Bare Knuckle Humbuckers - Cold Sweat and Miracle Man Review - Revision history

Fran at 09:45, 24 February 2011

Fran — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 09:45:25 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 09:45, 24 February 2011
Line 54:		Line 54:
	==Reasons for Replacement==		==Reasons for Replacement==
	<br>		<br>
-	My Explorer was sounding a bit one-dimensional, with stock pickups being very hot and great for hard rock and heavy metal, with full deep tone but often missing subtleness and versatility with cleaner sounds (and ~~everyting~~ in between). At the same time basses in the neck sounded a bit boomy and had issues of muddiness when played at the bridge with heavy distortion, especially as compared to the EMGs on my other guitar. I was looking for new pickups that could handle metal very well including drop tunings, but with enough versatility and dynamics for a range of other tones as well. Bare Knuckle's Tim Mills recommended the Cold Sweat/Miracle Man combination.	+	My Explorer was sounding a bit one-dimensional, with stock pickups being very hot and great for hard rock and heavy metal, with full deep tone but often missing subtleness and versatility with cleaner sounds (and everything in between). At the same time basses in the neck sounded a bit boomy and had issues of muddiness when played at the bridge with heavy distortion, especially as compared to the EMGs on my other guitar. I was looking for new pickups that could handle metal very well including drop tunings, but with enough versatility and dynamics for a range of other tones as well. Bare Knuckle's Tim Mills recommended the Cold Sweat/Miracle Man combination.

Fran at 11:56, 19 November 2010

Fran — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:56:26 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 11:56, 19 November 2010
Line 79:		Line 79:

	''Amps played through:'' <br>		''Amps played through:'' <br>
-	- Peavey 6505 tube 2x12 combo <br>	+	- [[Peavey]] 6505 tube 2x12 combo <br>
-	- Fender 75 all tube 1x15 combo <br>	+	- [[Fender]] 75 all tube 1x15 combo <br>


Line 90:		Line 90:
	<br>		<br>

-	The Miracle Man in the bridge is suitable for anything metal-ish from 80s thrash to contemporary metal & metalcore, in standard as well as dropped tunings (I haven't gone below dropped Db for now). Chugging is bliss on these, there's punch, attack and tight bottom end. Note articulation and definition remain intact with the heaviest of distortions, even when strumming open chords. Sound is superb on the mids as well for high-gain leads (here I tend to a/b switch from the Peavey to my mid-boosted Fender amp). On the high side no harshness is detected even in the most trebly settings. Sustain is massive, but that I think is more an issue of woods, necks and amps.	+	The Miracle Man in the bridge is suitable for anything metal-ish from 80s thrash to contemporary metal & metalcore, in standard as well as dropped tunings (I haven't gone below dropped Db for now). Chugging is bliss on these, there's punch, attack and tight bottom end. Note articulation and definition remain intact with the heaviest of distortions, even when strumming open chords. Sound is superb on the mids as well for high-gain leads (here I tend to a/b switch from the [[Peavey]] to my mid-boosted [[Fender]] amp). On the high side no harshness is detected even in the most trebly settings. Sustain is massive, but that I think is more an issue of woods, necks and amps.

Fran at 11:33, 19 November 2010

Fran — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:33:34 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 11:33, 19 November 2010
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Category:Gear]]		[[Category:Gear]]
-	[[Image:shime2.jpg\|thumb\|300px]]	+	[[Image:shime2.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Cold Sweat and Miracle Man Pickups]]
	== General Information ==		== General Information ==
	<br>		<br>
Line 59:		Line 59:
	==General Evaluation==		==General Evaluation==
	<br>		<br>
-	[[Image:shime1.jpg\|thumb\|300px]]	+	[[Image:shime1.jpg\|thumb\|300px\|Cold Sweat and Miracle Man Pickups]]

