Bare Knuckle Pickups Irish Tour

3 calibrated Stratocaster pickups, scatter-wound, no hum-cancelling on the 2 and 4 positions. The RWRP option IS available, but I bought these on eBay, sight-unseen. A free set of medium strings comes supplied, which is a nice touch. Sent the bridge pickup off to Bare Knuckles to have it re-potted with a base plate: ten quid, two-day turnaround, great service.

Self-build Strat, alder body, rosewood neck. I was looking for some overwound pickups to replace my old Texas Specials: I???m your typical guitar nut, always looking for something new. I generally prefer a traditional Strat pickup (thin, sparkling), but a lot of artists use(d) ???hot-blues??? models, of sorts: Mark Knopfler, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, et al.

The product description from Bare Knuckles says ???gritty, bright and hot???, which is exactly right. The brightness is the first thing that strikes you, even with a rosewood neck. I went from Seymour Duncan APS-1s to these too, the biggest Strat contrast you can imagine. Bit of a culture shock. Scatter-winding apparently adds top to the sound, and ITs are spikier even than Texas Specials, with less mid-range boom. I was expecting a fatter tone, but through a Fender Blues Deluxe amp, they???re more edgy and plain aggressive than fat. Don???t buy these pickups expecting sweet, hi-fi Strat tones ??? over-winding means you lose a certain amount of hollowness and transparency.

The base-plate gives a tighter bridge tone ??? into Telecaster territory. I didn???t try it before the mod, so I couldn???t swear, but bridge does sound different from a usual Strat. More presence and definition. I wire my bridge pickup to the tone pot and you get a really biting tone with all the controls on full. Good for a lead sound with drive and/ or compression. Recommended mod.

BK tone guru Tim Mills reckons you get a better sound without the reverse polarity middle pickup. I would have preferred hum-cancelling, but the ???notch??? positions do sound pretty funky.

ITs are not particularly versatile, in my opinion. I play in a covers band, all different styles, and these pickups are great for harder rock and R'n'B, but not exactly subtle with pop and country. In that context, they???re just wrong.

I???m aware of being a dissenting voice in an avalanche of unqualified praise. I???ll have to face up to the fact I???ve probably bought the wrong model (which is why I haven???t given a rating). This is just a cautionary tale for anyone with similar tastes to mine. Irish Tours are good pickups, but they have a very specific sound, and I can???t get past their harshness. Expensive too. It???s good that that a UK manufacturer is doing boutique pickups, but we???re not getting much of a bounce on price. I would buy Bare Knuckles pickups again, just not this particular set.

Single coil, not sure of the specs but they have more output than standard Strat pickups without being too hot.

Installed in a Squire Classic Vibe - transformed a beautifully playable dirt cheap guitar into a tone monster!
Installed in all positions, with new switch, pots and electronics to replace the decent but not brilliant stock pups.
Loved the feel and unplugged sound of the Squire (and the price) but wanted "that tone".

Beautifully balanced, excellent note separation, bags of punch without losing the essential nature of a Strat.
I play mainly country a la Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Albert Lee etc (nowhere near as well as them I ought to add!).
Unlike most people who have reviewed these pups, I'm not so interested in the SRV or Rory G tones, I was after something more like Mark Knopfler in the mid 80s - ie clean, punchy and bright but not thin. The good people at BKP recommended Apaches or Mother's Milk and said Irish Tour would be too hot for that - I ignored them, and I think I was right. Yes, these pups are great for that dirty blues sound, but cleaned up they are fantastic and exactly what I was looking for. After 25 years I finally have the tone I've always wanted.

I hate to join the hype surrounding these pups, I was almost put off by the gushy stuff people have been writing as if they were trying to justify the price they paid.
But I can honestly say I was blown away by the Irish Tours. My Squire has now been rapidly promoted to first choice guitar - jumping over the heads of some others that cost me four to five times as much.
I've been playing for 25 years - most of which have had me searching for a tone I was happy with. Before these, the only guitar I've had that I was 100% happy with the tone was a P90-d vintage SG Special, but that was too delicate an instrument for major gigging and not suitable for chicken pickin' style country.
I haven't tried every pickup under the sun, so there may be other great pickups out there, but these do it for me. The search is over.

Set of three single coils. Bridge pickups has zink plated steel base (optional). Flat polepieces (optional). Very nice waxed wiring.

I purchased these pickups for a Strat-style project. I currently own a Fender '56 Custom Shop Strat, and wanted this project-guitar to be hotter and blusier than the '56. And oh my, it is! Before installing them in the project guitar, I also tried them out in the '56, comparing them to the stock Fender '56 Custom Shop pickups.

The output-level of these pickups is a bit higher than the '56 Custom Shop pickups. I mainly play blues through a 1957 Fender Tweed Deluxe-clone, using various boost, drive and wah-pedals.
The tone of these Irish Tour is nothing short of amazing! I wanted a hot, gritty, dirty blues pickup, and I got just that. If you are looking for that SRV/John Mayer/Hendrix sound, look no further! They respond very well to the smallest details in your playing - if you play gentle, they will clean right up, if you dig in, the sound will get dirtier. I felt they responded very well to every subtle nuance of my playing. Compared to the '56 Fenders, these have a bit darker tone, but at the same time they are extremely clear. They never seem to get too muddy or too nasal.

