Unleashing Sonic Power: Mike Stringer Teams Up with Bare Knuckle for Halcyon Pickups

Mike Stringer, the talented guitarist of Spiritbox, has joined forces with Bare Knuckle Pickups to unveil the‌ innovative Halcyon signature humbuckers, meticulously crafted for low-tuned⁣ seven-string ​guitars.

A Collaborative Journey

This groundbreaking design emerged from an “intensive research and advancement ‍session”⁢ involving Stringer,​ BKP’s tone expert Tim⁢ mills, and Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood, who recently introduced his own signature pickups, the Polypafs.

Crafting⁢ the Perfect Tone

The primary goal was to capture not only⁣ Stringer’s‍ powerful driven sound but also his distinctive technique of blending bridge and neck pickups for‌ his clean tones. The Halcyon‌ pickups are tailored to accommodate the drop F# tuning favored by many ⁣seven-string⁢ players, which reaches ⁢frequencies comparable to an eight-string guitar.

During beta testing,the ​results were so promising that by the ⁤end ‍of the trial,“all of Mike’s live guitars were equipped with the new Halcyon pickups,” according to BKP.

Design Features and Versatility

The Halcyon pickups utilize a twin ⁣blade‍ pole design, ensuring a consistent string-to-string balance, irrespective of ⁤the player’s string gauges and tuning preferences. They are also adaptable for multi-scale guitars and ⁢can be customized for unconventional fret⁤ layouts.

At the heart of the bridge pickup are three custom-sized ‌ceramic magnets, which help manage the‍ low-end⁣ frequencies. This is complemented by a hot winding that delivers a finely tuned mid-range​ and high-end ⁢response.

In contrast, the neck pickup features​ a slightly cooler​ winding and is powered ‌by an isotropic Alnico V magnet, enhancing‌ dynamic headroom. Together with the bridge pickup, it produces Stringer’s signature punchy ⁤yet atmospheric clean tones.

Exploring Split-Coil Sounds

Significant attention has also been‍ given to the split-coil capabilities of each pickup, allowing players to enjoy the clarity of single-coil tones when desired.

Mike Stringer’s Enthusiasm

“The Halcyons are everything I’ve been searching for in a pickup​ set,” Stringer expresses with excitement. “Collaborating with Tim and Nolly has led us to ​create something truly special; an extremely high-output pickup that⁤ behaves almost⁣ like an active one.”

“Over the past decade, I’ve experimented with numerous passive and active pickups, and‍ I can confidently say these meet all my requirements. From crushingly heavy tones to sparkling cleans, they deliver without compromise,” he adds.

“As⁤ a player who primarily uses low tunings, I ‌strive for clarity and consistency in my tone, ensuring I fit ⁤well within the mix,” he explains. “The Halcyons handle much of the heavy⁤ lifting, allowing me to use lower gain settings on⁤ my amp while still achieving the push and clarity that ​lower-output pickups ‌often lack.”

Extraordinary Performance

Bare Knuckle Pickups highlights that‌ the bridge pickup is a “remarkable‍ riff machine,” offering an aggressive ⁢attack and ample⁣ low-end response that enhances single-note ⁤riffing while maintaining clarity during ultra-low chugs.

Meanwhile, ⁢the neck pickup provides a ‍rich, woody tone​ that blends seamlessly with the bridge, perfect for creating Mike’s signature clean parts reminiscent of slap bass.

“During our R&D session, we knew we had the right pickups for‌ Mike when he burst into laughter with joy while testing⁣ them,” Nolly ⁢recalls. “Trying them myself, I understood why.”

“The sheer power of the sound they produce is incredibly addictive, and experiencing your playing return with such attitude and ‌drive, regardless of tuning, is something you must experience to truly appreciate!”

Handcrafted Excellence

All Halcyon pickups ⁢are meticulously hand-wound at Bare Knuckle’s workshop in Cornwall, England, and are available in a variety of⁤ colors and finishes.

These pickups come in both six- and seven-string formats, starting‌ at £195.60 each (approximately $247) or £376.80 for a complete set (around $476).

For more details, visit Bare Knuckle Pickups.

New Guitar Launch

The ‌introduction‌ of the Halcyon pickup set coincides with⁣ the release of Stringer’s new Aristides signature guitar, which features a striking offset design, aligning with the trend ‍of modern metal guitarists embracing offset shapes.