	This pickup combo does everything I was looking for and so much more. Tonewise the Cold Sweat and Miracle Man each deliver as advertised on the Bare Knuckle website. Both in their respective positions sound full and deep yet very clear. Excellent control and channeling of the Gibson's mahogany wood tone, no boominess or muddiness. Tight note definition, plenty of punch but retaining maximum articulation when played even with heavily saturated distortion; subtle and sparkling cleans. The pickups are perfectly voiced for their respective neck and bridge positions. The key words are balance, versatility and dynamics for both, with added 'power' (Miracle Man) and 'depth' (Cold Sweat). In combination, three positions (neck, middle, bridge) together with split coil options on both pickups provide for an incredible range of tonal options, from drop-tuned modern metal to vintage rock, blues and jazzy cleans.		This pickup combo does everything I was looking for and so much more. Tonewise the Cold Sweat and Miracle Man each deliver as advertised on the Bare Knuckle website. Both in their respective positions sound full and deep yet very clear. Excellent control and channeling of the Gibson's mahogany wood tone, no boominess or muddiness. Tight note definition, plenty of punch but retaining maximum articulation when played even with heavily saturated distortion; subtle and sparkling cleans. The pickups are perfectly voiced for their respective neck and bridge positions. The key words are balance, versatility and dynamics for both, with added 'power' (Miracle Man) and 'depth' (Cold Sweat). In combination, three positions (neck, middle, bridge) together with split coil options on both pickups provide for an incredible range of tonal options, from drop-tuned modern metal to vintage rock, blues and jazzy cleans.

Fran at 11:32, 19 November 2010

Fran — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:32:58 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 11:32, 19 November 2010
Line 41:		Line 41:
	== Miracle Man Humbucker ==		== Miracle Man Humbucker ==
	<br>		<br>
-	[[Image:shime1.jpg\|thumb\|300px]]
	''Web ad/description'' (you can find it [http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/ZH-miracleman.html here])<br>		''Web ad/description'' (you can find it [http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/ZH-miracleman.html here])<br>
	"Straight talking attitude, colossal power and trademark harmonics. The Miracle Man features individually scatterwound exposed coils and a powerful ceramic magnet for maximum drive and clarity. Tight bass, smooth mid range response and an articulate top end prove that power need not be a substitute for tremendous sound quality."		"Straight talking attitude, colossal power and trademark harmonics. The Miracle Man features individually scatterwound exposed coils and a powerful ceramic magnet for maximum drive and clarity. Tight bass, smooth mid range response and an articulate top end prove that power need not be a substitute for tremendous sound quality."
Line 60:		Line 59:
	==General Evaluation==		==General Evaluation==
	<br>		<br>
		+	[[Image:shime1.jpg\|thumb\|300px]]

	This pickup combo does everything I was looking for and so much more. Tonewise the Cold Sweat and Miracle Man each deliver as advertised on the Bare Knuckle website. Both in their respective positions sound full and deep yet very clear. Excellent control and channeling of the Gibson's mahogany wood tone, no boominess or muddiness. Tight note definition, plenty of punch but retaining maximum articulation when played even with heavily saturated distortion; subtle and sparkling cleans. The pickups are perfectly voiced for their respective neck and bridge positions. The key words are balance, versatility and dynamics for both, with added 'power' (Miracle Man) and 'depth' (Cold Sweat). In combination, three positions (neck, middle, bridge) together with split coil options on both pickups provide for an incredible range of tonal options, from drop-tuned modern metal to vintage rock, blues and jazzy cleans.		This pickup combo does everything I was looking for and so much more. Tonewise the Cold Sweat and Miracle Man each deliver as advertised on the Bare Knuckle website. Both in their respective positions sound full and deep yet very clear. Excellent control and channeling of the Gibson's mahogany wood tone, no boominess or muddiness. Tight note definition, plenty of punch but retaining maximum articulation when played even with heavily saturated distortion; subtle and sparkling cleans. The pickups are perfectly voiced for their respective neck and bridge positions. The key words are balance, versatility and dynamics for both, with added 'power' (Miracle Man) and 'depth' (Cold Sweat). In combination, three positions (neck, middle, bridge) together with split coil options on both pickups provide for an incredible range of tonal options, from drop-tuned modern metal to vintage rock, blues and jazzy cleans.

