bk custom ? is it possible?

[Philly Q]

It was certainly common to have a choice of AII or AIV in the Stormy Monday, but I don't remember if it was ever a "clickable" option in the BKP shop.

Same with the AV Mule - a number of people have bought them in the past, but AIV was always the standard.  Looks like I've missed my chance to try AV.

it's not that big of a job to change the magnet over in a pickup Philly - just take it slow and you'll be alright.

Just a wee bit patronising there Ian?  :P

I know, I have swapped a pickup magnet before.  But it means having to obtain a replacement magnet from somewhere, and then getting the pickup re-potted.  Would be a hell of a lot easier not to have to bother.

[henriquepaiva]

One of the reasons Tim stops doing custom, is that you can get a result which is not extensively tested. And he doesn't want odd pickups around.

This is the answer i got when i asked for a A4 PG Blues.

"I'm afraid I don't like doing that - I don't want odd versions of my pickups going out as it confuses the options available. Anyway, the PG Blues sounds great with AII."

[FernandoDuarte]

One of the reasons Tim stops doing custom, is that you can get a result which is not extensively tested. And he doesn't want odd pickups around.

This is the answer i got when i asked for a A4 PG Blues.

"I'm afraid I don't like doing that - I don't want odd versions of my pickups going out as it confuses the options available. Anyway, the PG Blues sounds great with AII."

I can see that, but the A5 Mule was his suggestion sometimes...

[Tim]

Just for the record Alnico V has never been an option on Mule humbuckers - I did originally offer AII or AIV as an option, back in 2003/2004 but as the range expanded I made the firm decision that Mules sounded and performed their best in the majority of guitars with Alnico IV and likewise the Stormy Monday with Alnico II. I personally don't like AV in the Mule, the mid range response gets very hard and unpleasant to my ears but that doesn't stop some customers asking for it. The Riff Raff humbucker is designed with Alnico V and the coil design supports that use. At the end of the day I try to make sure that what goes out into the market place are pickups that I have tested fully and stand 100% behind.
Sometimes what are perceived as 'custom' options ie using different magnets or adjusting winds up or down can be impractical especially given the amount of time I've put into the original voicings. Different just for the sake of being different isn't a valid reason for changing the spec of a pickup however if, after considerable interaction with a customer I feel that their guitar has a very specific design or response outside the specifications of any of the pickups I make I will then adjust a model accordingly. I have to be honest and say that with the range of pickups we offer this is a very rare occurrence.

[Twinfan]

Bottom line - trust the expert  ;)

Cheers for the input Tim  :)

[Kiichi]

Thanks for that info Tim, as always, love it when you chime in here.

Clear point, well explained and very much understandable.

[Loomer]

Does this also mean that HS Pig90's will be history? :(

[Tim]

No because 'under the bonnet' HSP90s and P90s are the same - the only difference with HSP90s is I have to grind the bobbin down to accommodate the cover but the wind and magnet design is exactly the same so I'm more than happy to make HSP90 versions of the Pig 90.

[Kiichi]

That is very great to hear. I thought as much, but confirmation is really nice.
Any chance it will join the constant lineup like the Pig90 originally did?


I really meant to try a HSP90 for some time, but have not found the right guitar for it.
Just got a Feline Headless, all mahahony downsized, semihollow les paul, with only a neck PU.
Wanted a HSP90 to play clean folk stuff a la Dylan, Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver. Went with an MQ I ordered a few days ago, after Ben recommended it.
Still I am not quite sure. Sides the insane output the Pig90 would have in my mind been maybe a nicer choice. Or a HSBlue Note, which would be my absolute favourite if it were real.
Hope Ben was right again.^^



Also if I may ask Tim, is there any other "semi custom" besides the HSP90 you are comfortable with?

[darkbluemurder]

Just for the record Alnico V has never been an option on Mule humbuckers - I did originally offer AII or AIV as an option, back in 2003/2004 but as the range expanded I made the firm decision that Mules sounded and performed their best in the majority of guitars with Alnico IV and likewise the Stormy Monday with Alnico II. I personally don't like AV in the Mule, the mid range response gets very hard and unpleasant to my ears but that doesn't stop some customers asking for it. The Riff Raff humbucker is designed with Alnico V and the coil design supports that use. At the end of the day I try to make sure that what goes out into the market place are pickups that I have tested fully and stand 100% behind.
Sometimes what are perceived as 'custom' options ie using different magnets or adjusting winds up or down can be impractical especially given the amount of time I've put into the original voicings. Different just for the sake of being different isn't a valid reason for changing the spec of a pickup however if, after considerable interaction with a customer I feel that their guitar has a very specific design or response outside the specifications of any of the pickups I make I will then adjust a model accordingly. I have to be honest and say that with the range of pickups we offer this is a very rare occurrence.

Tim,

Thank you very much for the clarification.

I must say I am very happy with your pickups as they are.

Cheers Stephan

[FernandoDuarte]

Sorry if I give a wrong information, I remembered reading sometimes it, but I may have confused things :)

[Tim]

I am considering putting the Pig 90 into the HSP90 range and the Supermassive 90 too as we get asked so much for this - as I said in my earlier post, they're essentially the same pickups just a different way of mounting them and it obviously make sense if you've got humbucker cavities to stick with humbucker-size and vice versa.
Where possible I try to make sure all available options are listed on each pickup profile on the site and also in the shop.

[Loomer]

I am considering putting the Pig 90 into the HSP90 range and the Supermassive 90 too as we get asked so much for this - as I said in my earlier post, they're essentially the same pickups just a different way of mounting them and it obviously make sense if you've got humbucker cavities to stick with humbucker-size and vice versa.
Where possible I try to make sure all available options are listed on each pickup profile on the site and also in the shop.

I currently have a ceramic HSP90 (that Madsakre originally ordered, the infamous "Para Bellum") and it is a truly terrifying pickup white I love to bits. It would be cool to keep the ceramic option if possible :)

In any case I'm just glad the hsp90 stays!

[I am Incinerator]

I don't have a doubt in my mind that there isn't a set of BKP's out there for everyone :)

At first I was unsure of what I wanted tonewise from my '95 LP Studio.  I thought I was totally set on a set of Mules since they seemed to be closest to what I imagined in my mind.  I believe it was Ben(?) that also recommended the Mules when I e-mailed a little while ago with some questions.  Then I found a clip of exactly what I was looking for tonewise and e-mailed again.  Tim answered me with a definite answer, down to the last "clickable" option for a set of Riff Raffs.  I only asked if I could get particular bobbin colours and covers as well.  I like the customer service and the time taken out to answer a few questions and hear some insight on the pickups.

Now, I just need to get some money freed up to get some Riff Raffs pots and caps!

[Marco78]

Now I have understand because Tim don't want change your pickups, probably he is right!!! ;)