Bare Knuckle Pickups Irish Tour single coil set

Single coil,passive,flatpole option, alnico V 6.3 6.3 7.4 D.C
Hot vintage set.Hand wound, bought in a pre wired pick gaurd meaning
there are only jack and ground connections to solder

Replacing lace sensors on '89 strat Plus .These pups(sensors) sounded harsh through my ENGL 50 1X12 screamer combo. Good sounds could be had but very light right hand technique needed to avoid nasty overtones.Revese polarity for mid pup.

Output hotter than norm.All clean sounds excellent.All crunch sounds excellent.All overdriven sounds excellent.Very expressive and responsive to playing technique.Very broad range of tones.Bridge clean bights without being unpleasent and works well for hot country
even though its output is higher than norm.I get stuck in a sound like position 2, neck +middle claen and just want to stay there 'cause its soooh beautiful,then eventually wack the gain channel and bridge pup and scream , laughing that all of this is coming out of 1 guitar with 1 amp.Good for knopfler,SRV,nile rodgers! funk rock blues clean crunch or cranked.They're also surprisingly quiet,apparently dipped in parrafin and beeswax to seal the coils a la the old days.

I can't imagine a better sounding strat,any limitations come from me!If you want trad. stratty clean tones but an increased output to make her sing when cranked,then this is them!Playing for 30 yrs.Looked at fralins,van zandt,loller, bought these as i live in france and its easy to buy from england.simple credit card transaction, no probs.I couldn't buy some of the other brands over the net with a credit card, this also helped my choice as did the excellent reviews on this site.I bought my amp a while back after looking at the reviews here.I cannot fault either in any way.

single coil hot vintage.alnico V hand wound.Purchased in a loaded pick guard.Shielding Plate included.

Upgrade for an '89 Strat Plus to replace the 'lace sensor golds'.These sounded harsh when played through my ENGL 50 1X12 combo.
Good tones could be had but they where uncomfortably bright and produced unpleasant overtones especially with anything other than a very light right hand technique.

Great sound with a broad tonal range across all 3 pick ups.Very responsive to right hand technique in a positive way.I opted for reverse polarity for middle pup which is hum cancelling in position 2+4 of 5 way switch.Position 2 clean can only be described as beautiful,and the neck pup alone is full and great for single string blues or choppy funk.Position 2 crunch or overdrive is fat and generally agreable.Neck with crunch or overdrive is warm, fat and really sings with overdrive.Don't forget the engl 50 isn't a very high gain overdrive but its plenty for me, never fizzy. I rarely play the mid pup alone but in position 4 with bridge pup(clean) is a lovely tone, pleasently bright, a little less 'quacky' than standard output set.(to my ear).This position comes into its own with crunch or overdrive sounding fat with beautiful overtones.Think SRV.The bridge pup clean is bighting and higher output than the others easily compensating for the reduced string vibration at the bridge.This tone is very usable for retro surfy sounds as well as country licks.With overdrive its a beast, attitude, bad ass etc.
So then, put simply, great clean sounds but really benefiting from the higher output when overdriven.

I like strats and it would be hard to find better sounding pups for my taste.When pick ups are this good you don't need 'more'.I looked at lollers,van zandt,fralins and ended up buying these because I thought it would be simpler being in france to buy from the uk.Problem free credit card transaction.Thanks to other posters who helped my decision.
By the the way its the first time i've ever modified a guitar and have played for 25 years.Its well worth while.Good second hand strats
are plenty and even an idiot like me can solder in a pre wired pick guard,2 wires to jack socket 1or 2 to ground its that simple.So for well less than a grand (1000)youv'e got something that can't be improved upon.Problem is i think its addictive...

Well, frankly the set was rewound into Irish Tours from Seymour's Alnico V, which I did not like at all.
Have no idea as the impedance but I belive Tim did exaclty what he does when making Irish Tour sets.

I use a very nice Stratcocatser's copy, alder body, maple+rosewood neck, all three positions.

Quite high output but not too high, I use Marshalls and no any effects, play hard, blues and R&B.
This is a rewound from Duncan's Alnico V, just different wire, the same magnets. The sound is magnificent. I bought two years ago a set of Apaches - very good thing but I was suffering for more kick and, this is it! I have no idea how the typical Irish Tour set would sound like but this rewound is just incredible ! Fantastic bridge pup, beautiful the middle and the neck one.

I would rewind Duncans again or just buy the Irish Tour and forget about problems. The Apaches are very good but not for hard.

Single Coils

Guitar: MIJ 1996 Fender Foto Flame Telecaster.This guitar has 1 tele PU(bridge) and 2 Stratocaster PUs (mid + neck).
Position: Neck and Mid
Replaces: Standard fabric.
Replaced because I wanted a sound like Rory Gallaghers in my start PUs.

The output level is hot, and very well balanced with the bridge PU (Also from Bare Knuckles, from the Blackguard Tele series).
I play it through a Fender Blues Jr. (Laquered tweed) at home, with a 12" Jensen speaker, and a Fender Deluxe, Texas red, with a 12" Celestion Vintage speaker at band practice and gigs.
The tone in these two Start PUs are pure Strat, clean, good string separation, responsive.
I play Blues / Rock and this PUs is used for the more rocky(?) stuff.

