How many of you have tried un-potted BKP's?

[Serratus]

I really want to try a set of un-potted mules, as the general opinion seems to be that they're exceptionally touch sensitive, etc. But I am a bit worried about microphonic feedback when playing live, anyone got any experience with this? I don't play in a metal band or anything, but I do like to use a reasonable amount of gain for solos - am I gonna have to cut back on the gain if they're un-potted? Thanks for the input :)

[Kiichi]

Well, my set of 10th is unpotted. And god do I love it. To be fair, I have not played them at gig volume, but in my use the unpotted, for as much as I can tell adds...letīs put it like this: It seems to add more BKP to a BKP. All the goodness we get compared to other makers just gets added a bit more.

Terms of feedback, Iīd recon it could be managed. I mean it is not like people have not done that before. Might take a touch of adjustment, but can be done. Again, canīt really tell, but this is an educated guess.

[Serratus]

Thanks for that - I think that I could manage it as you suggested - I'll just have to use slightly lower gain boosted tones for solos, and a different guitar for the more rock/metal stuff we play, which I would probably do anyway.

[apanboll]

I wouldn't choose un-potted if you play hi-gain on gig volumes unless you like highpitch squeels  feedback =)

[Serratus]

As long as they're ok with mid-gain at gig volume then I think I'll be ok. I just won't use any higher gain solo sounds and just use a volume boost on mid-gain sounds instead. The main thing is that they don't immediately squeal with any gain at volume. That's why it'd be useful to get any experiences from people who have actually gigged un-potted pickups 

[Chris Rowberry]

When we make unpotted humbuckers we do put a little paper tap under the cover so there is a layer between the metal of the cover and the bobbins which helps prevent microphonic feedback. I know Tim uses an unpotted Riff Raff and Mule combo in one of the guitars he plays when out with the Bare Knuckle Blues Band and he never has any microphonic feedback problems. I also have the same combo, unpotted, in an SG style guitar I made a while back and I've also never had a problem.

You will find you get a little more presence when you go unpotted and a warmer tone from potted pickups.

[Serratus]

Thanks Chris, I'm sure I'll order some soon, just got to decide the guitar for them!

[Chris Rowberry]

What guitar are you thinking of getting? I'm just curious!

[Serratus]

I've got a 7-string single cut (very Les Paul in style, amber stained, nitro clear) that I built a few years ago that I might put them in - it's korina with a maple front and used to sound awesome with a black dog in the bridge, but it's without pickups at the moment as I'm using them in another build. So I'm tempted to put a set of unpotted mules in it :)

[Chris Rowberry]

I personally prefer the Mules unpotted just because I like having more presence and a brighter tone.  You should be absolutely fine with them being unpotted, and if not, you can send them back in and we can pot them for you.