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Average Price: $303

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$99

$200+

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Description

Get ready to transform your guitar's tone with the Bare Knuckle Holy Diver Pickup, a high-output humbucker designed to deliver a rich, harmonic-heavy sound that excels in both modern and classic rock settings. Born from the desire to combine vintage warmth with contemporary aggression, this pickup is perfect for players seeking powerful, articulate tones without sacrificing clarity. The Holy Diver is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using hand-wound coils and a ceramic magnet to ensure consistent performance and durability.

This pickup is particularly well-suited for high-gain applications, offering a thick, saturated sound that's ideal for heavy rock and metal genres. Its midrange is punchy and well-defined, allowing each note to cut through the mix with authority. With the Holy Diver Pickup, your guitar will achieve a distinctive voice that stands out on stage and in the studio.

Whether you're looking to upgrade your existing setup or build a custom instrument from scratch, the Bare Knuckle Holy Diver Pickup is a versatile choice that promises to enrich your musical expression.

Key Features:

  • High-output humbucker with a ceramic magnet
  • Rich, harmonic-heavy sound suitable for modern and classic rock
  • Hand-wound coils for consistent performance
  • Ideal for high-gain applications, including heavy rock and metal
  • Punchy, well-defined midrange tones
  • Enhances clarity without sacrificing power

Product specs

Brand Bare Knuckle
Model Holydiver Humbucker Set
Finish Various
Year 2005 - 2025
Made In United Kingdom
Categories Guitar Pickups

FAQs

What type of music is the Bare Knuckle Holy Diver pickup best suited for?

The Bare Knuckle Holy Diver pickup is designed for high-gain rock and metal genres, offering a powerful, articulate tone with rich harmonics and a warm midrange.

Is the Bare Knuckle Holy Diver pickup suitable for both neck and bridge positions?

Yes, the Holy Diver is available as a humbucker set, making it suitable for both neck and bridge positions to provide balanced tonal output across your guitar.

How does the Holy Diver pickup compare to other Bare Knuckle models?

The Holy Diver offers a thicker, more saturated tone compared to models like the Nailbomb, making it ideal for players seeking a smooth, high-output sound with enhanced sustain.

Can the Bare Knuckle Holy Diver pickup be installed in any electric guitar?

The Holy Diver is a standard humbucker size, making it compatible with most electric guitars that accommodate humbucker pickups, though professional installation is recommended for optimal performance.

What are the tonal characteristics of the Bare Knuckle Holy Diver pickup?

The Holy Diver provides a powerful, full-bodied tone with a pronounced midrange, tight bass, and smooth treble, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead guitar playing.

Chris Brooks Guitar

Chris Brooks Guitar

Bare Knuckle Pickups "Holy Diver" Performance Demo by Chris Brooks

Video thumbnail for Bare Knuckle Pickups "Holy Diver" Performance Demo by Chris Brooks by Chris Brooks Guitar

Bare Knuckle Pickups "Holy Diver" Performance Demo by Chris Brooks

Chris Brooks Guitar

Chris Brooks Guitar

Video thumbnail for The Ultimate Pickup for 80’s Tone?? Bare Knuckle Holy Diver! by Shred Ain't Dead

The Ultimate Pickup for 80’s Tone?? Bare Knuckle Holy Diver!

Shred Ain't Dead

Shred Ain't Dead

Video thumbnail for Bare Knuckle Holy Diver Set Review By Ofer Holan by Ofer Holan

Bare Knuckle Holy Diver Set Review By Ofer Holan

Ofer Holan

Ofer Holan

Video thumbnail for Bare Knuckle The Mule vs Holy Diver Demo & Comparison w/ Solar Guitar | Bridge Pickup Shootout by Gabriel Moreira

Bare Knuckle The Mule vs Holy Diver Demo & Comparison w/ Solar Guitar | Bridge Pickup Shootout

Gabriel Moreira

Gabriel Moreira

Video thumbnail for Pickup WARS Bare Knuckle Holydiver VS. Suhr Aldrich Pickups by Shred Ain't Dead

Pickup WARS Bare Knuckle Holydiver VS. Suhr Aldrich Pickups

Shred Ain't Dead

Shred Ain't Dead

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan JB vs Bare Knuckle Pickup Holy Diver Guitar Pickups by JJDon

Seymour Duncan JB vs Bare Knuckle Pickup Holy Diver Guitar Pickups

JJDon

JJDon

Video thumbnail for Bareknuckle Pickups: Holy Diver set (demo) by That Sounds Terrible

Bareknuckle Pickups: Holy Diver set (demo)

That Sounds Terrible

That Sounds Terrible

Video thumbnail for Bare Knuckle Pickups Holy Diver by Joel Ducote

Bare Knuckle Pickups Holy Diver

Joel Ducote

Joel Ducote

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Bare Knuckle Holy Diver Pickup.

