Author Topic: BKP's Output Levels (Read 9521 times)

Chris · « **on:** May 30, 2005, 01:57:48 PM »

Hi everyone,

I'm pretty new to Bare Knuckles, just have a warpig at the moment, but will be ordering another set soon for my current project.

I was looking through all of the descriptions and checking out the DC resistence values (which I thought was the output level), but when I checked out another website it said that the DC resistence does not really give you the output level, that it was also down to other factors. So to help me make my decision about my next pickups I was wondering how the different BKP's relate to eachother in output? Is there another reliable value I can use? And is that other website even right or is it talking rubbish?

Cheers,
Chris

Ol · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2005, 02:50:37 PM »

Quote from: Chris

I was looking through all of the descriptions and checking out the DC resistence values (which I thought was the output level), but when I checked out another website it said that the DC resistence does not really give you the output level, that it was also down to other factors. So to help me make my decision about my next pickups I was wondering how the different BKP's relate to eachother in output? Is there another reliable value I can use? And is that other website even right or is it talking rubbish?

Hi Chris,

Tim gave a detailed reply on resistance here:
http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=375

hope that helps.
rgds

Tim · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2005, 06:50:54 PM »

Hi Chris,Welcome to the forum.
DC resistance isn't a reliable way of measuring pickups output, it is only a very general guide at best.Quite often you will see output measured in millivolts too but this is equally flawed as it depends on who is playing the guitar-pick attack effects the output.
This is why I've posted up a thread asking what you guys would like to see in product descriptions. I've tried to steer clear of using 'jargon' and gone for a description of the tone/output produced along with a name for each pickup which puts you in the ballpark for the tone it will produce.

If you'd like to tell me the type of guitar, type of pickup and style you play, I'll happily make some suggestions and explanations of what I can make for you. The other forum members, most of whom are BKP users, all have valuable experience of pickups in their own guitars which they'll share with you.

Chris · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2005, 07:57:22 PM »

Thanks for the info guys!

This particular guitar is an almost completed project, just needs the electronics. The body is PRS in shape, quilted maple on top of mahogany, with a mahogany neck and an ebony fingerboard. This is my pride and joy so far, so I want to get the pickups right.

I play (try to play) everything from the likes of clapton to van halen and steve morse, but mainly the heavier stuff. I really like Morse's current purple sound, but I believe most of that comes from his effects.

I'd appreciate any advice as I'm a bit stumped :?

Tim · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2005, 09:48:16 PM »

First stop is the players room and check out the clips of the various pickups posted there and see if anything catches your ear.

PhilKing · « **Reply #5 on:** May 31, 2005, 07:39:28 AM »

Hi Chris, I have a VHII calibrated set in a PRS Artist and really love the sound. I think there are some sound clips of VHII's in the players section, I would have a listen to them. If you are using 5-way switching, then you can get some really nice parallel sounds from these too.

I think HJM has VHII's in his PRS too.

For a bit heavier sound, the Crawler is nice in a PRS too. I have one in the bridge position on an old EG (bolt on neck). I have heard the calibrated set and they give some great sounds too. They are pretty flexible, because they turn down and clean up without losing the tone.

Chris · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2005, 07:36:08 PM »

Okay, i've checked out the clips in the players section and you're right PhilKing, the VHII's sound really good (in fact most of them do), but from the description they are supposed to be EVH-ish? The thing is I have an EVH music man, and i'm after something with a bit more output. Does anyone have experience of the music man pickups who can compare??

The others that stood out were the miracle man, holy diver and nailbomb, but the thing I find so difficult about listening to the clips is that I doubt that these pickups would sound similar to the clips in my guitar and through my amp, and i'm too inexperienced to try to compensate for that (i'm not really a "gear person"). My own thoughts are that the miracle man might be a little too heavy for what i'm after (and maybe not so flexable?), so that narrows it down to the holy diver, nailbomb and possibly the VHII's (depending on the relative output).

A couple of other questions to try to narrow it down further:

1. Can any of these ones do a convincing single coil sound if I coil tap them?

2. Any ideas which most suit the wood/construction in my guitar? (in original post)

Thanks,
Chris

Ratrod · « **Reply #7 on:** June 01, 2005, 07:49:19 PM »

I think you should go with Nailbombs. I don't know if they tap well. If you want something a little mellower you could go for Crawlers.

Niall · « **Reply #8 on:** June 01, 2005, 07:59:22 PM »

Hi Chris. I have a PRS Santana 3 with BKs in:

Neck: Alnico III (open, plain)
DC 7.5k

Bridge: Alnico IV (open, this one's a zebra)
DC 8.6k

Both scatter-wound with 42 gauge enamel wire.

I found the stock pickups (Santana 3's) to be very nice, but a little too polite and mellow... I basically wanted the same depth and warmth from the guitar, but with more power and just a tad more clarity. They're both 4-conductor pickups, but I installed a mini-switch for selecting the inside or outside coil of a particulr humbucker and currently have it rigged to the neck pickup. The coils were wound offset, there's a remarkable tonal difference between neck outer coil and inner coil. These pickups really opened the guitar up, really put some brightness and air into her. Very very happy with the result, here's the finished article:

Cheers, N.

Ratrod · « **Reply #9 on:** June 01, 2005, 08:10:06 PM »

Nice axe Niall. Love that colour, looks like Tennessee Orange.

Chris · « **Reply #10 on:** June 01, 2005, 08:58:55 PM »

Thanks Ratrod, that's one vote for the Nailbombs!

Niall - that is a really nice looking guitar, I assume the pickups are custom wound?

Tim · « **Reply #11 on:** June 01, 2005, 09:07:38 PM »

Sure are....I wound them!! :D

Tim · « **Reply #12 on:** June 01, 2005, 09:10:50 PM »

As a further note, both Crawlers and Nailbombs tap down really well on either coil-I've extensively tested both and they have strong split coil tones as well as a huge humbucking voice.

Chris · « **Reply #13 on:** June 01, 2005, 09:42:06 PM »

Thanks Tim, i'm really starting to be sold on the Nailbombs, especially now that I know they split well. If I go for a calibrated set of these with chrome covers could you etch the bare knuckle logo small in the top corner of the covers? And would that cost any extra?

Also, you mention that either coil taps well ...excuse my ignorance, but which coil would normally be tapped and what would be the difference between the two coils?

Cheers,
Chris

dpmasunder · « **Reply #14 on:** June 02, 2005, 09:20:12 AM »

To get back on the output level thing, Bartolini (*coughcr@pcough*) have an output level guide which is referenced to other pickups including DiMarzio. The Bartolini measuring device reads DiMarzios at roughly half the mv level of DiMarzios own method. Just underlining Tim's point there.
Also, again using DiMarzio as an example (I'm most familiar with them), peak output level means bugger all anyway.
A lot of their pickups around 320-350mv actually sound louder than their 400mv models.
It all depends on the frequencies they're pushing and what your amp responds to best.