Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Pickups => Topic started by: Every_Mn on July 30, 2007, 12:28:10 PM

Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: Every_Mn on July 30, 2007, 12:28:10 PM
Hi all, new guy with an SG Classic here.

Been contemplating upgrading the pickups in my SG Classic for a while now. It sounds okay as it is but there's room for improvement, I'm sure. I'm a BIG fan of Townshend and his sound, especially the 'Tommy-era' sound ('68-'70) like you're probably familiar with from Woodstock and Live at Leeds.

So I'm thinking, I know I want to swap the pickups eventually but with Who? I'm pretty familiar with all the different P-90 makers, Fralin and Lollar and of course Bare Knuckle Pickups, which I always come back to.  Uh, this is dragging on a bit... so I'll just get to my rig:

- '06 SG Classic (stock) strung with D'Addario 11s
- Fender Blues Jr for amplification

That's really it. I have an old DS-1 somewhere but I don't like it anyway. So what do  you guys think will best get me to the Live at Leeds kinda sound? BKP-90s? 91s? 92s? Or another brand entirely? Any other recommendations?

Oh yeah, here's my SG. Towser's the name.

Click here, lol (http://s160.photobucket.com/albums/t198/Every_Mn_photos/Guitar%20stuff/?action=view&current=IMG_0892-1.jpg)


I also have an '04 MIM Strat (black, rosewood neck) and a Bigsby-equipped 05 Ibanez Artcore (red), if it means anything...
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: Twinfan on July 30, 2007, 01:00:28 PM
Nice gee- tar  ;)

I've voted for the regular P-90 set.  I have some in a LP Special double cut (close enough to an SG) and they rock a fat one.  Clear, thick and articulate.

Get an unpotted set and you'll be in tone heaven  :D
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: Every_Mn on July 30, 2007, 01:05:07 PM
Quote from: Twinfan
Nice gee- tar  ;)

I've voted for the regular P-90 set.  I have some in a LP Special double cut (close enough to an SG) and they rock a fat one.  Clear, thick and articulate.

Get an unpotted set and you'll be in tone heaven  :D

Thanks.

So not having them potted will allow for some microphonic feedback, right? I don't gig so I wouldn't see that as something to get concerned over much. How 'bout you?
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: Twinfan on July 30, 2007, 01:24:02 PM
I don't gig that particular guitar. but even with high-ish gain it's not a problem.  The extra sparkle from unpotted pickups works for me, espcially in a P-90 that's traditionally very bass heavy.  Plus they don't have metal covers and are less prone to feedback issues.
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: Every_Mn on July 30, 2007, 01:27:05 PM
Quote from: Twinfan
I don't gig that particular guitar. but even with high-ish gain it's not a problem.  The extra sparkle from unpotted pickups works for me, espcially in a P-90 that's traditionally very bass heavy.  Plus they don't have metal covers and are less prone to feedback issues.

What do you think about pairing one of those in the neck with a 91 or 92 in the bridge position?
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: hunter on July 30, 2007, 01:39:08 PM
I have a 91/92 set which have a bit more mids (more like a trebly humbucker) which I like, but I think for the "Townshend Saw/Windmill" kinda thing you should go for a less output, more open sound.
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: Every_Mn on July 30, 2007, 01:45:21 PM
Quote from: hunter
but I think for the "Townshend Saw/Windmill" kinda thing you should go for a less output, more open sound.

I'd like to get a Fuzz Face or something to compliment the rest of my set-up... I know the Univox is a big part of his sound from that era, but I haven't seen one on eBay at less than 300 bucks.
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: Twinfan on July 30, 2007, 01:46:25 PM
A P-90 neck and P-91 bridge might be a nice combo, but the as Hunter says you're straying away from the Live at Leeds tone then...
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: hunter on July 30, 2007, 02:05:50 PM
Exactly what I wanted to say, but forgot to say: 90s it should be.

Hotter ones might smoothen out things too much.
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: Philly Q on July 30, 2007, 02:18:29 PM
I'm interested in the opinions here, because I have a PT signature SG which will probably be BKP'd eventually.  Not really going for a Townshend sound but I'd like to stick with P-90-types.

I don't know what the specs of the stock Gibson P-90s are, but I find the neck and bridge pickups sound too similar because they're very close together.  I was thinking BKP-90 neck and BKP-91 bridge, perhaps.

Slight hijack: which would be best for a Leslie West tone, d'you think?
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: Twinfan on July 30, 2007, 02:38:28 PM
Leslie West = a Mississippi Queen  ;)

Seriously though, in P-90 form you'll want a P-91 I'd guess.  On the phone to Tim when I was discussing unpotted P-90s he said that the MQ is somewhere between a P-90 and a P-91.
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: Philly Q on July 30, 2007, 03:05:25 PM
Thanks Dave, that was what I was guessing (tentatively).

So it's a 90/91 set for me then.  After I get the Emerald/Mule set for my V, Crawlers for my LP, Warpig for my SG-X....
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: Every_Mn on July 31, 2007, 02:36:23 AM
So far the consensus for me is a BKP-90 set, then?
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: hunter on July 31, 2007, 04:45:39 AM
Quote from: Every_Mn
So far the consensus for me is a BKP-90 set, then?


We agree, you have our blessing to go ahead and order them  :D
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: Every_Mn on July 31, 2007, 09:33:03 AM
Quote from: hunter
Quote from: Every_Mn
So far the consensus for me is a BKP-90 set, then?


We agree, you have our blessing to go ahead and order them  :D

Now I just need some money. It's surprisingly hard for a 16 year-old to find a job in So Cal. I've looked but I guess I didn't get out fast enough because they're all taken or too out-of-the-way.

I notice the BKP site sells them and lists them with GBP, anyone know a good US distributor for them? Specifically in the Southwest?
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: lifted on August 01, 2007, 05:58:52 AM
www.musictoyz.com is pretty good  don't know if they have all the bk models, though.  you can subtract the value added tax which is 17% off for us americans, so you'll only come out a little cheaper buying from musictoyz   if you buy straight from tim  you can get him to wind it special :lol:
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: EveryMn on August 02, 2007, 11:30:20 AM
I don't think there'd be a need for any custom wound anything...
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: Every_Mn on August 02, 2007, 04:40:56 PM
People who voted 'mix', could you please explain your choice further?
Title: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
Post by: Every_Mn on August 05, 2007, 06:54:40 AM
So that's it, then, the BKP-90s?