Apache
Reviewed by:
Dookie_1988, on april 22, 2008 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Price paid: $ 320.25
Purchased from: BareKnucklePickups.co.uk
Sound: The overall output of these pickups is not very high, nor would you expect/want it to be. I'll explain myself more later. I have these pickups loaded into an Ash Strat with maple neck running through a Peavey Classic 30. The sound you get with these from a clean channel valve amp is like nothing I've heard before, hearing is beliving. Think early Knopfler/Telegraph Road on the 'in between' settings. Then think 1950s surf on the bridge. I opted for the steel baseplate on the bridge pickups only, which I would advise to anyone considering this set. I find you only want reverb and a splash of delay while playing with these BKPs, don't get me wrong, the tone is equally amazing with a touch of overdrive, but the clean is so good if almost feels you're spoiling it if any 'effects' get added on. As I say, it's hard to describe just how these sound in a proper Ash strat through a proper amp, due to their historically correct low output, just of the strat tone of the '50s, warm woody with a lovely bell line top end and twang. I have to give this section a 10, as they're simply in a different league tone wise to anything else I've played, icluding high end SDs, Fender shop pups, Bill Lawrence etc. Trouble is, you pay the price. // 10
Reliability & Durability: I can't help but feel these pickups will be like a hand made Italian car; amazing to look at, amazing sound, full of passion, but every onw and then it just won't want to start as it's feeling lazy. Saying this I have no real reason to knock reliability as you'd have to be rather special to break pickups. The coil wire is thicker than that of normal shelf pups and the hot and ground wires are just as acceptably butch. The supplied covers are well made and fit well. Same goes for the rubber doughnut height spacers and the screws. I can't see these pickups not being in my strat in 50 years time. However as they're only been in for 2 months so far, I can only reward an 8. // 8
Impression: Trouble is once you've played with these pickups, nothing else seems as good and playing other guitars only dissapoints you. I would advise for this to be given thought before purchase, you'll end up wanting all your guitars loaded with BKPs. As mentioned before, all this great tone does become costly, I can't really see how they can be so much, but they are in a league above other brands of single coils. For this reason a point gets knocked of the final score. As for service, ringing the guys at BKPs was a pleasure, I bought over the phone which I would say was the best way to do it, puts a bit of soul into the purchase. The guys really know what they're talking about and are great advisors if you have any queries or are simply not sure which options to go for. The best single coils I've ever palyed but they cost a lot and you'll find nothing else compares. So you'll be selling the children in no time. If that doesn't bother you, pick up the phone now. // 9
Apache
Reviewed by:
myearshurt, on january 14, 2009 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: These pickups are based on the best of '50s Strat pickups from what I know so I'd guess the output level is low. I'm using this with a Legend LE10D amp and a Boss ME50. The sound is thin and very trebly (almost on the verge of being ice picky). Clean, the neck pickup has too much high end for me, I like a warm neck pickup. With the OD from the ME50 on, I get a really nice rock tone. With the gain on max, the lead tone is amazing. Middle pickup has life to it, I never really use it alone but when used in conjunction with either of the other 2, you can get a really nice crisp twangy tone. Bridge pickup, only thing I don't like about it is again, the lack of mids. Makes it sound really... weak. // 7
Reliability & Durability: Yes, they are pickups, I'm sure they will last a very long time. Mine have a bit of rust around the pole pieces but I don't think that's affecting the sound at all. Durable stuff. The plastic covers that is. Very durable. As long as you don't spill any liquids onto it then they'll be fine. // 10
Impression: I have these in all 3 positions in my MIM Strat (alder body, rosewood fretboard if that matters). These are certainly unique sounding, they have a lot more 'life' to them than stock pickups. But I don't really like them, I'd prefer slightly more fat sounding, I guess Vintage pickups aren't for me. // 8
i've got bkp's in 3 of my guitars, and he's about right when he says nothing else seems as good. they are amazing pickups, but i don't think they're as overpriced as some people suggest. yes, they're expensive, but they are as good as any pickups available. you've got to expect to pay for that kind of quality. oh, and the service is the best around-bar none!
Just got my Strat loaded with these Apaches...a lot of high end, just on the verge on being ice picky..but it sounds 'special' compared to stock MIM pickups...I think I prefer the stock pups though.
i would like to put a set of warpigs in my esclipse-II standard. I was wondering if someone could tell me if its worth it. I'm looking for a very DJenty deep clear tone. I love the emg but they don't seem to do it for me. Thanks
I've got the mules!!!they are the best pickups EVER!!!!!they sound exactly like slash,jimmy page,schenker and all the best guitarists from that era...truely amazing pickups!!!!!
BKP supplied me with a scratch-plate fully wired with Apaches and authentic vintage pots and caps. I slotted it into a nice quality Squier (no kidding !) and it totally transformed it. Very rich and bouncy-sounding. Tone you can almost taste! I love them.
(btw: you can actually do that with some Squiers, which can be very good axes held back by crappy electrics).
Pure quality. And excellent customer support, so I hear.