Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Kade Storm on April 21, 2007, 06:10:34 PM
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Hey there.
I use cr@ppy guitars. Yes, I buy low-end, entry-level, budget axes, and then modify them to my own taste. I like this method, and it's works for me. Problem comes with my particular tuning (Baritone B). EMGs go well with such a low tuning because the thin tone allows for a clear low B. Accomplishing a similar result, has always been a problem when it came to passive pickups - Duncans - DiMarzios; great tone, but low tunings usually sounded muddy.
(Sorry, I know this is getting long.)
I read that the Warpig, apparently, has the kind of high, loud screaming output that even blows the 81 out of the water. Does this mean that it could handle baritone tuning, while also providing a solid, heavy sound? Note: I plan to use this pickup on a budget guitar that's currently running on an EMG 81; I like the sound, but I'd like to switch over to passives.
So, will the Warpig accomplish the following for me:
- A killer distortion, while relying least on the natural tone of the guitar's wood.
- A high, screaming, yet heavy output capable of handling baritone tunings, and producing squealing harmonics?
Thanks.
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what guitar is it? what is it made of? what amp are you using? what kind of sound do you want? (band examples)
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From what I've heard, you probably want a ceramic Warpig
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Well, mostly a Line 6 POD XT, coupled with my friend's JCM900 head.
Thing I really need is a clear, bright, low B distortion, and sharp harmonics. If I have to use an example of a band, then Machine Head would come closest.
As for the guitar brand and wood: I pair EMGs with plywood, agathis bodies. This current example is no different - a Jackson King V (The low end model with tune-o-matic bridge). I want the pickup to carry most of the axe for me.
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I'd say miracle man.
But a word of warning: BKs do let your guitars woods through very clearly. Even the high gain ones. I've had this work to my detrement by putting a miracle man that sounded great in a custom dean and epi LP in a ply-bodied guitar, and it sounded terrible: the combo was really empty, thin and lifeless.....like plywood!
EMGs are a great choice for cheap guitars because, though they do vary quite a bit from guitar to guitar, they stubbornly keep much of the 'EMG sound'.
Switching to BK may make you realise how bad your guitars are ;)
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bareknuckles aren't meant to mask the sound of cr@ppy guitars. they're good pickups, not bad ones. sounds like you need some 20 dollar pickups.
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bareknuckles aren't meant to mask the sound of cr@ppy guitars. they're good pickups, not bad ones. sounds like you need some 20 dollar pickups.
...I don't see who's implied masking as a good or bad trait. It goes both ways, which is why an active EMG's (81, specifically) best trait also happens to be its glaring flaw.
And no, I don't need 20 dollar pickups; that defeats the whole point of attempting to get some degree of decent sound out of a generally cheaper instrument. I know this can and is accomplished through often mixing EMGs active eletronics. I guess the Bareknuckle pickups would be better suited to taking full advantage of a good instrument.
Anyway, I'd have to go with MDV. EMGs work best at imposing themselves ontop of plywood instruments, so I'll stick with that combination. I think I'll reserve a 7string warpig for one of my better guitars that's made from solid mahogany.
Now, what's the 'Ceramic Warpig'? I only get access to the standard Warpig from the website's shop.
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A ceramic Warpig will be screaming, crushing yet surgically tight. It has a saturated sound with overdrive - heavy as hell with massive amounts of compression, it won't respect the guitar's wood too much. Although it probably sounds better in high-end instruments, AFAIK it's one of the heaviest and least transparent sounding humbuckers BKP make.
EDIT: If you want a ceramic version of the Warpig, you'll have to mention that in the comments box.
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I've literally just received and fitted a Miracle Man pickup into my Ibanez RG470F. I also use baritone B tuning (but with a dropped A: A-E-A-D-F#-B).
This pickup has removed all of the mud that I was getting previously with the stock INF2 pickups (although they weren't *awful*, it must be said!), and I can thoroughly recommend it. I still need to do a bit of mucking about to get the level exactly corrent. From what I gather, the MM is lower output than the cWP - so if it's really high output you're after, you're best off getting someone who owns a ceramic pig to advise you! For the record, I play machine head styles, very dropped tuning, lots of squeals and artificial harmonics - sounds a lot how you described your own needs...
Hope this helps
Roo
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Hey, thanks for the information, dudes. I'm probably gonna' go for the ceramic warpig--6 string version--and try it out on my new project of an axe. Hey, if it turns out well, then good for me. Otherwise, I'll use it on my custom explorer. (I am sorta' confident that it will work out; the guitar sounds half-decent with the stock pups, so yeah.)
Thanks again.
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I checked the specs of your Jackson, indian cedro body, it shouldn't be that bad. It seems like a fine cheap guitar to me.
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Down at the low levels of B, the low frequencies will rip the distortion right from the amp so you don't need a load of gain from the pickup. I'd say the Miracle Man would fit you better than a Ceramic warpig if you want that really tight jump metal tone like on Mnemics first Cd...if thats what your describing.
