classic bkps - when tim really pulls it out the bag

[gwEm]

as we know, all of the bkp range is excellently built, and tim roadtests them with a fine ear. nevertheless i do think some of his creations are particularly exceptional. heres my bkp 'classics':

humbuckers
mule
t-top
rebel yell
miracle man

strat
the sinner

tele
blackguard flat 50

its all very much down to taste of course, but these are the ones i've been particularly amazed by. what does everyone else think!

edit: (waits for response and hopes every bkp in the range won't be named ;) )

[Ratrod]

The Mule is exceptional. It will give a Les Paul the sound it should have.

Most Tele pickups I've heard are either too dark or too bright. Sometimes a cartoon version of the Tele's sound. This happens so much many people forgot how a Tele really sounds. Enter the Blackguard 50.

Another exceptional pickup is the Warpig. Massive output, no mud, jazzy when clean and with an AV magnet instead of cermaic. Combine that with the outrageous distressed cover and a double row of allen bolts. A very different recipe than all other distortion pickups that came before it.

[gwEm]

Another exceptional pickup is the Warpig. Massive output, no mud, jazzy when clean and with an AV magnet instead of cermaic. Combine that with the outrageous distressed cover and a double row of allen bolts. A very different recipe than all other distortion pickups that came before it.

Yes, I was thinking to mention the warpig too - I agree with all the above :)

[Philly Q]

In the sense of their "go-to" status in "recommend me a pickup" threads, I'd definitely say Mules and BG50s.  Warpig too, because it's absolutely unique.

(Should say, I own none of the above!)

I think you're being a bit premature with T-Tops, since hardly anyone has them yet and they're not even in the shop or catalogue.  They may be great, but they can't be "classics", not yet!  :P

I'd personally add the Cold Sweat neck.

[MrBump]

T-Tops?

[gwEm]

T-Tops?

Tim's doing t-top replicas now, and I was blown away when I tried them. I want a set in a V - they will be my next BKP buy!

You mark my words Philly - classics!

[Twinfan]

Holydivers and Riff Raffs have been the only sets I've truly enjoyed.

The others didn't thrill me at all....

[Fourth Feline]

Another shout for the rather special Mule / Les Paul combination here.  :)

I don't know what they sound like in anything else, as ( unusually for me ) once I heard that combination, they were staying there !

The 'other' B.K.P that I just had to mention ( without gratuitously adding to the original list ) is the 'Manhattan'.

For the whole Chord melody, smooth Jazz game ; they are brilliant.  I recently got the chance to play them through a 'proper' ( i.e. wholly Genre specific ) Jazz rig, and it enabled me to hear the Manhattans fully ' revealed'.

I would however, mention - that they also deserve smarty points for sounding great / bringing the best out of  amps ranging from my much beloved £75 'Micro-Cube' - through to the top ££££ Jazz rig. Not many pickups can 'lift the rig' into a different league , but these seem to do.   Lovely.  8)

[Philly Q]

The others didn't thrill me at all....

I get no kick from champagne...

[Afghan Dave]

Warpig and Sinner for me!

The Miracle Man NECK is VERY special!

[AndyR]

Okies, I'll play.

Here's my "fave puppies" out of the ones I own.

BG Flat 50 bridge
Yardbird neck
IT Bridge
IT Neck
Sultan middle

Bear in mind these are all in full sets - I don't dislike their associates/partners, it's just that the above ones are the "oooo, missus...." pickups in my collection at the moment.

Also bear in mind that this list can change if you move the pickup sets to another geetar (the Sultan choice would have been much different a week or two ago before I swapped pups from one geetar to another).

I have decided not to classify my humbuckers (Mules and Riff Raffs) because I'm not experienced enough, or discerning enough, mebbe, to pass judgement... I can say I love both, and my fave/classic depends which amp I'm playing through and what I'm trying to achieve at the time... but I'm strat-man at the moment, deaf and blind to all else :D

I have also not classified my MQs - they're just damned cute, but the geetar they're in has been "resting" for some months, and I can't remember what they sound and feel like :lol:

[BigB]

+10 on the blackguard flat 50. I don't know if it's "how a Tele really sounds", but it's definitly how a Tele should sound :lol: Every other Tele (including very expensive Custom Shop models) I played since I put these little gems on mine sounded cheap in comparison.

[Twinfan]

The others didn't thrill me at all....

I get no kick from champagne...

:lol:

[FELINEGUITARS]

My favourites
Mule
VH2
Cold Sweat
Miracle Man

Mississippi Queen


Yardbird
Boss

[PhilKing]

At the risk of upsetting Philly again, these are my particular favourites:

HB
PG Blues
AV Mule
T-Tops
Rebel Yells
AII Stormy Mondays

Tele
BG flatpole new wind
BG flatpole
Yardbirds

Strat
Sultans
69 Set
Apaches

Bass
62 Precision
61 Jazz Bass

I also want to give a plug for the MQ.  I have a couple and they both sound great.  I have to say though, that I often get the silly grin look when first plugging in a new set of BK's. 

Philly Q disclaimer:
I am lucky in trying some of the new pickups before they come to market, so you will see some unfamiliar names in my list.