Author Topic: Which BKP is closest to the old Gibson Dirty Fingers? (Read 4568 times)

Prawnik · « **on:** November 06, 2007, 02:53:27 PM »

Just for curiosity's sake...

I love the way they sound in my old 335 - like a hydrogen bomb going dirty, but surprisingly warm and woody when played clean.

So what BKP would be closest, just to orientate myself with the BKPs humbucking offerings?

Philly Q · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2007, 03:10:24 PM »

Cold Sweat, I believe.

Prawnik · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2007, 03:16:23 PM »

Must investigate this.

Soon as I get back in the states I will take my old Les Paul Custom and maybe do some pickup experiments on it. It has a Fralin in the bridge and an Epiphone humbucker made ca. 1960 in the neck.

Problem is, I can't decide if I want a sweet Mike Bloomfield tone or something that snarls more.

Her name is "Anita".

Prawnik · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2007, 03:30:32 PM »

One more thing - how are the Cold Sweat cleans? That Les Paul has played everything from arrangements of opera tunes to jazz, so I wants something other than a one-trick pony.

At least in the neck position.

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2007, 04:31:08 PM »

Quote from: Philly Q

Cold Sweat, I believe.

While this is probably true, the design of the Cold Sweat is very different from the Dirty Fingers, and Tim has gone on record to say that the Cold Sweat is more an homage to that type of tone rather than being a replica of the DF.

For example -- The Stormy Monday is much more of an exact PAF replica than the Cold Sweat is of the Dirty Fingers.

The Cold Sweat is more of an homage ..

As for playing clean, the Cold Sweat will do it, but it depends on how sensitive the input on your amp is, as well as whether you have a volume control on your guitar. I don't PDT_008

I must admit I'm confused, however, at the OT's question:

You ask for a pickup that sounds like the Dirty Fingers and then ask if it'll play clean?!!

Sounds like you want your cake and eat it, too -- not always possible, as there will always be a compromise between drive and warmth.

Philly Q · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2007, 10:23:12 PM »

Quote from: TwilightOdyssey

Quote from: Philly Q
Cold Sweat, I believe.

While this is probably true, the design of the Cold Sweat is very different from the Dirty Fingers, and Tim has gone on record to say that the Cold Sweat is more an homage to that type of tone rather than being a replica of the DF.

Yup, I didn't mean to imply it was any kind of clone - just that's it's the nearest to the DF ballpark, ceramic magnet an' all that.

Will · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2007, 10:32:01 PM »

This DF/CS thing has got quite confusing for me recently. Just about mastered it.

But I would like to say that my DF's are quite responsive to volume knob and can get an alright clean. Not as good as the Holydiver cleans up with the volume though

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #7 on:** November 06, 2007, 11:06:34 PM »

Quote from: Will

This DF/CS thing has got quite confusing for me recently. Just about mastered it.

But I would like to say that my DF's are quite responsive to volume knob and can get an alright clean. Not as good as the Holydiver cleans up with the volume though

Holy Diver = Alnico V, however. See my post above re: getting a clean tone from the Cold Sweat. PDT_008

Will · « **Reply #8 on:** November 06, 2007, 11:25:11 PM »

Sorry there, thought you were complaining about the DF cleans after first read :? . Methinks I have a migraine on the way :( - thinking isn't too productive

The thing which is slowing me from upgrading my DF's would be the CS neck, although it is favourable around the forum, its based on Sykes's PAF type neck pickup, and I really do enjoy the DF neck :!:
Its a 1981 pickup, so to solely buy the bridge, and try and get even discolouration on the zebra pickups would look fake IMO

I hope I haven't got something else wrong after my education on CS / DF comparison

ilÿti · « **Reply #9 on:** November 06, 2007, 11:30:23 PM »

Maybe a CS bridge / Painkiller neck will float your boat then?

ericsabbath · « **Reply #10 on:** November 07, 2007, 03:38:22 AM »

how close the dirty fingers sounds to the 500t?
the painkiller sounds VERY close to the 500t, but a lot cleaner
but i never played the cold sweat bridge

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #11 on:** November 07, 2007, 01:44:16 PM »

Quote from: Eric Hellstyle

how close the dirty fingers sounds to the 500t?

Nothing alike.

Prawnik · « **Reply #12 on:** November 07, 2007, 03:23:55 PM »

Actually, my 335 with DFs does a nice warm woody clean. To some extent, warm and woody are the result the semi-hollow 335 design, but the sound is still clean enough for jazz.