Humbucker Pickup Comparison | Bare Knuckle/Lollar/Gibson/Seymour Duncan | PAF style | Shootout

🛑 Better results with Headphones / Earphones / Studio Monitors 🛑
➤ Bare Knuckle “Stormy Monday” ➤ Lollar “Imperial”
➤ Gibson “Burstbucker” ➤ Seymour Duncan “Seth Lover”
Clean || Two-Rock Studio 50/15 head
Overdrive 1 || Matchless Clubman '35 head | JHS Morning Glory
Overdrive 2 || Marshall JMP 2204 50w head
Cab || ÷13 2x12 w/Celestion V30 | Shure SM57
➤ More Gear stuff ⬇︎
P-90 Pickup Comparison || • P90 Pickup Comparison ...
Guitar Strings Comparison || • Acoustic Guitar String...
Feel free to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE! 😉
Thanks!
#Humbucker #Shootout #Paf
0:00 Intro
0:18 Neck/Clean
0:53 Bridge/Clean
1:39 Middle/Clean
2:18 Neck/Overdrive 1
2:56 Bridge/Overdrive 1
3:35 Middle/Overdrive 1
4:22 Bridge/Overdrive 2
4:59 Middle/Overdrive 2
5:35 Neck/Overdrive 2
6:07 Bridge/Overdrive 2

[@AdamEmond]

Here's a man who KNOWS how to put together a comparison video!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks Adam!!

[@stevesheroan4131]

One of the best comparison vids I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen enough to truly be embarrassed by the number. My rankings: 1. Seth Lovers 2. Bareknuckles 3. Gibson 4. Lollars Not what I expected, but that’s why this video is so great. There is a small enough gap between samples that “confirmation bias” can’t set in, and the consistency of performance is stellar.

[@brianl5172]

For sure. Outstanding job!

[@tonymarinelli7304]

Absolutely

[@ch0005649]

and a man knows how to solder the pickup on the pots! Seen too many people do comparisons in different guitars. It's like comparing 2 different engines in two different cars!

[@sandrashermanjazz]

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is how a sound comparison is done! Direct cut, quality recording equipment, same settings, same pup position. I don't know why others just can't do it like that. Bravo and thank you!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thank you so much Sandra! :)

[@TheIntellectualRedneck]

Because most channels are trying to prove something rather than demonstrate something.

[@joewilmot]

Exactly. Two to four bars and include clean tones.

[@evankolpack]

Yep! And not 90's nu metal distortion on every damn clip....or only one pickup, no middle pos....or cell phone video. Excellent job Kaven!

[@chrisjames1924]

Bare Knuckles edged it for me. Also, must have been a nightmare to make this video. Sure people will be thanking you for years to come. Thanks!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks! Love the Bare Knuckles too!... Haha, it was a long process to put this video together ;)

[@yellingelk]

Totally agree... Bare Knuckles had the edge pretty much right across the board. For me, the Gibson pickups fared the worst.. lacked a little clarity, I bit muddy sounding. Yes.. he did a great job on this demo! A lot of work involved no doubt!

[@backtothepasture]

@@KavenGirouard Great comparison video!!! Bare Knuckles win by a smidge for me ... and liked the Duncans least of the four. That said, they all sound good, but if we're splitting hairs, that's my take away.

[@rockincoffee]

Bare knuckles, seymour Duncan, gibbys, lollars, they’re all very good and can’t go wrong it’s just what your ear enjoys slightly more

[@Dang...]

Thank you for your work. Excellent video! @@KavenGirouard

[@dionysusthemadgod]

It’s really impressive how close they all are. I feel like there’s no reason to replace Gibson’s stock pickups, personally.

[@KavenGirouard]

Agreed! You can't go wrong with the stock Gibsons!

[@Steedonline]

Differences are so small (at least through KZbin compression and headphones). Totally stunned about how the Burstbuckers stand the comparison..

[@eyyomama]

i usually would agree, but i was used for many years with the 498T/490R combo in my les paulcustom. and when i bought a standard with burstbuckers in it, i couldnt stand those.

[@KavenGirouard]

@@eyyomama The 498T/490R are great too, but far from "vintage output" specs like the Burstbuckers! Lots of "bite" in those 498T/490R ;)

[@qua7771]

These are all a similar style pup. I'll be swapping out my Gibson 57 classics for something with more bite, and complexity. New Gibson pickups are ridiculously over priced for what you get. You can get custom shop pups for what they charge.

