classic bkps - when tim really pulls it out the bag

[Philly Q]

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.

S'alright Phil, I know you always have access to a few pre-production goodies.

..... y'Bastid! 


(I know I always go on about names, but there really has to be a name to distinguish the BG "new wind" from the "old wind"!!!)

[gwEm]

S'alright Phil, I know you always have access to a few pre-production goodies.

..... y'Bastid! 

(I know I always go on about names, but there really has to be a name to distinguish the BG "new wind" from the "old wind"!!!)

Well, I asked Tim about that when I ordered what we call the 'old wind' Flat 50 - from his response he said only two blackguards existed - the flat and the stagger. i suppose he plans another name for 'new wind', if it gets generally released.

[Copperhead]

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

I get no kick from champagne...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H2W1lK7P-I

Nailbomb and Mississippi Queen for me!!

Not really thrilled with some others....

[MrBump]

^  Hah!  I LOVE that film!!!  One of the few Mel Brooks films I can watch to the end!!!

[tremblox]

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

Gotta agree about the mid Sultan Andy! I  am also very partial to a bridge Mule and a Mothers Milk in the neck. 

[HTH AMPS]

both the Abraxas and Cold Sweat light my fire, great pickups.

[Fourth Feline]

A quick message of support for the Mississippi Queens and AII Stormy Mondays. They are the 'other' two pairs I own, and thankfully liked / got good results from. The M.Qs are currently 'resting' - but the Stormy Mondays are a great, clear / open sounding contrast to the Manhattans in my second fully hollow Archtop 'Jazzer' .

Whilst I heartily agree with Twinfan, that ideally you buy a better guitar / fall lucky with the stock pickups and don't put yourself in a situation of having to 'Mod' ;  at least the availablility of a good aftermarket pickup helps chaps like myself,  convert an otherwise great playing / sounding £250- 300 guitar into  something that delivers what sonic goodies I need at the price I can afford.  That is not to say there are not much better guitars than mine - rather that the listener(s) can't tell you what it is they think is missing, or what they would add.

I also sense that our resident ' Buyer' (  ) has heard some other brands of aftermarket pickup that sound nicer to his ears, with his rig(s) and for his needs.  However, that is where the nature of this forum ( and Tim's exchange / refund policies ) score highly ; I might be very interested in 'Brand x' pickups , but I haven't got £200 to gamble on something I can't discuss beforehand - or return later. I have not compared B.K.P. to their 'rivals' in the aftermarket pickup field, but know I'll get close enough for what I need from the range.

 So ; for me,  Buying B.K.P. is buying into a comprehensive advisory / discussional / sales / aftersales - retail experience , that reduces the risk.  The products have pleased me ( so far ) but It's not just the hardware I'm paying for.  :)

[gordiji]

very well put ff . i love my IT's all of 'em, all combinations, period.

[Lucifuge]

What's the Manhattan?

[_tom_]

Haven't tried loads but my most consistent favourite is the Mule, closely followed by the awesome bridge Pig 90 he made for me :) I want a neck one to match it.

[roland_rat]

Yardbirds, Mules, Stormy Mondays, Irish tours (only tried the neck but overdriven I like it) are the Bare knuckles that are my real favourites. 

Im sure there are some other real gems that I have not tried.  Im keen to try a set of sultans out and the blackguard 50 bridge out.

I'm sure by the end of this post we will have covered all the BK pickups in the range between us. All the ones I have tried have been good, though some just suit my guitars and style better than others.



 

[kevinr]

Mules, Stormy Mondays, Nailbombs, Crawlers and for pure clean tone my favourite is Abraxas AII which Tim made for me they have tone to die for.

[Plexi Ken]

What's the Manhattan?

It's a pickup that works particularly well for Jazz, think low-output Mississippi Queen.

[Fourth Feline]

What's the Manhattan?

Hiya Lucifuge,  :)

To expand on Plexi Ken's excellent and wholly accurate summary, in glorious 'Sound and vision' :

The Manhattan is an Alnico III magnet replica of a 1950's Jazz P90 type pickup. Looks very similar to the Mississipi Quenn, but tonaly - is wound / sounds very different. A lovely detailed, airy, yet  'plummy'  and sweet sounding pickup. Plenty of space between the notes.



I have a Gold pair fitted to the guitar in my Avatar, which get played just about every day.  :)

I once posted some sound clips in the Players section, with roundwound :

http://www.box.net/shared/skpbqk3uhk

And ( My favourite combination ) Flatwound , strings :

http://www.box.net/shared/1lnmk3qhhc

I know a couple of people on here have fitted them to solidbody guitars for'general' use, but for me, they are the epitome of a lovely fully hollow Archtop guitar sound. The above soundclips are not really showing them at their best, but at least they are getting an 'outing'.

  :)

[Lucifuge]

Are they available as a special order from Tim? They aren't on the website or shop.

I don't own an archtop guitar, and nor do I play jazz, but I can't help wondering what one would sound like in the neck of a thinline Tele (which I don't own yet either  :?) though maybe a MQ would be more appropriate?