Trying BARE KNUCKLE Pickups for the First Time

Save 40% on the McRocklin Suite at www.polychromedsp.com
Starting with the Acoustic channel and working our way up to HIGH GAIN RIFFS AND SHRED (And some Synth-Oct Madness) with Bare Knuckle Polymath pickups!
Lessons on School Of McRock schoolofmcrock.com
The guitar is a Kiesel Zeus which previously had Tosin Abasi, and Tim Henson Fishman Fluence pickups, among others.
My latest track 'Some Guys Got It..' using McRocklin Suite 1.6 and HyperTune Plugin • 'Some Guys Got It' Pla...
McRocklin Suite is a collection of all world-class guitar tones at your fingertips.
From insane leads, gorgeous cleans, to crushing riffs, the McRocklin Suite does it all with ease.
HyperTune is the ultimate transposer and pitch shifter for guitar, and whatever else you want to transpose.
#polychromedsp #kiesel #bareknucklepickups

[@McRocklin]

Sure, I've tried random guitars over the years with BN Pickups, but never in my own guitars using my tones.. what's your thoughts?

[@skinnyraddish696]

Defintely sounds a little more organic, and to my ears there's a bit more of a vocal timbre to it. I do like your Fishman sound too, they're both tools in the box. BKP Cold Sweats in a les paul though, wow.

[@McRocklin]

Cheers!

[@SouthpawSatch]

Sound great. Would you test out the BKP Black Hawks? Clayton King and Connor Kamini use them and their sound incredible

[@McRocklin]

It’s possible

[@CoolStuffDad]

Always love your demos, Thomas- the patches & bits you play truly showcase the depth & capacities of the sounds you can have fun with.

[@McRocklin]

Thank you! 💜

[@seanwinter007]

They really do sound amazing! And I can't express how awesome it is to see the OG back in action! These definitely come with a hefty price tag, but you could make a solid argument that pickups could very well be the most important piece to a guitar.

[@WhiteCranK]

And the neck :)

[@McRocklin]

I know this sounds fkn stupid, but when I got the guitar back, plugged it in and played the first chords, I felt a bit emotional. I guess those Henson pickups were grating on me, and I kinda forgot how well this guitar plays and feels. It’s done a lot of miles and it was a massive relief that these pickups sound as good as they do.

[@seanwinter007]

@@McRocklin Dude you're talking to a guy who almost cried when I opened up the case for the McR6 for the first time because I felt like I was finally meeting an old friend in person for the first time. So yea, I get it!!!

[@SmartAlec77]

Oh Man the splits plus synthoct AND Hypertune!!!! Dank!

[@McRocklin]

That was a fun moment for sure. Cheers Alec!

[@ergohogg]

They look amazing in the OG Zeus but they sound phenomenal. A really nice clarity to them.

[@McRocklin]

Right? I’m genuinely surprised actually. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but not this good lol.

[@MajorMokoto]

These sound great! Also thanks for putting close up of settings on screen, love that you do that. Makes it a lot easier to understand what you're using and to find it. Love the OG Zeus, that was my first Kiesel too!

[@williamdistasio9358]

@MajorMokoto Right? Thomas needs to make Ready To Fly a setting that comes with McRocklin Suite. LOL, it sounds so yummy

[@user-of9ut1hd9q]

I have a set of Bare Knuckle Aftermath's in my Ibanez, and they sound absolutely fantastic. They're perfect for heavier styles of music, but they are so freakin versatile that I can legitimately use them for any genre. The split coil sounds are honestly just as nice.

[@McRocklin]

I think that’s what surprised me the most too. Thanks for the comment 👍🏻

[@jeffreybonaventure6981]

I have some in my Ibanez 7string and I want to get a set for my 8 string. The May be my favoret pickups so far, not that I've tried a ton.

[@ilmariponkala]

Amazing 🤌🏻 love how these sound!🙌🏻

[@McRocklin]

Thank you mate! Super happy with how they look and sound 👋🏻

[@mikecampisi6891]

I miss you live went back watch the whole thing as always your the best!!!!