[@ImnotgoingSideways]

The Bare Knuckle set were the only ones which stood out for me. Their clean tone is much closer to Gibson '57 classics than the rest of the lot. Coil impedance is key. I'm annoyed that manufacturers don't document this stuff. Worse, most brands are totally inconsistent. Glad you posted measurements.

[@KavenGirouard]

Quite inconsistent indeed! Never tried the '57 classics... Next time ;)

[@carlosfernandez3565]

The high mids sound a little annoying to me.

[@bigtone9726]

I actually think the 57's would stand out as the most mid heavy and honky, and wouldn't hang with any of these , which all sounded good, 57's are NOT true PAF pickups like these, there potted, even coils etc, very well done sir, outstanding presentation, @@carlosfernandez3565

[@cybertrophic]

I’d say the bare knuckles are the most articulate, followed by the Lollars, which is odd as they are the highest impedance. The Lollars have a more low-mid focus than the Bare Knuckles, which sounded brighter. The Gibson pickups had a woolier response all round, but weren’t bad. Big surprise is how little improvement in articulation or dynamics the Seymour Duncans have over a set of stock Gibsons. The old Alnico Pro IIs at least felt like a step up, but those Seth Lovers just feel like you’d be spending quite a lot of money for no benefit.

[@autodidacticprofessor869]

Coil impedance not only is temperature dependent but it's a poor determiner of the sound of a pickup alone. To a certain degree a lower number produces marginally less voltage but that 's dependent on if it's getting bridge pickup energy or neck in terms of string energy. Different magnets, whether type or gauss strength, determines as much or more tone-wise. Some manufacturers know this and prefer not to disclose the k reading. It's really about turns on the bobbins and how those turns are layered. That creates the resonant peaks and "voice" of the pickup. Also, if you're really aiming for "PAF" tone, you might as well not be terribly consistent because the real things were very inconsistent. Some bobbins might be mismatched from different batches of wire if one manufacturer ran out or whatever. They've found PAF's that have formvar and some with formvar and PE on the same pickup! They were pumping these things out based on a very loose spec of turns on the bobbin, using a variety of different machines that layered wire slightly differently and some pickups have a mix of different machine windings. Couple that with magnets that could be literally anything. The "Amos" Flying V, owned by Joe Bonnamassa, had such a high gauss reading on the bridge pickup, they only guessed it could have been AlNiCo 6 (!!) since it was higher than the highest possible A5 reading. Why? Because they were pumping out pickups and materials ran out and they had to use whatever they had around. So honestly, all of these pickups are reasonable facsimiles of what you might find in four random Gibson humbucking pickups from the 50's.

[@johnniz13]

Never heard a pickup shootout with interesting melodies and chord progressions. Damn that sounds good! Great job

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot!! :))

[@JHKNVY02]

100%. The super short swap is key. Audio memory is short. THIS IS THE WAY TO DO IT!

[@NoComment-oc6di]

Admit it everyone.... they all sounded great !

[@KavenGirouard]

Yep! Can't go wrong with any of these sets!

[@fretebs3013]

🙌🏼💯

[@eckhardt76]

They all sounded almost identical. I could barely any hear any difference. Makes you wonder why you would pay more money for a boutique brand over SD.

[@filmrd4588]

Wow, biggest takeaway for me is how close they all are - all sound great! The SD's sounded the most articulate for me - but very close. 4 great sets of pups, couldn't go wrong with any of them really. Nice vid!!

[@KavenGirouard]

Exactly! You can't go wrong! Thanks a lot ;)

[@kremepye3613]

Do you reckon it would be better to change the pots and wiring in my LP tribute to make it sound a little less muddy? Im not mad at the 490s that came in it standard i think they have the great paf sound but after digging singles for so long they sound muddy to my ear

[@Proc112]

@@kremepye3613My tribute is the same, except I already swapped the bridge pickup. I’m dropping in a 50s style Emerson wiring harness and hopefully that’ll brighten it up a bit. The 490s might be part of the problem too, but we’ll see.

[@SteveOuimette]

In a recording environment there would be little to no discernible difference in tones for 99% of us. Back to back you can hear some differences but they're so incredibly slight that even a minute change in technique would probably fool the listener in thinking it was a different pickup. Bottom line is they're all just great and the real takeaway here is Kaven makes some Amazing tones and riffs! I think I enjoyed listening to the samples more than I cared about the difference in tones! Brilliant all around. I'm keeping what I've got, thank you!

