The Sultan's opinions...

[Pierre67]

Hi !!!
I have a Classic Players '50 strat with no pickups (got a very good deal for the body, neck and trem 8)).
A friend has a THE SULTAN'S set for sale and I would like to have some more opinions on these pickups...I have read  good stuff about The Apaches but I can't get enough info for sultan's pups...Im looking for '50s sparkling clean sounds, maybe some overdriven sounds, classic rockabilly...well, you know...
Please?

Thank you !!!
Pierre

[gwEm]

i got a set based on a recommendation from AndyR, and wanting something different from Apaches. They handle drive well, and can certainly deliver the rock goods when required. Cleans are very Knopfler, if thats your thing, and it happens to be mine.

[Telerocker]

To me Apaches look the answer to this question. Sparkling strattones wit a deep bottom end. The Sultans are alnico-II, have a softer response and scooped midrange, where the Apaches have extra meat in the mids. All The BKP's should handle drive well. It's just the kind of tone your after. In this case I would favour Apaches, but the Sultans are by no means less good, just different.

Just my 2 cents.

[Pierre67]

thank you for your answers !!!
The thing is that I have a chance to get the sultan's at a very good price, as it a friend of mine who is selling them...otherwise I have to order the Apaches at a regular price...I mean, is a matter of take it or leave it...Maybe I can get a good price for a Mothers Milk set too...
I dig Knopfler...but the sounds I'm relly looking for are those of JC Wilsey (ex Crhis Issak guitarrist)...you know, Wicked Game kind of...

[gwEm]

I think Sultans are a really cool set, wound as they are with 42 gauge wire. I like they way the load up with some drive.

Nevertheless that Chris Issak tune will indeed come off better with Apaches. Its all a question of textures though, with the right amp you could well be ok.

[Telerocker]

thank you for your answers !!!
The thing is that I have a chance to get the sultan's at a very good price, as it a friend of mine who is selling them...otherwise I have to order the Apaches at a regular price...I mean, is a matter of take it or leave it...Maybe I can get a good price for a Mothers Milk set too...
I dig Knopfler...but the sounds I'm relly looking for are those of JC Wilsey (ex Crhis Issak guitarrist)...you know, Wicked Game kind of...

Just buy them then, you wont't regret it. They're stellar for Knopfler/Wilsey-tones.

[gordiji]

if you can get them cheap and your guitar is without pups, then it's a no brainer. go for it.

[roland_rat]

I have quite a few Bare knuckle Strat pickups.  I have not found a bad one.  For me the sultans and mothers milk are my favourite.  The sultans are in a Maple neck ash body 50th aniversary strat.  Clean the pickup sound great. Has GwEm said they do sound very Knopfler.  The overdriven tones really surprised me at first on this pickup.  They overdrives really nicely.  I was surprised just how beefy the guitar sounded when overdriven compared to the stock pickups.

If you can get them at a good price I would jump at the oppertunity. They are great!

[Pierre67]

well...they are not that cheap after all...The guy is asking 200 euros and ordering from a local dealer is only 30 euros more, so, after reading all your coments I guess I will go for the Apaches...

[Telerocker]

That's a small gap between used and new. I think you'll love the Apaches.