Bare Knuckle Pickups Nailbomb

Pickup features: humbucking, passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Chandler Strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: about every other pickup you can possibly name (just ask me!)
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan Custom minihumbuckers in neck/middle positions
Artists using this pickup: who cares?
You musical style(s): Rock, funk, punk
Reason for pickup change: Nothing too unique here, but just really couldn't find the right tone to counterbalance the other two pickups.

Perceived output level: Hot but not obnoxiously so
Tone: Punchy but soulful as hell and with beautiful articulation.
Sonic evaluation: I use this into a modified Marshall, all tube head into 2 4x12 cabs.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Can be used for what I play, though I would imagine for much more. Could you use it for death metal or straight blues? Yep, probably that, too

Comments: Entirely superb pickup, start to finish. Just flushes the rest right down the crapper, and god knows, I've tried many. If you care to contact me to talk about all the others, be my guest.

Pickup features: Passive Humbuckers
Impedence or other specs: 16k Bridge & 10k Neck

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: DiMarazzio P90 Neck & FRED Bridge
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Satan and Myself!
You musical style(s): Atmospere to Hardcore
Reason for pickup change: Stock worked ok but lacked in the tone color deparment. I wanted something with more balls and a different sound than what are found here state side i.e Seymour, DiMarzzio,& ect... . I run my Strat through all Monster cables to a Boss Compressor and noise gate, Bad Horsie Wah, Whirlwind amp switcher to a Mesa Nomad 100 half stack and a Mesa Tremoverb Dual Recto which are run in tandem. In addition I run Lexicon effects and a Avalon Design U5 for additional tone control and increased power in the frequence bands.

Perceived output level: Neck Hot/Warm output; smooth highs and contoled mids with a round bass respones. I think of recorded David Gilmour sounds and very organic with a vowal like presence in the harmonics which are popping out of my speakers. The bridge is much hotter, but balanced with the neck 100%. The bridge offers more of a cut through the mix highs that do not come off shrill. The mid and bass both have exellent response with the tone controls that curve the tone into wonderful new timbers. A 500k pot on the tone contols will give you a wealth sonic fluid to play with.
Tone: It's hard to beleive that pickups can change a guitar so much and so much for the better. I feel I have not just a new guitar but new amps as well!
Sonic evaluation: Tim Mills makes the best pickups I have ever listened to in my life with Evans being a close second but not the same in the personality department. The pickups are hand scatter wound with 43 guage vintage cut wire with Alinco V magnets and covered with a crome top and are perfect on my guitar.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Use these on any guitar that needs a good kick in the rear and a player that wants to put that perfect pickup in their guitar. If you want fat clean to a nasty mid crunch to pure gain that will scare Kerry King than tis is the pickup for you, if not try another Bare Knucke's pickup then, because Tim makes a wonderful selection to choose from. Go to the website and read and email him with what your set up is and then what you want and he will guide you in the right direction.

Comments: I love them! There appears not to be to many bad respones to Bare Knuckle pickups, most likely because they are quality all the way around. Thanks Tim for building me such an incredible pickup!

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass:
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level:
Tone:
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: I accidentally hit enter before I was finished with the review. My review was for the Nailbomb set in the ESP Viper 1000. If you want to contact me with any questions about the pickups feel free to send me an email. These pickups are the sound that I have been looking for since I started (and I have been playing for about 12 years now).

Pickup features: passive humbuckers
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: ESP Viper Ltd 1000
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: EMG 85 and EMG 81 (active humbuckers)
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): metal, rock, hardcore, emo, math rock
Reason for pickup change: didn't like the sterile sound of the EMG's, totally lifeless.

