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Average Price: $395

High-end/Boutique

$99

$200+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The Bare Knuckle Painkiller is a powerhouse in the realm of guitar and bass accessories, designed to bring aggressive tones and cutting-edge performance to your instrument. Perfect for metal and hard rock enthusiasts, this pickup is engineered to deliver high-output, ensuring your sound pierces through the mix with clarity and precision. Constructed with meticulous craftsmanship in the UK, the Painkiller showcases exceptional build quality that musicians have come to expect from Bare Knuckle.

Its ceramic magnets work in harmony with the fully wax-potted coils, which help reduce microphonic feedback, even at high volumes. This makes it an ideal choice for live performances and studio recordings alike. The Painkiller is known for its tight bass response, articulate midrange, and searing highs, making it versatile across various genres while maintaining a distinct edge. Whether you're chugging through heavy riffs or soaring with melodic solos, this pickup enhances dynamic playability and tonal balance.

Key Features:

  • High-output ceramic magnet design
  • Fully wax-potted coils for reduced microphonic feedback
  • Tight bass, articulate midrange, and searing highs
  • Hand-wound construction for enhanced tonal quality
  • Ideal for metal and hard rock genres
  • Made in the UK with meticulous attention to detail

Product specs

Brand Bare Knuckle
Model Painkiller Humbucker Set
Finish Various
Year 2007 - 2025
Made In United Kingdom
Categories Guitar Pickups

FAQs

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

The Bare Knuckle Painkiller is designed for high-gain applications, making it ideal for metal and hard rock genres. It delivers aggressive midrange punch and tight low-end response, perfect for heavy riffing and articulate solos.

Are Bare Knuckle Painkiller pickups suitable for both rhythm and lead guitar playing?

Yes, the Painkiller pickups offer a versatile tonal range, providing clarity and definition for both rhythm and lead playing. Their high output and dynamic response cater well to players who need precision and power across various playing styles.

How does the Bare Knuckle Painkiller compare to other high-output pickups?

The Bare Knuckle Painkiller stands out for its pronounced midrange and tight bass, offering a unique tonal character compared to other high-output pickups. Its hand-wound construction ensures consistent quality and a bespoke sound tailored for aggressive music styles.

Can the Bare Knuckle Painkiller pickups be used in both bridge and neck positions?

Yes, the Painkiller set includes pickups designed for both bridge and neck positions, providing balanced output and tonal consistency across the guitar's range. This allows for seamless switching between positions without losing tonal clarity.

Zoa Boah

Zoa Boah

Gibson Les Paul Pickup Comparison | Gibson 498T vs Bare Knuckle Painkiller

Video thumbnail for Gibson Les Paul Pickup Comparison | Gibson 498T vs Bare Knuckle Painkiller by Zoa Boah

Gibson Les Paul Pickup Comparison | Gibson 498T vs Bare Knuckle Painkiller

Zoa Boah

Zoa Boah

Video thumbnail for Keller Custom 6-string w/ BareKnuckle Painkiller Metal Test by Jan Terpak

Keller Custom 6-string w/ BareKnuckle Painkiller Metal Test

Jan Terpak

Jan Terpak

Video thumbnail for Bare Knuckle Pickups Painkiller Demonstration by Dan Stevens by Bare Knuckle Pickups

Bare Knuckle Pickups Painkiller Demonstration by Dan Stevens

Bare Knuckle Pickups

Bare Knuckle Pickups

Video thumbnail for Bare Knuckle Painkiller // Mensinger Preacher by Public Peace

Bare Knuckle Painkiller // Mensinger Preacher

Public Peace

Public Peace

Video thumbnail for Bare Knuckle - Painkiller humbuckers [Part 1] by Julian Daniels

Bare Knuckle - Painkiller humbuckers [Part 1]

Julian Daniels

Julian Daniels

Video thumbnail for Bare Knuckle Painkiller Gets Heavy by littleredguitars2

Bare Knuckle Painkiller Gets Heavy

littleredguitars2

littleredguitars2

Video thumbnail for (Bare Knuckle vs EMG Pickups (81 vs Painkiller by Ofer Holan

(Bare Knuckle vs EMG Pickups (81 vs Painkiller

Ofer Holan

Ofer Holan

Video thumbnail for siren (Ibanez RGDIX6MPB with Bare Knuckle Painkiller) by Kenji Alexander Koch

siren (Ibanez RGDIX6MPB with Bare Knuckle Painkiller)

Kenji Alexander Koch

Kenji Alexander Koch

Reviews

Owner Insights

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

Comparisons

  • Painkillers are compared to EMG 81s for high output but are criticized for being muddy, suggesting they may not suit all metal styles.