I would definitly buy again if destroyed.
I have been playing for 34+ years. I have not owned a lot of gear, but I??ve had a 70?? Ibanez Stratocaster, a Gibson LP Studio and a 70??Aria LP copy (sound great). The Tele I have owned for 8 years.
It??s hard to compare PUs, because you are not able to really test them on your own gear.
I got a recommendation for the Bare Knuckle PUs from a guitar builder who said they gave the best value for money. And, he was right!
Apart from that it has been a pleasure to deal with the Bare Knuckle people. They seem very professional, they give good advices, they respond to your mails (however stupid..), and of course; The PU??s are to order, by hand! Still they manage to keep low prices.

Pickup features: PAssive single coils
Impedence or other specs: Prewired to a pickguard, flat profile Alnico V magnets

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Mexican Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock single coils
Other pickups on guitar: -
Artists using this pickup: -
You musical style(s): Blues-Rock (with this guitar)
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickups were starting to sound boring... Needed more punch and clarity.

Perceived output level: Enough output to drive my amp nicely. Definitely hotter than the stock pickups.
Tone: Balanced and way more clearer tone than compared to the stock pickups.
Sonic evaluation: Mounted to a Fender Mexican Stratocaster and used with a 15-watt Vox Pathfinder amp. MXR ZW-44 Overdrive used as a boost mainly for solos.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues-Rock. I'm able to get a great Texas Blues sound for SRV stuff.

Comments: I've been playing for a 5 years or so and these single coils are great for the stuff I play with my Strat. Great for that Texas Blues sound that I mentioned above and also for Rory Gallagher's songs. I also love to play Hendrix stuff with my Irish Tours, these pickups definitely give it another edge.
These pickups do have that "bite" if you know what I mean, and great dynamics even when I'm playing softly. Altough when played softly these pickups tend to sound like you're really beating the shit out of your guitar (maybe I'm exaggerating, but that's what I sometimes feel) and that isn't necessarily a bad thing as I love it. These pickups are hot! With these pickups I've found "the" sound I want for my blues playing.
Another thing worth mentioning is the great customer support and service you get from Tim Mills, the guy behind all these great sounds. He really knows his shit and helps you choosing pickups or with any questions that you may have. Very nice guy to deal with. I'm looking forward to buy more BKP products in the future.

Pickup features: Passive Single Coils
Impedence or other specs: er.....

Model of guitar or bass: 2003 USA Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: don't care
You musical style(s): rawk : )
Reason for pickup change: Stocks didn't have as much of the strat character as I'd like. In fact, I would have said they were a bit 'weedy' Also, the bidge had far too much of that 'icepick in the ear' type vibe. Also wanted more power.

Perceived output level: Def more output than the stocks.
Tone: Mids are much more in evidence across the board but still nicely balanced
Sonic evaluation: I use the strat with a Vox Tonelab SE, the power amp stage of a JCM900 and a Laney LC15R.
I really love these pups and I've found that I'm using the strat far more now than before. I've had them about two months now so the honeymoon period is over. Thats why i waited a bit before posting a review - I wanted time to be sure and now I am.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock and blues type rock. Aiming for decent Gilmour tones without going active. Also wanted a better 'Edge' type tone and better general single coil clarity

Comments: Fantastic pups - no doubt about that. One of my mates was so impressed, he bought a set of Mules from Bareknuckle to replace the stocks in his LP Studio (they really did suck) and he's over the moon as well. The service is second to none - small firms always kill the big ones when it comes to looking after their customers. Tim took the time to listen to what I wanted then advise me on what I needed. He was also big enough not to rubbish the (bigger) opposition, leaving me to make up my own mind. He really made me feel at ease. My mate, who doesn't venture into the interweb, also said the same of one of Tims colleagues (didn't get the name).
I was a bit (read VERY) worried about having to wire the pups in but Tim offered to do it for me. All I had to do was remove the pickguard, snip 4 wires and send the whole lot to Tim. He then wired everything in for me and sent the whole lot back. I only had to solder/attach for 4 wires back in. I love that kind of attention to service. He also put, at his suggestion, an extra 250 winds on the bridge to up the output - I'm glad I took his advice.
I checked out the usual suspects but I wanted to try Brit pups. I 've now the tone I was looking for - in buckets!!!
Other gear is 2001 LP std, a cheap as chips Yamaha 120s (tele type but with hb's - great guitar - wouldn't part with it), a Vox Concert 501, and bunch of pedals and rack gear.
If someone stole them, I would find them and slap them like a red haired step-child. I will be buying from Bareknuckle again - guaranteed.

Pickup features: Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: 7.65/6.5/6.5k

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Rory Gallagher Tribute Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Fender Custom 60's pickups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Gwyn Ashton
You musical style(s): Blues-Rock
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups were actually very good - I was surprised. I really missed the Joe Barden Strat Deluxe pickups I had in another Strat & I wanted to get the classic tone with a higher output.

