software

I know I have to still post the last part in the Kamikaze Saga: The Completion, but I couldn’t wait to let you all know how the new guitar held up under fire at last night’s rehearsal.

A brief rundown: I took my ESP Kamikaze apart and swapped out every single part: new hardware, new electronics, new neck. Even the volume knob and strap pins are new! Body is 1 piece maple, neck is 1 piece maple, birdseye maple fingerboard. Here’s a pic of the body neck (assembled pics are coming soon):
I not only schlepped the new guitar to Ultrasound last night, but also my JCM800 head and pedals … over 100# of gear on the NYC subway system!
My setup was: Kami gt; Fulltone Full-Drive 2 gt; JCM800 gt; Diezel 4x12 … I ran a Fulltone Fat Boost through the FX loop for solo boosting.

The big question is: how did the Bare Knuckles fair, sonically, in a live band, twin guitar setup? The answer is: ASTOUNDINGLY WELL!!!

For volume reference, I was using the “Boost” channel of the ‘800, with the Gain at 5, Boost Volume at 8, Master Volume at 7-8.

TRIAL BY FIRE PART 1: MIRACLE MAN BRIDGE HUMBUCKER
If you read my initial impressions thread, you will see that I thought the Miracle Man sounded very bright, articulate, and hard. Well, that must’ve been the VG88’s influence, because my tone was anything but bright or harsh last night! On the contrary, it was still articulate, but it had a woody organic texture that sounded HUGE compared to the other guitarist’s Breed-equipped Jem, with a lower-midrange growl that made the rhythm parts sound heavier than wet carpet! I’m assuming that the maple body has much to contribute to this, as my other Lynch guitar has amazing low-end growl, as well. (Can’t wait to hear what that guitar sounds like with a BK in the bridge!!)

Boosted, I noticed that the tone was lacking the high end bite necessary for pinch harmonics, and I re-EQ’d accordingly (Hi 5, Mid 7, Low 5). That made the leads sound HUGE. I had to roll back the boost twice; it was cutting through the mix with a vengeance!

TRIAL BY FIRE PART 2: IRISH TOUR NECK SINGLE COIL
For one song, there is a nice, quiet, Maidenesque intro. Switched to the Irish Tour … a nice 5-6dB drop, as I have the pup mounted flush with the guitar body. Boosted, you could hear it as clear as day. The tone was pretty much as I experienced through the VG88; it still had that overpowering “organic-ness”. My overall experience with single coils is practically nil, as I have always been a rail style pickup user. The focus you get from a single coil is quite seductive, tho! It has a warm, woody character, and a rolled off top end. I found I could improve pick definition by picking directly over the pickup itself. Tap harmonics rang clear and true. Chords had almost infinite sustain (ie, they would sustain until feedback).

So there ya have it, folks, right from the horse’s … er, guitar, I guess. Sound clips to follow soon.

CHEEEAAAATTTER!!! A boost channel on an 800 :shakehead: Thanks for the great review, I´m consiidering looking into a set of these myself

Not only am I proud of you, I'm extremely green over this control over tone you seem to possess. Thanks for the writeup, its extremely helpful - the analysis goes from guitar to pickup to amp to band dynamic - well done!

I've decided I'm not going to compromise, but save up for some BK's!

Get those clips up!

... Psst, what song did you record the Kami with BK's with???

Hurry up with them clips Ben


Originally Posted by ZerberusCHEEEAAAATTTER!!! A boost channel on an 800 :shakehead:

Thanks for the great review, I´m consiidering looking into a set of these myself

You're welcome.
How do you make a loud amp even LOUDER?! Boost it! LOL
Actually, this isn't a true 2 channel amp; it's 1.5 channels, but who's counting.


Originally Posted by RainmakerNot only am I proud of you, I'm extremely green over this control over tone you seem to possess. Thanks for the writeup, its extremely helpful - the analysis goes from guitar to pickup to amp to band dynamic - well done!

Thanx, man. Don't sweat the tone thing. Just take your time, and you'll nail it!
I've decided I'm not going to compromise, but save up for some BK's!

Nice! I hope you like 'em!
Get those clips up!

After the Kentucky Derby this w/e ...


Originally Posted by TwilightOdysseyThanx, man. Don't sweat the tone thing. Just take your time, and you'll nail it!

Nice! I hope you like 'em!

After the Kentucky Derby this w/e ...

you're not coming to Louisville this weekend are ya!!!??


Originally Posted by Hossyou're not coming to Louisville this weekend are ya!!!??

No, I have a table reserved @ a resturant at the Seaport for the day ...

Hahahahahahahaha
SPEECHLESS


Originally Posted by TwilightOdysseyNo, I have a table reserved @ a resturant at the Seaport for the day ...

ah...i was gonna say...where do i buy my Twilight Odyssey tix at!!!???

cool reviews too btw...sounds like they're really starting to fit into the sound you're looking for!!??

TO - do you have the 2205 or the 2210 JCM? Those are some loud settings for sure. I'm interested in trying the FD II and the Fat Boost, or something similar. I have a modified 2205.

Am I the only one that's never hear of any of those pickups?


Originally Posted by Jeff_HTO - do you have the 2205 or the 2210 JCM? Those are some loud settings for sure. I'm interested in trying the FD II and the Fat Boost, or something similar. I have a modified 2205.

It's a 2205. I set the gain to 5 and then use the FD2 to fill in the distortion, and it adds so much harmonic detail and warmth, it's not funny.
The Fat Boost through the FX loop gives your volume a SERIOUS boost for lead work.


Originally Posted by TwilightOdysseyIt's a 2205. I set the gain to 5 and then use the FD2 to fill in the distortion, and it adds so much harmonic detail and warmth, it's not funny.
The Fat Boost through the FX loop gives your volume a SERIOUS boost for lead work.

That's exactly what I'm looking for. Even when I run my gain full out, it's not quite thick enough or saturated...close..... I'm also looking at the Carl Martin Plexi Drive, since it has a rythym, lead and solo boost function....like one more stage to the FD II. Any thoughts on that pedal?

Sorry for the hijack.

No worries.

You can never get a decent enough boost thru a high gain setting going into the front of the amp; you'll just end up feeding back. It's much better to use a seperate pedal and put it between the pre and power amp sections of the head. It's dead quiet and VERY VERY loud!!!

Very nice review, Ben. The bad thing is that reading it made waiting for my Mules to arrive almost unbearable...

Dankerella, it's never late to learn something new.

ben awesome review! sounds like the you got a winner. NAILBOMB here i come!!!!!! later scott

Cool Review TO.

I hope to be ordering a BKP soon!


Originally Posted by DankerellaAm I the only one that's never hear of any of those pickups?

possibly - here you go, this is thier website

from : localhost/www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/


Originally Posted by shred-dogben awesome review! sounds like the you got a winner. NAILBOMB here i come!!!!!! later scott

Scott, I'm putting a Nailbomb in my M1!!