As recommended by Tim...I told him I had a USA dean ml Spalt top, with ebony fretboard, and that I was playing all instrumental music, and needed something with uncommon articulation, something percussive to my right hand, something that would allow harmonic complexity on every note, something that would finally allow ME as a player to be me as a player the way I want...something with a GREAT FULL midrange to help cut through...he asked for artist I was into, and I named 5.
Andy Timmons
Paul Gilbert
Joe Satriani
Guthrie Govan
John Petrucci
All instrumental, so I also needed some push up front, and something focused... Im doing rippin blues, ballad-ish Instrumentals, hard rock lickage, and everything on all sides, inbetween and around...
He recommended me the painkillers...
Oh my GOD!!! It is not only the most articulate thing Ive ever played, and got more complexity, harmonic content, and sheer beauty than any thing Ive ever played...for my style of music (which is everything except death metal and bluegrass...which is fun to play) this pickup is THE BEST! Ive been through 3 new dean usa pickups, a few dimarzios (air norton, norton, paf pro, tonezone, super distortions, duncan jd, 59, and full shred) Ive been through Rebel yell and Miracle man (both badass, the only other pickup I actually kept) and Ive been through EMG's...None have the soul, life, focused-ness, character, or straight form of expression that this pickup has...It upper mid focus is phenominal...Its got a good treble content (which I HATE TREBLE!!!) but it so smooth and full, and by far the best bass tightness Ive ever played. 2 times in my life have I been able to find the right pickups for my guitars...both have been bareknuckles.
To anyone who is curious of this pickup, please ask away, as I can assure you, I personally have never been more satisfied...
NOW...I will admit...the first few hours the pickup seemed so much thinner than what I had, and maybe even weaker...But after rockin' it properly, I realized...it was more focused, and articulate, not thinner or weaker...in fact I found it a bit louder...It is so cleaner, it INITIALLY doesnt feel as fluid as some...but after a few hours of practice I was on top of my game... and when your playing is tight and clean, this pickup shows your guitar personality like none other...If your a sloppy player, this pickup WILL make you sound bad...Not saying Im amazing, I just take my time to learn cleanly...and this helps me achieve it...THANKS BAREKNUCKLE!!!