Perceived output level: About 40 % more output than stock
Tone: Gritty, classic Strat sound with a LOTmore bite.
Sonic evaluation: I use a Stephenson LJ-10 & a '72 Fender Deluxe Reverb that's been blackfaced. Both amps are Killer!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues-Rock & classic Rock. These pickups are perfect for what I play.

Comments: I can't rate these pickups high enough! They are perfect & exactly what I hoped they would be. I checked out all the reviews of different pickups manufacturese on HC & all the great reviews about Bare Knuckle are true! Tim at Bare Knuckle is great to deal with & you get quality personalized service. In keeping with Rory's set-up he advised me to keep the middle pickup with stock polarity & to go with the vintage staggered hand bevelled magnets. He left the pickup covers off so I could have my guitar tech use the reliced covers that came with the Strat. I like these pickups way more than the Joe Barden's; they have a lot more character to them and more output. These pickups will stay in this guitar & if I have any more pickup needs I will be going back to Bare Knuckle! I'd be happy to answer any questions regarding these pickups; just send me an email.

Pickup features: Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: Fully mounted on deluxe pickguard with pots, switch, knobs etc.

Model of guitar or bass: Custom made AllParts strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Fender Texas Specials
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: n/a
You musical style(s): Texas Blues (SVR, Grissom, Duarte)
Reason for pickup change: I was looking for a better sound for rhythm/chord work. The Texas Specials are great for single note lead, but I find them a bit muddy and undefined when playing multi note stuff.

Perceived output level: Output level is slightly less than the Texas Specials, but plenty of level to drive my amp.
Tone: Tone is very well defined and full. The balance across strings and across pick-up combinations is perfect. Pleasant "bite" makes the notes stand out clearly.
Sonic evaluation: Mounted on a Strat made of Allparts stuff. Alder body/Rosewood neck, .12 strings, tuned down ? step. Amp is 72 Fender Twin Reverb and Mesa Boogie Mark IV.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Texas Blues in style of SVR, Chris Duarte, Jimmy Vaughn, David Grissom

Comments: I have been playing for 20+ years. Over the years I have used pickups from DiMarzio, Seymour Duncan, Tom Anderson and Fender Custom Shop.
My main guitar is a Fender Custom Shop 1994 strat with Texas Specials. After I exchanged the Texas Special for the Bare Knuckle Pickups on my All Parts Strat I actually prefer this guitar for the following reasons:
- Sound is more well defined, especially for multi note stuff
- The balance across strings and pickup combinations is the best I have ever had. In a live situation this really helps
- The sound has "bite" in an organic/pleasant way
- Great dynamics, playing hard, playing soft, the notes stand out clearly, great flexibility to drive the amp or to get the clean sound
- I slight woody character of the sound - you can hear the character of the guitars wood - I just love it!
The pickups are a little more noisy than I am used to - not a big problem - it acually ads some single coil authenticity. But I will try to work with the shielding of the pickup cavities to try to reduce noise.
I bought the Pickups via the Bare Knuckle online Shop as there are no dealers in Denmark where I live. The deal and delivery went perfectly with nice communications along the way.

Pickup features: Single Coils
Impedence or other specs: Unsure - check http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/ZS-irishtour.html

Model of guitar or bass: Fender USA Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Standard USA Stratocaster Pickups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock / Blues / Progressive / Anything really...
Reason for pickup change: For a more classic strat tone, SRV / Hendrix style, with a slightly hotter output.

Perceived output level: Hotter than standard USA pickups
Tone: Perfectly balanced - A georgeous sweet biting tone.
Sonic evaluation: Fender USA Stratocaster - Marshall Silver Jubilee 50/25W Combo. These pickups have to be heard to be believed. They embrace everything my original USA pickups had, but then some! It's really hard to describe, but the tone is punchy, biting and really sweet - NO HARSHNESS! NOT SHRILL! Totally addictive - positions 2 & 4 nail SRV/Hendrix, the neck position is full, rounded, thick, and the bridge pickup is a god send - the bridge pickup has georgeous trebly harmonix but is not like an ice pick - it roars and wails. You will have an instant "guitar face" when playing on this pickup.
I really recommend these pickups - to Joe Public, they may not notice much difference, but if you play week in, week out, you will notice the difference straight away. They only way I can describe it, is that it has a tone you want to bite, chew and savour. It make my Strat sound more like a Strat should sound, and my Marshall now is a perfect hybrid between a Fender and a Marshall - totally lush.
I phoned / emailed Tim from Bare Knuckle Pickups - he is a totally sound guy, who loves his music, and his job! It's so refreshing to speak to someone who is generally interested in YOU the customer - I really recommend Bare Knuckle Pickups - if only more companies adopted their attitude and quality of work/service.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock, Blues, Progressive, Christian Worship - very versatile - at home I can wail hendrix type leads, and at church I can get a U2 type chilled tone.

Comments: I would by them again. I wished the Bare Knuckle Pickups web site had sound samples (coming soon I think), but the conversation with Tim Mills was more than I needed. He really helped me narrow down my quest for pickups that would have THAT sound. Irish Tours are pure Stratocaster heaven....