Gear article

Bare Knuckle Nantucket 90 P90 Bridge Dogear

The Bare Knuckle Nantucket 90 is a bridge-position P90 pickup designed to bridge the gap between single-coil clarity and humbucking power. Hand-wound in the UK, this dogear-style pickup is engineered to provide a vintage-voiced, gutsy tone suitable for a wide variety of musical genres.

Bare Knuckle Pickups Bare Knuckle Nantucket 90 P90 Bridge Dogear Black
Bare Knuckle Pickups Bare Knuckle Nantucket 90 P90 Bridge Dogear Black
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Overview

The Bare Knuckle Nantucket 90 P90 Bridge is a high-quality replacement pickup designed to deliver the classic 'soapbar' or 'dogear' sound with modern reliability. It is specifically voiced for the bridge position, where it provides a balance of output and frequency response that sits between a traditional Fender-style single coil and a Gibson-style humbucker. The dogear housing is a specific aesthetic and mounting choice commonly found on junior-style solid body guitars and various semi-acoustic models.

Sound and Character

The primary characteristic of the Nantucket 90 is its 'gutsy' tone, which retains vintage character while offering enough bite for modern applications. It provides a distinct midrange growl and a detailed high-end that avoids the harshness sometimes associated with bridge single coils. Because it combines elements of both major pickup families, it offers the sensitive dynamics of a single-coil with the harmonic richness and weight of a humbucker.

Fender 10-Hole Contemporary Jazz Bass Pickguard 3-Ply Black
Fender 10-Hole Contemporary Jazz Bass Pickguard 3-Ply Black

Application and Compatibility

This pickup is highly versatile and can be installed in a variety of instruments, including:

  • Solid Body Guitars: Ideal for mahogany-bodied instruments where a thick, punchy bridge tone is desired.
  • Semi-Acoustic Guitars: Complements the natural resonance of hollow or semi-hollow bodies without becoming muddy.
  • Genre Suitability: The Nantucket 90 is capable of handling genres ranging from clean country and blues to high-gain hard rock and metal.

Comparison to Alternatives

Compared to standard factory-fitted P90s, the Bare Knuckle Nantucket offers a more refined vintage voicing and superior touch sensitivity. While humbucker-sized P90s exist for guitars routed for larger pickups, the Nantucket 90 in its dogear format is a direct replacement for traditional P90 routs. It offers more grit than a standard Stratocaster bridge pickup but more clarity and 'air' than a traditional high-output humbucker.

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Frequently asked questions

What type of pickup is the Bare Knuckle Nantucket 90?
It is a P90 single-coil pickup specifically designed for the bridge position. It features a dogear mounting style and is hand-wound to achieve a vintage-inspired tone.
What musical genres is this pickup suitable for?
The Nantucket 90 is versatile enough for blues, country, hard rock, and metal. Its ability to balance single-coil clarity with humbucker-like grit makes it effective across many styles.
Can the Nantucket 90 be used in semi-acoustic guitars?
Yes, it is explicitly described as suitable for both solid body and semi-acoustic guitars. It helps maintain a vintage character that complements the resonance of hollow-body designs.
How does the sound differ from a standard humbucker?
The Nantucket 90 provides a more distinct, gutsy tone with the sensitivity of a single-coil. While it has more weight than a standard single-coil, it offers more clarity and vintage character than many humbuckers.
What is the typical price for this pickup in the UK?
The typical price range for the Bare Knuckle Nantucket 90 P90 Bridge is approximately GBP 129. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and specific aesthetic options.
What does the 'dogear' mounting style mean?
Dogear refers to the specific shape of the pickup cover, which features two triangular extensions on the sides for mounting screws. This is distinct from the 'soapbar' style which has screws between the pole pieces.
Is this pickup suitable for the neck position?
This specific model is calibrated for the bridge position. While it could physically fit in a neck dogear rout, its output and voicing are optimized for the bridge to ensure balanced performance.
What colour options are available for this specific model?
This specific version of the Nantucket 90 P90 Bridge comes in a black finish. This is a classic look suitable for most vintage-style or modern instruments.
Does this pickup provide vintage or modern tones?
It is designed to deliver vintage character and classic P90 tones. However, its construction allows it to be used in modern high-gain settings like hard rock and metal effectively.
Where is Bare Knuckle Pickups based?
Bare Knuckle Pickups is a British manufacturer. They are well-known for their hand-wound approach and high-quality materials in the production of guitar components.
Is the Nantucket 90 a hum-cancelling pickup?
No, as a traditional P90 design, it is a single-coil pickup. While it has a 'gutsy' humbucker-like quality, it will be subject to the typical 60-cycle hum associated with single-coil designs.
What is meant by a 'gutsy' tone in this context?
A gutsy tone refers to a strong midrange presence and a punchy attack. It implies that the pickup has enough power to push an amplifier into overdrive while remaining clear and articulate.