 PM
Blimey, it ain't subtle, is it?!?!  Looks more like a weapon in a sci fi film!
Title: Re: Let's play the what pickup cover game
Post by: Lew on January 31, 2014, 09:04:33 PM
Yea, it looks like a Klingon war axe! Despite it's appearance it balances very nicely.