I've been playing for more than 15 years, and I never really messed around with pickups. I just usually play the stock ones, and I only got this set of Irish Tour, because I was embarking on my first project build. However, at the moment I'm seriously considering getting another set for the '56, or maybe to try out the Apache set. These Bare Knuckles are simply amazing! At the moment my project 60's Strat is the best sounding Strat I've ever played.

Technical Specifications straight from the Bare Knuckle website hope you understand it, I don't...

DC: 7.4/6.3/6.3k calibrated*
Magnet: Alnico V flat profile
Options: Vintage stagger hand bevelled magnets, choice of pickup covers. Also available singly.

Single coil "Strat" replacement set of 3 pickups

The Irish Tour set of three pickups were fitted to an old Squier Strat (circa 1994).The pickup set came mounted on a pick guard (bought seperately) but fitted and ready wired leaving two wires to solder to jack socket. This was really a nice touch that i wasn't expecting.
They replace the standard Japanese pickups.
I don't know of any artists using them, but I know a few who should! The company website lists the artists who use the range of products but it does not specify who uses which model.
My reason for changing these pickups was to get a better (read Hendrix) strat sound in a well balanced guitar. I got that in spades, plus SRV, Erics Clapton & Johnson and mark Knopfler.

The output level is "pushed" and sounds very strong. Bare Knuckle describe it as "...Gritty, bright and hot..." and that's the truth.
I have tried a Line6 Micro Spider and a Marshall MG100DFX amp. Despite the difference in amp size these pickups are so well defined you still get the exact tone you want.
I have tried them through the following effects; Keeley Blues Driver (phat modded Boss BD2) and an Electroharmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress flanger. The gritty sound is pushed more with the Keeley and really is bright whilst breaking up, think Foxey Lady, or Pride and Joy.
The tone is bright in all but the neck position which is bassy and mellow, on a five way selector switch. Positions 2 and 4 "talk", sounding like they are breathing. Mid position is bright and bell like with that punchy funk sound going on. The bridge position is
fierce almost telecaster like. All tone pots full up when tested but the variables are probably endless.
Overall the tones are clearly distinguishable but I would need another six months to get the full range out of them.
I think these pickups do exactly what I wanted, but it is a distinct strat sound and that could be limiting for a covers band like mine. Our range covers anything from the Beatles to Stereophonics. Then again I didn't upgrade the guitar for the band...

If destroyed or stolen I would buy again immediately. I have not gigged these yet, and wonder how well they will withstand my punishing right hand which is fairly heavy.. Long term durability issues could lessen my enthusiasm but I dont think it will be an problem.
I have been playing over 25 years but only gigged properly this last year. I have an Ibanez RG1570 which has a more versatile range in its H- S- H pickups but they do not have the quality of tone. I am thinking of upgrading the stock pickups with Bare Knuckles.
The range of tones and how the Irish Tours nail the Hendrix and SRV sounds is it for me! Oh, I haven't mentioned your man Rory Gallagher, yes they sound perfect for his sound too. I don't hate anything...if I had to moan I would say the pickguard was too flexible for me but that is a minor issue as i have never broken any sort of pick guard ever and this is a pickup review.
I compared these pickups in price and spec with the Fender vintage series. In the end I opted for these as I didn't want Fender pickups to fall short of my expectations and the technical details they provided were not as clear as Bare Knuckle.
I have my sounds now and don't think I will be searching anywhere else.

Single coil set for Stratocaster.
Stock wound but also available reverse wound/reverse polarity.
Different colour covers available

1986 Fender -57 reissue Strat.
Replacing stock pickups neck and middle, Bill Lawrence humbucker in the bridge.

Original pickups dull, lifeless, low in output. Neck pickup was best of the three.

I've spent a bit of time juggling heights - they seem quite sensitive in that aspect, at least more so than the stock Fender pickups I took out - but I've now got them settled.

I was hoping for a bit more body and output without losing the Strat character. What I've got though is so much more Strat than I had before! I used to live on the neck pickup, partly because of its bluesy, Hendrixy tone that suits my playing but mostly because the other two pickups sounded a bit lame and lifeless in comparison. I'm enjoying the middle and bridge pickups enormously and recognising so many classic Strat tones that I didn't have before.

These are higher output than stock, but not enormously so. This is just what I was after - bit more urge to push the amp harder whilst still being able to hear that its a Strat.

I'm currently using them with a Boogie Studio 22 and a small homebrew single ended amp. More amps to follow in a band context when the guitar comes back from having a re-fret - 2nd part of its birthday.

I'm playing mostly blues and 70's rock and they fit that nicely. They work well with effects and with a Univibe I'm getting some great Hendrix sounds. The 'in between' sounds are much stronger than I had before, great for those SRV moments when he goes for that tone or even early Knopfler if thats your bag.