Perceived output level: Not as "hot" as the EMG 81 but "hotter" than just about any passive stock humbucker
Tone: Absolutely perfect!!! These pickups are "pure tone" period. The neck pickup has a really HUGE warm ballsy sound (fairly well balanced perhaps a wee little bassy but the mids and highs really cut through) and the bridge pickup has that classic crispy "skanky" sound that I just love (well balanced, very clear, mids really come through)
Sonic evaluation: For starters here is my setup: An ESP Viper 1000 (mahogany neck and body, basically an SG) played through a 100 watt Fender stage amp pushing a Carvin 2x12 cab. The only effect I use is a Rat distortion pedal, but I also use the amp distortion as well.
I originally thought that the EMG's were just going to be the shit since everyone seems to love them so much, but upon hearing them I just felt they were missing something. Don't get me wrong they are good pickups especially if you are into seething Nu-metal distortion a la a Metal Zone pedal, but other than that I think they are pretty much a one trick pony. What I am trying to say is that the sound from the EMGs has absolutely no soul, no warmth, no feeling, completely sterile and lifeless, especially when played clean. So I took a chance and bought the Nailbomb set from the guys at Bare Knuckle Pickups based mainly on the reviews on this site and it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. These Nailbombs produce the best sound I have ever heard come from a guitar. Pure, warm, beautiful TONE, and lots of it! It's hard to explain but its almost as if my guitar really came alive after putting in the Nailbomb set. It's like it was dead before and I never knew it. Don't be fooled by the name though, these things aren't just distortion pickups they sound just as good clean, probably the best clean humbucker sound I have ever heard. I don't know if I can really describe how these things sound with words, you just have to hear them. Trust me you won't be disappointed.
I just got a Gison SG Gothic an was comparing the tone of the Nailbombs to the stock Gibson and the Nailbombs sounded soooo much sweeter. I can't wait to put a set of Naibombs in the SG! All I can say is BUY THESE PICKUPS NOW!!!! You won't regret it!
By the way the customer service is great. Just send an email to Tim and he'll help you out with deciding which pickups would suit you best for the particular sound you are looking for.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play heavier rock/metal (Melvins type stuff), hardcore, thrash, emo, math rock.

Comments:

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker set
Impedence or other specs: bridge - 16 ohm and neck - 10 ohm (aproximate)

Model of guitar or bass: JacksonCustom Dinkey
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: both nailbomb calibrated set
Artists using this pickup: ME, chris george
You musical style(s): folk to thrash and anything in between
Reason for pickup change: the original lack clarity and power.
bare knuckle are hand made in the UK and scatter wound making hte guitar sound bigger :D

Perceived output level: Hot - but not overpowered hot so that you cant hear anything but fuzz, its a nice clear full sounding pickup.
Tone: Balanced with a slight mid scoop i feel
Sonic evaluation: My extreamly complex setup:
Jackson custom dinky -> vox Wah -> Marshall MG30 DFX (yes i know shit amp but gunna get a Marshall full valve DSL)
it sound amazing with this set up and can play anything, i have taken it to the local guitar shop and play with these huge stacks, in a word WOW. you need to buy this pickup even if you have a crap amp this will make you get a better one.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: rock, clean, heavy you name it does it

Comments: If it were stolen i would congratulate the theaf for having good taste in guitar stuff then kill him, if i didnt find him id buy 10 more so i wouldnt have to worry in future

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Aria STG005
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Aria stock
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: none known
You musical style(s): Classic Rock, Alt Rock
Reason for pickup change: Poor quality stock pickups on Aria gave rather a weak sound

Perceived output level: Quite powerful (much more than stock)
Tone: Beautiful balanced tone - warm, but powerful. A real classic rock sound
Sonic evaluation: Aria STG005 into POD2

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Ideal for classic rock but quite flexible really. Suitable for bridge or neck

Comments: I'm really a bass player (20 years) who decided to start playing 6 string a year ago. I bought the Aria as a starter, but although it has a very nice neck which I like, the pickups were uninspiring. The Nailbombs have completely altered the sound - a fantastic powerful but warm and balanced tone with great definition across the strings. The custom camo covers also look great.
Tim Mills at Bareknuckle is incredibly helpful and can easily guide you to the best option from his products - well worth the small premium compared with similar pickups. I also have a Telecaster and on the back of the Nailbombs I've fitted it with one of their Piledriver single coils - another fantastic pickup.
I'd recommend these to anyone, with the exception of someone wanting an EMG type sound for metal.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Charvel Journeyman
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan JB-4
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup: None that I know of
You musical style(s): Hard Rock/Metal/Intrumental
Reason for pickup change: The Duncan wasnt providing the sound I was looking for and i had heard great things about Bare Knuckle so decided to give one a try