[@KavenGirouard]

Hey thanks a lot Steve!!! :))

[@SteveOuimette]

@@KavenGirouard Absolutely, Kaven!

[@afterstars]

The best pickup shootout comparison format I’ve ever seen. Incredible playing and editing. Well done, sir.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@Dezenaamisnietbeschikbaar]

Thank you for taking the time to make such a great comparison video! The short licks cut right after one another make it so much easier to hear the differences.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@WisdomHouseCreative]

Everything about this video is professional. They layout, the editing, and the playing. Great job, and thanks for taking the time to make it!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Gray!! :)

[@newtonlkh]

the playing is so consistent, and professional enough to bring out the beauty of the pickups, but not overly flashy to take the attention away from sound comparison Perfect!

[@robertpalmer4806]

The Duncan's and the Bare Knuckles were probably my favorites, but I think the Gibson's may have sounded the best clean. The Lollars sounded great too.

[@KavenGirouard]

Yep! Can't go wrong with any of these sets! ;)

[@johndaugherty4127]

Big fan of your work!

[@rolandlemus203]

Love, love the way your video is structured here! I wish all comparisons were like this! So easy to follow and ear too and really make a decision. Thank you for filming and recording that way! Hands down the Stormy Monday is my favorite sounding on this one. They all sound nice, but for my ear it was the Bareknuckle's.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Roland!! I agree with you, the Bare Knuckles are awesome!

[@timorgraphik]

I agree

[@Rockinsoul_]

I have watched, probably 500 or more pickup comparison videos on YT. this is the best one i've seen. your visual format, sounds and playing the same things, it's great. I'll watch any comparison video you put out.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Damon!! I really appreciate it ;)

[@scottrand4857]

Kaven, thanks for an awesome comparison video. Your choice of clean to different gain levels/amps provides the most relevant listening experience.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Scott!! :)

[@southpaw335]

Literally the best pickup comparison vid i have ever seen (and that is a lot), short passages, played as similarly as you can hope for, no over the top drive or endless noodling, edited well, and timestamps to go back and listen again. If there were awards for that you got my vote. As for the pickups, the Bareknuckles just edging the Lollars for me…

[@KavenGirouard]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!!

[@jeremyjohnston592]

Excellent clip. This is how its done. All these sounded really close and considering alot of people swap Burstbuckers out, they were able to hang pretty well with the aftermarket models here. I personally found the Bare Knuckles the most vintage sounding, and the Seth Lovers the most pleasing. I'd love to see a clip like this using similar pickups, but with an SG. Awesome stuff

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Jeremy! I agree with you all the way!

[@k9er233]

Very well executed. This is the way that I wish all comparison videos were done. Especially liked the chord progession used during the bridge/clean demo.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot!! :)

[@mikepj1025]

The BEST comparison video I have EVER seen. Thank you sir. Perfect way to do it. You are the best. Thank you.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Mike!!

[@jeromemartin6571]

I got a set of Seth Lover in my trusty 30 year old Hamer Studio... I'd never get rid of these pickups... they age very well over time. Great video Kaven! You probably spent an insane amount of time on this. You matched the levels perfectly and your playing is soooo steady... To me, it is surprising how close they sound on cleans... they may have a different feel... but in the listener perspective, difference are pretty subtle. Overdrive sound seems to highlight differences a bit more. Great job!

[@KavenGirouard]

Hey thanks a lot Jérôme!! ;) The Seth Lovers are a definite keeper!

[@frantisca]

Nice shootout: tjs for uploading. Liked the BK clean, the Lollars OD, the Seth Lover Solo. Overall, the BK had the best compromise of all styles to me… Cheers

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks! Love it!

[@johnhemmer7503]

Well done sir. Probably the best pickup shootout video I've ever seen. Really well put together. Going to explore more of your YT channel now. ;)

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot John!!

[@grantrieko]

Truly and awesome video. Great to be able to hear these four famous pickups side by side, and with a top notch player. Thank you!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Grant!! :)

[@jayl5941]

I wasn’t expecting to like the Bare Knuckles the best but they really sounded great. Nice job on that video, you’re a heck of a player.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Jay!!

