Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Chargrilled on January 13, 2016, 10:59:29 PM

Title: Do BKPs do a superior DiMarzio PAF-7?
Post by: Chargrilled on January 13, 2016, 10:59:29 PM
I've decided against the warpigs after managing to try some out, I'm going towards something with a lower output now.

With that in mind do BKP offer anything which would be considered an upgraded PAF-7?
Title: Re: Do BKPs do a superior DiMarzio PAF-7?
Post by: Kiichi on January 14, 2016, 01:23:36 AM
Well, it says it is inspired by late 50s HBs, so that would make me think of the king of 59 PAFs, The Mule. To be on the save side for a 7 string and have proper potential to take gain one could also consider a RR bridge with a Mule neck. That however would require a guitar that is at least balanced, if not dark. Should the guitar be on the brighter side perhaps an Abxraxxas could work, being a pumped up Mule. That would work as a set or with a Mule neck.
Title: Re: Do BKPs do a superior DiMarzio PAF-7?
Post by: ericsabbath on January 14, 2016, 10:35:52 AM
Well, it says it is inspired by late 50s HBs, so that would make me think of the king of 59 PAFs, The Mule. To be on the save side for a 7 string and have proper potential to take gain one could also consider a RR bridge with a Mule neck. That however would require a guitar that is at least balanced, if not dark. Should the guitar be on the brighter side perhaps an Abxraxxas could work, being a pumped up Mule. That would work as a set or with a Mule neck.

the paf 7 is ceramic

there's no bkp equivalent to that


i wonder if a ceramic magnet could work well in a vhii or something
Title: Re: Do BKPs do a superior DiMarzio PAF-7?
Post by: Chargrilled on January 14, 2016, 02:33:04 PM
Well, it says it is inspired by late 50s HBs, so that would make me think of the king of 59 PAFs, The Mule. To be on the save side for a 7 string and have proper potential to take gain one could also consider a RR bridge with a Mule neck. That however would require a guitar that is at least balanced, if not dark. Should the guitar be on the brighter side perhaps an Abxraxxas could work, being a pumped up Mule. That would work as a set or with a Mule neck.

the paf 7 is ceramic

there's no bkp equivalent to that


i wonder if a ceramic magnet could work well in a vhii or something

Thanks for the info there guys
Title: Re: Do BKPs do a superior DiMarzio PAF-7?
Post by: gwEm on January 14, 2016, 04:10:21 PM
I quite like DiMarzio pickups, and use a few. Neverthless, I do feel like DiMarzio uses certain magnet types to work around design issues that arise from them using cheaper materials sometimes.

I'd go for something like a Riff Raff
Title: Re: Do BKPs do a superior DiMarzio PAF-7?
Post by: Kiichi on January 15, 2016, 12:42:44 AM
Yeah, there is no direct equivalent, sure. Cause who uses a ceramic magnet for a PAF? As gwEm said it seems like a cop out on Dimarzios part. They even say that they try to emulate other magnets with it, but in a seven string context. When those magnets are used correctly to begin with though, as BKP knows how to, you can just go straight for those, and then I stand by my recommendations.

That was my thoughts process at least.
Title: Re: Do BKPs do a superior DiMarzio PAF-7?
Post by: metale on January 15, 2016, 06:33:53 AM
A few years ago I asked BKP about an equivalent to a PAF7 for an Ibanez RG7. They told me to get a Riff Raff and I did.

If you want a PAF7, get a PAF7. No harm in that.

Edit: I should elaborate more. I wanted to give that guitar a Korn vibe, you know that sludge/stoner rhythm they had? Slightly soft and all. Tuning to A standard.

The Riff Raff sounded in A like a lot of other guitars in standard: a lot of clarity, a lot of definition (a bit too much for what I wanted), a bit too bright. The attack was very pronounced. It sounded like a great BKP when all I needed was a PAF7.

I ended up selling that guitar with the pickup, but if I was doing it again with a BKP, I would go Abraxas for the increased output, softer low-end, fuller mids and rounder highs.
Title: Re: Do BKPs do a superior DiMarzio PAF-7?
Post by: Troy Baer on January 16, 2016, 03:49:31 PM
Maybe I missed it...  What guitar would these being going in?  And which position(s)?

When I approached BKP about replacement pickups for my PRS SE 7 a couple years ago and told them my tonal preferences (PAFish neck, thick but defined bridge), they suggested either an Emerald neck and Cold Sweat bridge or a Cold Sweat set.  I listened to the samples on the site and found that I preferred the Emerald bridge over the Cold Sweat.  I ended up ordering an Emerald set, and I've been very happy with them.  The Emerald bridge gets dinged some times because it's fairly bright, but IMHO that is a good thing when you're using 7-strings, baritones, or downtuned guitars -- it keeps things well defined.
Title: Re: Do BKPs do a superior DiMarzio PAF-7?
Post by: Kiichi on January 16, 2016, 08:16:27 PM
Maybe I missed it...  What guitar would these being going in?  And which position(s)?

When I approached BKP about replacement pickups for my PRS SE 7 a couple years ago and told them my tonal preferences (PAFish neck, thick but defined bridge), they suggested either an Emerald neck and Cold Sweat bridge or a Cold Sweat set.  I listened to the samples on the site and found that I preferred the Emerald bridge over the Cold Sweat.  I ended up ordering an Emerald set, and I've been very happy with them.  The Emerald bridge gets dinged some times because it's fairly bright, but IMHO that is a good thing when you're using 7-strings, baritones, or downtuned guitars -- it keeps things well defined.
The EM bridge definetly is an unsung hero for downtuned and extended range guitars. Nolly used to be really fond of it for modern metal. With a metal amp it can just deliver crazy defition, clarity, and tightness while having more character, in a way, than a lot of the more modern PUs. Definetly underrated as a modern metal pickup.

Heck, if was not playing an Orange Tiny Terror IŽd probably have some Fender scale LP type with an EM bridge and perhaps a MQ neck with it or so. For glorious rock and metal.