I've been playing for 34 years. I've got another strat, a tele, a Les Paul Special, a 335 etc. I have a number of different amps - all valve - and have owned many others - Marshalls, Fenders etc.

I bought this guitar new and should have changed the pickups a long time ago. I tried swapping out the bridge but really should have done the lot. But then Bare Knuckles wasn't around back then and I would have put in something inferior!

I love them for the way they bring so much more of the guitar out - you can hear the wood and the trem cavity. Go for other brands or higher output and I don't think you'd get that so strongly. This is the perfect upgrade to an otherwise very good, very desireable Strat.

Part of the joy of buying Bare Knuckles pickups is the support and advice from Tim Mills. He is highly knowledgable about not only his own products and pickups in general but all things guitar related. Years of experience of being a pro player have given him this.

Highly recommended.

Passive single coils. My set was ordered with vintage staggered poles and stock polarity in the middle pickup. I installed them myself with a new pickguard, new pots, switch, shielded cable etc. I also did a super shielding job with a Callaham alluminium pickguard shield and a complete cavity shielding with adesive alluminium tape, so the guitar is dead quiet now.

Fender Mexico '60 Reissue, replacing stock pickups. I bought the strat without pickups and pickguard so I paid less for the guitar.

Output level is medium in my opinion, considering it's a single coil. (I don't have many single coil guitars so can't honestly compare them with other single coils). I use it with a Roland Jazz Chorus 77 and a Cicognani 6V6 blues amp. Tone is very balanced and also the volume remains constant when switching between the neck and bridge pickups.
I usually play fusion/jazz/blues and very rarely play strats at gigs, generally preferring humbucking guitars, but I do like to have some strats around the house and enjoy the Fender sound now and then.

I would surely buy these pickups again, I've been playing for 40 years and I think these are among the best single coils available today. I like the fact that they never sound thin, shrill or too trebly. Great for blues,rock, country and with 10/46 or 11/48 strings, the neck pickup, and the tone pot rolled off you can also play jazz convincingly. I recommend these pickups to anyone searching for a top quality replacement. I'm sure Bareknuckles rank among the big names in pickups like Lollar, Holmes etc.

Single Coil for Strat, DC 6.5 - bridge 7.65 - vintage hot

American Stratocaster Highway, rosewood fretboard, replaced stock picks - they had nothing I looked for.

Output level is a bit higher than stock, but not really HIGH OUTPUT. The do have a nasty edge (in a good way), reminds me of Texas Special (except that I don't like the TS's). The bridge have some more mids that the other two. Generally I'm not a fan of a stronger bridge pickups, but this time I really think it's appropriate.
The tone has som mids to it (especially bridge) but also a considerable depth and bass. Much more useful tone than original pickups.
Vintage sound but bit hotter and bluesier.

I also have a set of Slowhand from Bare Knuckle, which I had in another more bright sounding guitar (sold the guitar, kept the pickups). Even though they're supposed to be darker sounding than the IT's, on that guitar they sounded brighter. That goes to show that the guitar itself has a significant impact on the sound.
On this guitar with rosewood fretboard, these IT's really are a nice fit. On a spanky sounding guitar the might be a bit bright - but that's just my guess.

A pleasure to do business with Tim at BK!

Single Coil Bridge pickup. Vintage stagger, slightly hotter than vintage spec strat pickup.

I installed this pickup on a Fender 60's Classic Reissue Strat, replacing the stock Bridge pickup. The original pickup was too bright and glassy and did not suit the bluesy rock that I play.

The output is higher than a stock Strat single coil and easily drives my amp in to a great bluesy break-up tone. I can safely say that this is the most amazing sounding Strat pickup I have ever heard and I've heard plenty in the 20 years I have been playing! The tone is huge and 3 dimensional sounding. The bass is stronger than on a vintage pickup and the mid range is MUCH stronger. The top end really cuts through without sounding in any way harsh. These pickups are excellent for the blues/classic rock/hard rock I play and even my band mates have commented on how great the guitar sounds.

If this pickup was stolen I'd most definately buy this pickup again..in fact I'd buy the whole Irish Tour set and replace all three pickups! As I mentioned earlier I have been playing for a long time now and my strat is now one of the best sounding guitars in my 11 strong collection of instruments. My main guitar for years has been my Gibson Les Paul Standard and my back up has been an old battered Fender Tele, but at my last gig I played the Strat the whole way through while my les paul sat at the side of the stage! The Strat can now cope with anything I throw at it from high gain to jazzy clean. If you love a vintage sounding strat pickup but would love extra bite than this is definately the pickup for you!

Single Coil passive set.

Installed in a Fender Standard Strat set up for Slide Playing.

All three (I bought the set).

Standard USA Fender issue.

The original pickups (11 years old from new) had gone microphonic and I had heard good thinks about Bare Knuckles.

Believe me, they are the best.

The Output is very good with volume matched by tone, a lot more middle end than most giving a full,lush, shimmer to your playing.

The guitar is going through A Budda Superdrive Head and an old Marshall 4x12 cabinet.

Effects are minimal, a little Boss Chorus as and when required.

