NPUD! BKP Riff Raffs!

[greatmutah]

I’ve had an on/off relationship with the 490R/T pickups in my latest SG. So I decided I kinda wanted something in a similar output range but with A5 magnets and an almost T-Top type sound. I was on the fence about Brandonwound and still might go for some of their pickups sooner or later. But ultimately decided on a set of BKP Riff Raffs. I ordered these direct from across the pond and they were here in two weeks. I really dig these. I’m still using the stock harness of 300K volume and 500K tone pots and to be frank I’m loving these with that setup. I get a bit more clarity and snarl than the 490s and the bottom is tighter. Still low output like the Mules but with A5 magnets and more of an early 60s wind. This is my second set of BKPs in a Gibson guitar and I’m becoming quite the fan. Only dumb mistake I made. I ordered short legs not thinking anything of it. Apparently SG bridge pickups should generally be long legs due to the spring size used with short legs bottoming out way too early. However, I have a bag of fender’s surgical tubing rubber grommet things they use for their pickups and they worked like a charm once brought up to height. Long legs can be a pain the ass to get a new screw and spring on so that was my main issue there and the reason I wanted short legs. Live and learn.

Pics!

 

[SillyOctpuss]

I’ve had an on/off relationship with the 490R/T pickups in my latest SG. So I decided I kinda wanted something in a similar output range but with A5 magnets and an almost T-Top type sound. I was on the fence about Brandonwound and still might go for some of their pickups sooner or later. But ultimately decided on a set of BKP Riff Raffs. I ordered these direct from across the pond and they were here in two weeks. I really dig these. I’m still using the stock harness of 300K volume and 500K tone pots and to be frank I’m loving these with that setup. I get a bit more clarity and snarl than the 490s and the bottom is tighter. Still low output like the Mules but with A5 magnets and more of an early 60s wind. This is my second set of BKPs in a Gibson guitar and I’m becoming quite the fan. Only dumb mistake I made. I ordered short legs not thinking anything of it. Apparently SG bridge pickups should generally be long legs due to the spring size used with short legs bottoming out way too early. However, I have a bag of fender’s surgical tubing rubber grommet things they use for their pickups and they worked like a charm once brought up to height. Long legs can be a pain the ass to get a new screw and spring on so that was my main issue there and the reason I wanted short legs. Live and learn.

Pics!

I do like bare knuckles, I've never had a bad one. I'd definitely Swop out the 300k volumes for 500k though.

 

[greatmutah]

Clips. Using the SG with riff raffs, 5150 on red (gain on 3) captor and the Fortin Creamback cab via two notes.

 

[Jarick]

Looks good! I've heard a lot of people using the Riff Raffs lately. Any idea how they compared with other alnico 5 PAF's?

 

[greatmutah]

The only other alnico V PAF type pickups I’ve used are Gibson Tim Shaws - which I believe are unorietned A5 and not quite exactly PAFs due to different materials used vs original PAFs (Norlin was cheap) - and Duncan 59s. To me these have a similar clarity to the 59s but way less boomy on the bottom end. I think the Riff Raffs have a bit more snarl too. I have also used Motor City 2nd Degree Blackbelts and those had a similar attack and top but a thicker midrange.

 

[Jarick]

The only other alnico V PAF type pickups I’ve used are Gibson Tim Shaws - which I believe are unorietned A5 and not quite exactly PAFs due to different materials used vs original PAFs (Norlin was cheap) - and Duncan 59s. To me these have a similar clarity to the 59s but way less boomy on the bottom end. I think the Riff Raffs have a bit more snarl too. I have also used Motor City 2nd Degree Blackbelts and those had a similar attack and top but a thicker midrange.

Interesting!

I had the Friedman Classic pickups which seemed to basically be the same as Blackbelts, PAF level with plenty of attack and thicker lows/mids. Dave was a big fan of those Motor City ones. Currently have Suhr SSV which are kind of a modern alnico 5 PAF. Otherwise mostly alnico 2.

I had a pair of Mules that I loved. I should have kept those honestly, or the Lollar Imperials I traded off for the Mules. Both really cool, both super expensive nowadays.

 

[greatmutah]

I love my Mules in my R7. Those have a permanent home there.

 

[Jarick]

I love my Mules in my R7. Those have a permanent home there.

Mules + R7 = sex