Bare Knuckle Pickups Black Dog

Pickup features: Matched pair of British hand made, scatterwound Humbuckers
Impedence or other specs: 10k & 8.2k

Model of guitar or bass: Tokai Love Rock
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan '59 neck & JB bridge
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Rock / Metal / Blues
Reason for pickup change: The lack of mid-range tones from the Seymour's (IMO) was really starting to annoy me.

Perceived output level: I would say that they were "Warm" PAF type, but wax potted.
Tone: "Full bodied and strong, with classic mid-range detail". Can't argue with that.
Sonic evaluation: As mentioned previously, they're in a Tokai Love Rock, which is then plugged in to an Ampeg VL-503 Valve combo, or a PODxt. I've had to take the Ampeg back to the starting point (everything at 12 o'clock) and then re-dial in my sound, as these pickups have loads more mid detail than the SD's I replaced. I found that the SD's were really good with the treble & bass, but seriously lacked any mid (to my ears), and I had also started to find them to be a little bit "clinical". Time for a change.
After looking at what was about, and deciding what I was looking for, I looked into Bare Knuckle's a bit more, as I'd heard loads of good things about them. Luckily enough, my local music shop had a Tokai Love Rock in, loaded with a pair of Black Dog's, so I tried them through a Cornford Harlequin 6w valve combo. Clean they sounded really clear & sparkly bright, with good string balance, take the gain a bit further to "just breaking up" territory, and they sounded as though they were well suited for blues & blues rock. Turn the gain up a wee bit more, and you get well into the rock arena, from Cream & Free to Sabbath to Metallica & beyond (although not so good for chuggy Nu-Metal maybe). IMO, they're a lively, full bodied pickup with a good mid-range bias, and excellent string clarity.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I (try) to play Rock / Metal / Blues, and IMO they are perfectly suited to these styles. The neck may well even be warm enough for Jazz. I've got them in both neck & bridge positions, and the pair are well matched in either position.

Comments: Overall rating? Top marks to Tim, who makes them. Not only are these pickups made in the UK, they're scatterwound by hand, with 4 condutor wiring and wax potted as standard, with the choice of gold or nickel covers, black or zebra open coils. In the packaging is a free set of Martin strings and a Bare Knuckle pick, along with the "Limited Lifetime Warranty" card. They certainly aren't cheap, but if you look at any other brand of "boutique" pickups sourced from the US, you'll pay a damn sight more than Bare Knuckle ask.
Top pickups, top value for money.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Scatterwound

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG1570
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez V7
Other pickups on guitar: Ibanez S1 and V8
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock, Jazz and sometimes Metal
Reason for pickup change: The V7 was just to muddy for my liking..I wanted somthing that could give me more depth to my tone.

Perceived output level: Probably about the same as the V7 but not nearly as harsh
Tone: Full and warm with just enough drive to make it powerful.
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a 40watt Peavey Envoy and Ibanez RG1570. This pickups is perfect for what I want to play. It gives a lovely rich sound when you turn up the mid, not harsh or aggressive. If you want to play hard rock or metal then the Black Dog won't disapoint it's awesome for solos and chunky riffs. I found this pickup also really shines on the clean setting. It's sound is crystal clear and once again gives a nice full tone.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I am using the Black Dog for playing light rock and for jazzy Frank Zappa type sounds. The tone it gives for it is exactly what I was looking for. I think the Black Dog is equally suitable for both neck and bridge positions

Comments: If it was destroyed or stolen I would definately buy another as it has given me all the things that the V7 didn't. I have been playing aproximately 7 years and I also own several other electrics and a couple of classicals. The first thing that I noticed when i put the Black Dog in was that I had alot more sustain which is what i had been looking for for a long time. I also love the warm rich tone that i now get instead of the dry harshness that I got from the old V7.I am yet to find something I don't like. When I decided to buy a new pickup I knew I wanted a Bare Knuckle as they seemed to be the only company that seemed to cater for what I wanted. I am totally satisfied with this pickup and I can't think of any other I'd rather have. I would also like to point out that Bare Knuckle as a company were brilliant. I had a problem with the pickup as I hadn't noticed it'd been made for a guitar with mounting rings so I phoned them up and they suggested sending it back with the V7 so they could make a modfied one using the measurements of the V7. This was at no extra cost and i recived the newly modded Black Dog withing a week of sending it back. I will definately buy from them again.

Pickup features: Passive Humbuckers - Neck and Bridge
Impedence or other specs: Neck - just over 8K and Bridge about 9.25 K

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul Custom
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Two Seymour Duncan 59s
Other pickups on guitar: N/a
Artists using this pickup: Me! and Jimmy Page if he knew about them!
You musical style(s): Blues and Rock mainly
Reason for pickup change: The 59's were great. I've used them for 6/7 years and always been happy with them. Then a friend recommended these with such enthusiasm that I was intrigued. Particularly as I rate him having the most discerning "ears" of anyone I know. He noramlly has really top notch exclusive stuff (Tom Holmes etc) that I wouldn't easily be able to get hold of/afford so when he told me about these and:
1) I could afford them;
2) I could actually buy them in the UK
I was hooked.

