What is the primary inspiration for the VH II design?

The VH II is designed to capture the raw energy and iconic 'brown sound' associated with the late 1970s rock era. It focuses on delivering a balance of clean overdrive and rich harmonic response.

What type of magnet is used in these pickups?

The set utilises a vintage-cut Alnico V magnet. This specific magnet choice contributes to the pickup's open, touch-sensitive feel and its strong harmonic overtones.

What is unique about the coil design of the VH II?

The VH II features a unique asymmetrical coil design. This approach, combined with 42 AWG plain enamel wire, is intended to maximise clarity and output while maintaining a broad frequency response.

Can the VH II be used for coil splitting?

Yes, the coil design of the VH II is specifically mentioned as offering great split and parallel options. This makes it a versatile choice for players who need a variety of tones from a single guitar.

How does the VH II handle high gain levels?

The pickup is designed to maintain superb pick attack and string separation even at high preamp gain levels. This prevents the sound from becoming compressed or 'mushy' when using heavy distortion.

What gauge of wire is used in the construction?

Bare Knuckle uses 42 AWG plain enamel wire for the VH II set. This is a traditional material choice that helps define the pickup's vintage hot character.

What are the tonal characteristics of the high frequencies?

The VH II is voiced to provide crystal clear highs. This ensures that the top end remains articulate and defined, which is essential for cutting through a band mix.

Describe the low-end response of this pickup set.

The low-end is described as defined and tight. This helps maintain clarity during rhythm playing and prevents the bottom strings from sounding boomy or indistinct.

Is this pickup set suitable for clean playing?

Yes, while it is voiced for 'vintage hot' output, the manufacturer highlights its ability to provide 'the ultimate experience in clean overdrive'. Its clarity makes it very effective for clean passages.

What does 'Vintage Hot' mean in the context of this pickup?

Vintage Hot refers to a pickup that has a slightly higher output than a standard vintage humbucker, but still retains the dynamic range and frequency characteristics of a classic design.

What is the typical price for a VH II Open Set?

The typical price range for a new Bare Knuckle VH II Open Set is approximately £312.00. Prices may vary slightly based on specific retailer offers.

How does the VH II compare to modern ceramic humbuckers?

Unlike many modern ceramic pickups that can be compressed and aggressive, the VH II uses Alnico V magnets for a more open and touch-sensitive response. It focuses on harmonic detail rather than just raw output volume.

Gear article

Bare Knuckle Pickups VH II Vintage Hot Humbucker Open Set

The Bare Knuckle Pickups VH II is a high-performance humbucker set designed to replicate the raw energy and harmonic richness of the late 1970s 'brown sound'. Characterised by an asymmetrical coil design and a vintage-cut Alnico V magnet, these pickups deliver a balance of crystal-clear highs and defined low-end response.

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Overview

The VH II is a 'Vintage Hot' humbucker set from the UK-based manufacturer Bare Knuckle Pickups. It is engineered to bridge the gap between traditional low-output vintage humbuckers and modern high-gain designs. By utilising specific materials such as 42 AWG plain enamel wire and a vintage-cut Alnico V magnet, the set aims to provide the clarity required for complex chords while maintaining enough output to drive a valve amplifier into natural saturation.

Technical Design and Construction

A defining feature of the VH II is its unique asymmetrical coil design. This construction method involves winding one coil slightly differently than the other, which helps in broadening the frequency response and enhancing harmonic detail. The use of 42 AWG plain enamel wire is a period-correct choice for the era it seeks to emulate. The set is also designed to be highly versatile in terms of wiring, offering excellent performance when used in split-coil or parallel configurations.

Sound Character and Performance

The sound of the VH II is often described as 'open' and 'touch-sensitive'. It is voiced specifically to capture the 'brown sound' associated with late 70s rock, providing a strong pick attack that remains clear even under high preamp gain.

Key sonic characteristics include: - Highs: Crystal clear and articulate without being harsh. - Low-end: Defined and tight, preventing muddiness during fast riffing. - Harmonics: Strong overtones with excellent string separation, allowing individual notes within chords to be heard clearly.

Suitability and Comparison

This pickup set is primarily suited for guitarists seeking a classic hard rock tone that requires both punch and nuance. Because of its clarity and string separation, it excels in genres ranging from blues-rock to heavy metal, particularly for players who use their volume knob to clean up their signal. Compared to standard vintage humbuckers, the VH II provides a more 'hot-rodded' output, whereas compared to modern high-ceramic pickups, it offers a more organic, dynamic response.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary inspiration for the VH II design?: The VH II is designed to capture the raw energy and iconic 'brown sound' associated with the late 1970s rock era. It focuses on delivering a balance of clean overdrive and rich harmonic response.
What type of magnet is used in these pickups?: The set utilises a vintage-cut Alnico V magnet. This specific magnet choice contributes to the pickup's open, touch-sensitive feel and its strong harmonic overtones.
What is unique about the coil design of the VH II?: The VH II features a unique asymmetrical coil design. This approach, combined with 42 AWG plain enamel wire, is intended to maximise clarity and output while maintaining a broad frequency response.
Can the VH II be used for coil splitting?: Yes, the coil design of the VH II is specifically mentioned as offering great split and parallel options. This makes it a versatile choice for players who need a variety of tones from a single guitar.
How does the VH II handle high gain levels?: The pickup is designed to maintain superb pick attack and string separation even at high preamp gain levels. This prevents the sound from becoming compressed or 'mushy' when using heavy distortion.
What gauge of wire is used in the construction?: Bare Knuckle uses 42 AWG plain enamel wire for the VH II set. This is a traditional material choice that helps define the pickup's vintage hot character.
What are the tonal characteristics of the high frequencies?: The VH II is voiced to provide crystal clear highs. This ensures that the top end remains articulate and defined, which is essential for cutting through a band mix.
Describe the low-end response of this pickup set.: The low-end is described as defined and tight. This helps maintain clarity during rhythm playing and prevents the bottom strings from sounding boomy or indistinct.
Is this pickup set suitable for clean playing?: Yes, while it is voiced for 'vintage hot' output, the manufacturer highlights its ability to provide 'the ultimate experience in clean overdrive'. Its clarity makes it very effective for clean passages.
What does 'Vintage Hot' mean in the context of this pickup?: Vintage Hot refers to a pickup that has a slightly higher output than a standard vintage humbucker, but still retains the dynamic range and frequency characteristics of a classic design.
What is the typical price for a VH II Open Set?: The typical price range for a new Bare Knuckle VH II Open Set is approximately £312.00. Prices may vary slightly based on specific retailer offers.
How does the VH II compare to modern ceramic humbuckers?: Unlike many modern ceramic pickups that can be compressed and aggressive, the VH II uses Alnico V magnets for a more open and touch-sensitive response. It focuses on harmonic detail rather than just raw output volume.