What Are We Reviewing?
Their joint efforts have already produced the highly praised Polymath and PolyPaf humbuckers,establishing their reputation for crafting outstanding pickups.
Their innovative work recently piqued the interest of Mike Stringer, the guitarist for Spiritbox, during a tour. This led to a collaboration to create a signature pickup designed to enhance the low-end richness of a 7-string guitar,even under heavy gain,while also delivering clear ambient and clean tones when both pickups are used together.
The outcome of this collaboration is the impressive Halcyon humbucker, available in both bridge and neck configurations.When tuned to Stringer’s preferred drop F# tuning, the sound is nothing short of monumental. If your musical style ranges from metalcore chugging to crisp cleans, the Halcyon humbucker might just be the powerful sonic tool you’ve been searching for.
Specifications
- price: Starting at £195.60 per pickup (approximately $247), or £376.80 for a set (approximately $476)
- Type: Twin blade pole-design humbuckers
- Origin: U.K.
- DC Resistance: 17.9 kΩ (Bridge); 7.9 kΩ (Neck)
- Magnet: Ceramic (Bridge); isotropic Alnico V (Neck)
- Features: 4-conductor or braided 2-conductor wiring; short or short-triangular mounting legs; available in a full spectrum of Bare Knuckle’s humbucker colors, custom finishes, blade colors, and covers.
- Potting: Yes
- Contact: Bare Knuckle Pickups
Performance and Sound Quality
While it might be tempting to install the Halcyons in a traditional single-cut guitar, Bare Knuckle recommended trying them in a modern superstrat, which aligns more closely with Stringer’s playing style. Fortunately, my Charvel Dinky DK24 is an ideal match for these humbuckers, featuring five-way switching and a coil tap switch that allows for various coil-splitting configurations to explore the Halcyon’s extensive tonal palette.
Additionally, since Stringer is known for his 7-string prowess and I am not, I decided to test how the halcyons perform with a 6-string guitar, which I believe many players will be interested in.
Historically, I’ve never been fond of rail pickups, and while some have sounded impressive, their aesthetics never appealed to me. Though, with the rise of performance-oriented designs and sleeker guitar shapes, I’ve changed my viewpoint. Currently, the dual-bladed Halcyons look stunning in my Charvel.
Speaking of impressive, my guitar technician who installed the Halcyons warned me, “these are the LOUDEST pickups I’ve ever encountered in a guitar. Make sure to keep the pets and kids away when you plug it in.” Message received.
Similar to the Ragnarok humbucker, the Halcyon ranks among the highest-output passive pickups offered by Bare Knuckle. The bridge pickup boasts an impressive resistance of 17.9k ohms, while the neck pickup is more modest at 7.9k ohms.
According to Bare Knuckle’s online specifications, the EQ block graph indicates a reduction in bass frequencies, with enhanced mids and treble balanced equally. Consequently, traditional PAF pickup enthusiasts may want to explore other options, as the halcyon bridge is unapologetically designed for modern aggression while maintaining a balanced tone.
The twin-blade pole design (as opposed to individual pole pieces) ensures consistent string balance across various gauges and tunings,making these pickups particularly effective for drop tunings and extended-scale instruments.
The Halcyon bridge is equipped with three custom ceramic magnets, delivering a punchy midrange, robust output, and a sharp attack without muddiness in the low end. The neck pickup, featuring a leaner winding around an Alnico V magnet, provides ample headroom for a refined blend of clean and ambient textures.Remarkably, despite the distinct designs of the Halcyon pickups, there is no noticeable output drop when switching between the neck and bridge or engaging coil-tapping, allowing for a wide array of dynamic tonal options without compromising balance.
Lastly, the Halcyon is available in various aesthetic choices to complement your guitar. You can opt for classic black, but Bare Knuckle also provides a selection of covers, blade colors, and custom finishes. Typically, this pickup comes with 4-conductor wiring for versatile coil-splitting options, but it can also be ordered with braided 2-conductor wiring.
The twin-blade pole design (as opposed to individual pole pieces) ensures consistent string balance across various gauges and tunings, making these pickups particularly effective for drop tunings and extended-scale instruments.
