United Kingdom · Est. 2001
Bare Knuckle
The British boutique reference. Hand-wound pickups in Cornwall with individually selected components. Used by the world's most demanding technical guitarists.
About the brand
Bare Knuckle Pickups was founded in 2001 by Tim Mills in Cornwall, England. From the first day, the company adopted hand-winding with individually selected magnets and controlled-temperature wax potting — the same process used in the finest 1950s pickups. The result is pickups with harmonic clarity and dynamic response that mass producers rarely match.
The Nailbomb is the world's most popular boutique metal pickup, used by John Petrucci and Guthrie Govan. The Mule captures the sound of the original Gibson PAF with an authenticity that few brands achieve. The Warpig, for doom and sludge metal enthusiasts, is one of the darkest and most bass-heavy pickups on the market.
Bare Knuckle offers extensive customisation: customers can specify magnet type (alnico 2, 3, 4, 5, or ceramic), coil wire gauge, potting method, and baseplate material. This level of personalisation is unmatched at any comparable quality level.
Key facts
- Every pickup hand-wound in Cornwall, England
- Nailbomb: the world's most popular boutique metal pickup
- Individually selected magnets and copper for each unit
- Used by Guthrie Govan, John Petrucci, and Paul Masvidal
Iconic pickups
Nailbomb
High-output hand-wound humbucker designed for progressive metal. Exceptional clarity on bass strings, articulate attack on trebles. The brand's most popular model.
Mule
Recreation of the mid-1950s Gibson PAF. Hand-wound with alnico 4, it produces the warmth and dynamics of the original PAF with maximum consistency.
Warpig
High-output humbucker with ceramic magnet designed for doom, sludge, and high-gain metal. Massive bass and a dense, dark tone.
Holy Diver
British vintage character humbucker. Inspired by Marshalls and 1970s rock. Balanced between power and musicality.
Mississippi Queen
Hand-wound Stratocaster single-coil. Vintage character with more body than Fender production pickups. Favourite for blues and classic rock.
Notable musicians
- Guthrie Govan · Mule, Mississippi Queen
- John Petrucci · Nailbomb
- Paul Masvidal · varios modelos
- Tim Henson · Holy Diver, Aftermath