Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: miconmac on March 25, 2006, 03:57:42 PM
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It was not obvious to change pickup ! And in particular because that consisted in replacing the original pickup of a US Telecaster 1978 which functioned rather well. I believe that I would never have tried it if I had not had a problem of balance between my 2 pickups. A few years ago, I had exchanged my original neck single coil against an old Humbucker Fender which came from Tele Custom. During years I adored the sound of each pickup but it was impossible to find an adjustment of amplifier which is appropriate for the 2 at the same time: either it was the humbucker which was too dark or it was the bridge one which was too "yelling". I then understood why there are 4 pots volume and tonality on a tele custom...
I chose BrownSugar because of his name... (how not to make differently?) and I had chance!
That solved not only my problem of balance, but moreover, that made me discover a wonderfull pickup , definitely more interesting than the original Fender: richer, more flexible, softer, more subtle, more powerfull... in a word: with more musicality !
Indeed, and as the name suggests it, this BrownSugar gives best itself in crunchy sounds. Compared to the original pickup, the sound is more corrosive, hotter and with the good amount of brightness. However, I also gained in quality on the clear sounds: arpeges parts sound better thanks to a better definition on the level of the notes.
My great appreciation of this Bare knuckle, it is that it allows me passing from typical Twang of the tele to marrowy and with the depth of Humbucker: I have finally the guitar of which I dreamed 20 years ago!
Blow, this BrownSugar also allowed me to rediscover this old Fender 's Humbucker: during years I thought that this microphone was reserved for heavy sounds, very fatty, very dark... I had one moment to think of replacing it with P90 or even straightforwardly to return to a original neck single coil. Now, it is as if I had TWO new pickups: much more open, more versatile, and perfectly balanced.
As it is not possible to test pickups before buying them, I do not know if I would have had a comparable result with another model or another manufacturer. But one thing is sure: this Bare Knuckle offers a second life to my Telecaster which now goes with serenity to her 30th anniversary.
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Fanatastic.........makes all the hard work worth it!
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Excellent. Welcome to the forum. Perhaps you will be able to post some clips.
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Interesting stuff! Makes me want to get a Tele' with BS pups!
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Fanatastic.........makes all the hard work worth it!
Nice to meet you Tim! You've made a really good work with this pup: sometimes I'm listening myself playing with the sound of Keith Richards ;-))
French speaking peoples can find "la version française de mon avis" ici:
http://fr.audiofanzine.com/produits/avis/index,idproduit,71639.html
I don't have too much confidences with user's reviews because half of people mostly write an advice to try to convinced themselves that they've made the right choice. Obviously, personal taste and personal way of thinking is a another issue. But I think I'm nearly objective when I say: with the original Fender pickup I got the bone, but with the BKP I get the bone AND the flesh!
Now, I need advices because I plane to restore this guitar: I've got it in 1987 from a friend who bought it new 6 months before. Unfortunally, he decided to repaint it ...himself (can you believe that ?) before selling. The result is obviously very very poor: the coat of paint is so fine that you can see the wood in some places. I always thought finish of the body is not important. But a luthier (guitar maker) told me that varnishes sleep plays a great role in the tonality of the sound. I'm sceptical. What's your opinions ? I'd like to have this body properlly repaint but I prefer to put my money in quality of sound and playability.
I also need to change the pots and the switch: advices are welcome !
Thanks, you all, for your kind reception on this forum and I apologize for my level 8 english ;-)
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:D Glad you liked the BS, i`m tempted to get a tele next...
Welcome to the forum :D
Oh & don`t apologiuse for your English... It`s better than our French !! :P
:D 8)
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Oh & don`t apologiuse for your English... It`s better than our French !! :P
non....eez not! :D :wink:
Glad you like the pickups, I think that when a tele sounds great it's possibly the nicest guitar tone out there. I also think you are completely right when you say that most people writing a review write it to convince themselves that they've made the right choice.
Bonjour!
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I'm in love with Teles too!
What's the best way to get one up to 1,000 quid?
Was looking at a guy close to my place (Brussels) www.haarguitars.nl who does custom order. But was wondering whether his Tele will give me the early Page I'm aspiring to.
Any Tele recommendations out there?
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What type of finish do you want to use?
It usually doesn't make a lot of difference unless you have a very thick finish that changes the resonance slightly (many people may disagree, but this is only my personal experience), but the preparation is critical, especially for transparent or sunburst type finishes where you can see the wood.
Mike (also in "la belle France" - salut!)
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Hi Mike (ou Michel ?)
I'm looking for a very simple mono colored finish: no sunburst , natural or whatever "artistical". Are you a luthier ?
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Sorry I'm not a luthier, but I've done a lot of work myself as most luthiers are very, very slow, even if they are good!!!
Where are you based in France?
Michael
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Michael: would you like to share your experience with me ?
Maybe we can chat about it through PM (et en français :-) ) ?
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For me I'd like to have a copy (more or less) of my Axis neck, as it's just perfect, also because it's waxed rather than laquered.
Body-wise I could imagine a simple transparent blonde, maybe sth like the new Gibson finishes (worn blonde?).
I assume swamp ash body, birdseye maple neck and vintage (brass) hardware would bring me close to a great cigar and still give me something unique and good looking.
What do you think?
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I'm in love with Teles too!
What's the best way to get one up to 1,000 quid?
Was looking at a guy close to my place (Brussels) www.haarguitars.nl who does custom order. But was wondering whether his Tele will give me the early Page I'm aspiring to.
Any Tele recommendations out there?
I'm really happy with Warmoth, I'm actually in the process of sorting out a second order so I can rebuild my tele around a thinline body and try a soapbar in the neck. That local luthier sounds like a good bet though if he can get you what you want, you could hunt around on harmony central for reviews prehaps?