Bare Knuckle Pickups Apache

Handwound single coil set. Zinc Plated Steel base on Bridge, Middle & Neck. Mid pickup with polarity RW/RP. Flat magnet profile. Bridge 6.4, middle and neck 5.7.

About a half year ago I bought a 79 strat. It hadn't been played for years and just needed some work and attention. It plays perfectly after I had it set up to my taste. I was quite happy with the way it feels and plays. The sound however remained a big disappointment. No quack, no chimes, no twang, just a bland plonk.

I didnt remove the original fender pups right away because I somehow got brainwashed into thinking that this is a vintage strat and that it is supposed to remain all-original. It took me some weeks to get past that stupid idea and I went looking for replacement pups.

Output is low, but sweet. As said: Bridge 6.4, middle and neck 5.7. Most of the time I play this guitar through a tweed Blues Junior or an AC30 and sometimes through a Peavey Delta Blues. On the Junior and the AC30 these pups stay clean until the volume is almost halfway. There is enough output to produce a sweet and tasty drive. If you're looking for pups that really slam your amp, then look for soemthing else.

About the tone: I was not very convinced that changing pups would change the tone that much - but it did. I find it hard to describe how these sound, but I would say it sounds "Fendery". It has twang, quack, chimes, glass, you name it, it's all there. My strat now sounds as I think a Strat should sound.

About the dynamics: I didn't expect this, but my strat now responds very differently to my playing. I can now hear the smallest details of my playing (...and mistakes). It responds well to picking softer or harder. Also the notes now have a very nice sustain: my Strat has obviously not changed overnight into a Les Paul but the notes now die out gracefully instead of just dropping dead.

I bought this strat for playing "strat" music and getting strat sounds. I play some blues, some rock, some hardrock and these pups are imfao a very good match.

A 9 because the BN's are very good value in terms of price and because I am very satisfied with the sound I got.

I usually dont suffer from choice anxiety, but this time I spent a lot of time checking reviews, sound samples and articles -partly because reviews on HC didn't help me at all. Most Barknuckle reviews were either scathing or read as if they were written by Bareknuckle employees.

Anyhow...I chose for these Bareknuckles for the following - practical! - reasons:
- They were easy to order from mainland EU and all models were available. I found out that EU dealers usually don't have all (US-made) pups in stock or offer a very limited number of models.
- Although cost was not issue, they turned out to cost (a lot) less than almost all other boutique manufacturers and they cost just a little bit more than (good) stock Fender pups. In addition, because I had to order pups directly from manufacturers, ordering from the USA meant extra costs for shipping, customs & VAT.
- For me the Bareknuckle site was able to make clear what sound I was buying.

I have found some other beautiful pickups (Rio Grande, Lollar, SD Antiquity...) that are perhaps as good or even better. I assume the differences in quality are small or perhaps even non-existent and it all boils down to taste. I think will try pups from other boutique manufacturers, but for now I chose the BN's and are very, very pleased with them.

Passive single coil, specs are listed on manufacturer's site.
Medium/low output.

As we are talking here about features here is the most important one: all 3 pickups (bridge, middle, neck) respond very well to height adjustment but deliver more than 1 sweet spot. In fact, all sounds obtained are equally musical and useful, choice remaining a matter of taste and not restricted to one position.

Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster with Fender Vintage Noiseless pickups.
All 3 positions were replaced, I ordered a complete Apache set with a prewired pickguard. The bridge pickup has a base plate for an increased punch.
The prewired pickguard, by the way, is a superb piece of craftmanship by its own.

I bought the EC Strat for 2 reasons: the natural very good resonance of the body and the maple neck with the best shape and feel for me.
More than half of the time I play boosted/overdriven/distorted stuff so I tought the Noiseless would be OK in terms of hum, at least.
I was right, the Noiseless deserve their name. Unfortunately, nothing more.

After playing several months with the original setup it became clear to me that the Noiseless with active electronics (TBX and booster) are not gonna make it, the sound was too even and compressed, in the same time having a strange combination of too much output (without the booster engaged), unuseful sustain and unpleasant brightness.

I contacted Tim Mills at BKP and asked him for a set of pickups that would give me the pure Strat sound.

The result is the Apache set which absolutely satisfies me.
I have played the new pickups for couple of months before posting this review, using decent equipment: Hughes & Kettner Switchblade tube combo, Seymour Duncan Twin Tube, Carl Martin PlexiTone, Japan made Boss BF-2 Flanger, TC Electronic Nova Delay.

All 3 pickups deliver excellent sound with attitude, balance, musical sustain.
Harmonic richness and string separation are incredible.

They have medium to low output that preserves very well the resonance of wood, adjusted deep low they are not overly bright, adjusted top high they do not choke string's sustain.

Under all circumstances (clean/semi/distorted) they keep the same awesome definition and bite, never sound weak or thin.

The Apaches have a unique sort of firm response which gives a very securing feeling for a fluid playing (slower or faster) as though notes are somehow linked one to another in a very musical way.

The level of hum is way lower than the one I have expected, the prewired guard came with an inside insulation that must have its merit in this matter.

The bottom line is I ordered a set for a pure Strat sound and this is exactly what I have received.

I will admit it from the very begining, I am a BKP enthusiastic customer. Tim Mills' support and customer care are almost incredible in our time.
This is my third set of pickups from BKP, I also have a Stormy Monday/Riff Raff combo on a '79 Gibson The Paul and a Nailbomb/Irish Tour set on an Ibanez RG 570. All 3 made wonders for my guitars and for my tone.

I have been playing electric guitar for 25 years, after having studied classic violin. I play my own music with my band, I play also other famous players' music: Randy Rhoads, Ritchie Blackmore, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, Angus Young, Jimmy Page, Alex Lifeson, to name the most importants to me.

I do not try to copy famous tones, I'd rather say I'm constantly trying to capture in my playing a little piece of the magical vibe found in famous tones.
It would be very common to say that the neck Apache will grant you a Gilmour singing tone, position 2 will bring alive Sultans of Swing and the bridge pickup is perfectly suitable for some of Blackmore's leads.
This is absolutely correct, but this is not enough.

Sometimes I am too lazy to switch guitars for different tunes and I find myself starting Over The Mountain or Believer or S.A.T.O. (Ozzy/Rhoads) with my EC Strat. It may sound weird, but I don't have to stop because with Apache bridge I can do them all. I am not saying I obtain Randy's tone, I'm saying I can play all those tunes and nothing is wrong in terms of texture, harmonics and definition. All those diminished distorted chords Randy has used sound awesome with BKP Apaches.

That's the beauty of an excellent pickup, it opens new ways in my music. Thank you BKP, thank you Tim Mills.