Taking my technician’s advice, I began testing the Halcyons on a clean channel of my Blackstar St. James head to capture their initial sound. Indeed, he was correct; the bridge pickup delivers an output like nothing I’ve ever experienced. It produces a massive wall of rounded lows and substantial mids, without excessive boominess in the low end.
From this clean setting, it’s evident that this humbucker is designed for maximum saturation. After tuning my strings down to F♯ and cranking the gain on my EVH 5150 III head, it became clear that the Halcyon doesn’t exhibit a wild character; instead, it captures pure intensity through controlled aggression. When chugging on the lower strings, the halcyon bridge maintains clarity in the low end while preserving chord articulation, even under the strain of high gain from modelers, pedals, or a high-gain amp pushed to its limits.
Focusing on the bridge pickup, I found it effectively captured elements of Stringer’s playing style. As I unleashed a flurry of rhythmic pick scrapes and densely layered, low-end riffs, the Halcyon responded with remarkable precision and clarity. Additionally, I could hear how effortlessly my rapid two-handed tapping techniques were articulated through the pickup.
as I unleashed my solos through the fierce red channel of my 5150, the pickup’s rapid response and controlled aggression were so impressive that I felt like a seasoned Hesher, steeped in the world of industrial metal.
By chugging on the lower strings, the Halcyon bridge pickup showcases its ability to manage low-end frequencies with remarkable clarity, ensuring that every note retains its definition even under the pressure of high gain from amplifiers or effects pedals.
Transitioning to the neck pickup reveals a clear distinction in character; it’s evident which pickup takes the lead. The Halcyon neck doesn’t hold back; it delivers a robust performance while maintaining a beautifully articulated tone that complements the bridge without clashing.
utilizing various coil-splitting options allowed me to produce crisp, clean notes reminiscent of slap bass on the lower strings, or to create gentle volume swells enveloped in ambient reverb.I accentuated arpeggiated phrases using a dotted-eighth note delay, and nonetheless of the pickup configuration or coil-tapping settings, both pickups consistently demonstrated how the Halcyons blend precision with power, allowing each riff and note to resonate with depth and energy.
Conclusion
Rating: ★★★★
Bare Knuckle continues to innovate, and the Halcyon humbucker stands out as a formidable option that balances aggression with clarity. These pickups are engineered for high-performance applications, particularly in modern, drop-tuned, progressive, and industrial metal styles.
Guitar World Review: For musicians seeking tight distortion, versatile coil-splitting capabilities, extended range, and clarity at high gain, the Halcyon pickups are an extraordinary choice. No matter how you use them, Bare Knuckle’s Halcyon humbuckers deliver a powerful foundation of intensity that commands attention.
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As I unleashed my solos through the fierce red channel of my 5150, the pickup’s rapid response and controlled aggression were so impressive that I felt like a seasoned Hesher, steeped in the world of industrial metal.
By chugging on the lower strings, the Halcyon bridge pickup showcases its ability to manage low-end frequencies with remarkable clarity, ensuring that every note retains its definition even under the pressure of high gain from amplifiers or effects pedals.
Transitioning to the neck pickup reveals a clear distinction in character; it’s evident which pickup takes the lead. The Halcyon neck doesn’t hold back; it delivers a robust performance while maintaining a beautifully articulated tone that complements the bridge without clashing.
utilizing various coil-splitting options allowed me to produce crisp, clean notes reminiscent of slap bass on the lower strings, or to create gentle volume swells enveloped in ambient reverb.I accentuated arpeggiated phrases using a dotted-eighth note delay, and regardless of the pickup configuration or coil-tapping settings, both pickups consistently demonstrated how the Halcyons blend precision with power, allowing each riff and note to resonate with depth and energy.
Conclusion
Rating: ★★★★
Bare Knuckle continues to innovate, and the Halcyon humbucker stands out as a formidable option that balances aggression with clarity. These pickups are engineered for high-performance applications, particularly in modern, drop-tuned, progressive, and industrial metal styles.
Guitar World Review: For musicians seeking tight distortion, versatile coil-splitting capabilities, extended range, and clarity at high gain, the Halcyon pickups are an exceptional choice. No matter how you use them, Bare Knuckle’s Halcyon humbuckers deliver a powerful foundation of intensity that commands attention.
Video Demonstrations
Bare Knuckle Pickups
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