Completely new to BK pickups

[OceanMachine]

Hi guys, I've been reading about Bare Knuckle for awhile but only recently found a shop that deals with them so I'm after a set.

The main site's descriptions of most of the pickups in the contemporary section seem to all sound amazing so it's a little confusing for someone looking something very specific.

Basically I'm after a set of humbuckers (and I know alot of you will be sick of reading this) but I'm after the super defined clarity and definition of the 'djent' sound. Big chords, fast, staccato riffing and the like. But I'm also really after a set where I can get the awesome clean tones that specifically the boys in Periphery get. Something thats big and sparkly in the middle position. Must emphasise that definition in the higher registers in large chords, just a general equal, balanced eq while playing at higher gain settings.

About my current setup, playing a '89-'90 MIJ strat, vintage trem locked down, bolt-on maple neck with rosewood board, I'm actually not 100% sure of the body wood, I assumes it was alder but someone pointed out to me that MIJ's are sometimes basswood. It's a H-S-S config but I don't like the cleans I'm getting from the single coils so gona route it for a neck bucker. I'm using a Duncan Distortion in the bridge at the minute and I'm finding my sound is very mid heavy, quite harsh and lacking that clarity I yearn for. Got a hotrail in the neck though and I think its sweet.

So many BK sets seem to be what I'm after, the Painkiller and Cold Sweat, the Aftermath set, the Blackhawks, the Nailbomb? Everything seems awesome!

Is it a case of 'couldn't really go wrong with any of them' or does anybody have some advice for a set I can get that awesome defined clear bridge pup but with a neck pickup that I can combine it with to get me those lovely cleans?

I'm new here, long post, I apologize, but any help at all, very much appreciated.

[ericsabbath]

normally, I'd say aftermath, but it's also a very midrangy pickup, and so is the painkiller
from what I've been hearing and reading lately, sounds like a blackhawk job

[Kiichi]

If you think that is a long post then you really havenīt been around long, cause guys like Fourth Feline and myself put out longer posts on a regular basis xD

Anyway welcome to the forum!

Now I generally agree with Eric that this might very well be a Blackhawk job, but I canīt really comment too much on that pub.

I can however comment on the AM as I actually own that set. For one Misha playes that set too, so that is something. He also posted a clip here which really shows off what the AM bridge is really about https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=22576.0.

I can also attest that the neck gives pretty great cleans, perfect for that spearic djent kind of stuff they do.
You will get a lot of definition and more tightness than most people can handle (Misha really shows that off) which is bloody unforgiving My AM guitar kicks my ass on a regular basis, cause if you make a mistake or have suboptimal technique (both for me!) this one does not paint anything pretty. Also it is dry as the desert and very middy (centermids), which of course can play right into your hands when you downtune and depending on the way you set your amp.

[Telerocker]

I'm no expert on djent at all, but the Blackhawk could be the ticket bec of the nice cleans they do too.

[OceanMachine]

I do like the Blackhawks blade style magnets. Handy for the trem spacing and all.

You guys think the blackhawks can do a good clean tone too then?

Also many thanks for the quick replys!

[Telerocker]

There's a choice between alnico and ceramic magnets, but you might have seen that already.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I'd say your best bet is a Blackhawk as well.

[Djentleman!]

I was going to recommend the Aftermath, but if you're afraid of mids then maybe you should steer clear. Bear in mind that amp EQing can make a huge difference with the Aftermath. I can get a pretty large variety of sounds. Also they "djent" like no other.

I can advise you to stay away from Painkillers for sure though  :lol: