Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: one on February 08, 2017, 08:33:01 AM

Title: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig (update: installation done + pics)
Post by: one on February 08, 2017, 08:33:01 AM
I hope I didn't make a bad choice but I just found out they aesthetically aren't the same, the Cpig comes with two lines of magnet poles, I think it will suit my guitar though as I ordered it with a chrome cover a black poles

(https://i.imgtc.com/DK4Wz2o.jpg)
(https://i.imgtc.com/1qwyzxO.jpg)
(https://i.imgtc.com/7TEwi1B.jpg)
(https://i.imgtc.com/0qmRETo.jpg)
(https://i.imgtc.com/a0NbPz3.jpg)

As it will go on this floyded guitar, I think I'll try to swap it without removing strings, can I do it properly without damaging the guitar top and not necessarily unlocking the nut, right?
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: djpatb on February 08, 2017, 12:00:32 PM
That's gonna be tough getting the old PU out and the new PU in without scratching everything up.
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: Dave Sloven on February 08, 2017, 12:03:39 PM
Sorry man, you're going to have to take the strings off, otherwise you will most likely scratch the surface of the guitar and the pickups.  And you probably won't manage to get it in anyway and besides you are going to have to back off the strings so much anyway that your set up is bound to be screwed.

One thing you could TRY is cutting off all of the strings except the highest and lowest strings, and seeing if that allows you to get the pickup in and out without losing too much of the setup.

Worse comes to worst just take the thing to a tech for a new set up afterwards, better than destroying the finish.
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: PK on February 08, 2017, 01:46:50 PM
It's best to take the strings off.
Just take a 9V battery, wrap a cloth around it a couple of times and place it under the floyd, this should hold it in place.
If you want to save the strings, you could try this and then loosen the nut and unwind the strings a bit (this is why I put the strings in the wrong way around in a floyd guitar, ball end goes through the tuner) you might have enough slack so you can take the strings out of the bridge, and later you can try to put the strings back into the bridge.
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: Slartibartfarst42 on February 08, 2017, 04:21:17 PM
For the sake of a set of strings, I'd always put new ones on. I just fitted new pickups to my Strat and I'd only fitted a set of new Elixir strings a couple of months ago (nothing for Elixirs) but I still put another brand new set on and did a new set up. I'll grant you that setting up a guitar with a Floyd is a bit more of a pain but it's a very useful skill to have. I only ever take mine to a tech now if I need something like a fret dress done but restringing, setting the action, setting the bridge and adjusting the neck relief are all within my own abilities now and I'm happier as a guitarist having that knowledge.
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: Yellowjacket on February 08, 2017, 06:55:55 PM
If you don't change the string guage, it shouldn't mess with your setup. 
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: one on February 09, 2017, 08:24:29 AM
Huge noob question coming:

How do I know what side of the pickup goes installed where?

Sorry in advance if stupid.
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: Lord Blakers on February 09, 2017, 09:54:51 AM
Not a stupid question. The bridge pickup should be orientated so that the cable is at the bottom of the pickup - nearest the hole to the control cavity. Other way around for the neck.

It'll work either way, but might sound a bit different upside down. Depends on how the pickup is wound.
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: Slartibartfarst42 on February 09, 2017, 10:54:00 AM
You'll notice that on yours, the screw polepieces face away from the middle so they're either towards the bridge or towards the neck. If you look at various pictures of guitars you'll see that this is usually always the case unless you're Peter Green or Gary Moore. It only then becomes more problematic if, like me, you always have double rows of screws, in which case Lord Blakers is correct that the wires are always at one end of the pickup and it will be the bottom end because that's generally where the routing is for the wires.
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: pac90 on February 09, 2017, 12:10:01 PM
Stunning guitar by the way, love that wood
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: Dave Sloven on February 09, 2017, 01:48:29 PM
The neck pickup kind of looks upside down.  So, for example, if you have an SG with the pickups mounted into the pickguard and you remove the pickguard upside down and hold it with the neck pickup at the top you will notice that the writing on the bridge pickup is the right way up for you to read it whereas the neck pickup looks upside down.

I hope this helps you make sense of the orientation.
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: one on February 11, 2017, 07:46:50 PM
Thanks a lot, mates, I think I understand all your answers. I know it's different depending on the side you install it. I have a CrunchLab I love turned opposite because it is loaded in a mahogany axe.

I didn't realize at first it has a double pole row, so it will slightly unmatch my original guitar aesthetics, but I think not so much:

(https://i.imgtc.com/TEEOV6r.jpg)

But anyway I have a bad feeling about it. First of all, though some other people told me not to worry and don't even remove the strings, I'm going to do what you suggest, no strings in the way. However, I am very reluctant to leave my bandmate (or almost anyone) touch my guitar. It cost a lot, I am a bit a maniacal of cleanliness and order and I treasure it like my baby, you probably know what I mean :) buuut my soldering skills are totally nonexistent and he is a electronics wizard (though very clumsy and dirty), he fixes TVs and whatnot.

In short, I think it is going to be a pain and after all I'm afraid I won't like the Cpig either and probably have to change it back. We'll see. Maybe I take a pic of the reverse later to show you and make sure I understood the way you told me I should install it.

I was playing yesterday with it (Cbomb yet) and I almost like it in my Blackstar, darker amp, but it makes me cringe in my 5153, I hope the Cpig helps here.

Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: Yellowjacket on February 13, 2017, 03:57:54 AM
Since you have the pickup you might as well try it at least.
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: one on February 13, 2017, 09:19:16 AM
(https://i.imgtc.com/mDHx5kv.jpg)

So should the part where the cable comes out point towards the bridge when I install it tomorrow?
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: djpatb on February 13, 2017, 10:58:53 AM
Yes, down and to the right.
Directly towards the control cavity.
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: Dave Sloven on February 13, 2017, 02:53:38 PM
That's strange, the writing on the pickup faces right-side-up on mine for the bridge, upside-down for the neck.  Also note that my Warpigs have two holes in the baseplates (unused hole marked red), and the wire comes out of a different hole depending on whether it is the neck or the bridge.  I am not sure that your seven string ones work the same way, as they only have one hole on each. It might be the case that it comes out the same place on each, with the bridge wire routed across and down (this can work because you don't need as long a wire for bridge pickups, and yet the wires are the same length on all the pickups).

(http://i.imgur.com/6fXhJR6.jpg)

I would check with BKP.

Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: one on February 13, 2017, 04:17:11 PM
That's strange, the writing on the pickup faces right-side-up on mine for the bridge, upside-down for the neck.  Also note that my Warpigs have two holes in the baseplates (unused hole marked red), and the wire comes out of a different hole depending on whether it is the neck or the bridge.  I am not sure that your seven string ones work the same way, as they only have one hole on each. It might be the case that it comes out the same place on each, with the bridge wire routed across and down (this can work because you don't need as long a wire for bridge pickups, and yet the wires are the same length on all the pickups).

(http://i.imgur.com/6fXhJR6.jpg)

I would check with BKP.

Thanks a lot, mate, I'll do. Would it have anything to do that my pickup is chrome covered or prepared to be splitted?
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: Dave Sloven on February 14, 2017, 06:33:37 AM
I have no idea.  I think it's just a different baseplate design.  I would be surprised though if they intend for the bridge pickup to be installed with the text upside down.
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: one on February 14, 2017, 07:58:49 AM
The BKP guys didn't answer about the difference between yours and my design, but they confirmed that:

"On the bridge pickup the hook-up wire should be on the bridge side when installed, on the neck pickup the hook-up wire should be on the neck side when installed"

Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: Dave Sloven on February 14, 2017, 08:26:13 AM
Maybe then my neck pickup is really upside down? Sounds okay
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: one on February 14, 2017, 01:13:42 PM
Maybe then my neck pickup is really upside down? Sounds okay

I ask them again showing your pic and the said its upside down, mate, but I guess if it sounds good to you, it should be ok.
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig
Post by: Dave Sloven on February 14, 2017, 08:11:54 PM
It sounds fine. Next time I have the bridge and pickguard off I will flip it and see if it sounds different
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig (update: installation done + pics)
Post by: one on February 15, 2017, 12:24:14 AM
Great, AO. By the way, I just updated the first post with a few new pics of the results
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig (update: installation done + pics)
Post by: Yellowjacket on February 15, 2017, 04:49:12 AM
How does it SOUND!?  It looks like it needs a juggernaut neck to complete the new look and sound!   :evil:
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig (update: installation done + pics)
Post by: one on February 15, 2017, 08:30:57 AM
^Sadly I hadn't had the chance to try it yet, don't know if I'll be able to do it before next rehearsal session next Saturday :( Anyway, I like the way it looks. I have a couple of Juggs in my other guitar and though I love them, I like the Cold Sweat in this one too a lot :)

Well I hope it's not to boomy, I'll try to plug it later even if it is just for 5 min.
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig (update: installation done + pics)
Post by: one on February 15, 2017, 06:20:50 PM
Not good at describing the tone, but there was something I didn't like in my Cbomb, so I finally decided to throw a Cpig in and I think I made a good decision. Even considering it's a mahogany guitar, I think my ear piercing 5153 compensate for it. I was afraid it wasn't a good match for my Csweat neck but I think they pair greatly.

I had barely 10 min. to try and probably won't be able again until next rehearsal the following Saturday, but I think it solved a couple of things I didn't like in my former Cbomb. The palm mutes seems more focused and tight, with the Cbomb I felt they were loose and a bit boomy. The solos are much better with the Cpig though I'll try to use the neck pickup, they sound a bit more in your face than with the Cbomb, which I found shrill and too treblish. The cleans I like them more too.

But anyway, I thought it was going to be a festival of darkness. It sounds deep, but not so much, maybe the amp helping here. Even the CS sounds darker, probably I mix dark and round, as I said before, very bad describing sounds, especially in a foreign language :) maybe it's the alnico neck what I find rounder in comparison to the ceramic bridge.

I find the Cpig extremely aggresive, that's right, even more than the Cbomb, and was wondering if I should lower the poles or they are right a bit up as it came from bareknuckle in comparison with my CS neck.

What do you think of my impression, guys?
Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig (update: installation done + pics)
Post by: Yellowjacket on February 15, 2017, 06:33:44 PM
I get it.  That sounds really awesome!!  The C-Pig seems to have some some of the characteristics that I love about the Juggernaut. 

RE: Pole pieces.  Pole pieces higher will give more treble and articulation while putting them down and raising the pickup gives more compression and fattens the tone. 


Title: Re: Tired of my Cbomb I ordered a Cpig (update: installation done + pics)
Post by: Dave Sloven on February 16, 2017, 12:16:48 AM
I have an A-Pig with the hex bolts and I keep the pole pieces set fairly low, although the back row of each pickup is set slightly higher than the front to compensate for the pickup/neck angle.

(http://i.imgur.com/VJRXOgy.jpg)