Our band is an originals Blues/Rock Band and these Pickups are ideal for me ranging any where between sweet through to Overdrive.

I would but bare Knickles again (in fact I may be looking to replace the Texas Specials I have in my main Strat and this si first place I would go.

Playing for 40 years, I also own a Bonnie Rait Custom Shop Signature Strat, PRS Single Cut 10 Top, Owens Crossroads Resonator, Mighty Mite Custom Strat,Martin D18.

I have a Mesa Boogie Maverick Combo which was used exclusively up until I bought The Budda Head, a Marshall JCN 800 Lead series 50 Watt Head and 4x12 Cabinet.

I love the tone and versatility of the pickups as our playing goes through many dynamics and the pickups blend right in.

I am very satisfied with the Pickups and the service you get from the company, very approachable and freindly service witha great personal touch.

Absolutley excellent, I heartily recommend them to any Tone Merchants who are looking for quality sounds at an acceptable price.

If you want to hear proof visit our bands website for some audio on:
http://www.blueonblack.co.uk

Keith Howe
Blue on Black

Single Coil. Vintage Stagger

2003 American Strat
All Positions
stock pups in all positions
none
Munk from LAZ
stock Strat pickups just have no beef

Output is a little higher than standard pups
I run it through a JCM 900 and some effects: VOX 847, Small Stone, Digi Delay, and an occasional Electric Mistress.
The tone is godly. I play guitar in a Lead bass driven funk/jam/metal group out of Chicago called LAZ (www.lazinmyhead.com). I really wanted to post a review on this pickup because it can be used for more than blues and SRV sounds. I get the most incredible distortion from my Strat and Marshall thanks to these babys. They bring such refinement to the table which allows me to go from Metal to Blues to Hark rock and glorious cleans. I grew up on Hendrix and the Chili Peppers, and wanted to bring their Funk rock and Blues tones into the Metal arena. With the Tours, I can do that.

Four months ago, my guitar was stolen. It was an American Strat that I had loaded with the Irish Tours. After the incident occurred, I did three things. I ordered another set of Irish Tours, called the police, and began looking for another Strat. In that order. They bring out everything that makes a Strat a Strat. I personally hate the hard rock/metal sounds of today. Les Pauls are nice, but too chunky for my tastes. I've always been a Strat guy. The issue I've always had was their inability to get any ballsier with throwing on a Tubescreamer or another pedal, changing the entire sound of the guitar. I read about the Tours on here, e-mailed the Boys at Bare Knuckle, and got the perfect sound. Buy these. They are the best pickups I have ever played. If, in the future, I ever get a solid contract and have the chance to put out a signature series, these will be in my Strat.

Pickup features: single coil, vintage stagger
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender American Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: All Stock Pickups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickups on my American Strat seemed to be a little bit lifeless. I wanted a hotter pickup that would help me get an edgier SRV type sound.

Perceived output level: Definately hotter than stock pickups, drives the amp very nicely but still isn't OTT
Tone: well ballanced- has a warm vintage vibe to the tone, not too harsh
Sonic evaluation: I am using a 2005 Fender American Strat tuned half a step down through an Orange Rocker 30 combo amp. Through the clean channel the pickups sound rich and full, very well ballanced and warm, the neck and neck/middle sounds are particularly addictive. Response to picking dynamics is amazing, sounding superb when digging into the strings, perfect for blues playing. Playing through the dirty channel set to break up and using a crowther blueberry to drive the amp and another overdrive pedal for lead tones, there are simply some monstrous sounds to be had especially in the SRV, Rory Gallagher, Hendrix ballpark. Each position on the 5 way switch sounds so full and rich compared to the stock pickups, the Irish tours just make the Strat a joy to play. What's particularly great about these pickups is how well they drive the amp without ever sounding too harsh and they have a real vintage vibe.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mainly blues, SRV, Hendrix etc- these pickups are perfect for that kind of sound- Little Wing/ Wind Cries Mary sound so full and Fat.

Comments: I have been playing for over 12 years and I have never bought replacement pickups before and I really didn't know what to expect. I have to say though I am very glad I did and I don't think I could play a strat without them now. They've really brought the guitar out of it's shell and given it a bit of life. The Irish Tours really do deliver and my start is now just a joy to play. Don't let the whole Texas vibe put you off these if that isn't your thing, they will suit a wide variety of styles.

Pickup features: Single Coil Set
Impedence or other specs: DC: 7.65/6.5/6.5k calibrated*(so the website says)

Model of guitar or bass: '93 Fender Japanese Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock in the neck and middle, and some old Seymour Duncan in the Bridge
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Blues/Rock/Country
Reason for pickup change: wanted a better sound, didnt like what i had in

Perceived output level: higher output than a normal set of pickups
Tone: very balanced
Sonic evaluation: Im playing my strat through a 1974 Fender Deluxe Reverb, and it sounds amazing clean. The pickups respond very well to how much attack you use. Step on my Fulltone Fulldrive 2 and it sounds even better for some overdriven tones

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: great for all styles of Country, Blues, and Rock.

