Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

At The Back => Time Out => Topic started by: Twinfan on April 27, 2007, 09:41:52 AM

Title: I blame BKP...
Post by: Twinfan on April 27, 2007, 09:41:52 AM
...for making me mess about with my gear more   :?

I've been fiddling with pickup heights all week on my two SGs and my recently Mule'd Les Paul.  Trying to get the perfect balance of clarity and bite, which I think I found on the LP last night.  The Gibson SG doesn't have BKPs and that was much easier to get sounding good, strangely.  The Epi SG has been tweaked constantly for about 12 months since I Riff Raff'd it.  Overall, I've found BKPs to be very sensitive to pickup height.

I've also been playing with pickup pole pieces, getting them to follow the radius of the fingerboard and get a balance of volume across the strings.  I have a neat trick that's worked really well on all three guitars so that's now sorted.

Now I'm messing about with plectrums!  I'd not really noticed much difference between types/thickness before but now my ears are tuning in better I can really spot what I like/dislike.  I've been using Dunlop Ultex 0.73s or 1.14s until now, but I've just discovered the Dunlop Jazz III.  Oh my god - they're awesome!  Much easier to control and a more musical tone to my ears.  Less of the harsh attack that the Ultex gives.  Although the Ultex Jazz is coming out soon which might be even better again...

So basically, I don't think I've actually played much music recently   :oops:
Title: I blame BKP...
Post by: LazyNinja on April 27, 2007, 10:03:27 AM
Does polepiece height matter that much? I might try to adjust mine a bit to see if I can improve it (look what you started).

I use Jazz II (I think that's the name), it's the black ones with grippy dots and writings on them. Used them for about 2 years now. III is the thicker one isn't it I couldn't get used to it at the time but I might give a second try.

Love your new avatar! :twisted:
Title: I blame BKP...
Post by: sgmypod on April 27, 2007, 10:06:59 AM
yeah I blame them too, think I only have one guitar that isn't modded in some way or other....even been turning attention to my amp
Title: I blame BKP...
Post by: Twinfan on April 27, 2007, 10:39:06 AM
Quote from: LazyNinja
Does polepiece height matter that much?

Love your new avatar! :twisted:


Cheers dude  ;)

Polepiece height is just another part of the equation.  Every little helps.  I found it was a good improvement to have them set right.

I'm just finding I'm tweaking more and more and the tone's getting better and better.  I feel better playing because it sounds better too  :)
Title: Re: I blame BKP...
Post by: Adam.M on April 27, 2007, 11:09:25 AM
Quote from: Twinfan

Now I'm messing about with plectrums!  I'd not really noticed much difference between types/thickness before but now my ears are tuning in better I can really spot what I like/dislike.  I've been using Dunlop Ultex 0.73s or 1.14s until now, but I've just discovered the Dunlop Jazz III.  Oh my god - they're awesome!  Much easier to control and a more musical tone to my ears.  Less of the harsh attack that the Ultex gives.  Although the Ultex Jazz is coming out soon which might be even better again...


I've completely stopped using plectrums now, heh! fingers all the way...
Title: I blame BKP...
Post by: Tarzan on April 27, 2007, 03:59:24 PM
Quote from: LazyNinja
I use Jazz II (I think that's the name), it's the black ones with grippy dots and writings on them. Used them for about 2 years now. III is the thicker one isn't it I couldn't get used to it at the time but I might give a second try.:twisted:


the Jazz III has a pointier tip.

How do you adjust the pole pieces?
Title: I blame BKP...
Post by: hunter on April 27, 2007, 10:11:24 PM
Hm to me BKPs sound good at any PU height, just different flavours of a consistently great dish so to speak ...
Title: I blame BKP...
Post by: BloodMountain on April 27, 2007, 10:40:13 PM
Quote from: Tarzan
Quote from: LazyNinja
I use Jazz II (I think that's the name), it's the black ones with grippy dots and writings on them. Used them for about 2 years now. III is the thicker one isn't it I couldn't get used to it at the time but I might give a second try.:twisted:


the Jazz III has a pointier tip.

How do you adjust the pole pieces?

they have screws or allen bolts.... and you simply turn them i think....

unless your pickup has all slug pole pieces then you're screwed  :D
haha, just realised that is a weak pun  :oops:

i must try some of those jazz picks, i've heard a lot about them.
Title: I blame BKP...
Post by: Twinfan on April 27, 2007, 11:45:54 PM
The Jazz IIIs are great.  I think I prefer the red ones now - going ot pick some more up tomorrow while I'm cruising guitar shops  ;)
Title: I blame BKP...
Post by: dave_mc on April 28, 2007, 04:32:53 PM
I blame eric johnson.
Title: I blame BKP...
Post by: Muzzzz on April 29, 2007, 07:06:34 AM
Quote from: LazyNinja
Love your new avatar! :twisted:


+1... Damn, that's a nice looking couch! :wink:
Title: I blame BKP...
Post by: noodleplugerine on April 29, 2007, 10:23:07 AM
Quote from: Twinfan
The Jazz IIIs are great.  I think I prefer the red ones now - going ot pick some more up tomorrow while I'm cruising guitar shops  ;)

+2 - They're awesome, although I prefer my mini little stubbies, the tiny 2mm ones - Absolutely slay.
Title: I blame BKP...
Post by: BloodMountain on April 29, 2007, 12:50:46 PM
:o  ultex jazz 3s???????  :o

MUST HAVE!!!
Title: I blame BKP...
Post by: Muzzzz on April 30, 2007, 08:43:31 AM
Quote from: Twinfan
The Jazz IIIs are great.  I think I prefer the red ones now - going ot pick some more up tomorrow while I'm cruising guitar shops  ;)


Why, do the red ones go faster, like red cars go faster? :wink:

I like the way you think! :D