Single Coil
Passive
Based on '50s Strat Pickups

These pickups came with my Fender 60th Anniversary Standard Stratocaster. They're in all 3 positions.

Not sure about the output, but since they are vintage voiced, and judging by the other reviews, I'd say they are low output. The first thing I noticed was that the tone was very bright and thin. On the verge of sounding ice picky. Even with the rusty, dull strings, it sounded really bright and sharp. You can use the tone control to reduce the highs but turn it anymore than 1/4 way and the sound turns muddy.

Clean, like stated before, it's extremely thin sounding...kick in a bit of overdrive and you've got a great classic rock tone. Compared to stock MIM Strat pickups, these pickups don't respond very well to the strings. With the MIM Strat Pickups, if you have new strings, you'll have a bright sound, as they get rustier and dirtier, they'll sound warmer and duller and the pickups will pick this up. This can either be a good thing or a bad thing, for me, I don't like it.

I middle and bridge pickups are great compared to the neck, I consider a good neck pickup to be warm and round sounding. The bridge is a bit midrangey but still thin, however, it is much more usable than the neck, as is the middle.

However, these pickups sound very 'special' compared to cheap pickups. Cheap pickups (like stock MIMs) have a very standard clean sound...but the way these sound..there's something unique about them.

If these were somehow stolen, I'd probably go for warmer. Maybe a single sized humbucker with split coil, not sure, but it sure as hell won't be these. Don't get me wrong, these pickups are great for those who want that classic Strat chime. These pickups are how a good ole classic Strat should sound, it just isn't for me. But for the price tag, I don't think it's worth. I'm sure you can get something very close for much less.

Apache Single Coil Set passive, 5 or 6 ohms

CIJ Alder top of the line Stratocaster, cloth wired, CTS pots,steel block, all the goodies.
Replacing the Di Marzio Collection Set (not a bad set actually)
In all 3 positions
I don't know who uses BareKnuckles
I wanted a more vintage sound with a bit of sparkle

The output level is pretty good, about standard vintage actually.
The tone was pretty clear but just a tad dry and thin for my liking
I play a lot of styles ranging from old style Shadows thru to Clapton in the Cream days.
Also I studied a lot of Hendrixes earlier playing as well.
I do play shred though, some Vai, Becker, Howe etc, and some very fast alternate picking stuff as well, and even some Chet Atkins style.

Well I sold them recently, to be honest they weren't really what I wanted, although they weren't all that bad I did feel they were way overpriced for what they were and didn't really deliver what I wanted.
I read the comments below and I tend to somewhat agree with the comments by J-H-Axis, although I did think giving only a 1 for sound was pretty harsh.
But funnily enough the comments above those by Jeremy were all 10's, and if the negative comments by Axis were far left, then Jeremy's comments above his were definitely too far right to be totally believable. However everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I did think Jeremy's comments were probably not true in saying that a manufacturer would have made those negative comments though.
I cant imagine Seymour Duncan writing those comments (LOL!!) he's probably a millionaire for gods sake! or even Jason Lollar!
These guys must sell a lot of pickups, why would they even bother!
I'll bet they couldn't care less?
As far as a dealer, well most dealers can stock most brands, it's all about money, so if Bare-Knuckles sell well then why would a dealer want to bag them? just sell them! who cares if you like them or not.
So again it seems a bit unrealistic to say it's a dealer.
Probably its a user or player who does not like them, thats my guess.

Anyway my opinion is a bit negative about these pups as well, they are OK, but to be honest I ended up buying a set of Seymour Duncan Antiquity's (Texas Hots) These were set up and wired from Acme Guitar Works and I like them much better than the Apaches because they sound and play more organically than the Bare-knuckles and they definitely nail that vintage tone, and I grew up with pre CBS Strats.
I also had used the Lollar Blackfaces and I liked them too, but they were not quite as organic as the Antiquities, so I sold the Lollars although they were very good and if you just strummed them they actually sounded more expansive than the Seymours, but they did not play quite as well when you dig in, if that makes sense.

I also bought a set of Duncan Antiquity 2's (Surfers) and I put them in my second Stratocaster, and I really like them too, so those are the Strat pickups that I finally ended up using and I am very happy with them.
I took a while to get to the Seymours and the reason is I don't really like any of his mass produced pickups at all, I have heard them on many guitars and my reaction has always been that they sound one dimensional and bland so therefore I was a bit negative about his pickups.
But a friend told me that his Antiquities are actually good and I eventually tried them and really liked them straight off.

Now about the Apaches, they were OK, but I used them on a lot of gigs over a fair amount of time and they just had a slightly sterile thin sound that got to me after a while, and what Axis said was actually true, they don't sound all that great on crunch,I use a Vox amp and pedals.
However they are a vintage pickup and are not really made for crunch, still I have to say that both the Duncan sets sound great on crunch and don't have that thin dryness that the Bareknuckles seem to have.

I also bought the Bareknuckles Trilogy set, but did not like them at all, they seemed overly bassy and no nice top end or dynamic give when you play them harder, but it's probably because they were over wound and since then I have decided I don't really like any over wound sets, I tend to agree with Malmsteem, if you want distortion, do it with your amp, not your pickups.

So all in all the Apaches are not a bad set, but in my opinion not worth a ten or even an eight, I would say about a five or six.
My conclusion, and why I sold them along with the Trilogies, is they are not all that dynamic, they do seem to sound a bit worse over time, but I am not totally sure of that, and finally they just lack that bit of true magical warmth and organic playability that the Duncan's and even the Lollars seem to have when you st

Apache Single Coils set
passive
output around 5 ohms
Alnico Magnents

Installed in USA Fender Strat
All 3 positions, replaced stock pickups
Lots of artists use these pickups now..
Changed pickups because I wanted a low output sweet sounding authentic 50's strat sound.

Output level is just right..
Used with a Marshall Jubilee and various Fender amps, mostly vintage or clones....
The tone is very clear focused and well balanced..Very touch responsive and these pickups can grown when needed..I thought they would be suitable for blues and occasions when low output old school style pickups are needed however they are very versatile and makes my strat even more versatile (so this is what Leo intended)...NOtes just bloom, and all the tones are just so clear...These Apaches do not have the characteristic midrange dip of 60s style pickups (I guess thats a Mothers Milk)...These are true 50's style pickups...All the EQ characteristics are in place and best of all they just sound good.

