Gibson Explorer

[orionz06]

Just got the Emeralds wired in last week.  Also did a custom harness from Gun Street Wiring Shop.  Splits on the volumes and series/parallel on the tone.  VERY happy with the split sounds on these.  Overall this setup makes my Les Paul sound very meh. 

[Dave Sloven]

I think the Emerald set and an Explorer were always going to be a great marriage.

[Telerocker]

Good to see somebody raving about the Emeralds. They bring a warm sounding bassheavy guitar alive.

[stratguy23]

I’m a little responding here, but I want to echo the Emerald praise. I put a set in a dark Greco Les Paul copy, and they really livened up the guitar. When they are in a darker instrument, the Emeralds still have plenty of bottom end, but it is really tight, so you can play metal with them. They are voiced for crunchy classic rockon the bridge and fat singing tone on the neck, but they are really versatile due to their tight bottom end and overwound PAF character. They have enough output to drive an amp, but they are not too hot, so they still sound good clean and for lower gain stuff. I did the Jimmy Page wiring, and the splits are really great sounding as well.

[Telerocker]

Nice one @Stratguy23. Some BKP's seem to be leading a life in the shadow. I didn't see much topics about the Emerald last few years. Also Sultans and tele-pickups like the County Boy, Brown Sugar, Yardbird and the Boss look to be forgotten gems on this forum. Maybe it's bec the forum has become quite silent. Probably buyers get their info on Youtube, other sociale media or directly at BKP.

[stratguy23]

Nice one @Stratguy23. Some BKP's seem to be leading a life in the shadow. I didn't see much topics about the Emerald last few years. Also Sultans and tele-pickups like the County Boy, Brown Sugar, Yardbird and the Boss look to be forgotten gems on this forum. Maybe it's bec the forum has become quite silent. Probably buyers get their info on Youtube, other sociale media or directly at BKP.

I agree it’s sad how much the forum has died down. I remember it used to have a lot more people posting. The good news at least is that all the main posters like you and others are all super knowledgeable. I actually got the Emeralds on a suggestion from a friend who runs a guitar store that is a dealer for Bare Knuckle. He had a customer install them in a guitar and really liked them, so when I told him I wanted something to brighten up my dull Greco, he recommended the Emeralds and I’ve loved them so far. They don’t get the attention they deserve. I think people fear them being too bright, but they are awesome in darker guitars, and I’m sure they would do well in extended range instruments because they are so tight.

I don’t want to totally derail this thread (so feel free to PM instead if you want), but I’m really curious about Bare Knuckle Tele pickups. You don’t hear much about Bare Knuckle’s singlecoils, and especially not the Tele pickups. The only Bare Knuckle singlecoil I’ve played is a neck Irish Tour.

[Telerocker]

Yeah, not much teleplayers banging on the door lately.

[orionz06]

For a point of reference, these things are damn near perfect for this guitar.  I'm able to get the gamut of tones I want with my Mark V:25 with ease.  All the notes are there, crank the gain and all the thump is there, etc.  Way better than the hotter stock pickups.