Greetings fellow BKP-ers/Pickup Help Thread No. 164365413684131652

[Yhon]

Hello all! So I finally decided to join the forum, having been a browser for a while, in the hope that I can help others make the most difficult decision ever. Which Bare Knuckle Pickup to get. And of course to ask for help when I need it too, which, along with introducing myself, is the reasons for this post.

But first, some background information. I play in a black metal band called Beautality (feel free to give us a listen. Link is in the sig.). Both myself and the other guitarist enjoy using Bare Knuckles, as they provide the response needed for our particular brand of BM, as well as the sound.

Now. I just experienced that most joyous of occasions: a new guitar day. And while my shiny new Ibanez RGIR27fe looks, plays and sounds great, it is missing one crucial element. A set of Bare Knuckles! It just seems to feel and sound a little restrained at the moment, as if it is not operating at full capacity.

I do not currently own an amp (mine died a rather dramatic, smoky death the other week), so I play through whatever is at the rehearsal studio. I will be getting an EVH 5150 at some point in the near future though...

Onto the pickups! I have experience with the Ceramic Warpig and Blackhawk, which were both great. Blackhawks I have ruled out, s they don't have an option for covers, so won't fit in the gargantuan EMG sized holes. The logical choice would be to go for a set of WPs, then. But I am not a logical human, and want something different. I am 95% sure on a C-Bomb set.

I like the idea of the subtle PAF vibe, but severely amped up into something altogether more extreme, yet sweet sounding. I gave thought to the Miracle Man, and for a while was set on those, but I changed my mind given their apparent tendency to sound a bit weak(er) clean. So really, I just wanted to confirm I will make the right decision when I come to purchase these delightful pickups. I have spoken to Ben from BKP and he suggested NBs initially, but then WPs given I have experience with them, but, as I said, I want to give something else a try.

For reference, here is a track off the first album. I play the leads in the song, but not on the album as I hadn't joined the band then.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZyZzsIV99g

Cheers for the help, and hopefully I can return the favour someday!

Yhon

[richard]

I think you should get your new amp before you start thinking about pickups. Find out what the characteristics of the amp are and you can identify where the pickups are letting you down. With the right amp the ones you have  may be fine.

The band logo confuses me - you are using the same character for the B and the Y but reversed. Either way round they do not look much like a B or a Y. If you hadn't told us the name of your band ....................

[Telerocker]

Hi and welcome here!

I agree with Richard about the amp. I like low- to medium-output on highgainamps best, but that's my preference. If you want those new puppies, I would follow Ben's advice. Nailbombs are modern, organic sounding pickups, suitable for lots of metal-styles. They're tight, even the alnico version, and clean up well.

[ericsabbath]

I remember at least a couple users claiming the holy diver works well for BM
I'd probably pick the alnico nailbomb, though

[Slartibartfarst42]

The alnico version of the Nailbomb is the tightest and most aggressive pickup I've ever tried from the BKP range. I felt it needed mahogany to tame it a bit but that's just me. If you want a very aggressive and tight pup then it's incredible. Something like the Miracle Man is still tight but a lot warmer and smoother in its delivery and hence, far more to my taste.

That being said, I also think you might be better getting used to the amp first and I'd also agree with Richard that I never would have got 'Beautality' from your logo unless you'd told us.

[Yhon]

Cheers for the speedy replies chaps!

Initially my reaction to the suggestion of getting a new amp first was less than enthusiastic, as it meant longer to wait for more New Things, but I have given it some thought, and actually this seems like the better route to go. I am not unhappy with how the EMGs sound at the moment with the pedal I am using for distortion, just feel it could be better. And as you implied, a nice tube amp will make a huge difference. More so than pickups... I will give it a further ponder this weekend.

The other guitarist in the band plays an Ibanez ARZ307, which is an LP style guitar with a maple/mahogany neck, with an Alnico Nailbomb, so I would like to steer clear of the Alnico NB to avoid any masking issues. I just hope the combination of Basswood/C-Bomb and Mahogany/A-Bomb is different enough. I realise I forgot to mention this in my earlier post.