Its amazing what lengths other pickup dealers are going to just to bash Bare Knuckle. Anyone who has tried these 'pups out just love them. I think the post below is obviously an angry bitter dealer. Basically because his comments are just too far left and simply not true. BKP does not get anything from China. They make most of the stuff in their shop. Other pickup manufactures really go off on the last statement because it is simply not done anymore. Its expensive and most boutique guys do order stuff from China. BKP does indeed make their own parts and I assure you their magnets wont crap out in a month. Thats pretty funny...Another reason I think this guy is aligning himself with another manufacture and on some sort of smear campaign is because I have heard comments like these from another boutique pickup maker who makes a fine quality pickup. I called him on the phone to talk about his pickups and all he wanted to do is rant about BKPs and how they get all their stuff from China. That is just not the case and tactics like that just tell me, the consumer, that you hate BKP because they sound better.

Let me get back on point by saying that BKPs sound great. I love the Apache's and they are my 2nd single coil set. I also have the Irish Tours. These are very different. If I could have just one set it would be the Apache's because they have the most open pure sound.

I have tested these BKPs against, Suhrs, Fender Custom Shop 60s, Rio Grande Tallboys, and a stock Fender set. All these pickups basically had the same EQ curve-that 60s strat tone with a notched EQ curve at the mids, and The Suhrs and Tallboys sounded better then the Fender Made pickups. The Apache's had a different more 50's sound and I also think, EQ curves aside, they just sounded better. The Suhrs were the most mellow of the bunch and along with the Apache's, more of an open sound. The Suhrs were very fine pickups. The apache's however, have a clearer sound.

Single Coil Strat set, passive.

A custom built Strat with an Ash body finished in Nitro
I have tried and used many pups including stock Fenders, Seymours, Di-marzio etc..Plus the Seymour Antiquity series, I have heard Chubtones and many others...both factory and hand wound as well.
I genuinely heard good things about Bareknuckles so I decided to buy a few sets!

To be honest...I think most of the glowing reviews of these pickups are either written by

1. People in the honeymoon stage of these PUPS

To them I say...Listen honestly to your Bare Knuckles after 6 months...ask yourself, has the sound deteriorated?
Are the harmonics true? does the sound still sound wholesome and full with a nice balance through the frequencies.

2. They are possibly written by Tim himself or people that are influenced by him in some way.

Now heres the story...if you want a good set of handwound pups...go and buy some Antiquities, or Lollars or Chubtones or Fralins.
Dont buy these!!
Ask yourself why Tim has so many types and models, cause he is into marketing mainly, and making money at all costs.
He does not really care about quality...these pickups sound gradually worse over time...BELIEVE ME!!
I use point to point hand wired tube amps (I have several of those)...I build guitars as well, believe me...I KNOW!!

Dont fool yourself, Tim either uses inferior grade alnico magnets or poor wire that degrades over time, maybe bought from China or some dodgy manufacturer...either way in a few months your PUPS will sound like crap.
Don't believe what he says about finest grade alnico etc..."It's just hype and it's not true!"
I am not the only one who has experienced this, I have heard this from others also.
Put on a good tube crunch sound in 6 to 8 months and use your Apaches, the break up will be disharmonic at best...compare them honestly with some Antiquities or Lollars and you will die inside...and conclude that you have wasted your money.
Dont believe the HYPE...Bareknuckles are RUBBISH!!

I would never consider these PUPS again, they have nothing to offer at all.
You may as well burn your money.
I gave it a 2 only because they still worked...that is made a sound after several months...but that sound was crap.
BTW This was not only with the Apaches!
This also applies to his Tele sets...I had those too.

Single coil set beveled vintage stagger Alnico III scatterwound by hand, 6.4/5.8/5.8K,RW/RP middle with a Zinc Plated Steel Baseplate on bridge.

50's Fender Stratocaster, Alder body, maple neck, replaced all three stock pickups.

If you're looking for that vintage Strat sound with just a little bit more kick, these are the pups for you. I've tried many other "vintage" pickups from boutique pickup makers and these sound the best. From blues to rock they make a Strat sound like a Strat should.

I've been playing for 25 years and looking for pickups that would give me the tone, clarity and response that I heard from Leo's originals, I think I found what I was looking for. If they were destroyed or stolen, I would you buy them again no question asked. Tim's work is amazing and Jason's customer service is, well, peerless. I'm looking forward to trying out the rest of the collection.

Calibrated set of passive single coils, the impedance about 6.5K or something

Stratocaster (alder + rosewood neck) all positions. I am replacing Fender picups that came with the guitar. The reason was, well curiosity ...?

Output is slightly hotter, not so much. I use Peavey classic. The sound of the pups is better than the Fenders but I do not like the bridge pickup's output; too much squeal. I play rock and R&B for 17 years, did some recordings and just trust that I already know what I should know. To be honest, the sound is nice but I expected, you know, something extra, not only higher price.

I am going back to my old good Fenders. I DID want to try something new, you know, as they say: from the top shelf, and wanted to hear the bee's knees but unfortunately I did NOT. Anybody out there to buy my Apaches for a bargin price ?

Standard Apache alnico 3 but with top e and b magnet same length.

I fitted this to a US 57 reissue that I have had for 13 years.
I fitted the whole set, stock polarity with the base plate in the bridge to replace the stock fender ones. I asked for a custom set with the b magnet longer because I always feel the b string is not loud enough on the other 12 strats I have used or owned over the last 32 years.

The output seemed much higher but it didnt drive my amp input to distortion so much...muc clearer and richer soiund..all the harsh overtones and scratchiness i heard on the stock pickups have gone.
I use a 1960??s all valve Nolan which sustains and drives easily...but is difficult to get clean..now I have more clarity and sustain. My style varies from Trower, Kossoff, Beck to Grady Martin and Cliff Gallup...my guitar is now very versatile and more importantly rich and clear.

I will put these in another guitar soon althoug I will try some other brands out of interest but these have simply transformed a very mediocre guitar soundwise (it never really cut thru live) to a killer guitar. I have been playing since 1976..some years pro some semi..pro again now..but not paid enough. The only comment i would make about the pick ups are that the screws that come with them are not the correct countersunk type..and the jap screws are too thin for the holes in the base..so it would be better if they came with the correct vintage screws for jap gtr users..mine isnt but i have seen this before.

Dunno nothing about its impedance, I'm a musician, not an engineer but I suppose it is as the description says 6K or something.
A set passive single coils, flat pole pieces.

Very good American Stratocaster, maple neck, alder body, all three positions, and I'm not replacing my Lollar Blackface set, I'm just trying the BKP Apache.
The reason for the change is that I heard a lot of good words about BKP and I just wanted to try them and compare the Apahces to Jason's Blackfaces.

The output is more or less similar, I use all kinds of valve Fender amps, not too many effects, maybe delay and overdrive from time to time. The tone is quite nice, I would say, NO harsh produced by the bridge pup, much much better set than ordinary Fenders, I like the middle pup, nice country sound, but frankly speaking, nothing special for me, really. Not for that price ! Tim do you put gold into them or you hipnotize all those guys out there ?!
I've been playing Hendrix-like stuff for 27 years.

