Question About Skatterbranes vs BK

[CBoothe]

I'm going to change the pickups in my LP here in the next couple weeks and have decided on either Skatterbrane Earthbranes or Bare Knuckle Mules.

I was leaning toward Earthbranes mainly for price, but I realized that after the VAT is removed, even after shipping the BK's are a bit cheaper-once I converted the currency.

One thing that also concerns me about the Earthbranes is that after researching Skatterbranes I found out he was banned from the My Les Paul forum for apparently trying to pass off a Gibson Les Paul as an R0 with a changed serial number on Ebay. He's posted there as recently as February but his avatar still says banned. I've read through some threads and it seems, near as I can tell, he intentionally did this, and admitted as such.

I don't mean to sully anyone's rep unfairly, but this does make me less inclined to do business with him.

So two questions-first- any preferences out there for BK over SB or vice versa? I'll be replacing a Gibson 57 classic plus in the bridge and a 57 classic in the neck.

And second, does anyone have any details about this guitar incident? It makes me nervous dealing with him now.

Thanks!

[surfnorthwest]

I can speak for the BK Mules, I have a set in my 58RI and think they are the best pickup i have had in a LP yet. I really like the build quality of BK.

[Onza_Jk]

Hey CBoothe!

I've heard nothing but praise for the Mule pickups and for Bare Knuckles, i'll be upgrading to them soon!

[Kyle]

If you go with Bareknuckles Nick (Axe Palace) gets a very good price, so you might want to consider him.

http://www.axepalace.com/

You will get them from him cheaper than any other dealer I have seen, and definitely cheaper than direct. Was cheaper for me to buy from him in Canada, and get them sent to me than to buy them from the UK.

[CBoothe]

Guys thanks-I'm definitely leaning toward the Bare Knuckles.

Kyle- thanks for the tip- definitely cheaper. I was thinking of doing one at a time versus a set, but with the prices at the link you showed me I may just do both.

Surf-or anyone else- is there any merit to "calibrated" set versus just buying one at a time?

[surfnorthwest]

CBoothe. what kind of music do you play and what guitar and amp are you using. I have tried three different BK pickups thus far. Yes I have bought them as singles before, no issues.

So far I have tried

BK Mules
BK Crawler
BK WarPig

Everytime I have bought them they have been for the bridge only.

From their website

What does "calibrated set" mean?
Answer: A calibrated set of humbuckers(or single coils for that matter) are pickups wound to optimise tone and output for their respective position, ie bridge and neck humbuckers are wound differently and often feature different magnets too. The strings move alot more over the neck pickup and generate more current so neck pickups are often wound to have a lower output in comparison to a bridge in order to achieve better clarity and balance between the pair. The best way to think of a calibrated set is as a matched pair.

[slowpokerhino]

Aren't the Mules very similar to the 57 Classics? I'm not sure you're going to notice a big enough difference to justify the expense.

[surfnorthwest]

Aren't the Mules very similar to the 57 Classics? I'm not sure you're going to notice a big enough difference to justify the expense.

Yes they are pretty close, that is why I was asking him what amp and guitar he was using for what music. The mules maybe are a bit brighter also then the 57s. That R8 I got came with WCR Fillmores and changed them to Mules.

[Onza_Jk]

Aren't the Mules very similar to the 57 Classics? I'm not sure you're going to notice a big enough difference to justify the expense.

My friends compared them the Mule was abit brighter had more clarity.
57's are A2's and Mules are Alnico 4's, which probably explains why.

[Bailz]

I have 2 Brown Sugars in my Telecaster... Awesome!
I have 2 Emeralds in my 2004 Les Paul... Awesome!
I had 3 Irish Tours in a Mexican Strat... Awesome!
I had 2 Black Dogs in my 2004 Les Paul... Not so much; they sounded a bit fragile without much sustain.

But they are generally awesome.

[CBoothe]

I typically play classic rock through either my 2266C or class 5. Just play at home right now. I was looking to upgrade the 57 Classic Plus in the Bridge and 57 classic in the neck. Maybe I'll hold off if they are that similar.

I just had that itch to try something new.

[Bailz]

I'd suggest you look into the Emeralds for classic rock pickups.

They have a nice beefy bottom end mixed with a cutting top end all while retaining amazing clarity. Check out the BK website for some sound clips!

[CBoothe]

Well I ended up ordering just one mule- for the bridge. Couldn't afford a set right now. Thanks for the Axepalace tip Kyle-much chepaer than ordering direct. I'll let everyone know what I think when I get it.

[SKATTERBRANE]

I am partial to SKATTERBRANES.

[kissfanps]

Rod is that you?