When I started my making and modding, I used Iron Gear pickups. Typically around £30/unit, but a step or three up (to my ears) from the standard MIC no-names.
After a while, I moved on to BKPs. In the earlier days they weren't
too expensive, and their in-house forum was pretty useful, informative and helpful in picking the right model.
The years went by, and BKPs seemed to get more expensive. And more expensive. And more expensive. Ash started up Oil City, at an obviously (much) lower price, without - to my ears again - any real loss of quality. Plus you could talk to Ash and get exactly what you wanted.
It's been a long time since I've bought BKP.
But they seem to have announced some new, "back to basics" pickups
http://www.peachguitars.com/namm2018/?brand_0=bare-knuckle-pickupsA set of BKP P90s for £129? That's got to be very tempting ...
Comments
As the MSRP for the American products increases, BKP can maintain their price differential and remain competitive.
Instagram
I'm actually super impressed with Entwistle pickups, which if you are looking for bargains are hard to beat.
Don't ever forget the premium often charged for irrelevant "vintage" details and classy ad copy.
Although it's a finely balanced combination of technique and parts, there really isn't much to a pickup once the development has been done, so cheap pickups can be perfect for your needs as long as the spec is what you're looking for.
Oh its the internet, I forgot ....
It's senseless and childish but we can all be affected by that kind of thing, even subconsciously.