BK Medium/High output 7 string 'bucker alternatives!?

[mesa0131]

Hey BKP Forum! This is my first post on this forum, altho I post alot over at dimarzioforum.com!

I am considering BKP for an Ibanez Prestige 1527M, but having some difficulty making an informed decision!

I play 6's right now and am making the transition to 7 strings soon. With the added low string and detuning 4 semi tones, I'm a little concerned with keeping a tight low end thru my Dual Rectifier.
Currently I enjoy a tamed output, like my D-sonic, its on the cuff of medium gain and high gain... Thats what I like, its hot enough to make great use of my Rectifier's gain stage, but retains the tone and character of the guitar, while feeling organic. Is there a BKP like that? I think maybe the rebel yell. But thats my only reservation about BKPs. All the demos and reveiws I've heard, like the guys from Red Seas Fire, and what not, seems like the pickups are way too hot for my style! I play a hybrid of djent/hard rock, almost all genres are present in my playing, and I need a very versatile pickup, clean and gained out. I want to toe the line a bit with the gain, keeping a foot in more traditional tone, while still having that low note "sag" tone for the djenty bits... If you know what I mean.

I guess in short, I'm looking for something similar to my D-Sonic, Thick and meaty, yet clear and articulate, with a good clean tone, but with some added "sizzle" for those low strings... I have looked at DC Resistances on many of the BK contemporary pickups, but that is just one variable in the pickup equation and doesn't tell you the whole story of the pickups output.

Any insight is much appreciated!

[ericsabbath]

blackhawk
or a cold sweat

I wouln't go alnico
rectos sound better with ceramics, in my experience

[WeAreNotGentlemen]

Blackhawk. I have one it's perfect for all of that. Emerald neck maybe.

[mesa0131]

I guess the Alnico/Ceramic choice would depend heavily on the pickups output and EQ. Like I said I'm use to a D-sonic, its ceramic and a 12Kohm DC resistance. And a Paf Pro in the neck, 8Kohm DC resistance. I have been doing Alnico 8 swaps on some pickups and I sure do like it alot! Would Bare Knuckle build an Alnico 8 PU upon request? Or I'll just go ceramic... Right now its hard to drop $130 on a pickup without any idea of what to expect...

[WeAreNotGentlemen]

I guess the Alnico/Ceramic choice would depend heavily on the pickups output and EQ. Like I said I'm use to a D-sonic, its ceramic and a 12Kohm DC resistance. And a Paf Pro in the neck, 8Kohm DC resistance. I have been doing Alnico 8 swaps on some pickups and I sure do like it alot! Would Bare Knuckle build an Alnico 8 PU upon request? Or I'll just go ceramic... Right now its hard to drop $130 on a pickup without any idea of what to expect...

As far as I know they will not put in a A8 magnet. No more custom orders. I wrote a Blackhawk review a while a go it might have found it's way to the second page by now. Don't trust the EQ chart or the DC resistance for the Blackhawk though, neither are very accurate. It's got slightly less output than my old JB did. It also has more bass than treble to me, and it's actually pretty middy. None of the pickups BKP has would be too hot for what you do (Volume knob!), except maybe the Warpig,  but that's mostly compression anyway. It definitely retains guitar character too, my guitar sounds like the mahogany it is.

Also the DC resistance is only one aspect of the output like you said.

[ericsabbath]

I've tried alnico 8 with the recto, and still didn't sound good
had good results with the cold sweat and miracle man, but I'm not a recto fan anyway

your requirements description sounds a lot like every blackhawk review on this forum

[mesa0131]

I absolutely dislike the look of the black hawk, and any mention of a passive PUs trying to be more like an active PU turns me off...  PLus it seems to come across as slightly less output than the other offerings, and a 8.6Kohm DC R.

[WeAreNotGentlemen]

I absolutely dislike the look of the black hawk, and any mention of a passive PUs trying to be more like an active PU turns me off...  PLus it seems to come across as slightly less output than the other offerings, and a 8.6Kohm DC R.

The only thing the active part is going for is to compare it to the clarity of low notes on actives, and that it doesn't lose any power. Nothing like the EMG's I've played through the same amp. Also in this case the DC is very deceiving as it has almost the same output (slightly lower) as a SD JB which is around 15-16K. I'm not trying to make you mad, but the description of what you want screams Blackhawk all day long.

[ericsabbath]

I absolutely dislike the look of the black hawk, and any mention of a passive PUs trying to be more like an active PU turns me off...  PLus it seems to come across as slightly less output than the other offerings, and a 8.6Kohm DC R.

The only thing the active part is going for is to compare it to the clarity of low notes on actives, and that it doesn't lose any power. Nothing like the EMG's I've played through the same amp. Also in this case the DC is very deceiving as it has almost the same output (slightly lower) as a SD JB which is around 15-16K. I'm not trying to make you mad, but the description of what you want screams Blackhawk all day long.

a passive pickup can't sound like an active pickup, just like the other way around
people say that in the sense of being a very clear sounding pickup
the hawk has big ceramic magnets and the blades and the way they're put together can make a ton of difference in output
dc resistance is not an output measure
a bill lawrence 500xl is pretty hot and it's only 11k or so
I'm not a fan of the hawk appearance, but the d sonic isn't pretty anyway  :lol:
and tone should always be the main priority

[WeAreNotGentlemen]

It also looks a lot better without pickup rings. Especially when the ones you have don't match haha.

[mesa0131]

Yes I agree, tone is more important than appearance. Is the blackhawk offered with those cool tarnished and weather covers? I dont mind the look of the dsonic at all, actually I rather enjoy its looks, and having a traditional coil to tap to is a bonus.

[ericsabbath]

Yes I agree, tone is more important than appearance. Is the blackhawk offered with those cool tarnished and weather covers? I dont mind the look of the dsonic at all, actually I rather enjoy its looks, and having a traditional coil to tap to is a bonus.

I like the traditional look better as well, but once you find your own tone, you forget everything else and even start liking the look
they can't get covers, though
maybe they can have aged coils

The Black Hawks can't sit under covers I'm afraid as it would negate the effect of the blades(also the bobbins are taller than normal so a cover won't draw down over them) but you'll be surprised at how good they look in a guitar. I've had them in everything from modern Strat style, Vees, Sharkfins etc and also vintage LPs and Strats and they suit them all. The blades are nickel plated, I can't do them in black as I've not found a durable finish that will sit on such a fine blade, it really needs to be a plating and nickel works this best in this case.