If it was stolen I would not by them again since I have already sold them to my friend for a bargin price, after three months of intense playing and recording. I went back to my Blacface set and until now have not found anything better for R&B or blues-rock stuff.
You know what I did not really like about them ? That dry sound. Only Alnico II or V can give you this beautiful reverb-like sound of a real single coil, forget about Alnico III - it sounds a bit better than ceramic ****. And you know what, there must have been the reason Fender stopped to produce pickups utilizing that magnet.
The magnets were not exactly flat in the neck pickup, sort of different compared to the other two in the set, which were OK.
The difference was not that significant but for 165?? I require the quality.
Final statement:
Jason you are the best, Tim you are surely a nice guy but Jason is the winner.

Single coil pickups 6.65K,5.95K,5.95K

Stratocaster - a very decent hand made copy, alder body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard - just standard.
The whole set of three pickups.
Replaced are Seymour Duncan SSL-2.
I do not like the sound of these Duncans at all...and other pickups I was using until now. Flat...

The output level is just a little bit hotter than Dunacans, Fenders.
I use Fender Blues Junior, Marshall DSL401 and no any effects.
Beautiful round and warm high tones, gorgeous mid and bass tones.
Bass and mid tones are warm and very palpable, too.
I play blues, rock-blues. Perfect pups for this stuff and the like.
These pickups sound very very good in each of the three positions.

If it was destroyed or stolen I would definitely buy the same set and would not do any attempts so as to buy any other pickups.
I have been playing for 23 years. I am strat-guy for all my life.
I never had anything else than just another starocaster.
I love about these pups the best vintage sound that I have ever heard in my life and believe me I did try lots of pups. Just perfect for me.
I used Duncans SSL2, some Fender sets, DiMarzio and other unknown to anybody products. I chose them because it was just another product to try, however I had read some reviews about them.
I have finally found my sound. Jesus, 23 long years !
If you crave for the pure vinatge strat sound buy it without any hesitations but if you play metal and the like just forget about them.
A little piece of advice. If you have a decent strat and want to have that beautiful famous vintage sound from 1954 strat this is a perfect choice for you. You do not have to have a very expensive strat !
Just a decent one as my own is will be enough, trust me. This is just a body and a neck - remember ! This is a piece of alder and maple and rosewood (if so) put together.
Expect gorgeous high and mid and bass tones; all are round and warm.
And that beefy and rich sound. Unbelievable !
Thanks Tim !

True single coil. Pasive. Slightly underwound. 5.8k/5.9k/6.2k

62 strat clone.
Body: Japanese origin. Alder. finished in distressed / relic nitro.
Neck; Japanese origin. Rosewood and maple. Medium jumbo frets. Worn with rounded edges. Nitro finished.
Electronics; Underwound handmade Vintage style pickups.Hovland cap. CTS pots. Fralin Blender pot.
Others; Callaham tremolo block.

All postions.

Harmonic Design 54 special

The HD p/us were excellent but I wnted a real underwound vintage sound on this Strat.

Output; Average for a vintage style P/U
Amps: all sorts, mainly Fender Bronco ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgA0mjpIdvM ) and custom amp; single ended 6V6 with alnico 15"
balanced. organic. not too warm. clear. happening.
I play blues, gospel, folk.
Not a metal P/u.

Very good product.

Pickup features: Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: 6 k

Model of guitar or bass: 90's Strat
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: Lace Sensors
Other pickups on guitar: Breknuckle Crawler at the bridge
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Varied rock & pop
Reason for pickup change: Looking for classic strat chime without low end boom or shrill top end

Perceived output level: Slightly above 50;s Fenders
Tone: Clear and balanced, articulate
Sonic evaluation: Peavey Duel. A great heavy duty 120 watt valve amp, quite Fender Twin ish,

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock & pop. Put in middle and neck positions. Very good clean sounds for rythem work. Great for actively backing the singers without drowning them or muddying the overal sound with too much gain. That's what we are all supposed to do, right?

Comments: The Apaches are great. They are very clear, but neither shrill nor sterile. They help you produce those classic strat tones that are actually quite illusive. We all get tempted into using more powerful single coils; this is counter-productive. Overwound pickups lose that sparkle and can give too much bass and a shrill top. The apaches avoid these pitfalls. I chose not to have a reverse-wound middle; OK, you dont get hum-cancellation in 2 & 4, but Tim at Bareknuckle explained to me the different tone that you get and he was dead right - standard wound sounds better, dosn't lose as much volume compared to other positions and is altogether more usable. I have a Crawler humbucker at the bridge and the middle combines well with it when tapped. It is louder than the Apaches, but that is not a huge problem. My strat is now a very versatile gigging instrument.

Pickup features: Single coil passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender HBMarvin Sig. Strat (Japanese 1996)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: CS54's
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Instrumental (Mainly Shadows style) and Blues
Reason for pickup change: Wanted a real vintage sound that only a handwound pup can give

Perceived output level: Excellent clarity when played clean which is exactly what I need and even volume levels across all pickups
Tone: Very very balanced with edgy highs not harsh. Lows very defined no muddiness and middle tones to die for
Sonic evaluation: Fender HBM Jap Strat with Vox AC30cc1

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Shads style instrumentals and this is a perfect match

Comments: These are easily the best pickups I have had on a Strat and I have tried them ALL!!! Excellent product, Superb service from BKP.

Pickup features: Single Coil Pickups - Don't let the name put you off. - 1954 stagger, RWRP
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: 2004 USA Fender Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Bare Knuckle Pickups - Irish Tours
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Varied
Reason for pickup change: Wanted even more classic Stratocaster tones...