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Before I get to the latest post, I should address the issue of wood. You see, I opened on the disparaging note, just to avoid having some smart-mouth get in my face and tell me what a 'cr@p guitar' I'm using for such a project. Honestly, I prefer these low-end Jacksons to certain mid-range Epiphone guitars. For example, the guitars with the Indian Cedro wood seem to resonate with an active tone akin to consistent alder; compare this to my so-called "Mahogany Explorer" by Epiphone, and I'd take the Jackson ANY DAY! In contrast, the wood feels solid, as does the tone. The guitar sounds just fine with the 81 in the bridge, but I actually borrowed the 81 from another axe until I got something suitable for this one. I thought I'd go passive this time, and Warpigs have a solid underground reputation - as do most Bare Knuckle products in general.
Now comes the issue of the new pickups. I'm a little divided. I've read up some more, and most of the reviews, reports, and pickup physics hint towards ceramic pickups for the kind of sound that I desire. On the other hand, I got feedback from someone using the Miracle Man pup for an even lower tuning. See, I want that tight low end, but I also want as much output as possible (for some crazy experiments). So can't I get away with the Ceramic Warpig?
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First mate, no one wouldve been abusive about your gear. This isnt harmony central ;) 'Tis a friendly place here 8)
And yes, I think the C-Pig would be ideal for you: a bit more output than an 81, extremely tight, massive bass, clear highs. If you've been on an 81 and like the tightness and the gain leve, I think thats the best option for you.
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First mate, no one wouldve been abusive about your gear. This isnt harmony central Tis a friendly place here
It might not be so friendly if someone expressed displeasure with their pickups, because alot of you act as if BKPs are the end all/be all for everyone.
Not trying to start a fight, but I had to say something.
BTW, TC, huzzah for modding cheap axes! :wink:
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Glad to get the low-down on the group mentality. I just had to cover ground, because I've had some bad experiences with other guitar communities - it's almost a phallic issue with some of the people I've come across.
But now I know where to observe silence; Bare Knuckle Nationalism is okay enough for me, and sounds fair, given the territory. I'll make sure I don't express any displeasure, although I doubt I'll have anything other than praise.
And a major hell yeah for modding cheap axes.
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Personally, I don't mind if BKP's don't really work for some people, and I'm sure most the people on these boards are the same.
Feel free to express displeasure with your pickups, or at least to be firmly critical. If you don't, you could be talking someone into buying a pickup that isn't really for them.
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agree with that muzzzz rather have someone telling the truth and why something wasn't for them
then lying and people buying on there recomendation
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Big second to the above posts.
But remember this is a BK board full of people that are here because they love the BK sounds.
Add to that the fact that visitors here are looking for BKs too (what do you expect to be discussed on the BK board?), and you basically arent going to see anything else recommended. General forums and other makers sites will give you that, if you want it.
However, I've been here a little while now and I dont recall even one post to the effect of "I got these BKs and they suck! I'm going back to duncan!". That speaks rather a lot of the results they give, dont you think?
Disclaimer: I'm a bit of a BK fanboy, or I wouldnt have 4 sets and be a forum regular, but I do very much enjoy the sound of several other pickup brands. If someone has, and politely expresses another preference, no ones going to kick up a fuss. Horses for courses, its fair enough.
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Fair enough, and poignant views.
I'll give constructive feedback on the pups. Although, I'll say once again that I highly doubt I'll have anything other than praise. You see, I've tried the Nailbomb, and really enjoyed the sound. The only decent priced pickups that I ever complained about were the SD Invader and SD Dimebucker.
I'm personally an EMG fanboi, as was one of my friends until he switched over the Bare Knuckle brand. Both of us usually aim for a similar tone, so I don't think I'll be in for disappointment.
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I had an ESP LTD series, which was that horrible agathis 'wood' stuff, and it had a vh2 in the bridge and i swear, that's the best tone i've ever had, accousticly the guitar sounded horrible but plugged in it was really quite good!
Sure you're not going to get perfect results with lesser tonewoods but, it's still an inprovement... unless its ply, i didnt know they made guitars out of ply...
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So true, so true.
Actually, I just require good electronic tone, which is a dominantly pickup thing. In my experience, the quality of wood's influence has been restricted to the resonance and girth of the eletronic sound. These factors have never been a major issue for me; where I lack tonal thickness, I dub another layer of recording.
My sentiments are exact on ply woods; evil stuff. The bad part being that you get these mahogany guitars that are all ply. My Epiphone Gothic Explorer was a major disappointment in that respect. The wood would chip and breakdown so easily, and it always sounded like mahogany dampened to hell!
With the low-end Jacksons, I get that bright alder tone, and it's solid; even the ressonance is okay because most of the guitars have a body-thru string layout, which actually makes a mild difference.
Anyway, thanks for the input. I'll be going for the Ceramic Warpig. Cheers!