[@eugenechek7288]

Amazing playing, amazing sound.👍💯💥💫

[@gwyn8372]

Hell yeah, glad you're enjoying em mate

[@flooko]

Much Love Mcrocklin!!

[@elru2276]

Amazing like always, young man!!

[@McRocklin]

Very kind, thank you!

[@jayboy6895]

Sounds incredible mate. These have been on my list. Congrats.

[@McRocklin]

Oh really?! What are you thinking of dropping them in? Cheers

[@jayboy6895]

@@McRocklin I’m having a guitar built on the VA spec Luke however running series / parallel with mid boost like my Huff. I was thinking EMG like Luke or going JB like Huff. However I really fancy Bare Knuckles

[@McRocklin]

@jayboy6895 Super cool!

[@SmartAlec77]

That guitar is sooo legendary!! I rewatch the Namm 2020 performances all the time and you were absolutely on your “A game” for those sets!!! Great to see “the OG” back in action and sounding so so good!!!

[@McRocklin]

Shiiit I forgot about those performances. It feels like a lifetime ago, so much has happened since. And yeah, I’m really bloody unbelievably chuffed the OG Zeus is back in action as well mate!!

[@dudeman-nathan]

Sounds awesome! good to see you shredding again Thomas! 💜

[@McRocklin]

Good to see back mate 🫶🏻

[@jbal3406]

Yeah your finger tone through those bare knuckle pickups sound amazing...Question does anyone not have this plugin...? Just for that HYPERTUNE knob alone its worth $1000's and your latency numbers alone are game changing...the best of the best

[@McRocklin]

Thanks! JB ☺️

[@steveweilhart2359]

They sound amazing - I think you would make any pickups sound great though!

[@McRocklin]

Thanks!

[@ArtGuitars.]

🎸🎸🎸that's pretty crazy🔥🔥🔥 👍😁

[@ruinofspace]

*Sound* _is_ *Amazing 🔥🤘*

[@beauno83]

my fav pup combo from BN is the warpig in the bridge, the aftermath in the neck. I've personally never heard a better pup in the neck than that aftermath :) its a gee wowzer. I had a BN "the pig 90" dog ear delivered a few days ago for my 58 double cutaway les paul jr build I'm doing .... huge fan of BN's :)

[@michaelboone8039]

Those polymaths sound so good. I have the aftermaths in one of my guitars and they sound great. By the way, if you're wanting to try something different, have a look at the EMG retro active series like the hot 70 or super 77s. I normally don't jive with EMGs, but the retro actives have amazing clarity and character.

[@kukusooie]

Duuude so happy you got these! Truly one of the best pickup sets ever; Totally would suggest getting a parallel switch involved somehow; the parallel neck is one of the best, most unique sounding cleans Ive ever played; Very P90 esque; Great playing as always and welcome to the dark side 😈

[@McRocklin]

This sounds like something that I need to look in to! Thanks for the kind comment man, appreciated.

[@kukusooie]

@@McRocklin Absolutely, you are the man and I always enjoy hearing your voice on the instrument! Definitely look into that, I promise you will love the tone!

[@MusicWithMarky]

Okay, you just sold me with that synth! I already own BK pickups in several of my guitars, but I need the software now.

[@McRocklin]

Synth-Oct is such a blast man, have fun and thanks so much!

[@williamdistasio9358]

Sounds absolutely amazing, Thomas! Thanks for keeping on putting out these sick ass updates for the McRocklin Suite, by the way. Every time you do, I am amazed how awesome it sounds! It's honestly the best plug-in I own, and I own quite a bunch of neural and I've even tried some of the pay by the month models, but yours is the best by far. If I only had one tiny tiny gripe and maybe it's my system, it's really a gaming laptop from 2021 but it's pretty powerful, anyway , it seems I have to turn the gate up pretty high on the distorted stuff. Please don't take it the wrong way, though. LOL, it is still the most amazing plug-in I've ever used, hands down!

