Bare Knuckle Black Dog...your thoughts?

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Dimebag11

Dimebag11

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This pickup seems to be my favorite on their site...and I'm not super huge on super hot pickups, as any amp I own has more than enough gain.

So, what're your thoughts on the Black Dog?

Specifically for an all Mahogany Set-Neck guitar?
 
I had one in an LP: sounded like a slightly higher output PAF with some honk to it, which you may or may not like of course.
 
I like PAF style pickups, with the exception of the Duncan Custom (a bit too scooped for me). I have DiMarzio 36th anniversaries in my EBMM 25th and I loooove those, well the bridge pickup anyways. I always find PAF style pickups to sound a bit BIGGER.
 
I too think the world of the Dimarzio 36th. I have them in three different guitars.
 
Got em loaded in this '68 custom and man, I love 'em. They've got bite and mids like none other... Of course, it's all dependent on what you're looking for - I dig lower output pups with my amps. But these feel super strong, they've got great tone, I love their character - ya, probably my fave higher output PAF style pup that offers a spike in the mids. Otherwise it's RiffRaffs.
 

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Me and you have similar tastes Ventura. I trust you.
 
the duncan custom is hardly a paf type pickup... it would be more comparable to a ceramic nailbomb or cold sweat

the black dog is on the paf output ballpark, but has a different wire type and gauge and it's overwound in a way it sounds fatter and more midrangy than most paf based pickups
reminds me of the holy diver, but in a vintage form
sustains better compared to other low output models, with a juicy lead tone and smooth attack on chords
not as sparkly and open as the riff raff or mule, but a different type of vintagey tone
not really the Jimmy Page sound and even Tim recommends the riff raff over the dog for old Zep
I usually relate it to Soundgarden tones... heavy and slow, but "polite", like some describe on bkp forum
also reminds me of Paul Gilbert newer tones with that weird signature guitar loaded with super fat sounding single coils
top end is pretty round, so I wouldn't put it in an explorer or something, but it sounds amazing in maple top les pauls
for all mahogany I'd pick the riff raff, maybe the vhII for a bit more heat
 
I've had a set on order for the LONGEST time. They shipped out a few weeks ago. And tracking says they've been in the US for about two weeks. But the USPS is taking their sweet ass time delivering them. I don't know what the deal is.

But yeah... similar tastes. I love lower output pickups because my amps have lots of gain. And I prefer lots of mids in my sound. And the Black Dogs definitely sound the best to me out of all their clips on the site besides the Holy Divers (which I have in one of my guitars).

So as soon as the Dogs come in, I'll post up a review.
 
Hmmm, you don't think they'd sound good in an Explorer? What pups should I look into? Aldrich? The 500T is not clear enough for me...too hot, too muddy/mushy.
 
if clarity is a priority, bare knuckle pickups are hard to beat
for an explorer, I'd pick something low output or a high output ceramic, but not something harsh like the 500t or the duncan distortion
didn't you like the nailbomb? I remember you made some great heavy clips

I've been loving the riff raff model, but only tried it in a '96 prs mccarty and my '73 les paul custom
it's said to sound great in explorers as well
the vhII has the same specs as the nailbomb (long alnico 5 magnet, enamel coated wire, heavily overwound offset coils), but with a thicker vintage spec wire gauge, so it stays under 10k
 
I didn't like the Nailbomb at all in my R7. Vastly preferred the stock BB1.
 
guess you enjoy low output, then
you might like the riff raff
it's probably of the brightest and the most open sounding model, so should balance really well with the explorer
 
The BKPs are pretty dependent on the wood of the guitar. That said, should be fine in any shape of guitar, just depends on the wood. The BDs are growly, in-yer-face, middy and chewy, and very defined. They stick out from the crowd, but not in a gross way - they sound incredible. My tech lost his shit when he installed them into my above ax. That said, my tech has lost his shit twice - once after installing the RiffRaffs, and the other, when he installed the BlackDogs. This guy sees a lot of equipment - a LOT. For him to get excited? Trust me, it means something.

I love their tone. They're not pigeonholed into Led Zep style/era of music whatsoever. Very versatile. They just sound "special" and that's all I can tell you.

Seeing as there's a pretty heavy hittin' clips thread in this main forum - and it's given me the jam to wanna strap a couple slingers on and play some tunes, I'll see what I can come up with. It's always a bitch for me to track anything with a full house - but I'll see. Bottom line, I don't think you'll be upset with what the Dogs offer.

Mo
 
Dimebag11":12jihpeh said:
Specifically for an all Mahogany Set-Neck guitar?
Click to expand...
One question - what's the fretboard material? Ebony? RW??
 
It's for an Explorer...and my buddy's Ibanez SZ520. Also, it's not listed as an option from their site...but I'd want it in black/white reverse zebra. They sell black, white, and traditional black/Creme Zebra but no black/white :(
 
yes, they do
just specify on the orders textbox

still not a great match for your guitar, though
you could e-mail Tim first
 
Have one in the neck of my Les Paul Custom. By far and away the creamiest, warmest lead pickup I've ever had the pleasure of using.

-C
 
I ordered a set of Black Dogs for my 61 SG VOS, should be a solid pup in that guitar.
 
I've been using Black Dogs for 6 years now between 3 different guitars (Hagstrom Swede, Les Paul Traditional Pro, SG). Far and away my favorite pickups. I think you'll be pleased
 
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