It was not obvious to change pickup ! And in particular because that consisted in replacing the original pickup of a US Telecaster 1978 which functioned rather well. I believe that I would never have tried it if I had not had a problem of balance between my 2 pickups. A few years ago, I had exchanged my original neck single coil against an old Humbucker Fender which came from Tele Custom. During years I adored the sound of each pickup but it was impossible to find an adjustment of amplifier which is appropriate for the 2 at the same time: either it was the humbucker which was too dark or it was the bridge one which was too "yelling". I then understood why there are 4 pots volume and tonality on a tele custom...
I chose BrownSugar because of his name... (how not to make differently?) and I had chance!
That solved not only my problem of balance, but moreover, that made me discover a wonderfull pickup , definitely more interesting than the original Fender: richer, more flexible, softer, more subtle, more powerfull... in a word: with more musicality !
Indeed, and as the name suggests it, this BrownSugar gives best itself in crunchy sounds. Compared to the original pickup, the sound is more corrosive, hotter and with the good amount of brightness. However, I also gained in quality on the clear sounds: arpeges parts sound better thanks to a better definition on the level of the notes.
My great appreciation of this Bare knuckle, it is that it allows me passing from typical Twang of the tele to marrowy and with the depth of Humbucker: I have finally the guitar of which I dreamed 20 years ago!
Blow, this BrownSugar also allowed me to rediscover this old Fender 's Humbucker: during years I thought that this microphone was reserved for heavy sounds, very fatty, very dark... I had one moment to think of replacing it with P90 or even straightforwardly to return to a original neck single coil. Now, it is as if I had TWO new pickups: much more open, more versatile, and perfectly balanced.
As it is not possible to test pickups before buying them, I do not know if I would have had a comparable result with another model or another manufacturer. But one thing is sure: this Bare Knuckle offers a second life to my Telecaster which now goes with serenity to her 30th anniversary.