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

Nicely done, I know first hand how much work these tests require to do well. It's an immense project for sure. I'm intrigued by the Stormy Mondays.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot! I just saw your video (Biggest PAF Comparison)... Awesome work!! And yes, it's an immense project 😉 But we learn so much doing it!

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

@@KavenGirouard Agreed 👊

[@PoppaChris]

What a well laid out video. Thank you. Obviously we pick based on our ears and requirements and this video makes it easy to sort that out. What a lot of work you went to putting those pups in and out, re-stringing etc, and ensuring the quality control for the demos. Nice playing too! And for me the Bare Knuckles edged to the front.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Chris!! :)

[@MrJuanchernandez]

Great format for a comparison! Well done sir, I am glad I came across your channel.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Juan! :)

[@mrnorbotron3308]

This is how you doing a proper comparison! Thank you!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks to you! ;)

[@mickstick5112]

Une présentation exceptionnelle Kaven, la meilleure sur KZbin. Pour moi c'est entre Lollar et Bare Knuckle. Salut de Montréal!

[@KavenGirouard]

Merci Mark !!

[@marvit78]

Finally a awesome comparison video! Short guitar phrases and clear indication!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks Marco!! ;)

[@maekong2010]

Where have you been all my life? Seth Lover's in the cards for me. Nice job. I've never heard the extremely subtle distinctions quite so clearly. Very helpful. New subscriber who has rung the bell. Happy New Year, Kaven.

[@KavenGirouard]

Haha! Thank you so much!! Happy New Year! ;)

[@James-eg3nf]

Superb demo - love your playing style! I am listening to this through a studio audio interface with studio headphones and I'll be damned if I can tell any real difference between any of them. When the pickups are so similarly spec'd, I say the tone is more in the hands than anything else.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot James!! Yep, it's VERY subtle!

[@BenjaminHSmith]

Wow. That was a great and illuminating shoot out video. Well done. To my ears, on the clean settings, the Bare Knuckles and Duncans had a clarity the other two did not. Not that they sounded bad, just a little darker. However, as overdrive was added, they all really started to sound the same.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks Benjamin!

[@AlCapwn369]

This, is the most incredible comparison video ever made. Thank you. They all sound so good in their own way. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the mid saturated Gibson tone, something I've never used myself before. I have a custom Moniker guitar with a Lollar Imperial in the neck and its an incredible pickup. I think it's my favorite here simply because it is the Fattest, roundest, and fullest sounding pickup in the bunch-- but the bare knuckle has an incredible more open tone that I was also really digging. I have a friend who swears by his bare knuckle pickups.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thank you so much Dylan!

[@southsidejohnny5624]

What an excellent, well-made, informative video. Thank you for taking the time. I came here because I’m buying a ‘96 Epiphone quite cheap and will probably swap the pickups. On this showing I’d probably go for the Bare Knuckle but they were all very close.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Johnny!! I have a '94 Epiphone, and yes, a pickup swap is a very nice, and needed upgrade! ;)

[@MourningVulture1]

This is one of the best videos ever done on PAF pickups, thank you for a great demonstration!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot!! ;)

[@xenod1066]

Absolutely Beautiful! If you ever have the time and inspiration, I'd love to hear this same/similar test with a bunch more pickups, some high winds and some low winds, and a Gibson 490r and 498t.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot! I'll do more comparisons for sure! ;)

[@riviere123]

Excellent video. This is how all comparasion videos should be made. Well done!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Bill!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Subbed up, love the way you divided up the screen and included the resistance value of each pickup. Short and to the point. It’s time you monetize \m/

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot!! ;)

[@kksguitargarage6993]

Close call! But the Stormy Mondays sounded the best to me followed by Seth Lovers, Burst Buckers and Lollars at no4. But they all sounded pretty damn good. Great comparison video 👌

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot!! Agreed, they're all awesome... but the Stormy Mondays are 1st ;)

[@markn4526]

Great comparison and nice and consistent playing! I like the Bare Knuckle set the best. To me they had the most dynamics and a sort of 3D effect. A big take away from this comparison is how little the "k" number means.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Mark! The BK set is awesome indeed!!