I did toy with the idea of an Emerald set after the praise both Nolly, Tim and others seem to have given it in high gain applications, but the jump from the high(er) output pickups I am used to was a little scary. I am not entirely averse to the idea though, as having something a bit different is always cool.

The comments regarding the band logo made me chuckle. I had never really studied it until you mentioned the B and Y being the same character Richard. I don't think legibility was the intention though. It is more recognisable as an image rather than a word. As black metal logos go though, this is certainly one of the easier to read examples! :lol: A Google Image search for 'black metal band logos' turns up some truly indecipherable scrawls...

[Telerocker]

Some metalplayers go back to vintagehot-pickups, because they want a more open, complex sound and better cleans. That's why the Black Dog is popular for lower tunings/seven strings. With a highgain-amp (and maybe a booster) you also can get into sonic nirvana, it's just a different route. The Emerald could be great for metal too, especially in guitars with a darker timbre. I can see why Nolly and Tim recommend the Emerald. Even with Mules Nolly did some convincing metaltracks.

[EffigyForgotten]

Cheers for the speedy replies chaps!

Initially my reaction to the suggestion of getting a new amp first was less than enthusiastic, as it meant longer to wait for more New Things, but I have given it some thought, and actually this seems like the better route to go. I am not unhappy with how the EMGs sound at the moment with the pedal I am using for distortion, just feel it could be better. And as you implied, a nice tube amp will make a huge difference. More so than pickups... I will give it a further ponder this weekend.

The other guitarist in the band plays an Ibanez ARZ307, which is an LP style guitar with a maple/mahogany neck, with an Alnico Nailbomb, so I would like to steer clear of the Alnico NB to avoid any masking issues. I just hope the combination of Basswood/C-Bomb and Mahogany/A-Bomb is different enough. I realise I forgot to mention this in my earlier post.

I did toy with the idea of an Emerald set after the praise both Nolly, Tim and others seem to have given it in high gain applications, but the jump from the high(er) output pickups I am used to was a little scary. I am not entirely averse to the idea though, as having something a bit different is always cool.

The comments regarding the band logo made me chuckle. I had never really studied it until you mentioned the B and Y being the same character Richard. I don't think legibility was the intention though. It is more recognisable as an image rather than a word. As black metal logos go though, this is certainly one of the easier to read examples! :lol: A Google Image search for 'black metal band logos' turns up some truly indecipherable scrawls...

As for good metal amps at decent price, the Bugera 6260 will certainly please you, the 333 if you need a better clean channel (my 6260 no retubed with E34L's with chorus/delay sounds better than I expected though)

I went with the head since I already had a cab (custom Texas Dragon loaded with eminence legends) and I love the sound. Maybe get the combo and replace the speakers? I've heard the Bugera speakers are quite awful.

[EffigyForgotten]

I remember at least a couple users claiming the holy diver works well for BM
I'd probably pick the alnico nailbomb, though

It depends on what kind of black metal, in reality the Holy Divers can suit any style of music from post-rock to brutal death metal, but the organic voicing and clarity works great for black metal.

[Mr_RD]

It has to be said that BKP forum really is helpful. All the advise here is spot on.

Personally I'd try out the Emeralds (I have one in the neck of my LTD EC and it's incredible). Having said that it would be worth a look trying out the black dog. The vintage hot range can really push for a great metal sound. The added drive through the amp can really add growl and heaviness while still retaining an open and articulate string sound.

But that's just me. Hope you find a set that makes you happy!  :D

RD

[Telerocker]

The Black Dog and Emerald are totally different voiced, the latter with a way pronounced topend, where the Black Dog has a lot of centermids, without being dull on the high frequencies. The BD really gives weight to the tone, where the Emerald makes dark guitars alive.