Bare Knuckle Pickups

This English Custom Shop has worked with the best artists to make very dynamic pickups, and are oriented big sound, whether with vintage or more modern grain. From the single-coils for Strat and Tele to their version of the PAF, the vintage tones' warmth and balance are authentic. But the brand's most successful models are the Juggernaut, Nailbomb, and Aftermath, capable of very high output and precision. This is the choice made without hesitation by the greatest prog and metal guitarists.

At Servette-Music, you don't buy them to try them. If you are unhappy, you can swap them back.

Models that are not on this list can be ordered at the same conditions as comparable models. 

2 years warranty from our workshop.

Strat-type pickups:

PAT Pend Strat® Series '59 slab board
With the PAT Pend Strat® Series, Bare Knuckle reproduces by hand and equivalent a selection of the best Fender pickups identified, corresponding to specific periods. The '59 slab board faithfully reproduces the sound of guitars built between mid-1959 and 1962 that are known for their warm, full sound. The '59 slabs are wound in vintage style with a fabric-like cover that respects the correct fiber levels and identically beveled Alnico V magnets for a superlative sound. The tones are hollow and woody in the midrange, powerful and precise in the lows, crisp and clear highs—the perfect replacement pickup for your Strats, slab board, or not.

Mother's milk
A bright and punchy 60's midrange Strat coil set, solid and dynamic lows, a woody and snappy character in the highs. The Mother's Milk is a combination of the wide Alnico V late '50s and the introduction of the new 42AWG mid-sixties filaments, corresponding to the '63-'65 period. This era's magnets produce a sound full of deep, accurate lows and rich, clear highs that scream when pushed overdriven, without ever sounding fine or squeaky. The mids are woody and supple with a nice grain compared to larger windings. As with all Strats sets, the bridge position is slightly hotter for a better balance between pickups. The middle position is RWRP to avoid background noise in positions 2 and 4. Sold only as a set. 

Irish Tour
A true set of hot pickups, vintage wound, and offering warm highs, sharp mid-range, and deep lows to achieve a sound we would call "Strat Powerhouse". The Irish Tour single coils are hand overwound just enough to get a clear and deep sound. Although they have a powerful and muscular output level, the Irish Tour are nevertheless positioned as pickups that remain very organic and visceral. The resulting notes are clear and particularly rich in the midrange with a "chime", warmth, and true harmonic roundness in the highs. The bridge pickup will push your amp towards a natural overdrive while the mid/neck pickups will give a more woody and hollow sound, corresponding to those of Mother's Milk on steroids. Enormous! 

Slow Hand
To go even further, here is a pickup with a hot output level for a vintage sound with an edge, which likes drive and distortion thanks to an accentuated presence in the mid/high range. The "Slow Hand" set, whose three single coils are calibrated by hand using properly beveled Alnico V magnets, are made to produce a bigger, more powerful sound and sharper highs. The increased dispersion coil maintains greater clarity in all frequencies. The added resistance increases bass response and allows for better treble control. Simply put, the Slow hand takes the idea of the Irish tour and takes it a step above to achieve a British blues-rock feel that will push your amp faster towards natural saturation for a wonderful sound. The quintessential crunch sound. Perfect for Strats with maple necks. 

Tele-type pickups:

Blackguard Tele series '55 stagger

Based on meticulous research of the best Telecaster pickups from different periods, the '55 stagger set is a premium class hot vintage set that produces full, aggressive, and biting Tele sounds. With its D and G note poles slightly raised, the set's bridge pickup is very slightly underwound to give the sound better balance and a precise/clear tone, and an emphasis in the high midrange. The neck pickup is wound with larger filaments for a warm and mellow sound that complements the bridge pickup's crisp attack. Finally, the in-between position reproduces the typical quacky Tele sound. A pure marvel that crunches perfectly well in all styles.

Brown Sugar
This hot vintage pickup magnifies the Telecaster's tonal characteristics. It has squeaky mids, tight lows, and biting highs, particularly well-suited for those looking for authentic Tele tone with a more pronounced rock voicing. With its high output level, growling mids, and percussive, fast attacking highs reeks of rock 'n roll. The magnetic copper base ensures a stiff, punchy bass from the bridge pickup, and the neck pickup complements the whole with a warm, woody sound. With instant clear sounds, the Brown Sugar set provides the classic Tele squeak and, above all, a wide spectrum of saturated tones, from crunch to lead. 

Humbuckers:

Stormy Monday 
The classic PAF sound is soft and articulate with warm bass, deep mids, and rounded highs that remain extremely clear and dynamic. Alnico IV magnets.

The Mule

The classic 'Patent Applied For' vintage sound with exceptional sonic balance and power output make this a perfect pickup set for any application. "The Mule set is designed to replicate the best specimens of late '59 PAF. The result is superlative clarity, dynamics, and sonic range. It uses Alnico IV magnets for better bass response, full midrange, and perfect treble control. Even at low volume, their roundness is rich in partial harmonics, and the clean tones have a very vintage character. 

Riff Raff
The PAF sound with punchy, stiff bass and a presence and roundness in the high frequencies characterize these pickups. Based on a very specific series with Alnico V magnets used for a short time in 1960, the "Riff Raff" set is made with a very symmetrical winding that gives the sound a better presence in the high midrange and greater clarity in the treble. The deep, controlled bass, coupled with the midrange/treble presence, makes this a pickup set able to deliver both classic and organic humbucker tones with the ability to rise above average in overdrive and high-gain distortion that will appeal to hard-rock and metal guitarists.

Black Dog
The Black Dog is a hot and guttural humbucker with deep bass, muscular midrange, and mellow highs with a higher output than the vintage sound. Powerful and rich bass and midrange response set it apart from blues and hard-rock tones without compromising treble clarity. In solo, each note weighs its weight and can really "whistle" when the preamps/amps are at full volume. In a clean tone, the notes ring precisely, and the articulation is great. This is THE classic/hard-rock hand-wound set. Black Dogs are also suitable for 7-string and baritone guitars as they provide more definition with better treble-control and better-defined lows. 

VH II
A perfect set for fans of Californian hard rock, Van Halen, or Slash style. Crystal clear highs, super-defined bass, and a hot vintage humbucker's versatility with a crazy harmonic response. Sounds excellent with Marshall JCM 800 and other high gain amps. Vintage Alnico V magnets and unbalanced winding ensure a perfect dynamic response. 

Nailbomb
The "Nailbomb" is the perfect synergy between old-school and modern styles in a hot humbucker, with Alnico or ceramic option for pickup bridge. In aggressive blues-rock or the most aggressive metal settings, the "Nailbomb" explodes with its inimitable voicing and ultimate responsiveness. With the huge bass, guttural mids, and warm highs of the Alnico model, the "Nailbomb" moves towards an increased presence with the ceramic option that will also enhance bass precision, round out the mids, and bring out the brilliance of the high mids and highs while keeping the humbucker character. 

Steve Steven "Rebell Yell
When Steve Stevens met Bare Knuckle, he asked them for a set of pickups that "ripped" much more than hot humbuckers. The "Rebel Yell" are thus situated in another sphere. They send a harmonic richness never heard before and are generous in super-precise bass that responds to the guitarist's attack. Close to the " Nailbomb " model from which they retain the essence, they produce steeper/precise bass and more transparent highs with a better presence. Rebell Yells capture and delivers a sound rich in partial harmonics, allowing for playing from clear to full saturation. Like a "Nailbomb" on steroïds. Available with custom Ray Gun design upon request.