[@McRocklin]

The reason the gate is so effective is the placement in the signal chain and what it monitors. You can’t quite compare it to other gates in the sense that you usually have it set at a certain value, It’s not a problem to turn our gate higher than you’re used to seeing on other gates, because our approach is a little different, but very effective. Glad you’re enjoying it 👍🏻👍🏻

[@williamdistasio9358]

@McRocklin well I do like it when I turn it, and it goes into the yellow, that it starts to bite effectively. From there, I have a really good sense of where I can touch it up, and it doesn't usually take much. I was just curious why its bite was so high, but you effectively told me , so thank you, man . And yes, of course. Credit where credit is due. You guys are doing an amazing job with this plug-in. Like I said, it's pretty much the only one I use because it just sounds so damn good, LOL. Edit: I pretty much bought it like a week after you dropped it so I've had it pretty much since you put it out.

[@McRocklin]

@williamdistasio9358 definitely try the HyperRig Kiesel demo, you might also enjoy that. Loyalty pricing is in the user area too 👍🏻

[@williamdistasio9358]

@McRocklin yes sir. I will do that. I have been contemplating it anyway. I do see that I get a discount because I'm already a customer. Thanks for the response , I appreciate it. I love how your channel has grown and how many guitars you have on that back wall, by the way. And yes, those bare knuckles sound amazing! What do you think? Are you going to put any others in any of your other guitars now that you've got them in the OG?

[@McRocklin]

@williamdistasio9358 I wasn’t expecting them to be this good to be honest haha. So who knows going forward ☺️ thanks again mate.

[@squirrel-1969]

Great sound demo! Oh and... look Martha it's little Thomas McRocklin/ mini Stevie Vai all growed up! Seriously tho very versatile pickups. Clean crispy strat tones to kick you in the guts metal goodness!

[@McRocklin]

Cheers!

[@moff321]

I love BKP pickups, have several guitars loaded with Rebel Yell's, fantastic and so immune to inducted noise or feedback

[@McRocklin]

Awesome!

[@asensibleyoungman2978]

Bad ass playing! Cool clobber too. Where did you buy the sweatshirt and trousers? They're cool.

[@trollstjerne]

Niice! Sounds great! Now lets hear it with the Bare Knuckle Holy Diver pickups 🤘

[@McRocklin]

Haha we’ll have to jump on another stream soon and get bus! Really happy with how this all turned out. Especially as the guitar and final spec was all from that livestream haha.

[@anttiturtiainen3166]

Holy Divers are fantastic. Really enjoy them on my ESP Horizon!

[@robertspreitzer8126]

I had a set of those in my Jackson, I sold the guitar off.

[@Dastardly_X]

Splits are crazy good 🤘

[@McRocklin]

Right!??

[@Lesspaw41]

When you swapped PuPs from the original proprietary PuPs that Kiesel installs with the 3 screw setup...did you fill the the 2 holes in and redrill in between the 2 holes? I had someone put in the old Tone Zone and Air Nortons and the guy went cockeyed on the 2 holed side. So now the base plate hits the front wall on the bridge PuP limiting me on raising and lowering the PuP. Pretty sure I can fix myself. Just a bit irritating.

[@McRocklin]

My tech installed them, but he didn’t have to do any of that by the sounds of it.

[@ShteebVS]

Bare Knuckle Aftermaths are insane in my opinion. I have them in my 7 string and everything just screams through them. Every note comes through like it should, tight, bold, and solid all around. I don't think I'll ever swap em. I know they're $$$$ but I'd love them in every guitar I'll ever own.

[@McRocklin]

💯 man. Cheap isn’t always value. Thanks for your comment.

[@Vildhjuggah]

now i want the pickups and the plugin thanks lol

[@McRocklin]

🤣🤣🤣 Now’s a great time to get the plug-in, check the website 👍🏻

[@FrankSpeer66]

Killer!!

[@McRocklin]

Thanks Frank!

[@FrankSpeer66]

@@McRocklin wondering if you got a chance to listen to my stuff yet? It's not perfect, I have no time for perfection lol I just write them record them and let them go. I wish I had more patience 🤣

[@McRocklin]

I did, super cool. I can’t remember if it was discord or KZbin where I left you comments?

[@FrankSpeer66]

@@McRocklin oh, I didn't see any comments. Crap! Thanks anyway, much appreciated brother.