Perceived output level: More chilled out than the Irish Tours!
Tone: Open, dynamic, warm and lots of depth, with a very balanced output
Sonic evaluation: First off, I have to say I have been using a set of BKP Irish Tour pups for over a year and I absolutely love them. They are fantastic pickups, but over the past few months I've had cravings for even more classic Stratocaster tones, and thought I?d go for a set of Apaches.
Fender Strat running into a Silverface Twin.
The first thing that hit me when I loaded these pickups is the tone. Very similar to the Irish Tours, but I had no idea how hot the Irish Tours actually are!! I swapped out the stock Fender pups as soon as I purchased the guitar so I kind of never really had a feel for the guitar tone/output before I loaded it over a year ago with Irish Tours?. Anyway the Apache pickups are absolutely gorgeous! Kind of like when you fancy a really fit woman (Irish Tours) and then you meet her even fitter sister (Apaches)? mmm not sure about that analogy but who cares, it may make you laugh if you?re reading this on the sly at work?
Tone wise, I?m using a set with RWRP set up:
**NECK** - Lush! Lush! Lush! Absolute quality ? very full sounding and cries out for a bit of SRV action. Compared to the Irish Tours I felt this pickup had considerably more depth, sounds great through the Twin. Fat rhythm sounds, and really sweet, rounded lead tones. Think Ben & Jerrys made with Gold top milk (for all of you milkmen out there).
**NECK / MIDDLE ** - As you expect really? classic Strat tones in an instant.
**MIDDLE** - I really like this pickup. I never really used to use this position until recently and I?m becoming a bit of a secret lover for the Stratocaster middle pickup. This pickup is a great compromise for neck and bridge positions. The Apache middle pickup is very sweet sounding and starts to cut through the mix at just the right points. I quite often switch from this position to the bridge and back again during a song? Very versatile, full sounding and aching to be played.
**MIDDLE/BRIDGE** - See NECK/MIDDLE?.
**BRIDGE** - silly smile on my face now. Going back to the Irish Tours ? those things absolutely wailed. Hot Hendrix. The Apaches however in the bridge department are even more favourable in my opinion. Mainly, because they sound so much more warmer running into a clean amp, the tone of the bridge pick up is really really sweet, slightly rounded highs but they cut through the mix AMAZINGLY. I love this position using the Apaches whether I running straight into a clean amp or through an overdrive pedal ? it sounds great!
Overall, I?m very pleased with the purchase. I was a little reluctant to part with some cash for more BKP as I didn?t think anything could sound better than the Irish Tour set ? however, as I said before, I was craving even more classic Stratocaster tones, and these pickups delivered that and then some. They put a surprised smile on my face.
But the best bit for me is ? because they are weaker than what I was previously using, I can crank my amp more, which is a God send, as my Stratocaster loaded with a set of Apaches going into my cranked Silverface Twin gives you a very, very nice feeling inside?. You?ll know what I mean when you get some and crank them!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: All styles but more chilled these days. Think "Little Wing" etc...

Comments: I don't even bother looking anywhere than Bare Knuckle Pickups. Fantastic cutomer service, and equally good products. Great value for money for a lifetimes worth of tone.

Pickup features: Single coil passive Alnico
Impedence or other specs: dont know

Model of guitar or bass: Squire Series 2
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: stock
Artists using this pickup: dont know
You musical style(s): Heavy ,Blues,Rock,
Reason for pickup change: found the stock ones to be way to bright and lifeless.

Perceived output level: hotter than stock
Tone: very fat clear,and well balanced
Sonic evaluation: i have 2 guitars a les paul and a strat. and i play through software amps like, Amplitube and Guitar Rig.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: well i will be using this mainly for clean sounds.

Comments: if it were destroyed i would probably get them again. ive been playing for about 5 years and i have tried other pickups like duncans and EMG's.
Bareknuckle pickups are the best ive played hands down. They make your guitar come alive. My guitar sounds like a totally different guitar now.
I laugh evrytime someone mentions Seymour Duncans and EMG's. they just dont compare to bareknuckle at all. Bareknuckles blow them away!! I cant wait to get more!!

Pickup features: Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: DC: 6.65/5.95/5.95K

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Stratocaster California Series 97 USA
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Tex Mex Single Coils
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: Not Sure!
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock and Metal
Reason for pickup change: The Tex Mex Pick ups sounded a bit gay and thin!!!They also lacked tonal quality in all pick up positions.

Perceived output level: Great sounding and superb clarity!!!
Tone: Classic Vintage Strat Tone - Very balanced!!!
Sonic evaluation: Marshall JCM800 50Watt Split Channel Combo at Home.
Marshall JCM2000 DSL 100watt Head and 1960B 4x12 Cabininet for gigs.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: These are very versatile and suit most styles with the exception of extreme metal. These pick ups sound good in all positions!!!

Comments: Been playing for 25 years now and this is the first time I've had the courage to change pick ups on a guitar...I'm glad I did!!!
These pick ups have made such a difference that my bass player doesn't believe it's the same guitar!!!
So what you waiting for?.....Go get some!!!!

Pickup features: Single Coil, Alnico III - bought mounted set specially aged
Impedence or other specs: 6.5k,6.0k,6.0k, 54 magnet stagger

Model of guitar or bass: original 57 Strat
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: 1960's Strat
Other pickups on guitar: replaced all pickups
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues, classic rock and english folk
Reason for pickup change: I wanted a better 50's sound and also had seen an example of the aging and the pickups looked original. I also have many pickups from bare Knuckle and they all sound good.

Perceived output level: A little hotter than my 60 slab board with original pickups
Tone: Really balanced, responds perfectly to the pick attack
Sonic evaluation: Using several tube amps including a Lexicon Signature 284, Fender Princeton Reverb, McIntyre BluesMaker. With all of them the sound is fantastic. Everything that I ever loved about the strat is here. The aged finish matches the guitar perfectly too. They look like they were on the guitar from the start, nearly 50 years ago.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For the music play these are perfect. If you are using a strat for any of the classic sounds they will be exactly what you need.

Comments: I got these with all the same polarity and the 54 stagger. They are also offered with the later stagger, but I wanted to have the old look. The aging process itself is incredible, even down to scratch marks from ajusting the pickup heights! They make this guitar amazing. The only limitations to the sound are my playing. They have the most incredible response to pick attack. If you back off they mellow out, hit hard and they can growl and give you all the harmonics you want. If you play a Strat, you should try these pickups. I know they are hard to find, and are expensive, but they are worth it. How can I rate them fantastic value? Look at what the cost of a set of antiquities would be. Add in the cost of a completely aged set of knobs and a scratchplate. Plus, these are hand made to your own specification, and now you should be able to see why.

Pickup features: 3 passive single coil
Impedence or other specs: ? dont know

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Classic 50s Reissue - Mexican
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: standard pickups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: dont know
You musical style(s): rock country blues
Reason for pickup change: tone. looking for that all important vintage sounding strat tone.

Perceived output level: similar to standard but still fairly typical weak standard fender output - i.e nothing really happens till the guitar volume is 7 or higher! A fender/ single coil issue i think
Tone: balanced but exactly what you want. smooth on clean on neck and twangy at bridge with lovely in betweens at posn 2 and 4.
Sonic evaluation: wonderful. some may think the difference is subtle but when it crosses the line into the tone you're been after for years, its a huge leap. beautiful and slightly fatter/rounder/smoother than standard - even better than my Fender AM deluxe strats.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: rock country blues. not metal.

