Collection: Bare Knuckle Pickups
Buy the best Bare Knuckle Pickups online at Chicago Music Exchange. Renowned for their exceptional tone and handcrafted quality, Bare Knuckle Pickups deliver unparalleled sound for Stratocaster, Telecaster, Les Paul, and SG guitars. Founded by Tim Mills, a respected guitarist and luthier, Bare Knuckle Pickups have become synonymous with clarity, power, and dynamic range. Our collection includes a variety of models for sale, offering both new and competitively priced options to elevate your guitar's performance. Whether you're a professional musician or a beginner seeking superior tone, explore our selection to find the perfect pickups for your instrument.
Bare Knuckle Pickups
At Chicago Music Exchange, we’re proud to offer a premium selection of Bare Knuckle Pickups—some of the most sought-after, hand-wound boutique guitar pickups in the world. Known for extreme clarity, dynamic response, and unmatched craftsmanship, Bare Knuckle guitar pickups are designed for players who demand maximum tonal performance.
Whether you’re searching for high-output humbuckers, vintage-correct PAF-style pickups, P-90 pickups, single-coil Strat and Tele sets, or artist-signature models, CME carries the most popular and highly searched models from BKP, including:
- Bare Knuckle Nailbomb
- Bare Knuckle Aftermath
- Bare Knuckle Juggernaut (with Misha Mansoor)
- Bare Knuckle Riff Raff
- Bare Knuckle Mule
- Bare Knuckle Black Hawk
- Bare Knuckle Holy Diver
- Bare Knuckle Painkiller
- Bare Knuckle Irish Tour
- Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Series
If your goal is to level up your tone, achieve tighter low-end response, increase clarity under high gain, or capture vintage articulation, Bare Knuckle pickups are among the finest upgrades available—and CME is your trusted source.
Why Guitarists Choose Bare Knuckle Guitar Pickups
Players upgrade to Bare Knuckle Pickups because they want:
- Hand-wound craftsmanship
- Extreme dynamic responsiveness
- Clarity across all gain stages
- Powerful output without sacrificing articulation
- Vintage-correct tone using premium magnets & wire
- Enhanced sustain & harmonic content
- Reliable performance for touring & recording
Bare Knuckle’s build quality is legendary—every pickup is hand-wound in the UK using premium materials, scatter-wound for natural compression and saturation.
These pickups are built to last a lifetime and are trusted by metal players, blues artists, session musicians, and producers worldwide.
The History of Bare Knuckle Pickups
Founded in 2003 by UK guitarist Tim Mills, Bare Knuckle Pickups was created to meet the demand for hand-wound boutique pickups with uncompromising tonal accuracy. Mills, a professional guitarist himself, wanted pickups that responded dynamically, retained clarity under gain, and offered vintage authenticity without the inconsistencies of mass production.
Key milestones:
- 2003: BKP founded; early models like the Mule and Riff Raff gain cult status
- 2005–2015: Expansion into metal-focused models (Painkiller, Nailbomb)
- 2016: Collaboration with Periphery’s Misha Mansoor → Juggernaut pickups
- 2018–2020: Boot Camp Series launches as a more affordable BKP line
- 2020–Present: BKP becomes one of the most searched boutique pickup brands globally
Today, Bare Knuckle remains independently owned, hand-winding every pickup and offering a lifetime warranty—a reason it dominates premium pickup searches worldwide.
Most Popular Types of Bare Knuckle Guitar Pickups
1. Bare Knuckle Humbucker Top models:
- Nailbomb – Organic, aggressive, versatile
- Aftermath – Tight, percussive, djent-focused
- Juggernaut – Signature Misha Mansoor tone: modern, articulate
- Holy Diver – 80s hot-rodded tones
- Riff Raff – AC/DC-style clarity, vintage PAF vibes
- Black Hawk – Active-style feel without batteries
Perfect for rock, metal, djent, prog, and modern high-gain tones.
2. Bare Knuckle Single-Coil Notable models:
- Irish Tour (Strat) – SRV-inspired blues rock tones
- Trilogy Suite (Strat) – High-output single-coil power
- Boss (Tele) – Punchy, bright, classic Tele twang
- Brown Sugar (Tele) – Vintage 50s Tele sound
- Ideal for blues, rock, indie, funk & studio work.
3. Bare Knuckle P-90 Popular models:
- Blue Note
- Supermassive
- Half Note
- Known for grit, clarity, and classic midrange punch.
4. Bare Knuckle Boot Camp Series Three tonal categories:
- Brute Force (high-output)
- True Grit (medium-output)
- Old Guard (vintage-output)
These are the entry point for players wanting BKP tone at a lower price.
Famous Artists Who Use Bare Knuckle Pickups
Bare Knuckle’s influence spans genres. Notable users include:
- Misha Mansoor (Periphery) – Juggernaut
- Johnny Marr – Single-coils
- Matt Bellamy (Muse)
- Josh Middleton (Architects/Sylosis)
- Nolly Getgood
- Ben Poole
- Jamie Humphries
YouTubers & influencers driving BKP search demand:
- Ola Englund
- Rabea Massaad
- Fluff (Ryan Bruce)
- Paul Davids
- Jared Dines
These creators consistently rank in top search results related to pickup upgrades, high-gain comparisons, and Bare Knuckle tone demos.