[@JHKNVY02]

This is IMO the ABSOLUTE best PAF shootout on KZbin. Wonderful job. IMO I thought the Bare Knuckle edged out the BB very slightly, but not enough to upgrade if you have them already. Very similar to the Seth Lover but handled distortion better. The other two were not as well rounded as the Gibson or BK, which did it all pretty dang good.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thank you so much!!! 🙌🏼 I'm with you on the Bare Knuckle!

[@marcgibson5590]

Wow Kaven, so clean, so well done. Love the Bare Knuckle set 🙌🏼😎

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks Marc!!

[@Bobby_Digital37]

Man this was awesome!!! Really surprised me that I like the Bareknuckle the best overall 👍🏾

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks Charles!! I agree with you ;)

[@paulcowart3174]

@@KavenGirouard yes myself as well I just may have found a set to replace the stock BB's in my 19 HCS Standard 50's model Pleasantly surprised with that guitar as well

[@KavenGirouard]

@@paulcowart3174 There you go! ;)

[@elevenAD]

I feel the same man! I have actually come back to this vid to make sure i was hearing correctly lol. Im going to purchase a set af BK pups in the near future!

[@jongonzalez6917]

Me too!

[@LottimusMaximus]

I’d pick the cheapest set of the 4 because they all sound great 😊. The Lollar’s have a little more organic vibe to them. Seymour Duncan’s seemed a little compressed or slightly mid scooped, less dynamic, hard to describe, least favorite… the fact that the video was good enough for me to have any opinion especially at that level of detail means it’s an amazing vid. Thank you!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot John!! ;)

[@vl292]

Well, there you go, they all sound great and not too far apart. Well executed comparison, thanks!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot!

[@vecernicek2]

Great video. Loved the Lollar in the neck position, SD at the bridge, but Bare Knuckles in middle position.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks! :)

[@b5blu392]

I agree with how close they all are. It’s amazing how peoples ears hear different things. I felt the lollars were the most dynamic. My choice in order 2,3,1,4

[@KavenGirouard]

Exactly! Can't go wrong with any of these sets!

[@ApeLikeCreature]

Excellent presentation! I’d go with Gibson BB first for sounding cleanest, clearest and most like a PAF. 2nd is Bare Knuckles, very similar to the Gibsons. 3rd Seymour Duncan, which sounds great with overdrive, but lacked some slight clarity in the cleans. Last were the Lollars, they did not have enough clarity or punch overall, and had a fizzy feel at times.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot! The BBs are great!

[@EL34Quartett]

Awesome Video. Probably the best Pickup Comparison I watched ever. Thank you very much for your great work!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot!! 🙌🏼

[@paulorr7471]

They do all sound great. Let me please add this is one heck of a review. Very very nice job.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot!! :)

[@brentds413]

Excellent comparison, this is how they all should be done. I think what the video really highlights is the difference output makes in tone. The higher output pickups are compressing and losing a lot of the articulation and harmonic content that you hear in the lower output pickups like the Bare Knuckles. The Burstbuckers have a weird little valley in the mid-range somewhere but I find I like their voicing a little better than the others. All things being equal, an 8k bridge and 7.5k neck are probably the sweet spot for PAFs. I'm surprised at how well-defined and capable the Seth Lovers are, and you can really hear the pick attack, perhaps a touch more 'hi-fi' sounding? Bridge: SD> Gibby> BK> Lollar, Neck: Gibby>BK>SD>Lollar. Overall, I'd take the Gibsons for most jobs. The BKs have a sweet sound though, and I'd probably fit the SD to a more modern guitar. The Lollars are musical but are too compressed here for my liking.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Brent! You're absolutely right! I prefer low out PAFs... I have a pair of "Low Wind" Lollar Imperials in a ES-335 and they're awesome!! (7k and 7.9k)

[@Guitarslngr]

The Lollars simply had more information in every position, very clear and transparent. I was impressed with the Bare Knuckles as well. Both the Gibsons and the Duncans would require EQing to be brought up to anywhere close to the first two. Nice job on the comparison!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot!!

[@deadrituals]

I could totally see the Bare Knuckles in something like a tele deluxe where i'd want a bit of a brighter twist, really impressed

[@KavenGirouard]

@@deadrituals Totally!!

[@RabidPrimeape]

How do you know?

[@renwickconolly2839]

Thank You kindly for making such a well made video bro! Although the differences are subtle at most..my favourite seems to be the Bare Knuckles..but they all sound great..!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot! Love the Bare Knuckles too!!

