Pickups for my EC1000

[Chezdon]

Hi guys,

I've been recommended BKP pickups and heard about them for a while now. At first I wasn't so sure because of the price, but I'm willing to take a shot.

I've got an ESP LTD EC1000 with EMG 81/60 in it. It sounds too sterile for me, and lacks the character of passives.

I'm going to get the pickups changed to passives, but I'm not sure which BKP's to go for. There's so many to chose from.

I play 80's metal that's pretty much it. I thought it would be Zakk Wylde sounding but it isn't. His solos scream and I want a similar sound.

I play through a DSL50 with a TS9 and a MXR10 band.

I've been recommended a Miracle Man set elsewhere but wanted your opinions.

Thanks for your help.

[Frank666]

I would say either MMs or cold sweats, they work amazingly well in my LP

[Chezdon]

When you say MM's, do you mean get one for the neck too? I read that MMs are good for the bridge - will it work in the neck too? Thanks, I'll check out CSs too.

[juansolo]

The EC1000 is quite a bit thinner than a LP (the Viper has more in common with an LP construction-wise and the EC more like an SG IMO). I would second the MM suggestion though. Maybe a Cold Sweat neck, just because I bloody love it.

[MDV]

Miracle men for teh zakk wylde.

[Chezdon]

They won't sound sterile like my EMGs though will they?

It's just I know Zakk uses EMGs... but mine don't sound like his lol.

[juansolo]

I've yet to hear any BKP that sounds sterile.

[MDV]

"sterile Bare Knuckle" makes as much sense as "A square circle".

[Chezdon]

Ok I think I'm just going to go with the MM/CS combo. Won't know what it sounds like until I try.

I really have no idea about the whole 1/4 1/2 leg thing or the conductor (4 or braided 2)? I've read the help guide but I really didn't understand it!!

Help appreciated :D

[MDV]

The leg length is how far the screw poles extend out of the back of the pickup. I dont know which is right for your guitar, I've never worked on one. Someone should know round here. 4 conductor means the two single coils that the humbucker is made from each have their own pair of outputs that need to be connected to make a series humbucker. They come connected for series as default. If you get that, which theres no reason not to, then you can parallel, split or out-of-phase the pickup at will. 2 conductor youre stuck with series (normal full humbucking).

[Antag]

When you say MM's, do you mean get one for the neck too? I read that MMs are good for the bridge - will it work in the neck too? Thanks, I'll check out CSs too.

Just to clarify, Bare Knuckle neck pickups are dedicated models wound specifically for the neck position, so the Miracle Man neck isn't just the bridge model turned around - it's a completely different pickup.  In other words, if you buy a Miracle Man claibrated set, you get a bridge & a neck model.

The MM neck is smooth, powerful & very clear, compliments the bridge model very well & is great for neck soloing.

Miracle Man bridge/Cold Sweat neck is a very popular combination.  The CS neck is slightly less powerful than the MM, better clean sound but still usable for lead work.

[Chezdon]

When you say MM's, do you mean get one for the neck too? I read that MMs are good for the bridge - will it work in the neck too? Thanks, I'll check out CSs too.

Just to clarify, Bare Knuckle neck pickups are dedicated models wound specifically for the neck position, so the Miracle Man neck isn't just the bridge model turned around - it's a completely different pickup.  In other words, if you buy a Miracle Man claibrated set, you get a bridge & a neck model.

The MM neck is smooth, powerful & very clear, compliments the bridge model very well & is great for neck soloing.

Miracle Man bridge/Cold Sweat neck is a very popular combination.  The CS neck is slightly less powerful than the MM, better clean sound but still usable for lead work.

Well I'm more after a Slash sort of sound for the neck pup. A November Rain type sound. I find the EMG60 at the moment too harsh for that sort of thing. This is why I was leaning towards the CS as it has less output.

Thanks for the help - not sure I understand the whole leg/conductor thing still but I'll have a look at my guitar tonight and read up more. Cheers.

[Antag]

If in doubt, get the short leg - that'll fit just about every guitar.  Even if the pickup sits very proud of the mounting ring, you can just cut down the spring a bit.

& get 4-conductor wiring.  You don't have to make use of the coil-splitting etc options that it offers, but it's a nice option to have.

[Antag]

The leg length is how far the screw poles extend out of the back of the pickup.

Um, you sure about that? :)

The leg length is the length of the mounting brackets ("legs") that the height adjustment screw goes into.

Long ones are the traditional Gibson spec, but many guitars have a much shallower rout that Gibson, so need a shorter leg.

[MDV]

The leg length is how far the screw poles extend out of the back of the pickup.

Um, you sure about that? :)

The leg length is the length of the mounting brackets ("legs") that the height adjustment screw goes into.

Long ones are the traditional Gibson spec, but many guitars have a much shallower rout that Gibson, so need a shorter leg.

Youre right of course. Need more coffee, do apologise.

The screws are, however, variable in length for much the same reasons (it is worth checking this too - I'e had guitars where the pickup didnt fit because the screws were too long for the cavity)