Comments: If this guitar was stolen, I'd buy a new one just like it with the same pickups in it. I love them. I've been playing for about 3 years, and have a variety of pedals, and guitars... Theres nothing i dont like about it. Greatest sounding pickups I've heard in a Fender Strat. Gets that Rory sound like its supposed to no problem. I would highly recommend them to anyone.

Pickup features: Single Coil Passive
Impedence or other specs: See Bare Knuckle Web Site

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Highway 1 Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Fender Pickups
Other pickups on guitar: n/a
Artists using this pickup: Me & other fortunates
You musical style(s): Rock/Blues/Eastern/Melodic & Rhythmic
Reason for pickup change: I heard some Apache Bare Knuckles in a friends guitar

Perceived output level: a tad hotter than the fenders being replaced
Tone: Beautifully Rich & Full Bodied. Ooozes dimension & tone. Awesome bite in sustain mode.Harmonically rich in crunch mode
Sonic evaluation: Behringer AC112 Vintager. Line 6 Flextone 3. Computor based Amps
Played thru a Marshall and Fender Blues Junior

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: My upbringing was in Rock & Blues but I play a lot of variety. I love melody and Rhythm in music. These Pickups play beautifully in anything I choose to play.

Comments: If they got stolen I would be back on the phone to Tim for another set. Ive been playing for many years and these are without a doubt the best sounding pups Ive heard. They are a pleasure to play. No preoccupation or fighting with your instrument while trying to find your sound. All ya need to do is plug in and you're there for the ride. They'll go anywhere you wanna take em with ease. They also bring out the best tones in your amp. I have 2 other strats. I have a set of Apaches on the way & the other one is gunna have a hotter set. Ive heard a few different sets of the Bare Knuckles and what stands out apart from the unique sound of each set, is beautiful tonal quality and clarity with no hint of thin glassy, harshness, or the feeling of being slapped in the side of the head with an ice pick. Tim was so helpful & made it so easy for me with my enquiries and all his suggestions were bang on. Some one has got it right at last. Leo would be proud :) Oh ... I gotta buy a telecaster and................

Pickup features: Single coil, passive
Impedence or other specs: scatterwound

Model of guitar or bass: Blade RH4
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock levinson units- middle and neck
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan JB
Artists using this pickup: Moi
You musical style(s): Rock, pop, blues, metal,
Reason for pickup change: Needed more output, better tone, more responsivness. Also the neck & middle needed to balance with the SD JB in the bridge.

Perceived output level: Hotter than a normal single coil- balances perfecly with JB in bridge
Tone: well balanced- powerful bottom string response- lots of clarity
Sonic evaluation: Levinson Blade RH4_Crybaby_Mxr Zakk wylde_digitech bad monkey_Modded Peavey XXX 112(less gain than normal)_various modulation and delay pedals.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mainly covers- i need to be able to cover lots of styles

Comments: I would but bareknuckles without looking around now- these are the only single coil pickups i have ever been happy with- works well with drive and gives classic strat clean sounds. Tim is really helpful and I think he makes better pickups than a certain mr Duncan!Thank you! Really good personal service & lifetime warranty- Bonus!

Pickup features: Strat single coil passive, RW/RP middle pickup for hum-canceling
Impedence or other specs: DC: 7.65/6.5/6.5k calibrated, Alnico V flat profile,Vintage stagger hand bevelled magnets

Model of guitar or bass: '02 Fender Strat (Corona Calif)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock fender p/ups
Other pickups on guitar: na
Artists using this pickup: they'd love 'em if they tried em
You musical style(s): Classic rock, blues... pretty much anything
Reason for pickup change: stock p/ups didn't do it for me, too crass and uninteresting.

Perceived output level: Vast improvement over stocks, hotter, more refined, & better output tappering (with included pots)
Tone: tonaly orgasmic ;-P, extremly well balanced, versitile, biting classic strat tones
Sonic evaluation: Stuff I've tried with this guitar w/the bare knuckles:
Marshall MG250DFX & MG50DFX
Marshall 6100 30th Blue Full Stack
New ORANGE Full Stack
Behringer X-Vamp, V-Amp2
Computer-based Dolby 5.1 upmixing to surround speakers
Damage Controll 'Womanizer' preamp
Rocktron BlackCat Moan

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I'll play anything I like the sound of, but I lean towards Hendrix/SRV style and sound. These pickups are a godsend for this kind of music, but they are also very versatile.

Comments: I've been looking to replace my stock strat p/ups ever since I got the thing. It's a beautiful strat and was perfect in every way 'cept the pickups; they just didn?t match the quality of the guitar. These pickups make the guitar sound the way it should, like a classic strat... if Fender Strats sounded like this off the shelf, people would be a lot happier with their guitars and wouldn't spend years and $$$ searching for the sounds of Hendrix, Clapton, and SRV that they bought a Strat for in the first place!
If these got stolen or destroyed (along with my guitar I can only assume) I would be heartbroken/find and kill thief/get another strat and order these pickups.
Been playing for 6 years, only have this strat and a Jay Turser Sitka spruce acoustic w/a DiMarizo V-Acoustic. Used to have a Dan Armstrong.
I love everything about these pickups, honestly can't find anything even remotely lacking in them.
When I was looking for new p/ups for my strat I checked out pretty much all the popular brands (Seymour D., Dean Markley, Fender Custom Shops)... these are better hands down.