Fran at 11:32, 19 November 2010

Fran — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:32:38 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 11:32, 19 November 2010
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Category:Gear]]		[[Category:Gear]]
	[[Image:shime2.jpg\|thumb\|300px]]		[[Image:shime2.jpg\|thumb\|300px]]
-
-
	== General Information ==		== General Information ==
	<br>		<br>

Fran at 11:32, 19 November 2010

Fran — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:32:27 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 11:32, 19 November 2010
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Category:Gear]]		[[Category:Gear]]
		+	[[Image:shime2.jpg\|thumb\|300px]]


Line 56:		Line 57:
	==Reasons for Replacement==		==Reasons for Replacement==
	<br>		<br>
-	[[Image:shime2.jpg\|thumb\|300px]]
	My Explorer was sounding a bit one-dimensional, with stock pickups being very hot and great for hard rock and heavy metal, with full deep tone but often missing subtleness and versatility with cleaner sounds (and everyting in between). At the same time basses in the neck sounded a bit boomy and had issues of muddiness when played at the bridge with heavy distortion, especially as compared to the EMGs on my other guitar. I was looking for new pickups that could handle metal very well including drop tunings, but with enough versatility and dynamics for a range of other tones as well. Bare Knuckle's Tim Mills recommended the Cold Sweat/Miracle Man combination.		My Explorer was sounding a bit one-dimensional, with stock pickups being very hot and great for hard rock and heavy metal, with full deep tone but often missing subtleness and versatility with cleaner sounds (and everyting in between). At the same time basses in the neck sounded a bit boomy and had issues of muddiness when played at the bridge with heavy distortion, especially as compared to the EMGs on my other guitar. I was looking for new pickups that could handle metal very well including drop tunings, but with enough versatility and dynamics for a range of other tones as well. Bare Knuckle's Tim Mills recommended the Cold Sweat/Miracle Man combination.

Fran at 11:25, 19 November 2010

Fran — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:25:35 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 11:25, 19 November 2010
Line 42:		Line 42:
	== Miracle Man Humbucker ==		== Miracle Man Humbucker ==
	<br>		<br>
-		+	[[Image:shime1.jpg\|thumb\|300px]]
	''Web ad/description'' (you can find it [http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/ZH-miracleman.html here])<br>		''Web ad/description'' (you can find it [http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/ZH-miracleman.html here])<br>
	"Straight talking attitude, colossal power and trademark harmonics. The Miracle Man features individually scatterwound exposed coils and a powerful ceramic magnet for maximum drive and clarity. Tight bass, smooth mid range response and an articulate top end prove that power need not be a substitute for tremendous sound quality."		"Straight talking attitude, colossal power and trademark harmonics. The Miracle Man features individually scatterwound exposed coils and a powerful ceramic magnet for maximum drive and clarity. Tight bass, smooth mid range response and an articulate top end prove that power need not be a substitute for tremendous sound quality."
Line 56:		Line 56:
	==Reasons for Replacement==		==Reasons for Replacement==
	<br>		<br>
-		+	[[Image:shime2.jpg\|thumb\|300px]]
	My Explorer was sounding a bit one-dimensional, with stock pickups being very hot and great for hard rock and heavy metal, with full deep tone but often missing subtleness and versatility with cleaner sounds (and everyting in between). At the same time basses in the neck sounded a bit boomy and had issues of muddiness when played at the bridge with heavy distortion, especially as compared to the EMGs on my other guitar. I was looking for new pickups that could handle metal very well including drop tunings, but with enough versatility and dynamics for a range of other tones as well. Bare Knuckle's Tim Mills recommended the Cold Sweat/Miracle Man combination.		My Explorer was sounding a bit one-dimensional, with stock pickups being very hot and great for hard rock and heavy metal, with full deep tone but often missing subtleness and versatility with cleaner sounds (and everyting in between). At the same time basses in the neck sounded a bit boomy and had issues of muddiness when played at the bridge with heavy distortion, especially as compared to the EMGs on my other guitar. I was looking for new pickups that could handle metal very well including drop tunings, but with enough versatility and dynamics for a range of other tones as well. Bare Knuckle's Tim Mills recommended the Cold Sweat/Miracle Man combination.