    Source
  • Aftermaths are likened to Dimarzio Blazes for their lower output and versatility but may be too clean for thrash metal tones.

    Source
  • Painkillers push mids and treble, keeping chugs clean without a boomy low end, unlike Warpigs which have a big low end.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Suggestion to buy Bare Knuckle Pickups used from sites like sevenstring.org for around $200, as a cost-effective alternative to new.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Recommendation to consider Seymour Duncan Distortion and Jazz combo for a closer Lamb of God or Trivium sound at a lower cost than Bare Knuckle Pickups.

    Source
  • A stacked vol/tone pot mod is noted for its complexity, particularly when soldering on a 500k stacker, suggesting potential difficulty for less experienced users.

    Source
  • Installing a killswitch in place of the volume pot is a suggested mod, offering creative control over sound manipulation.

    Source

User experience

  • It’s noted that emailing Bare Knuckle Pickups directly can yield helpful, personalized advice based on your specific guitar setup and sound goals.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the slick necks on older Indonesian S7320 models, often preferring them over Japanese counterparts for playability.

    Source
  • Owners of Painkillers report using them in aggressive settings, with Yamaha guitars, and Bogren amps for a tight and articulate sound.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Users recommend slackening strings before adjusting action to avoid damage, emphasizing careful maintenance for optimal performance.

    Source
  • String gauge recommendations for B standard tuning include Ernie Ball Cobalt 7's (10-62) and D'Addario NYXL (10-64), with the latter providing tighter tension.

    Source
  • A switch can become non-functional due to solder spillage, highlighting the importance of careful soldering during pickup installation.

    Source

Build quality

  • The ZR-7 and ZPS bridge systems are praised for their durability, though the action studs are prone to stripping if adjusted under tension.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Painkillers excel in B standard/drop A tuning with a 14-68 gauge for aggressive, non-boomy tones.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Aftermath pickups are noted for being very bright and tight, but can sound shrill in E standard tuning, suggesting they are better suited for downtuned setups.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Bare Knuckle Painkiller Humbucker Set - Darth Phineas

darthphineas.com

The Bare Knuckle Painkiller humbuckers are a metal guitarist's dream, delivering punchy lows and sizzling midrange tones that excel in aggressive and complex genres like thrash and prog metal. While not as laser-focused as the Aftermath or Juggernaut, they still offer controlled chugs and vibrant harmonics. The neck pickup impresses with its clarity and versatility, maintaining full lows and rounded highs without muddiness. Ideal for various metal and rock styles, the Painkiller set is a modern take on classic distortion pickups. Customization options and availability in multiple string variations add further appeal.

positive

Painkiller Review: The only thing I hate about it is how bitie and... | Bare Knuckle Pickups | Pickups | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
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1 star
martin_boesvang

I love bare knuckle pickups

The best neck pickup i have ever used. Expensive tho

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Paul C. Wilson uses Bare Knuckle Painkiller

Paul C. Wilson

Guitarist

LANDMVRKS

...
Verified via Photo

In this post Paul shows off his G&l fallout. He had it modded to have a bareknuckle painkiller in the bridge

See how Hunter Agufish uses Bare Knuckle Painkiller

Hunter Agufish

Guitarist, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video Hunter Builds a Percision Guitar kits single cut. For electronics Hunter used mostly Bareknuckle parts. Hunter talked to the team at Bareknuckle and they Recommended the Painkiller pickup set

See how Éric Poncet uses Bare Knuckle Painkiller

Éric Poncet

Guitarist

Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!

...
Verified via YouTube

In one of his third eye guitars, Eric has a set of Bearknuckle Painkiller Pickups

See how Joaquin Ardiles uses Bare Knuckle Painkiller

Joaquin Ardiles

Guitarist

Good Tiger

...
Verified via MetalSucks

"Both myself and Jo play custom Wirebird Guitars, which are built in London by a luthier called Sam Walker. We have both loved Tele shaped guitars for a long time but never found any which met the specifications we wanted. Although classic in look, they are modern in design with a flatter fretboard radius, recessed neck joint and comfortable contouring which allow for effortless playing. We both use Bareknuckle pickups (Dez – Rebel Yell & VHII, Jo – Painkiller & Coldsweat) which give great clarity, dynamic and warmth to our tone."

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