Bare Knuckle Pickups Blackguard Tele

The Blackguard Flat 50 single coil pickup set, Alnico V magnets, scatterwound coils of plain enamel wire etc (see bareknuckle site for more details!)

Fender deluxe tele with S1 switching

Having had the tele for a number of years, I've been disappointed with the standard SCN (samarian cobalt noiseless) pickups that came as standard, to the point where I only used the guitar as a backup. I found the SCNs to be flat and lifeless, with a very low output, although they are noiseless. Installing the blackguards, well my expectation wasn't that high, but after having a preliminary twang after having them fitted I was quite excited, and then I used them for a gig. Well, I have 3 OD pedals - a self modded TS9, a fulltone OCD and a Lovepedal Eternity, along with a few other standard effects, hooked up to a 65 Deluxe Reverb Re-issue using the non reverb/trem channel. All I can say is I was blown away! It made me realise why I bought a tele in the first place. The sound is hotter than the SCNs but more importantly it sounds alive. It has what I'm going to call vintage overtones, but with a round smoothness that adds an extra dimension to the tone. It sings with the lovepedal, the bridge is crisp without being harsh, the neck is still punchy, especially when hitting the strings hard, and is distinct enough to cut through but is beautifully rounded. The in between position seems to be perfectly balanced (credit to the local guitar wizard!) with just enough of an edge without being at all harsh. The only downside is that all my mistakes cut through beautifully as well!

I wouldn't hesitate to buy them again - after idly chatting with the local luthier, he instantly recommended Bare Knuckles & I emailed Tim @ Bare Knuckle Pickups with a small essay about the sound I was after & he unhesitatingly recommended the Blackguards.
Speedy delivery, great value for money and a fantastic sound. Try them & tell me I'm wrong!!

Handwound single coil tele pickups. Flat 50's model. Check the website for specs http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/ .Exactly what tele pickups should be like

I replaced the stock pickups in my Fender Telecaster '52 Reissue. I replaced them with a full set of both bridge and neck Blackguard series. The stock pickups in the my tele sounded thin and stale. There didn't seem to be much life in the guitar.

The output level is perfect. It is not a high output pickup, but it can overdrive the amp fine. I am using it mostly through a Savage Rohr 15 or Savage Macht 12. But I also have a '74 Deluxe Reverb and a '74 Vibro-Champ. It sounds amazing through all 4 amps. The tone is very balanced. The bridge pickup can get really twangy, like a tele should be. But it is very versatile as well. I play in a blues/classic rock band, and it works perfect for that as well. Just a really versatile sounding guitar now. I have it wired for neck dark/neck/bridge. And there isn't a position that I don't like. They all sound great.

I already had purchased a set of Bare Knuckle Irish Tours for my strat and loved them. It was an easy choice to go back to Bare Knuckles for my tele. I have had the tele for around 4 years, and never got around to change the pickups out. Now I wish I would've done it earlier! If these pickups were stolen or destroyed(which I doubt can happen with Bare Knuckles manufacturing) I would definitely get another set. I've been playing for about 7 years. I own a bunch of other guitars. My other main guitar is a Warren Haynes Les Paul. And now my tele rivals that in tone. My tele finally has the sound I wanted it to have.

After installing the Bare Knuckles the guitar "came alive". Before it sounded stale, now it is inspiring to play.

I would recommend any of Bare Knuckles pickups to everyone, especially the Blackguard series. Their customer service is second to none. Emailed them with many questions(probably got sick of me) and they responded very quickly and very informative. Don't look further than Bare Knuckles. Just awesome.

Neck and bridge set. Single coils. I asked for an early 50s Tele sound, sort of Roy Buchanan-ish. I was looking for useable tones at either end of the spectrum. Teles often get too trebly, and the bass can sometimes be muddy. This set gives exactly what I was looking for. Not too hot, but hot enough.

Bought an 1986 Japanese Fender Tele for ??200 - great price - got the frets levelled and installed these pickups. I now have a VERY good guitar at a VERY low price.

The set is a pair - standard Tele configuration. I felt the originals were not up to the build standard of the guitar. The build year 85-86 is regarded as being a good, dare I say vintage year, but the hardware was not soo good. I thought the guitar deserved better, and the Blackguard set went beyond my expectation. They are the best thing about the guitar.

Output level - not too hot. This is a pickup for nuances of tone, not in your face aggression (they have other models for that).
Used through both an -all-valve Fender Blues Junior and a SS Marshall.
Tone: full useable spectrum from velvety bass to searing treble. I play clean for blues, using either fingers and/or pick, and the sound is magnificent. Sometimes I use a high-quality Gain Stage Red pedal for overdrive, and the pickups also sound great through that. I can't believe the sound I'm getting. Just what I was looking for.

Yes, I would replace if they were stollen, but then to steal them you would need to steal the guitar. I've been playing since the 1970s...professionally for 20 years. These are highest-quality pickups, better than the guitar probably deserves, so any future upgrade will be for the guyitar, not the pickups. They are staying with me forever.

A word also for the company. I phoned them up, got the guy who actually makes the pickups. Told him what sound I was after, and he said he would go and make them for me. They arrived four days later. They are Exactly what I wanted.