Comments: I put these in a Mexican Fender Classic 50s reissue strat (?400). I have Tom Andersons, US Schecter, Les Paul, PRS and this is currently my favourite - because of the pickups! Played tons of guitar and finally have found 'that' tone. Buy an expensive guitar by all means - but get decent pickups fitted! These are better than my AM Deluxr strat pickups.
Considered Fralins or Kinman (too expensive and perhaps over-rated (by Chris Kinman himself?!)) but went with these after reading the reviews. Not at all interested in Seymour Dincans, replacement strat pups or EMG etc etc. Im not disappointed and will put The Mule p'ups in my Les Paul.
Dont mess about with the others. A 9 only because ?165 aint cheap.

Pickup features: 1954-1961 passive single coil
Impedence or other specs: 5.6k, 5.6k, 6.5k. Alnico 3. A original early 50's Fender pickup was tested and found to be what is now graded alnico 3, although at the time in 1954 alnico was not yet graded which is why you don't see alnico 3 in the Fender specs, although this is indeed what it was.

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Mark Knopfler.
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Fender Texas Specials.
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Mark Knopfler
Reason for pickup change: The Texas specials were too gritty, too harsh in the midrange.
The guitar is a 50s/early 60's hybrid and I wanted a sound that is also from that time, the sound from the album Dire Straits Dire Straits and Comminique, check out "once upon a time in the west" and "NEWS" from the second straits album communique.

Perceived output level: 5.6k, 5.6k, 6.5k. Only slightly more powerful than Fenders weakest ever pickup, exactly what you want with a vintage single coil.
Tone: Beautiful, sheer class, no harsh mid, and more open responsive than Fender and others, due to the hand scatterwinding. The bridge is slightly hotter to eliminate any brittleness and the sound is nicely balenced and well difined. Other makers claim that their pickups are hand-wound but infact they are made at best by operating a machine by hand and in most cases completely made by machine. Tim Mills at Bare Knuckle expertly hand scatterwinds every pickup holding the pickup and keeping the specific tension with his thumbs, the pickups are wound by feel which creates a better sound. Because B.K. pickups are all build to order, almost anything you want is possible! I like the push back cloth which is the same as the original Fender, the wire is the same aswell, some of the parts are sourced from the original companies that supplied the early Fender. These pickups are the very nearest you can possibly get to going in a time machine to the 50's and getting a spot-on set of Fender pickups hand scatter wound as they did then, the difference is that it was hit and miss if they sounded good or not, because the girls wound them whilst talking, and lost count of the winds and the tension varied alot, with the Apache's and the other B.K. pickups each one is wound expertly and they all sound great! Forget the other makes. Bare Knuckle are the finest pickups there are.
Sonic evaluation: I use a Line 6 Flextone 2, a Line 6 POD XT-LIVE, and sometimes a Fender Hot rod Deluxe.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Mark Knopfler Style.

Comments: What can I say?
Its impossible for companies who mass market to come anywhere near this quality, its one man making the pickups to order.

Pickup features: Single coil passive
Impedence or other specs: b 6.6k, m6.0k n 6.0k Alnico 3

Model of guitar or bass: 1976 Fender Startocaster (USA)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: EMGs
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: don't know
You musical style(s): rock, blues
Reason for pickup change: Hated the idea of having a battery in the guitar- got fed up with the sound

Perceived output level: slightly hotter than stock
Tone: classic vintage like Stratocaster tone
Sonic evaluation: small valve combo

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Apart from my own stuff, rock & pop from last 40 years in a covers band

Comments: I would not hesitate to buy the same pickups again. Anyone who knows Strats and hears the tone on my guitar has commented. You cannot get a bad tone out of these pickups if you tried. I have been playing semi pro for 20 odd years and I cannot believe how much more enjoyable it has been since the installation of the Apaches.I love the responsiveness.They drive an amp beautifully. Just because they are vintage, they are not at all thin and weedy. They have real life to them. I have found that they respond too to less effects. I have toned chorus and other effects and in fact have used the guitar straight into the amp but with a dedicated reverb unit in the f/x loop. I like to hear the pure tone of the guitar/amp combination and it just gets better when you crank it up a tad- the distortion has never sounded better.There is nothing I don't like about them. For me it was not practical to bench test a whole host of different makes and models. I heard about Bareknuckles and heard nothing but great things. Their service is superb and their knowledge unbeatable - they are going to be huge. They have nailed the sound for me. At last my guitar sounds like it ought to. Played against my Japanese 1960's reissue, the difference is clear and I was reasonably happy with the Japanese guitar but I will be buying another set of Barknuckle pickups for it- it deserves the best. There are other models to suit other tastes, some hotter if thats what you prefer - if in doubt ask on their web site but do it- you won't be disappointed.

Pickup features: Single Coil Stratocaster Pickup
Impedence or other specs: 6.6K

Model of guitar or bass: 1983 Squier JV '62 Stratocaster
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Duncan Classic Stack
Other pickups on guitar: Bare Knucke Mother's Milk attached to Neck and Middle
Artists using this pickup: ????
You musical style(s): Surf
Reason for pickup change: Needed to balance the other BKPs - but wanted something a bit different in the bridge

Perceived output level: Just hotter than classic strat
Tone: Oodles of Treble and 'presence'. Real sustain.
Sonic evaluation: This is an Alnico III 1956 stagger model - they will make an original 1954 stagger, and they'll do it for you. BKP seem to make to custom order but charge less than SD standard issue pups - how long this can last I dont know, but they are currently the greatest pup manufacturers in the industry (let me state this: I do not work for them or own shares in them!)
This goes into a Vox Valvetronix - it is absolutely awesome - it has the classic bridge twang of The Ventures/The Shadows and more. When you add verb and tremolo fx you get Belairs, Chantays, Dick Dale and The Lively Ones. When you had a Bad Monkey or a TS9 you get screaming blues.
Best of all mix this in the Bridge and the Mother's Milk in the Middle and you have a sound that is thick, woody, open and with presence - its more clean P90 than Knopfler out of phase. It has become my favourite position and I hated it before.
(I mighr poinr out that I asked BKP to balance this to work with the Mother's Milk - it sure sounds like they followed my instructions)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a hot late 50s sounding strat pup - it is not a modern thrash machine - I play Surf - this pup is Surf guitar but soo much more

Comments: JVs are known to be good - but mine is now a league beyond good, it is the sound of the Stratocaster bridge pup incarnate.
If you want this get one of these

Pickup features: single coil passive
Impedence or other specs: Neck 6.0k Middle6.0k Bridge 6.6k Alnico III magnets

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Japan 57RI Stratocaster. Alder body, maple neck.
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Texas Specials
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rhythm and Blues
Reason for pickup change: Texas Specials have a harsh top end that I've never got on with.