Features and functionality

  • For optimal quacky tones in position 2, split the Holy Diver humbucker when engaging the second position.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Consider pairing the Holy Diver with Duncan SSL-5 or Dimarzio FS-1 single coils for balanced output across pickup positions.

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  • It's noted that pairing the Holy Diver with high-quality pots, such as 550k CTS, enhances its tonal capabilities significantly.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Be aware of potential phase issues in HSS setups when combining the Holy Diver with single coils; consulting with Bare Knuckle Pickups is advised.

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Use cases and applications

  • The Holy Diver offers a character similar in output and tone to a Seymour Duncan JB, ideal for superstrat builds aiming for versatility.

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  • The Holy Diver is better suited for guitars that require a punchy midrange, though it might not be ideal for all guitar types due to its pronounced mids.

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User experience

  • Owners report that the Holy Diver can sound too midrangey in certain guitars, like the JP6, affecting overall tonal balance.

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  • Owners often describe the Holy Diver as the best sounding pickups they've owned, despite their significant expense.

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Value and pricing

  • Some users feel the Holy Diver pickups aren't worth the full retail price and recommend considering them only if found at a discount.

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  • Combined with 550k CTS pots, the Holy Diver pickups deliver exceptional performance, though the high cost remains a significant drawback for many users.

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  • Despite high praise for sound quality, many users feel the price of Bare Knuckle pickups, including the Holy Diver, is unjustifiably steep compared to alternatives.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Holy Diver is noted to have a different tonal character compared to VHII neck pickups, which some users find more pleasing in certain setups.

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  • Some users liken Bare Knuckle pickups to premium brands like EMG, emphasizing their distinct sound profile.

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Critic Reviews

Bare Knuckle Holydiver Set - Darth Phineas

darthphineas.com

The Bare Knuckle Holy Diver Pickup set is a high-output homage to '80s rock and metal. It's praised for its big, dominating sound, making it ideal for filling out thin-sounding guitars or cutting through in a single guitar band. The pickups excel in dirty amp settings, with a powerful low-mid presence and a sweet high end that enhances solos. While it's not a replica of Dio's "Holy Diver" tone, it offers a unique character suited for various rock and metal styles. Customization options are a plus, but users should be aware it's not a direct replacement for other well-known humbuckers. Overall, this review paints the Holy Diver as a robust choice for those seeking a bold vintage vibe.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Aaron Marshall uses Bare Knuckle Holy Diver Pickup

Aaron Marshall

Guitarist

Intervals

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video aaron goes over his rig. Aaron has a bareknuckle holy diver in his mayones guitars

See how Derya Nagel uses Bare Knuckle Holy Diver Pickup

Derya Nagel

Guitarist

Good Tiger

...
Verified via YouTube

Dez states that he uses a Bareknuckle holy diver pickup in his guitar

See how Peter Spinazola uses Bare Knuckle Holy Diver Pickup

Peter Spinazola

Bassist

Fit for an Autopsy

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post by blue_diamond_philips, Peter Spinazola showcases the Bare Knuckle Holy Diver Pickup set he installed in his Kiesel DC747C guitar, pairing it with a Seymour Duncan SSL-5 single coil for a custom upgrade.

See how Joaquin Ardiles uses Bare Knuckle Holy Diver Pickup

Joaquin Ardiles

Guitarist

Good Tiger

...
Verified via YouTube

Jo uses Bareknuckle pickups in his guitars. he has a holy diver in the bridge of his guitar

See how Chris Brooks uses Bare Knuckle Holy Diver Pickup

Chris Brooks

Guitarist

...
Verified

in this instagram post comment section chris confirms that his guitar has bareknuckle holy diver pickups

Genre Usage

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Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Bare Knuckle Holy Diver Pickup, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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