Long story short, I am very satisfied with these and would recommend them to anyone.

Pickup features: Single coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues/rock
Reason for pickup change: custom made guitar...needs to have pickups

Perceived output level: More than the average US strat pickups
Tone: Perfect clean, classic vintage strat, balanced with bite, great presence
Sonic evaluation: Fender deluxe 90 / Fender Blues DeVille

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Gallagher, SRV...anything that comes to mind

Comments: I would certainly buy these again if they were stolen. Great quality and the sound is such that I feel i could have put these pups into a skateboard and it would sound like a ?1000 guitar. They are also the best guys to deal with......there isn't a single aspect that I don't love about these pickups

Pickup features: single coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Strat
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Standard Fender single coil
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Rock / Blues
Reason for pickup change: To Find the tone i have been searching for

Perceived output level: It's an overwound classic single coil
Tone: The tone is Bassy and middy but not glassy in any way
Sonic evaluation: I am using a fender strat with a Marshall 50w JMC 2000 valve head and a Marshall 2x12 1922 cab

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Classic rock, Blues.

Comments: Forget all the other single coils you have heared, this is all you will need. I have been playing for 6 years and I'm a massive fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan, not just for his playing but his tone. As you can imagine i have bought many pickups along the way, Fender Noiseless, Vintage noiseless Ect, but none of them had that raw power or tone of Stevie. I found out about Bare knuckle in a guitar mag and gave them a ring. I explained what tone i was looking for and was actually greeted by somebody who understood me! As soon as i played it cranked up for the first time i knew it was the sound i had searched for, Clunky vocal single coil, sweet with the gain down but dripping with Texas power when cranked! There was no hiss either with the gain high. I know they say the review must be fair but it is! i can't find any fault with it for rock and blues. The down side is it may not be high gain enough for the metal players but anybody who cares about tone, this is the one.

Pickup features: Single coil
Impedence or other specs: Not Known

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Stratocaster (Mexican 60's model)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Manufacturers standard
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: Not known
You musical style(s): Blues/Rock
Reason for pickup change: Original pickups too thin sounding,wanted to replicate the sound of a 1963 Stratocaster that circumstances forced me to sell recently.

Perceived output level: Roughly the same as my vintage '63 Strat.
Tone: Classic vintage Statocaster,beautifully mellow neck,balanced middle & biting bridge
Sonic evaluation: Mexican 60's Stratocaster through GT-5 processor into P.A. system. These pickups have exceded my expectations and have made an O.K. guitar into a great one.For the first time in ages I've played till my fingers bled! The dynamics and tone are spot on for that classic 60's Strtocaster tone.The presentation with aged white pickup covers and the attention to detail in construction with fabric insulation instilled confidence that this was a quality product.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Excellent for S.R.V and Gallagher style blues,boogie and rock.

Comments: I would certainly buy these again and am considering buying another set for another sixties reissused stratocaster. I have been playing for over thirty years, and own six guitars mainly strats but one acoustic and one Ibanez Satriani. Having sold my pride and joy, a vintage 63 strat.owned from the age of 17,I now feel that I have something that comes close to the mark.

Pickup features: 3 x single coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 1983 jap strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: 1x 1970 strat,2x not sure but fender modernish
Other pickups on guitar: -
Artists using this pickup: -
You musical style(s): rock and blues
Reason for pickup change: great guitar-weedy pickups

Perceived output level: much louder than stock
Tone: a driven clean sound ,no horrible treble spikeyness
Sonic evaluation: used with ltd edition blues deluxe(jensen speaker)I now have classic clean sounds and all the driven tones one could ask for.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: a better player could obtain all the classic strat tones-SRV,hendrix,clapton,shadows,dire straits etc

Comments: I have previously fitted 'mules' into my flying V so knew what quality to expect.The sonic quality still surprises though.fantastic sounds on all strings and no crappy single coil thin tones at all.these pick ups have turned my guitar into a pro quality instrument.

Pickup features: Strat Single Coil set
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: American Std Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan SSL5's (x2) & an unspecified DiMarzio
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Me!!!! :-)
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, Pop, Soul
Reason for pickup change: Fancied a change, something with a bit more umph & grunt

Perceived output level: Perceived as louder
Tone: Very clear but powerfull, rich tone when wound up, a Texas Special on steroids!
Sonic evaluation: Tried through a Line6 Flextone Plus II on the Fender Deluxe setting

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Good all round replacement pickup, has good range of tone & character

Comments: 10/10. I would buy these pick-ups again if I had to get a replacement Strat. Was so-so with the Duncans but, they never really did it for me, I always felt the tone of my Strat could be improved but didn't think the Duncans did it 100%. The IT's are superb & at last, it seems we have a home grown talent who can & will take on the Americans & provide equal if not superior pickups at a reasonable cost (well, come on, they are hand wound after all!). After sales service is second to none (installation query). I've had to call a couple of times & each time I have been greeted with hands on practical help & advice - Tim rules!