Perceived output level: Very slightly hotter than the 59s. A real tone pickup, not a high gain flat honky thing.
Tone: Beautifully balanced. I bought the pickups as a calibrated pair and they are wonderfully sweet, warm and balanced with perhaps a touch more mid than the 59s. Tim at Bare Knuckle who makes and winds the pickups said he's calibrated this set by matching a Alnico V in the bridge with a (rare?) Alnico IV neck magnet.
Sonic evaluation: Ok, as I've said the 59's did the job for me for years. I was very keen not to get caught up in IMAGINING these pickups were different. To prise me away from my trusty Seymour Duncans they needed to be really something and well worth the money. I know there are better pickups out there than my 59's, but i didn't want to spend ?180 for a tiny almost negligible improvement. The good news is I really noticed the difference! They sparkle with the sort of harmonic content that I've never imagined in a humbucker. They completely bring the the sound of a plucked string to life. I play pretty much straight into a custom built old 50w Marshall Head into a 2x12 with Vintage 30s and at home a 1964 Gibson Discoverer Tremolo (9 watt valve amp)and BOY do these pickups sound fabulous. It took a short while to adjust to the slightly higher output and to knock the gain down (even further - I don't play with much), but once i readjusted you couldn't prise these out of my dead fingers! On a clean sound the Bridge humbucker sounds so full, warm, bright and lively. Let's face it, many humbuckers often just don't sound right without a least some overdrive. Well these sound awesome both clean and dirty.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For the blues/rock I play they are perfectly suited. I use poweramp overdrive where possible and fully use the guitar volume/tone controls to control my sound rather than effects of any kind. I think these pickups would suit any kind of music that you might use a Les Paul for. They are extremely versatile.

Comments: If they were stolen I would go straight out and buy these again. I've been playing over twenty years and I've played/heard a lot of gear in that time. I cannot imagine a pickup sounding better. These are it for me. I love the clarity and the harmonic content. They almost explode out of the amp sometimes and yet will still whisper with plenty of sweet treble when turned down on the guitar volume. They make a lot of other humbuckers I've heard just seem lifeless. These are the business. Seriously.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Hand made, scatterwound with open coils. About 10K

Model of guitar or bass: PRS CE24 Mapletop, 1990,
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: PRS HFS
Other pickups on guitar: PRS Vintage Bass
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock/Jazz/Blues
Reason for pickup change: Wanted more midrange growl, the HFS can be a bit harsh and sterile at times.

Perceived output level: Less than the HFS, but it has more presence due to the fantastic midrange detail.
Tone: Balanced, strong lows, detailed midrange, open high end - but not loads of high fequency just enough.
Sonic evaluation: Using a Marshall JCM800 2204, a Fender Super Reverb, Soldano SP77, Matamp Single Ended valve head, and a Matamp 1224.
Whatever amp you use this pickup gets the best out of your guitars natural tone. It is very responsive to picking techniques, and it's dynamic. It is never harsh, just a lovely balanced sound with powerful but sweet midrange. Pinch harmonics are there whenever you need them without having to try at all! Welcome to the real Pearly Gates!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Lovely Van Halen type brown sound when using the Matamp loaded with an EL34 with the volume on full! If you like classic rock, or any style that needs a great PAF type sound with a bit more meat, try this!

Comments: Happy to have this pickup again if it were stolen. I've used Lindy Fralins, Seymours, PRS, Rio Grande, Gibson, Tom Anderson, Dimarzio etc in teh past - the Bare Knuckles do it for me! At the price they are right on the money - you can pay more than the cost of a Bare Knuckle for Gibson or Duncan or PRS, and they are spun on a machine!!
Tim at Bare Knuckle is really helpful and happy to guide you to the perfect pickup - firts calss service!

Pickup features: Passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Just under 10K

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Explorer
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Epiphone
Other pickups on guitar: Epihone
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): 70's rock
Reason for pickup change: The ones on the guitar sounded a bit dull and I fancied trying something new.Rather than save up for a better guitar I thought changing pickups would be quicker/cheaper to do.Anyway the guitar feels and plays great, just sounds a bit weak.

Perceived output level: It growls. Not a high gainer but hotter than the Epihone pickup which always made me use too much amp gain to get what I needed.
Tone: Not a lot of bottom but very full mids.Cuts through really well and has a lot of detail in the sound.
Sonic evaluation: Laney LC15 with reverb. I don't use pedals just a lead and the gain from the amp. I'm not into metal or really heavy stuff but the Black Dog works really well with the overdrive from my Laney.Good and chunky,no mush just nice round bass and that Page bite.From stuggling to get the sound I've always wanted it's now become so easy.The Black Dog seems to sound good whatever combination of drive and volume I use.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock and roll, bit of blues, I'll have a go at most stuff. The Black Dog has great presence and sits really well in the bridge. Haven't tried it in the neck but I'm well impressed so might see if Bare Knuckle can do one wound for the neck.

Comments: Been playing for quite a while and have always hankered after the Page sound. Budget has always been a problem so I thought the best way top get a better sound was try a new pickup. I meet the Bare Knuckle crew at Music Live in the NEC Birmingham, they were really helpful and I had a chance to try out loads of guitars with their pickups in. The pickup cost me ?90 which was really pushing the boat out for me as my guitar only cost ?300 but the change in the sound has been so dramatic it's been worth every penny.I even got a set of strings and a mini switch with the pickup too.
If you want that Pagey type sound this pickup is the one, it really is a classic.