[@theviperdoctor]

Just great playing and a very useful video. Thanks, man!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Brian!

[@thomasadams675]

Yeah, wow. They sound virtually identical with very subtle differences. I hear more detail in the S.D. Seth Lovers and the Bare Knuckles. Very good video!🎉

[@KavenGirouard]

Thank you so much Thomas!! Yep, more detail in both of these!

[@thomasadams675]

@@KavenGirouard I’m trying to get a TRUE authentic Alnico 5 set from Seymour Duncan. Once, I asked MJ in the Custom Shop to build me a Jimmy Page set that comes from the Historical files in the “Antiquity Room” so she said I’ll look up the rewinds and pickups Jimmy or Led Zeppelin ordered during 1974-1977 and I’ll make you a set. I was sketchy about whether or not they’d really sound like a cocked wah and have a good midrange hump. PERFECT!! I told her I didn’t hear any Page in the Whole Lotta Humbucker but it’s a good place to begin. I asked her to just make them so Page, Himself would be happy with the set, aged gold. Came out absolutely perfect! I’ve got the Best Tone, perhaps second only to Joe Bonamassa. I’d love a set of AMOS pickups and a set of the ultimate 1958,9,1960&61 P.A.F.’s, did you know? The Patent # on the early PAF’s wasn’t real? They just began putting a # on it so nobody would try to steal the humbucker!

[@KavenGirouard]

@@thomasadams675 Wow! Thanks for the infos!! Fascinating!

[@rasher009]

Bare Knuckle for me in all cases, though it's very close between those and the Lollar and BBs. Not so in love with the SDs. I have BBs and probably the differences are so slight I won't change them, but if was in need of PAFs, I'd buy the BK Stormy Mondays. Great comparison. Much appreciated. That is a masterclass in comparison vids - swift switches for direct comparing. Just what I was looking for.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot! You said it, no need to swap the BBs! ;)

[@rustyl.6358]

I've got a few Les Paul's with a variety of PAF's. Holmes, Fralin, SD, Dimarizio, Gibson. The Bare Knuckle's stand out enough from all of those, that I've got a set on the way to go in one of my stock Les Paul's. Excellent video!

[@KavenGirouard]

Awesome!! I'm sure you'll love them!!!

[@deskharisma]

Thanks a lot for this! Great showcase and playing, man!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot! ;)

[@maxsalasr]

The center position of the burstbucker was unreal! The Seth Lovers were good too, but the center position of the burst bucket stole the show for me

[@KavenGirouard]

Yep! It's happening!

[@RickMcCargar]

Perfect comparison, best I've seen. I love low-output, unpotted pickups. When my guitar comes with Gibson burstbuckers, I leave them. When the guitar doesn't come with them, I buy the SD Seth Lovers. Thanks for this work!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Rick!! I totally agree with you. No need to swap the BurstBuckers! Seth Lovers are great ;)

[@jfar3340]

2 of these are actually potted

[@NotUrBiz]

@@jfar3340 he said he loves unpotted, not that these were all unpotted

[@jfar3340]

@@NotUrBiz they all sound the same so that's what he implied. I get it that English is not your first language but it was strongly implied in his statement. Thanks for commenting.

[@RickMcCargar]

@@jfar3340 Noturbiz was correct. I never implied what you claim. I enjoyed the comparison, and THEN said what I love about pickups. It's all you.

[@robertalford1321]

Best comparison video I've seen. Nicely done! Personally, I like the Bare Knuckles, but this comparison clearly shows how little difference there is between these pickups. Seems like it's more dependent on personal preference, and the individual users ear.. and how much money you have to spend for a an extremely minor difference in tone. Been thinking about some Mojotone Low Wind PAFs, and because of this video I do believe I will. It will save me a couple hundred bucks, and keep the money here in NC small business. Thank you, sir, you got a sub.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Robert!! I totally agree with you, it's all about personal preference ;)

[@celestelongway7315]

Wow congrats on your SPECTACULAR demo vid! Cheers from mtw in L.A.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Celeste!!

[@masteringhouse]

Nice comparison! The Lollar and Duncan seemed darker and sounded better with the brighter overdrive 2 while the Gibson and BK sounded better to me on the cleaner sounds and overdrive 1.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks Tom!... Interesting! Thank you for your comment!