Pickup features: Passive Single Coils
Impedence or other specs: Scatter Wound

Model of guitar or bass: USA 62 Re Issue Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Pickups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Watch this Space!!!!!
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock and some Country
Reason for pickup change: Recommended by Ron.

Perceived output level: Warm and Slightly More Powerful than the Standard Pickups
Tone: Unbelievable Difference
Sonic evaluation: I run all of my Guitars through the same Rig irrespective. Fender Concert 4x10 Rivera Model.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: My REAL Influences are Rory Gallagher, Roy Buchanon, Robin Trower and Bernie Marsden

Comments: I will admit that I have always been a Gibson sort of Guy, (despite my influences!!)
ALL I AM GOING TO SAY IS THIS...........
IF MY FIRST STRAT HAD SOUNDED LIKE THIS I WOULD NEVER HAVE TOUCHED ANOTHER GUITAR!!!!!!
I have been playing for some 37 Years and I have NEVER had a Sound like this before. THIS IS IT! AT LONG, LONG LAST.
Thanks Tim, You Sir are a Star.

Pickup features: Passive Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: Neck and Middle 6.4k, Bridge 7.8k

Model of guitar or bass: 2004 Fender Highway 1 Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: All positions
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup: I thought they used paintbrushes.
You musical style(s): Blues, Blues-rock, A bit of jazz, some grunge and a bit of randomness.
Reason for pickup change: My stock p/ups on my Strat sounded too bright and harsh.

Perceived output level: Described as "Vintage hot", about the same as Texas Specials. More powerful than the majority of stock strat p/ups.
Tone: Very clear with lots of presence. Detailed, defined mids and crystalline bass.
Sonic evaluation: I'm using these pickups in my Highway 1 Strat through a Marshall DSL100 and matching cab. They sound fantastic. The overall balance of sound is the best I've ever heard, with the bridge pickup matching the output of the other two pickups perfectly. I'm amazed by the clarity and presence and how it is acheived without getting stratchy or wearing in the high end. Output is perfect for me, more forceful and solid than the stock pickups without getting muddy or lethargic (i.e not following your playing closely enough as if it's too fat to get moving!). These pickups are designed to offer sounds in the Rory Gallagher (hence the name) / SRV ballpark. To my ears, they come as close to the sounds of those players as your playing technique will let you (And let's face it, that's where 95% of your tone comes from). At the neck and neck / middle positions you can get all the mellow sweet clean tones from SRV tracks like Tin Pan Alley, Lenny, Little Wing etc as well as the chunky rhythm stuff (Pride n Joy, Mary Had a Little Lamb etc.). The bridge / middle combination is great for Rory Gallagher stuff like Brute Force and Ignorance, Bad Penny, What in the world. But most importantly of all, due to the clarity, openness and versatility of these pickups, I get to sound just like me. Top! They really let the nuances of your playing come through better than any strat pickups I've heard.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: As already mentioned, I play blues, rock, grunge, jazz, and weirdness. To me the Strat is the most versatile electric. These pickups are the most versatile I've heard. Neil Young, Pavement, Hendrix, RATM, Buddy Guy, Pearl Jam, Floyd...these pickups will go anywhere I want them to. Unless you want death metal, these pickups have your bases covered.

Comments: I would definitely replace these pickups if they were stolen. I've been playing for 13 of my 21 years. I also own a cheap Encore strat with Kent Armstrong pickups (one hot single coil and 2 single coil sized humbuckers with a push-pull pot for coil taps) and two SGs: A junior with a Kent Armstrong humbucker and a standard with Wilkinson Humbuckers. All these go through an MXR Micro Amp and a Cry Baby, then into the aforementioned Marshall DSL100. There really is nothing to fault about these pickups. Everyone seems to be after the "like a Strat but louder" sound, and as far as I'm concerned, these provide that sound. I'm satisfied that I've got the best pickups for the job and that I can now get on with playing the guitar safe in the knowledge that if I sound crap, it's my fault. Add to all this the fact that you get very helpful and friendly service from the guy who actually makes the pickups, a lifetime guarantee, and free set of strings and a pick, and you're not likely to get much better. The fact that I use 10-52's rather than the 10-46's supplied is worth a moan though! The pick is cool and looks like it's filled with marmite.
Just a final word on the search for the tonal holy grail for a lot of us - SRV's 'Number One' Strat. Here's a quick breakdown of what I reckon contributes to his amazing sound, with helpful percentage points for each. Several Fender Vibrolux or Twin Reverb amps - 1%, 2 Ibanez TubeScreamers 0.5%, 1 Vox Wah 0.5%, GHS 13-58's 0.5%, 21 Huge Dunlop Frets 0.5%, 1 '62 Strat with slightly overwound but stock '58 pickups, 1%, and one Stevie Ray Vaughan 96%. Quite a long-winded way of making my point but I think you'll know what I mean.