Perceived output level: Hotter than avarage and not muddy at all
Tone: extremely well ballanced, my tone control actually does something now!
Sonic evaluation: I run my guitar into a Marshall JCM800 50w through a Jim Dunlop wah and MXR wylde overdrive. The Nailbomb just does not compare to any other pick up I've used. It sounds killer at high gain as you would expect from the name but it also cleans up incredibly nicely

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I mostly play metal and this pickup is perfectly suited

Comments: If you are looking for a new pickup look no further than Bare Knuckle. If your not shure what you want Tim at Bare Knuckle will help you find what your looking for. Best Customer Support ever!!! This pickup is the final factor in making my tone everything I wanted it to be. Bare Knuckle Rules. Simple As.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 16K

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Sambora American Strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Dimarzio Paf Pro
Other pickups on guitar: Bare Knuckle Pickups, Mothers Milk Single Coils
Artists using this pickup: -
You musical style(s): Rock, Hard Rock
Reason for pickup change: I was looking for a thicker,warmer sounding bridge pickup.

Perceived output level: Hot
Tone: Warm and deep with no loss of definition and clarity, great for adding depth to a bright sounding guitar.
Sonic evaluation: Marshall DSL 50 and custom made 2/12 with Vintage 30's, the only pedal is a Nobels ODR-1(green) overdrive.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Its the perfect pickup for me , i have tried all the big brands but they dont seem to deliver what they promise in there descriptions.

Comments: I am very very happy with this pickups tone, there is nothing worse than trying to gig/play with a bad tone. This pickup mixed with by strat's active preamp will do all the tones ill ever need.From blues to screaming high gain it does it all. I must also add that when i record at home using a digital recorder the tone is so much more valve like and toneful than my previous pickup. Plus Bare Knuckle Pickups customer service is superb. The only thing i wish is that they were around 10 years ago so i would'nt have had to change my amps about 20 times. Check 'em out.

Pickup features: Humbucker set
Impedence or other specs: 16K calibrated set/ Zebra 'Rythym' Black 'lead' pickups (open coil)

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul classic
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: all
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Rock/Blues
Reason for pickup change: I felt Gibson's Les Paul Classic pickups had a good amount of power but not a great deal in tone. Too harsh and undefined for my tastes and I required something that still had the power of the Gibson pickups but with more 'organic' sounding tone.

Perceived output level: Loud but still soulful and rich sounding, just because these are high output pickups does not mean you have sacrificed any tone.
Tone: These pickups have great bass and even highs. A good all round balance.
Sonic evaluation: Gibson Les Paul Classic through a JCM800 and 2x12 cab.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Extremely good match, highly recommended.

Comments: A great product and service from the chaps at Bareknuckle, I would heartily recommended them for the product and service I have received so far. A very helpful telephone chat from Tim at BKP lead to the order of these Nailbomb humbuckers. I received these within 3 days as promised, all in al a great product from a friendly, customer orientated company.

Pickup features: humbucker, switchable to single coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: epiphone les paul gothic
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: standard equipment
Other pickups on guitar: standard neck
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): metal/hardcore/emo
Reason for pickup change: i was looking for a pickup that would perform better live, to give better clarity and tonal variety

Perceived output level: higher level than original
Tone: awesome, the pickup is balanced beautifully, for bassy rhythm work or crystal clear lead
Sonic evaluation: i play the aforementioned epi' through a line6 ax212 and the difference in clarity is huge whilst retaining all the attack asked of a bridge pickup

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: i guess i play hardcore mostly, but the nailbomb is more than happy with black label harmonics through to the delicate clean sounds of a single coil tele when wired to be switched

Comments: ok, so not only does the nailbomb keep me happy aurally, it looks awesome in the black etched cover mounted on one of the blackest guitars ever, and it took me (a complete idiot/novice) no time at all to wire in, even with the new push/pull pot.