[@Dami1rush]

Maybe but with last link note by note, the duncan sounds more bite (agressive too much high) compare the BR.. and closest to the BB. I prefer the BK. But too expensive. I want to upgrade an epiphone ES339. But not with the Duncan it's shame because is a good price.. I'd like the 57&57+ but not available in France so far. Then maybe I will buy woltone DR Vintage &marshllead. Good demo

[@chucklakeridge7944]

Great playing - oozing soul all over the place. Bare Knuckles seems to excel in more positions/gain levels, but at OD2 they were all pretty sweet.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Chuck!!

[@benwave]

Must be the best demo i seen ever. Hats off

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot!! :)

[@axedoc2010]

Such a superb video! What production and playing man

[@KavenGirouard]

Thank you so much!!

[@MrCridT]

I actually liked the Bare Knuckles in more of the positions than the Lollars, but the Neck overdrive 2 tone is probably closest to my most used tone, and I liked the Lollar's best there.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks Chris!

[@_drewplays]

To me the Bare Knuckle set were the only ones that sounded different. Also the only one with a lower all around output. Wondering if the other three sets are wound very similarly in spec. I also own a set of Seth Lovers, I think they are great and I feel that this accurately depicts the tones I could get out of them as well. Great video. Sorry its so much cork sniffing.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks Drew! Love the Seth Lovers too!

[@charlesfitzgerald3201]

Really cool video , I came to check out the Lollars , I liked them in the clean but once the overdrive was brought in I’m leaning towards the burst buckets , to which I’m a little surprised , great comparison video .

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Charles!

[@albertarguelles3262]

Hi K, Awesome video really well put together and Nice n Tasty playing! Thanks man

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Albert!! :)

[@mattchurchill]

That's how you compare pickups. Great playing too👌

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Matt!!

[@BartDietvorst]

Cool video! I liked the Bare Knuckles best.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks Bart! I agree with you ;)

[@mortonwilson795]

Impeccable comparison vid - thanks for the effort obviously that went into this on all levels (playing dynamics / framing / edit / screen layout etc.) They all sounded very close to me - the clean section is usually where subtle things like harmonic information, 'sparkle', warmth etc. show thru and they seemed pretty consistent. If I had this guitar I'd probably just stick with the stock Gibsons but for modding a similar Epiphone LP I might go for the Bare Knuckles just for the hell of it 😀

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Morton!!

[@mrGood-84]

What a fantastic comparation! Great job!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Drasko!!

[@fabriceponty7847]

Man, I need to buy new pickups!!!!! Loving this! Hard to pick a winner... but I really like to top end of the Stormy Monday and the Seymours 💯

[@KavenGirouard]

Haha!! Agreed 😎

[@fabriceponty7847]

There you go. I just ordered the Stormy Monday set 🎉

[@KavenGirouard]

@@fabriceponty7847 Nice! You won't be disappointed!!! ;)

[@fretebs3013]

Yep, new pickups on the way 😜

[@chuckc9939]

@@fretebs3013 Nice!!

[@DereksGuitarLessons]

Does everyone else’s wife roll her eyes when she hears up listening to these? I mean, they all sound SO much alike. I bet the women think we’re insane 😬

[@KavenGirouard]

Haha!! Right on ;)

[@pgong]

🤣

[@MrScrofulous]

Yeah, but I bet that she has opened every bottle of shampoo in the aisle and sniffed them at some stage too.

[@anyrc1425]

So true

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

Also; certainly subscribed due to precisely the way this method is presented🍒 short easy to recall sounds w/o time wasting chitchat. Impeccably presented✝️

[@KavenGirouard]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@jiyukaze]

Many thanks for such a video! I appreciate the effort you put into making this!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks to you!! :)

[@isaacwilson4096]

That chord progression with the Lollars at 1:05 is amazing. They let you here that low end hum & it all sounds balanced/full✅

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Isaac!!

[@denniswilliams9145]

I agree, while all four sounded extremely similar during most of the tests, the Lollars absolutely nailed that particular tone!

[@joeking433]

It's all in your mind.

[@LanceJordan]

Stormy Monday's win!!! They all sound good, but there's specific sugar tone out of the Bare Knuckles, a shimmer and clarity in the top end that just sings!!!! Lollar are a close 2nd. BTW AWESOME DEMO!!! Every demo should be this good!!!! YOU ROCK

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Lance!! I LOVE the Stormy Mondays too!

