Reccomendations for a versatile Les Paul

[crazystudent]

Hey guys, I have been using Seymour Duncans for a while now, but have heard great things about Bareknuckles so I wanted to give them a try. However, the prices are quite high on those compared to Duncans here in America so I want to make sure I make a smart choice when I pick up these pickups. I play a large variety of music ranging from country to blues to prog. rock to punk to metal. I tend to use my Epiphone Les Paul for about everything and I want something very versatile in it. I am most concerned with clairity and note definition and things like that over output with my pickups, as I use amps that are plenty enough high gain already. But the pickups need to have great cleans while being able to not get muddy under distortion.

The Abraxus looks like it might be a good choice, just from reading the description. It seems ot have a little bit of kick to it while still being versatile. The Black Dogs look pretty cool too. I would like to split the pickups also.

Honestly I am a little bit torn on what direction I want to go in. I am not sure if I want to gowith something lower output or high output or in between. I am also open to some humbucker sized p90s, as I really like p90s, but I just dont know how they will hold up under high gain (when I play metal I use a Bugera 6260 or a Mesa triple rec). The Stockholms look nice but I am not sure if they will do country and blues and rock and stuff like that well.

Sorry for this wall of text, I hope this made sense. Any opinions are definitely welcome. Thanks.

[ericsabbath]

riff raffs

[JonnyScaramanga]

I think Eric recommended the Riff Raffs because you mentioned clarity and note definition, and they are great for that.

I regard the Mules as the most versatile Les Paul set. In my opinion, lower output pickups are more versatile in general. All the BKP humbuckers from the Mule on up (I haven't tried the Stormy Mondays, but I don't think they're what you want) sound great under extreme amounts of gain, and there have been some great metal clips with the Mules and Riff Raffs. Lower output pickups have the maximum dynamics for the country and blues stuff you mentioned, and usually the best clean tones.

You might be right about Stockholms not being ideal for country and blues, but the Mississippi Queen set would definitely do it all. I'd suggest Mules if you want humbuckers, and MQ for HSP90.

[darrenw5094]

I just put a set of Abraxas in my '93 Gibson Les Paul Standard last week. They are quite hot, tons of gain on tap, maybe a tad too much for some, nicely balanced and they are much better than the Seymour SH-4 and SH-2 that were in it.

I also have a BD and RR in a Tokai LP Standard. I love them too, but the BD not as versatile as other BKP. I would love to try a HD in an LP someday. For versatility, there could be a number of BKP that would sound great. RR, Mules, HD, VHII, maybe even the Abraxas, would all sound great.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Riff Raff for me.

[Telerocker]

RiffRaffs or Mules. You can play anything with them, the RiffRaffs being brighter and punchier, the Mules very balanced, deep and fat, with a crispy topend that's not overly bright. I find Mules pretty tight too for a vintagepickup. Kravitz uses Mules.

[BigB]

Was tinking RR or Mules too. All BKPs I've tried have a great clarity and definition and note to note separation, even in the hotter range (ABomb or Crawlers), but lower winds really shine when it comes to clean tones. I'd say RR if you want more punch and tightness and brightness, Mules if your LP is already quite bright and could benefit from a bit more warmth.   

[crazystudent]

Thanks for all the replies guys!

I am currently leaning towards the Riff Rafs but the Mules and Mississipi Queens are still being considered. The EVH fanboy in me is making me consider the VHIIs but I think the other three mentioned will be more versatile. Any more opinions are definitely welcome.

Another question of mine is where would I go to purchase these pickups here in the United States? I have been searching around for some used picups but Bare Knuckles do not seem as common as other pickups here. I also wanted to know if you guys think it will be worth the money for me to purchase these pickups and replace my Seymour Duncan Custom in the bridge and 59 in the neck with. I am finding it hard to spend the money needed to get Bare Knuckles, but I really want to try them.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I live in the US as well, and I buy directly from BKP. It's much cheaper that way believe it or not.

[crazystudent]

Really? If so I may do that. I am going to look around used and see if I cant find anything, and I have a few personal issues to take care of before ordering new pickups. but if I find nothing used I may just go ahead and order direct.

[BigB]

I am currently leaning towards the Riff Rafs but the Mules and Mississipi Queens are still being considered.

Both would work too AFAICT. You should probably AskTim(tm).

Another question of mine is where would I go to purchase these pickups here in the United States? I have been searching around for some used picups but Bare Knuckles do not seem as common as other pickups here. I also wanted to know if you guys think it will be worth the money for me to purchase these pickups and replace my Seymour Duncan Custom in the bridge and 59 in the neck with. I am finding it hard to spend the money needed to get Bare Knuckles, but I really want to try them.

My SG had JB and Jazz when I bought it, and replacing them with (resp.) a Abomb bridge and Mule neck was an obvious improvement - so much that my band mates (who are definitly not gearheads) noticed something changed (for the better) right from the first seconds of the first song. Don't know for how a much a BKP sells in the US, but here in France they are really worth the few extra euros (wrt/ mass-market pups).

Note that if you order yours directly from BKP, there's a 14 days swap-or-refund policy - just make sure with the guys that they take shipping delay into account. You'll still loose the shipping fee, but well... Oh and yes - as the original purchaser, you get a (non-transferable) life-time warranty.


My 2 cents...

[Laars]

I play through Voodoo V-plex amps (68 Marshall clones)with Les Pauls. My tone is old school heavy 70s type. Free, Bad Company, old ZZ Top, Aerosmith, AC/DC , Black Crowes type of sounds....

I just went to the Black Dogs. I liked them so much, I now have them in two of my Les Pauls, a 1996 and 2004 standards. About to add a third one for my USA BC Rich Mockingbird, which has a Lindy Fralin pure PAF in it right now.

1996 Standard with Black Dog bridge and neck


2004 standard with Black Dog bridge, and BB Pro in the neck



What you hear in the Bare Knuckles sound clip is it..... The notes are clear, but has a nice overdrive to them. Listen to "waiting for the bus" by ZZ Top. Very close as to what they sound like. "Night Prowler" by AC/DC is another reference as to the tone.

Our other guitar player has the Rebel Yell in a 76 custom LP and the VHII in a 1958 reissue LP. These sound great too, so I don't think you can make a bad choice. I have to say, these are the best pickups I've heard..

[Telerocker]

Nice guitars you have!

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Awesome guitars.

I still vote for Riff Raffs  :D

[Laars]

Awesome guitars.

I still vote for Riff Raffs  :D

The Riff Raffs were the other pickups I was considering.....I went with the Black Dogs because my amps have enough high end, and I wanted to get rid of some. Plus The Voodoo's don't have a lot of gain, so I needed a little hotter pickup to push the front end a little more....

I dont think you can go wrong with any of the Bare Knuckles models...