Pickup features: Single coil passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Strat, Clapton Signature
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Kinman Woodstock
Other pickups on guitar: Kinman Woodstocks
Artists using this pickup: Not sure
You musical style(s): Blues, Vintage Rock
Reason for pickup change: After changing the stock gold lace sensors to Kinmans to get a more woody vintage tone, unhappy with the result.
decided to have the real thing and forget about the noisless stuff. I've got Fralins in my Blade Strat and wasnt overly impressed so decided to try some home grown pickups and went for Bare Knuckle.

Perceived output level: The same as the Kinman Woodstocks, no volume change when switching between the 3.
Tone: Everything the Fralins were supposed to be these Bare Knuckles actually were! Tim from Bare Knuckle suggested the Irish Tour because they were slightly hotter than the Sultans, my concern were they may loose some sparkle but once played that was laid to rest as the sound had plenty of presence and makes the Kinmans sound sinthetic, which I suppose they are to an extent, althought probably one of the best of the noisless bunch.
Sonic evaluation: I've never thought of the Clapton Sign Strat as a vintage sounding guitar, more of a versitile gigging tool that can sound real fat if you need it. However for the first time in 7 years I can not only get the Clapton sound but also the SRV and Hendrix sound as well. I play it through either a Marshall DSL 50 watt head and 4 x 10 cab or a Peavy Blues Classic (50 watt / 1 x 15 inch Speaker)or a Cornell Rambler (15 watt / 1 x 12). When i now switch between the B.K pups and the Kinmans its like going from a vintage valve amp to a bottom of the range Line 6!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Great for Blues and Rock. i've only got it on the neck position at the moment but will replace the others now that i'm confident and happy with the results.

Comments: I've got 3 strats and will replace all the pups in the Clapton sign and the Blade Texas Vintage (which currently have Frailin vintage hot in) as soon as i can. My 3rd Strat is a new (04) Fender Deluxe and has the Samarium Cobalt Noiseless in which I'll leave because they are the best sounding noisless i've had (which have inluded Kinman, Lace, EMG's, and Fender Vintage). I've been playing 23 years gigging for 11 and have, like most of us, spent a bloody fortune on equipment and wasted half of it. Music may be a fashion, but instruments shouldn't be. I've been led astray by advertising and big names. I've been equally disappointed with PRS guitars, Mesa amps and Kinman pickups, you dont get what you pay for all the time. My Favorite Guitar is a Levinson Blade Strat, Favourite amp a Denis Cornell Rambler and Favourite pickups are Bare Knuckle - BY FAR! Little advertising, Brilliant workmanship, Great Customer support.

Pickup features: Single Coil Strat Set
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 78 Lefty Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Originals
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Clean 'n' dirty blues: Robert Cray and SRV
Reason for pickup change: Original 70's pickups were really dark and un-Strat-like. Wanted a good cleaner sound with the real 'quack' of great Strat pickups overdriving.

Perceived output level: Similar output, maybe slightly lower than originals, but more balanced
Tone: Superb - mid-trebly, great balance. Just amazing.
Sonic evaluation: 78 Lefty Strat into Marshall TSL122 100W valve.
Wow, clean channel fat 'n' clean, lead channel clear middly overdrive, crunch channel wailing blues. Awesome.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues style, fantastic match, great in all positions.

Comments: OK, listen up. These are the best Strat pickups I've tried. I have finally found 'that sound'. I've tried several Seymour Duncan, Lace Sensor, Kent Armstrong replacements and these Bare Knuckles are the best. I contacted Bare Knuckle for advice on a Robert Cray/Dire Straits/SRV sound and Tim Mills suggested the Irish Tours. Hand scatter wound, lefty staggered pole pieces, wired to a replacement scratch plate and dispatched within a week of ordering. Fantastic service. I will be fitting these to all my Strats.

Pickup features: Single coil
Impedence or other specs: 7.8 calibrated from bridge

Model of guitar or bass: Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Kinman 56
Other pickups on guitar: n/a
Artists using this pickup: Unknown
You musical style(s): All
Reason for pickup change: Still looking for "that sound"

Perceived output level: Slightly hotter than standard
Tone: Well balanced
Sonic evaluation: "Stratulike" and Princeton - work very well together. Traditional strat tones but as you would expect from the name of the set - get that Rory Gallagher sound. Clean and crisp without being too sharp or edgy when clean and when pushed they have just "got it". Bridge and middle position best I have ever heard. All positions very usable, excellent range of tones and potential for use across just about all styles. Very quiet for single coils as well.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: All styles - calibrated set so all positions catered for

Comments: Yes I would buy again immediately. Playing 40 years, other guitars Epiphone SG Custom (with a calibrated set of Bare Knuckle Mule Humbuckers - also brilliant!) and Epiphone Casino (Bare Knuckle P90s on order - will be in the guitar next week!). Quite simply the best brand of pickups I have ever used, and I have been through just about everything over the years, service excellent and the price makes them excellent value. The personal service makes you feel valued and I now have the sound that I have wanted for years - was feeling very jaded with my music, but now it's a pleasure every time I pick up a guitar!