[@Chrisevs88]

I picked my guitar up for the first time in about 18 years this week. I just watched you play and put it back in the attic. 🤣

[@McRocklin]

Noooo get back on it, haha

[@numbersabcdefg]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="493">8:13</a> with the reverb delay turned off its got a very kill switch engage ❤

[@BrentalexanderDuncan]

that fretboard is gorgeous

[@McRocklin]

It's worn, but still looks pretty cool!

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

A re McRocklin suite upgrades free? I am still on v1.5 and not been notified.

[@McRocklin]

You should have had an email, and you might have noticed a red dot appear in the plug-in which notifies you that an update is available. Yep, 1.6 is another free update. You can get the update at ua.polychromedsp.com 👍🏻👍🏻

[@duanuzun]

They sound crazy while splitted! Also that mousepad is fine af! LOL <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="625">10:25</a> is literally orgasmic!

[@McRocklin]

Haha yeah I gotta keep a good mousepad, or reminds me of my Counter Strike days 😎

[@TristanL585]

Not gonna lie your plug-in in sounds better than most I’ve heard. I like heavily processed digital type distortion sounds.

[@McRocklin]

Thanks! Try the demo 👍🏻👍🏻

[@blueskylizard1]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ZL1LoVeR]

You really gotta try the Silos and the ‘Pig90s… amazing pickups 😌

[@McRocklin]

Damn don’t temp me 🤣

[@ZL1LoVeR]

@@McRocklin consider yourself tempted 🤣🤣🤣

[@thisguy2973]

You’re too good bud. Nice playing!

[@McRocklin]

You’re too kind! ☺️

[@Itsjorgelanzas]

No offense, EVERYTHING SOUNDS GOOD WHEN YOU PLAY IT 🤣🤣 jk!, they do sound really detailed and balanced! That neck pup is so buttery, reminds me of an old fuzz when you used it with the edge amp. Killer showcase!! FANTASTIC playing! 🤘🏻 cheers friend!

[@McRocklin]

Haha you’re too kind thank you mate. Have a great weekend 🤟🏻

[@alessandrogambazzi7228]

Sei veramente bravissimo complimenti randeeeee Posso chiederti pf gentilmente come faccio a scaricare (( ( il Polycrhron e SDP ))) mi spieghi il procedimento per scaricarlo sul compiuter pf ???????🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@McRocklin]

We have download demos and purchase options on www.polychromedsp.com

[@karol_p]

My Best pickup is an old inf 1 from ibanez. Costs 20$ used

[@510SPINESPLITTA]

BKP’s are classic, but I am partial to the stock pickups in Kiesel guitars. I got a Beryllium in my 8 and an Illusionist in my 6.

[@McRocklin]

Kiesel makes good pickups for sure.

[@510SPINESPLITTA]

@@McRocklin great guitars that don’t cost an arm and a leg!

[@jeffreyp1855]

Hey, Thomas! Long time fan here. I really hate the way guitars look without headstocks. I'm glad that they don't affect your playing, though. 🤣

[@McRocklin]

Hey, I also wasn’t a fan of headless. I never thought I’d end up playing them, until I was sent one to try, and I was like shhhhit: This changes everything lol. Now I like how they look and play.

[@nekashi9225]

ฉันสามารถใช้ิPlugin นี้ได้จากไหน

[@McRocklin]

Hi, you can use it anywhere you like. Download a demo from the website to test it out 👍🏻

[@Henysipper]

Polymaths are very responsive to how hard you dig in. I have the gold covers with the crazy design in my Schecter Custom 22 and it has helped me with picking harder.

[@McRocklin]

Very cool!

[@ilmisxx2]

yep, sounds like a guitar, mission accomplished!

[@robertspreitzer8126]

I had a set of Painkillers in my Charvel custom shop those were bad ass. I unfortunately sold the guitar.

[@McRocklin]

Ooh cool, I’ve heard food things about those!

[@robertspreitzer8126]

Yeah I think they are the hottest pickups they make. The thing I really like about Bare Knuckle is you can customize them in any color combination you like…they are very expensive though.