Perceived output level: Slightly less than TS - enough for my uses.
Tone: A full balanced tone with a sweet top end.
Sonic evaluation: Strat into a Cornford Hurricane via a George Ls cable.
Tim gave me some great advice when I phoned him up. He asked exactly what my needs were and recommended the Apache set. He explained the different sonic qualities of Alnico III vs Alnico V and how having the weaker magnet would exert less pull on the strings and give increased sustain. He explained how the effect of having a heavier gauge wire would reduce the harshness in the top end I was experiencing with the TS. Also, the difference between having the middle pickup RWRP over standard winding and the positive sonic effect the standard winding would have on positions 2 and 4. He offered two variations on polepiece heights (the 54 and the 59 staggers) - I chose the 59. He also warned me not to be put off by the name Apache!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Any style short of meltdown mayhem!

Comments: I've been playing 30 years pro or semi-pro and have had truckloads of kit come and go. My main guitars are a 63 Tele and a 57 LP Junior which I've had for years. I tend to bring in other guitars as the need / taste arises. Likewise with my amps but recently I've been using my Cornford Hurricane for everything.
It's always difficult choosing replacement pickups and it really depends on the sound you're after, but Tim, with his knowledge and experience makes that choice much easier. I'm blown away by the Apaches and can't honestly imagine anything that would better suit my needs.

Pickup features: Single Coil, Passive
Impedence or other specs: N 5.8K, M 5.8K, B 6.3K

Model of guitar or bass: Warmoth Strat, chambered swamp ash body, maple/rose neck
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: My own hand wound pickups
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup: Don't know
You musical style(s): Blues, swing, blues/jazz, rock
Reason for pickup change: Looking for that elusive vintage strat sound

Perceived output level: Slightly hotter than pure vintage
Tone: Balanced, excellent classic Strat presentation
Sonic evaluation: Weber 5E5A kit (Tweed Pro) with Weber Alnico 15" speaker. Damn nice amp!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Works for vintage blues, rock, jazz, country.

Comments: If destroyed or stolen I would probably give up guitar (har, har, not really).
Been playing donkey's years.
Very fine pickups indeed for anyone who is looking for that classic Strat sound. They are rich, exhibiting some raunch, yet posess clear bell like tone. These are not high output pickups. There is some magic in these, I really don't know how they do it. All the standard strat pickup combinations sound good. Positions 2 & 4 offer the classic quack, hum-cancel and sound great with perhaps a slight attenuation in volume. Neck & bridge pickups are assertive and distinctive in the way you expect a well bred Strat to be. Even the middle pickup alone is usable. Bridge & neck together sound divine. 1, 3 & 5 positions show substantial hum but great tone offsets noise issues. I think these are worth the money (which is saying something). I have played many strats equipped with different hardware over the years and these guys kick ass! Not searching for that sound no more!

Pickup features: Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: 6.9 I think

Model of guitar or bass: Squier Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Squier Series 2
Other pickups on guitar: Only the Bare Knuckle set
Artists using this pickup: NA
You musical style(s): many styles, rock, heavy, blues, jazz, eastern
Reason for pickup change: I wanted to try the Bare Knuckles Pickups...I found the Squier Pickups a little cold and stiff

Perceived output level: Basically a little hotter than a vintage strat
Tone: Very well; balanced and bright bellish tone
Sonic evaluation: I have about 10 gtrs ...2 strats, teles, Ibanez etc...a Flextone 3 amp and a Behringer Vintager...plus a lot of software amps as well.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I will be using that partcular strat for clear tones mainly...and some soft distortion, mainly for recording

Comments: If it were lost I would be very upset because these pups have a sound that I really like, a very clear vintage strat sound.
I have been playing for over 35 years...when I was about 18 I was considered one of the top guitarists in New Zealand, I have done loads of sessions in NZ and Australia and have been featured in Guitar for the Practising Musician a few years back.
I have owned pre cbs strats, I even once owned a 59 Les Paul and a fender Squier...loads of guitars and amps...boogies,marshalls, you name it.
When I first spoke to Tim I was really stoked how he took the time to explain things and was a nice straightforward guy who actually cares about his craft and not just the money.
When I finally got them installed...I was in the middle of spraying and re fretting a tele, so I was tired and not really in the mood.
STILL!!! the first thing that struck me was the top end detail...basically my other strat guitars sounded dead in comparison...this is not merely brightness but actuall harmonic sparkle.
I have read reviews where some users describe these Apache PUPS as being fat...I would not really agree with that, what they are is clear, warm, and bell like, a vintage sound but with more meat somehow.
They are way more alive sounding than most pickups I have heard over the years, and you cant get this by adding EQ or winding on treble in your amp (I record all the time...so I am speaking from experience here)the actually harmonic spakle that is in the high end is priceless and this alone makes these Pups well worth the money.
BUt if you use the neck pickup you get that rich piano like Hey Joe strat sound...it reallty is something.
So even tho I was tired and a bit jaded...I still was knocked out by the Bare Knuckle Apache sound.
I also bought a Boss Set for my tele and I cant wait to try those.
I will use a heavier sounding pickup for my other strat...but this one is pure vintage with the Apache PUPS.
This is the sound I want and I will be looking no further.
These are GREAT!!! dont muck around, they are great value, preofessionally packaged and a no nonsense vintage sound.

Pickup features: Single coil set for Strat
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Stratocaster 54 Replica
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): 60's, 70's & Blues
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Hot vintage (ie what vintage pups were like when new, before age got to them!
Tone: Clear and articulate without being shrill
Sonic evaluation: Strat & Fender Hot Rod amp

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: 60's, 70's covers, blues, great both clean and dirty

Comments: I've been playing for nearly forty years and these are the best Strat pickups I've played. They are Bareknuckles' take on the original '54 pickup, though I have the middle RWRP so the mix is humbucking, and are surprisingly versatile. I expected some noise and hum but they were much quieter than I expected. They had their baptism of fire in a gig last Saturday and came through with flying colours. Even the drummer commented on the sound!!

Pickup features: Single-coil - passive- Scatterwound Alico III magnets, 6Kohms
Impedence or other specs: Scatterwound Alico III magnets, 6Kohms, Formvar 42 gauge wire

Model of guitar or bass: Grosh Retro Classic and Valley Arts Custom Pro
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: BareKnuckle Rewinds of neck and mid position Lindy Fralin S/Cs and a couple of Kinmans in the
Other pickups on guitar: Tom Holmes bucker in the bridge of my Grosh retro classic "strat" and an Anderson H2 in the
Artists using this pickup: Check out the HC reviews for the other user :)
You musical style(s): Noodlings from clean, blues, jazz funk and rock. Most everything apart from shred n Death metal
Reason for pickup change: Curiosity. See my BareKnuckle Rewinds review - Tim at Bareknuckle suggested his Apaches to me as being outstanding pickups and devoid of any Alnico V treble harshness. He thought I'd like them and so I took a chance.