Specs & Construction
- Magnet types: Alnico II, III, IV, V, VIII, & Ceramic
- Output levels: Vintage, medium-hot, high-output
- Coil design: Scatter-wound, hand-wound
- String spacing: Regular & F-spaced
- Cover options: Nickel, chrome, gold, distressed, camo, battle-worn
BKP’s attention to coil tension, turn count, and magnet calibration is what gives their pickups such exceptional clarity and dynamic control.
Price Points for Bare Knuckle Pickups
Based on current retail pricing:
- $169–$199: Boot Camp Series (single pickup)
- $299–$359: Boot Camp humbucker sets
- $169–$209: Core single pickup models
- $319–$389: Humbucker sets
- $399–$479: Signature / custom-finished sets
Chicago Music Exchange carries a deep inventory across all these price ranges.
Why Buy Bare Knuckle Pickups from Chicago Music Exchange?
- One of the largest authorized BKP dealers in the U.S.
- Huge in-stock selection of humbuckers, single-coils, P-90s & Boot Camp sets
- Expert staff who understand installation, wiring, and tone-matching
- Fast shipping, trusted service & authentic UK-made BKP options
- Exclusive CME content, demos, and tone recommendations
If you're upgrading your guitar, BKP is one of the most impactful modifications you can make—and CME is the best place to buy.
FAQ: Bare Knuckle Guitar Pickups
Are Bare Knuckle Pickups worth it?
Yes—BKP is considered a top-tier boutique brand with exceptional clarity, craftsmanship, and dynamic range.
Which Bare Knuckle Pickups are best for metal?
Aftermath, Juggernaut, Painkiller, and Nailbomb dominate modern high-gain genres.
Which BKP model is best for vintage tones?
The Mule, Riff Raff, and Old Guard Boot Camp pickups deliver vintage PAF character.
Do Bare Knuckle Pickups come hand-wound?
Yes—every BKP is hand-wound in the UK.
Are BKP Boot Camp pickups good?
Absolutely. They offer BKP tone at a more affordable price and are extremely popular.
Do BKP pickups work in Strat/Tele-style guitars?
Yes—BKP offers Strat sets, Tele sets, P-90s, and humbuckers sized for most guitars.
Should I upgrade to Bare Knuckle Pickups?
If you want better clarity, punch, sustain, and articulation—yes. They’re one of the biggest tone upgrades available.
Bare Knuckle Humbucker Pickups
Bare Knuckle Humbucker pickups are crafted for players who demand tone, clarity, and personality in every note. At Chicago Music Exchange, this collection highlights the precision, craftsmanship, and tonal depth that have made Bare Knuckle a favorite among professional guitarists across genres—from searing rock leads to bluesy grooves and everything in between.
Each humbucker is hand-wound in England with meticulous attention to detail, using high-quality magnets and wire to create pickups that are articulate, dynamic, and harmonically rich. Bare Knuckle Humbuckers capture the subtle nuances of your playing while delivering powerful output and controlled warmth, making them ideal for both recording and live performance. Whether you’re chasing vintage-inspired tones, modern high-gain saturation, or boutique boutique refinement, these pickups provide a responsive voice that reacts to your touch, guitar, and amp with precision.
This collection offers a range of models, from PAF-style classics to hot-rodded versions with aggressive midrange punch. Every pickup embodies Bare Knuckle’s dedication to quality, tone, and reliability, giving guitarists the confidence that their instrument will perform exactly as they intend. For those seeking unmatched character and expressive potential, Bare Knuckle Humbuckers are the ultimate choice.
Bare Knuckle Stratocaster Pickups
Bare Knuckle Stratocaster pickups bring the nuanced clarity, crisp articulation, and dynamic range that define the quintessential Strat tone. At Chicago Music Exchange, this collection showcases pickups hand-wound in England, designed for players who demand more than the ordinary: shimmering highs, bell-like clarity, and touch-sensitive response across every string.
Each pickup captures the Strat’s signature sparkle while offering precision, balance, and rich harmonic content. Bare Knuckle Strat pickups are available in vintage-voiced designs, hotter modern versions, and boutique blends that allow players to sculpt their tone with subtlety or aggression. The construction emphasizes musicality and articulation, giving each note clarity, every chord definition, and solos that sing without harshness.
Perfect for recording or live performance, these pickups preserve your guitar’s natural resonance while offering enhanced output and tonal depth. Whether you’re chasing classic blues, rock, funk, or indie expression, Bare Knuckle Strat pickups provide an expressive, responsive voice that evolves with your playing. This collection embodies quality, craftsmanship, and reliability—allowing your Stratocaster to truly shine.
Bare Knuckle Telecaster Pickups
Bare Knuckle Telecaster pickups deliver the punch, clarity, and character that make a Tele one of the most iconic guitars in history. At Chicago Music Exchange, this collection features hand-wound pickups that combine vintage inspiration with modern precision, capturing the bridge’s twangy bite, the neck’s warm resonance, and everything in between.
Each pickup is carefully crafted with premium magnets and wire, producing tone that is articulate, dynamic, and harmonically rich. From vintage-style clarity and crisp, snappy attack to hotter, boutique-inspired outputs designed for rock and blues leads, Bare Knuckle Telecaster pickups provide a wide tonal palette. They are responsive to touch, preserving subtle nuances while offering consistency and reliability for both studio and stage.
Whether you’re chasing classic Tele tones, adding punch to your live rig, or exploring boutique-modern textures, these pickups give your instrument a refined, expressive voice. Every model in this collection reflects Bare Knuckle’s commitment to craftsmanship, tonal purity, and attention to detail. With these pickups, your Telecaster is not just amplified—it’s transformed, delivering the definition, bite, and character that professional players demand.