[@bennyharderguitar]

I pretty much only use BK pickups.

[@SuperMetalLicious]

Sound fat and round in my head phones not sure how I feel about that. The splits sound good. Really tempted when you said they very quite picking up noise. Like watching you doing demos

[@McRocklin]

Thank you! 💜🤟🏻

[@egorillad]

A BKP Thomas rocklin set? I can see that in the future.

[@McRocklin]

Ooooof haha 😜

[@hierrogm]

Put some polys on my Vader …they are really awesome

[@McRocklin]

Oh yeah!? We gotta see that on www.mcrocklin.com/discord

[@johncarter1852]

They sound great. I recently asked about the new Thompson Fluence pickups on Glen Spectre Studios YT channel. I don't know much about the differences between the circuit board style and regular wire wound pickups. Anyway I asked if it was still a valid view on pickups in general, Fluence claims that you have "Sonic possibilities" in regards to the new line. Glen pretty much called me out as a dumb ass just for asking. Glad to see your reviews and I have never seen you issue a cross comment to anyone asking for your take on anything music related. Thank you.

[@guyfawkes8873]

Isn’t glens entire schtick calling people dumbasses for anything that isn’t liking year 2000 vintage 30’s? Personally asked YT not to recommend me his videos anymore cause the style is just so… trite and unhelpful.

[@McRocklin]

Haven’t seen much of Glens stuff so comment on his channel. Hut for sure some people might have preconceived ideas of how certain gear behaves and sounds, some people might be just learning about a new piece of gear etc. We’re all at various stages with one thing or another, but the one thing we should always have is a bit of respect for one another. Thanks for the comment John 👍🏻

[@matthewperry2767]

Well…it sounds like you

[@McRocklin]

Hopefully that's not bad lolol

[@hollyc5417]

yup. those are pickups alright. the most pickups that have ever picked up before.

[@McRocklin]

Haha good one! 🫣😜

[@vicktorv]

sencond seen

[@princes.vpatel1179]

First seen

[@McRocklin]

No that was me when I exported it 😜

[@princes.vpatel1179]

@@McRocklin 🍻 i want your DC 600.i love it

[@user-by6eb6zo7g]

The Tim Henson set is awful. Sterile, lacking in mids and any kind of warmth. People only want it for the split sound which is silly when you can get a great split sound out of most pickups. I've used to the Ploys before and I think they are fine. Don't agree withe $450 dollar price tag in the states though.

[@McRocklin]

Interesting I haven’t looked around for reviews on the Henson set, so I’m unfamiliar with the vibe out on the web. For riffs and shred they just didn’t work for me, personally. Cheers!

[@truescotsman4103]

Interesting. They sound like typical humbucker pickups. Maybe high-output but not really unique in any way. Just like tube amps. They all tend to sound the same. Low output pickups seem to have better dynamic than high-output. Your speakers are going to have the greatest affect on your sound. Pickups are all pretty much the same. The SD JB is the #1 pickup in history for a reason. My personal opinion Bare Knuckle are all hype. Their prices are so ridiculously much higher than the main two big manufacturers and what do you get for twice the price. Nothing really it's just another pickup. The price is higher just to make you think you're getting more. You're getting ripped off.

[@McRocklin]

I guess as this isn’t a comparison video it’s harder to hear the difference in sound and feel to what I normally play. I’ve tried a lot of pickups and have a signature Fluence pickup with Fishman. These pickups are (for sure are on the upper end of the price range!) but are still excellent value. Like they’re seriously good, and look absolutely fantastic. I agree with you on speakers, as I use PolyChrome DSP software for my tones we spend a lot of time making sure the speakers are really dialled in. Ultimately everyone makes their own informed decisions on what gear to buy, and that’s what makes being a guitarist so fun, right. Thanks so much for your comment, have a great day.

[@penelopeoates511]

This is obviously fake. Look at the top of his guitar. There's a bit missing. Guitars have a piece of wood that's wider than the neck, where the strings tie off. Look at his guitar. The strings just stop. This is impossible. Nice try but you've been rumbled.

[@gregkeen4907]

Meh