Perceived output level: Slightly hotter than old vintage at 6Kohms. The scatterwinding gives a sense of being louder as
Tone: The most characterful and wonderful single coils I have ever encountered. These are just soo musical. Very full, warm and
Sonic evaluation: Ok into a Carr Slant 6V (2 x 12 combo).
I got neck and reverse wound mid position Apaches - no bridge pickup as I have humbuckers in the bridge positions of my guitars. These pickups come in at 6 Kohms a piece and feature Alnico III (yes really) magnets in a vintage stagger and heavily scatter wound 42 gauge Formvar wire. Your choice of pickup covers - I got a sort of creamy white.
First up I put these in my Grosh taking out the Barkeknuckle rewinds of my Lindy Fralin Vintage Hots (see my review of those here on HC). Any comparisons I make are to these rewinds and are of course relalative - your ears may score it differently.
First impressions - WOW ! It was like some one had added a bit of Lucille to my "strat". Incredible. The sweetest strat pickups I've ever encountered and beautifully complex and full of character. Significantly more mids and warmth than my rewinds (which have Alnico V magnets). These pickups are "full bodied" - there's nothing at all thin about them. The sweetest non-jarring "highs" you've heard.
It is just wonderful to dig into the neck pickup and solo out sweet blues or jazz phrases. Simply stunning. The pickups have a "chewy" feel and quality to them?- great to get your teeth, I mean pick, into. The chime is all there - probably more so than on any other pickup I've heard.
And the mid pickup is gorgeous - emminently useable by itself and making a very bold statement - I've never heard a mid pickup quite like it. Get those Robert Cray tones in the "out of phase" positions but with more mids - a jazzier or smokier take if you will. Hit these pickups hard and the notes get very complex indeed - simply steaming with character.

These have vintage-type outputs but are just plenty loud for me - using a 300 Kohm volume pot helps there. Not high gain beasts of course - but they sound simply wonderful through a cascaded Crowther Hotcake and BJF Baby Blue combination (both up to about 7) - is that enough gain for you ? It is for me.
Now this is where I got to experimenting. I'm not actually used to such mids on a strat. So I resinstalled the Bareknuckle rewinds of my Fralins. Much sparser in the mids and I think somewhat more uncluttered and "clearer". Hard to describe but somehow more "stringy" and lean. The low fat version.
And I put these Apaches into my Valley Arts Custom Pro (pre-Samick for the Anoraks". And do you know what - I liked them even more there. The pickups I took out of this guitar were Kinman Avn 62's. The Apaches smoked them in every department except noise (as you would expect). The Kinmans are good at what they do but the Apaches are excellent.
These pickups just totally totally kill, rock, scream in this guitar. A perfect match made in heaven. They are sooo good - I've never played better. It's hard to stop playing right now.
In the Grosh the Apaches were just a tad too thick for me - stunning for solos but not with quite the clarity I was looking for in sparkly rythmn chops. The Bareknuckle rewound Fralins have a springier/tighter bass. In the Custom Pro the bass notes are
springier and more "coherent" or focussed than in the Grosh. Note that the Grosh is alder with a rosewood board whereas the Custom Pro
is ash ( I believe) with a figured maple top and an ebony board, so maybe this is where the difference lies. Now many people would be delighted with this combination but TO ME - the Barkeknuckle underwound Fralins at 5.8 Kohms were more to my taste in the Grosh. It was a hard call to make and only made after I'd spent a lot of time swapping the pickups back and forth between the 2 guitars and testing, testing. However I think that this is the combination I'll stick with. Whatever way you score it

Comments: If some discerning thief were to steal these pickups I would replace them in an instant.
The customer support is absolutely second to none. Don't take my word for it get on the phone to Tim and see for yourself. By the way this was an overseas deal and was a real joy to conduct. I am actually trying not to gush in this review ( I know, I haven't succeded) - I just ought to make it clear that I have absolutely no affiliation Bareknuckle apart from being a genuinely satisfied customer. I wish Tim all the success he deserves.
I don't think that you can spend this little on your tone and
have such a positively beneficial effect on your sound.

Pickup features: Sigle Coil
Impedence or other specs: Alnico 3 Magnet. 6.0 - 6.8k calibrated. Scatter wound

Model of guitar or bass: Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Fender Custom 54
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues/ Rock
Reason for pickup change: To evaluate

Perceived output level: High output due to high number of coil windings
Tone: Best balance heard from any strat pickup
Sonic evaluation: Through Fender Deluxe Reverb. These pickups blow the one's on my 56 Closet Classic apart!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pu is great for any music style

Comments: If stolen I would automatically replace with another identical set. All Bareknuckle pu's are excellent - these are the best I have heard.

Pickup features: single
Impedence or other specs: 6k

Model of guitar or bass: 1978 Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: All
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Don`t know
You musical style(s): Blues, R`n`R, roots
Reason for pickup change: Needed more range and dynamics than the stock p/u`s were putting out.Bored with the sound(have had all sorts of replacements over the years).

Perceived output level: No louder than stock. Maybe even a bit quieter.
Tone: Perfect balance across all 3. Magic.
Sonic evaluation: I`m using the Strat into a Pod XT and a 1982 Music Man 112. The sound with stock p/u`s was clean and clear, but losing definition when turned down, harsh on the bridge ( I wired in the tone control for the bridge to take off some of the edge).
The Apache`s are more toneful in every department. The bridge is cutting but never harsh. The out of phase positions are hum-cancelling and as loud as the main positions, so you can solo on them without needing extra gain (Rat, Austin Gold). Neck p/u is warm, and does a great rhythm sound with a bit of treble rolled off.

I`ve had other sets in the Strat- various high gains when playing heavier styles, a set of vintage SD`s, multiple switching options etc. These are the most dynamic and responsive I`ve ever had.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mainly blues- older Chicago styles like Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Muddy etc, 50`s R`n R, 60`s rhythm soul styles and so on. These are great for all this stuff.

Comments: I`ve been playing blues and Rock n Roll for longer than I care to remember- I got the strat new in 78. It`s nearly as battered as I am.Tim from Bare Knuckle told me that these Apache`s are his newest single coils, and are based on the original 1954 Fenders, so they would probably fit the bill- and they certainly do.
When I was a kid , I was offered a `55 strat for ?75. Which I didn`t have.The sound I`ve got now is pretty close to the one that got away.I think there may be some law against 78 strats sounding like this.
I took a chance on Bare knuckle- must`ve liked the advertising and the other reviews here at Harmony Central- and I`m certinly not disappointed.
If they were stolen , the thief would be easy to track because of his bleeding finger ends. I use 11`s, these pickups sound best without the aid of extra gain, I like Dick Dale, and this Strat is hard work....and if I knew it all the way through i could probably play Apache on it.