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Poll

What set?

BKP-90
9 (64.3%)
BKP-91
2 (14.3%)
BKP-92
0 (0%)
A mix of the above (ex: 90/92 set)
2 (14.3%)
Someone else entirely (Fralin, Lollar, Duncan etc)
1 (7.1%)

Total Members Voted: 14

Voting closed: August 30, 2007, 12:28:10 PM

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Author Topic: Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?  (Read 4375 times)

Every_Mn

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« on: July 30, 2007, 12:28:10 PM »
Hi all, new guy with an SG Classic here.

Been contemplating upgrading the pickups in my SG Classic for a while now. It sounds okay as it is but there's room for improvement, I'm sure. I'm a BIG fan of Townshend and his sound, especially the 'Tommy-era' sound ('68-'70) like you're probably familiar with from Woodstock and Live at Leeds.

So I'm thinking, I know I want to swap the pickups eventually but with Who? I'm pretty familiar with all the different P-90 makers, Fralin and Lollar and of course Bare Knuckle Pickups, which I always come back to.  Uh, this is dragging on a bit... so I'll just get to my rig:

- '06 SG Classic (stock) strung with D'Addario 11s
- Fender Blues Jr for amplification

That's really it. I have an old DS-1 somewhere but I don't like it anyway. So what do  you guys think will best get me to the Live at Leeds kinda sound? BKP-90s? 91s? 92s? Or another brand entirely? Any other recommendations?

Oh yeah, here's my SG. Towser's the name.

Click here, lol

I also have an '04 MIM Strat (black, rosewood neck) and a Bigsby-equipped 05 Ibanez Artcore (red), if it means anything...
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Twinfan

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2007, 01:00:28 PM »
Nice gee- tar  ;)

I've voted for the regular P-90 set.  I have some in a LP Special double cut (close enough to an SG) and they rock a fat one.  Clear, thick and articulate.

Get an unpotted set and you'll be in tone heaven  :D
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Every_Mn

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2007, 01:05:07 PM »
Quote from: Twinfan
Nice gee- tar  ;)

I've voted for the regular P-90 set.  I have some in a LP Special double cut (close enough to an SG) and they rock a fat one.  Clear, thick and articulate.

Get an unpotted set and you'll be in tone heaven  :D

Thanks.

So not having them potted will allow for some microphonic feedback, right? I don't gig so I wouldn't see that as something to get concerned over much. How 'bout you?
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Twinfan

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2007, 01:24:02 PM »
I don't gig that particular guitar. but even with high-ish gain it's not a problem.  The extra sparkle from unpotted pickups works for me, espcially in a P-90 that's traditionally very bass heavy.  Plus they don't have metal covers and are less prone to feedback issues.
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Every_Mn

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2007, 01:27:05 PM »
Quote from: Twinfan
I don't gig that particular guitar. but even with high-ish gain it's not a problem.  The extra sparkle from unpotted pickups works for me, espcially in a P-90 that's traditionally very bass heavy.  Plus they don't have metal covers and are less prone to feedback issues.

What do you think about pairing one of those in the neck with a 91 or 92 in the bridge position?
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hunter

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2007, 01:39:08 PM »
I have a 91/92 set which have a bit more mids (more like a trebly humbucker) which I like, but I think for the "Townshend Saw/Windmill" kinda thing you should go for a less output, more open sound.
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Every_Mn

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2007, 01:45:21 PM »
Quote from: hunter
but I think for the "Townshend Saw/Windmill" kinda thing you should go for a less output, more open sound.

I'd like to get a Fuzz Face or something to compliment the rest of my set-up... I know the Univox is a big part of his sound from that era, but I haven't seen one on eBay at less than 300 bucks.
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Twinfan

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2007, 01:46:25 PM »
A P-90 neck and P-91 bridge might be a nice combo, but the as Hunter says you're straying away from the Live at Leeds tone then...
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hunter

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2007, 02:05:50 PM »
Exactly what I wanted to say, but forgot to say: 90s it should be.

Hotter ones might smoothen out things too much.
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Philly Q

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2007, 02:18:29 PM »
I'm interested in the opinions here, because I have a PT signature SG which will probably be BKP'd eventually.  Not really going for a Townshend sound but I'd like to stick with P-90-types.

I don't know what the specs of the stock Gibson P-90s are, but I find the neck and bridge pickups sound too similar because they're very close together.  I was thinking BKP-90 neck and BKP-91 bridge, perhaps.

Slight hijack: which would be best for a Leslie West tone, d'you think?
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BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
BKPs I Had:  RY+Abraxas, Crawlers, BD+SM

Twinfan

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« Reply #10 on: July 30, 2007, 02:38:28 PM »
Leslie West = a Mississippi Queen  ;)

Seriously though, in P-90 form you'll want a P-91 I'd guess.  On the phone to Tim when I was discussing unpotted P-90s he said that the MQ is somewhere between a P-90 and a P-91.
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Philly Q

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2007, 03:05:25 PM »
Thanks Dave, that was what I was guessing (tentatively).

So it's a 90/91 set for me then.  After I get the Emerald/Mule set for my V, Crawlers for my LP, Warpig for my SG-X....
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BKPs I've Got:  RR, BKP-91, ITs, VHII, CS set, Emeralds
BKPs I Had:  RY+Abraxas, Crawlers, BD+SM

Every_Mn

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2007, 02:36:23 AM »
So far the consensus for me is a BKP-90 set, then?
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hunter

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« Reply #13 on: July 31, 2007, 04:45:39 AM »
Quote from: Every_Mn
So far the consensus for me is a BKP-90 set, then?


We agree, you have our blessing to go ahead and order them  :D
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Every_Mn

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Which BKP-9x set for the Townshend sound?
« Reply #14 on: July 31, 2007, 09:33:03 AM »
Quote from: hunter
Quote from: Every_Mn
So far the consensus for me is a BKP-90 set, then?


We agree, you have our blessing to go ahead and order them  :D

Now I just need some money. It's surprisingly hard for a 16 year-old to find a job in So Cal. I've looked but I guess I didn't get out fast enough because they're all taken or too out-of-the-way.

I notice the BKP site sells them and lists them with GBP, anyone know a good US distributor for them? Specifically in the Southwest?
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