Fran at 11:24, 19 November 2010

Fran — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:24:32 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 11:24, 19 November 2010
Line 15:		Line 15:
	'''Price paid:''' 100 € each (local BKP dealer Belgium)		'''Price paid:''' 100 € each (local BKP dealer Belgium)

		+	'''Installed In:''' [[Gibson]] [[Explorer]] (2008), mahogany body and set mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard <br>

-	~~INSTALLED IN~~: ~~[[Gibson]] [[Explorer]] (2008), mahogany body and set mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard <br>~~	+	'''Replacing:''' Stock Gibson 496R and 500T humbuckers <br>
-	~~REPLACING: stock~~ Gibson 496R and 500T humbuckers <br>	+

Fran at 11:22, 19 November 2010

Fran — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:22:16 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 11:22, 19 November 2010
Line 16:		Line 16:


-	INSTALLED IN: Gibson Explorer (2008), mahogany body and set mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard <br>	+	INSTALLED IN: [[Gibson]] [[Explorer]] (2008), mahogany body and set mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard <br>
	REPLACING: stock Gibson 496R and 500T humbuckers <br>		REPLACING: stock Gibson 496R and 500T humbuckers <br>

Line 122:		Line 122:

	These pickups may be expensive but they are well worth their money. Until now I owned and played a Gibson Explorer with Gibson 496R/500T pups, an Aria Pro II metal axe with EMG 81/S/S pickups, and a Fender USA Jaguar with hot single coils. Tonewise, this combo covers them all - and then some. Truly amazing.		These pickups may be expensive but they are well worth their money. Until now I owned and played a Gibson Explorer with Gibson 496R/500T pups, an Aria Pro II metal axe with EMG 81/S/S pickups, and a Fender USA Jaguar with hot single coils. Tonewise, this combo covers them all - and then some. Truly amazing.
		+

	== Further Resources==		== Further Resources==

Fran at 11:20, 19 November 2010

Fran — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:20:43 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 11:20, 19 November 2010
Line 123:		Line 123:
	These pickups may be expensive but they are well worth their money. Until now I owned and played a Gibson Explorer with Gibson 496R/500T pups, an Aria Pro II metal axe with EMG 81/S/S pickups, and a Fender USA Jaguar with hot single coils. Tonewise, this combo covers them all - and then some. Truly amazing.		These pickups may be expensive but they are well worth their money. Until now I owned and played a Gibson Explorer with Gibson 496R/500T pups, an Aria Pro II metal axe with EMG 81/S/S pickups, and a Fender USA Jaguar with hot single coils. Tonewise, this combo covers them all - and then some. Truly amazing.

-	~~FURTHER RESOURCES~~	+	== Further Resources==
-	- Harmony Central user reviews: Miracle Man; Cold Sweat	+	<br>
-	- Sound clips for these and any other Bare Knuckle pickups can be found at http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/~~inde..~~.p?topic=11736.0 (recording sound clips myself didn't make any sense as I don't have the proper recording equipment)	+
		+	- Harmony Central user reviews: [http://www.harmonycentral.com/products/108307 Miracle Man]; [http://www.harmonycentral.com/products/107567 Cold Sweat] <br>
		+	- Sound clips for these and any other Bare Knuckle pickups can be found [http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11736.0 here] (recording sound clips myself didn't make any sense as I don't have the proper recording equipment)