[@sauce_aux]

Great comparison! I’m surprised how similar so many of these selections sound. Definitely some tonal variation, but it really gives some great perspective while shopping for pickups

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks! Agreed. It's not SO obvious!

[@focalpointvideo]

Best comparison video ever. Lots of work went into that. Thanks brother! They are All close but I’d say Lollar & knuckle are too 2 ☮️🤘🏽

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot!!... good call ;)

[@andrewbates6802]

Duncan's are the stand out in this comparison. I was really impressed with the burst buckers as these always get negative comments. All the pick ups sound great. I would list it as S .D first, burst buckers second then bare Knuckles and lollar last. But they're all incredibly close. The best pick up comparison vid I've seen, must have taken a lot of work.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Andrew!

[@jochem420]

Loved the Bare Knuckle tone!

[@KavenGirouard]

Agreed!

[@gitarrenkram45964]

Congrats to this video ! You did it perfect. My favourite are the Bare Knuckles 🤘

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot!! :) Love the Bare Knuckles too!

[@DadRockAndGuitars]

Very well done comparison Kaven! Great playing and kept everything the same between each pickup 👍They all sounded close enough that I'd be happy with any of them.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot!! Yep, can't go wrong with any of them!

[@tvmy121]

The four sets are really good. Gibson's are probably the most versatile but the tone of bare knuckle's and lollar's is obviously something that Gibson players are looking for (tonal specific signature). Thanks

[@KavenGirouard]

I agree! You can't go wrong with any of these sets!

[@bkebradley]

For me the middle position is the most important thing for a Les Paul style guitar, and the Lollars sounded the best to me in the middle position.

[@KavenGirouard]

You're right, quite important thing!

[@atbear]

That was fantastic. Great job on this.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot! ;)

[@golivaguitar]

Wow, thanks a lot for this vid. Really informative!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Gustavo!

[@glennevans5824]

I wanted to like the burst buckers in my 2007 R9..but gotta say the bare knuckles…really was the nicest overall..and I was a bit biased…BK..winner..my opinion..

[@KavenGirouard]

I agree with you Glenn! I had the BurstBuckers in my 2010 R8... BKs are great!

[@mikeyohe4750]

The Burstbuckers we're the best overall. All were good though. Nice job. 👍

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks Mike! Love the BBs too! Classic ;)

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

Proof that comparing pu's is like comparing flavors of ice cream because i would rate the Gibsons last and the BK first but that does not mean the BK's are really the "Best" and the Gibsons the worst of the group. I see people online asking others all the times about "what pu's should i get" and other than trying them for yourself there is no way to ever really know. The guitar they are going in, the amp being used, the players touch,etc,etc all factor in on how a pu' will sound.

[@KavenGirouard]

@@These_go_to_eleven_1959 Yep!

[@Dang...]

This video is OUTSTANDING!!! Wow, keep up the great work. Excellent playing and such consistent execution! To me clean is the most important foundation tone. Dirt can always be adjusted. All the pups sound very good, but to my surprise I liked the BareKnuckles the best in the clean comps.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks a lot Dan!! :))

[@toddmaclauchlin296]

The Burstbuckers are absolutely awesome. Very pronounced, punchy and clear across the board. Great video!

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks Todd!

[@coldwar1977]

great video!! so what's the moral of the story? beyond a certain price point tonal differences become very small. most guitar players would better invest in a halfway decent EQ pedal than keep obsessing over pickups. right?

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks! I agree with you!!

[@arlumlightfinger]

For me ..... Lollar and Gibson #1. Bare Knuckle in 2nd place and Seymour Duncan in 3rd. I think the Lollars were the best but I was very surprised at how close the Gibson's came to matching them.

[@KavenGirouard]

Lollar and Gibson are quite close indeed! Thanks!

[@mezzoca8110]

Reckon you’re right

[@davsi7928]

Thanks for sharing this great test, the best i've ever seen. I can't imagine how difficult it been to do it, but it helped me to choose the ones for my japanese Tokai Love Rock. Again, thanks to you.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thank you so much!! It was a lot of work indeed! ;)

[@gregkoelling615]

I have Seth Lovers in my LP and they are staying there! Great video, thanks.

[@KavenGirouard]

Thanks Greg! Love the Seth Lovers too!!