'59 Bridge, tight or flubby?

D

donbarzini

New member
Recently picked up a Les Paul copy, mahogany body, maple cap. Came stock with a JB Bridge and a '59 neck. The JB is a bit too hot for me and I'm looking for more of a vintage AC/DC type tone. Does the '59 Bridge stay tight in the lower notes or does it mush out? Thanks.
 
Re: '59 Bridge, tight or flubby?

It will mush out a bit. Not as bad as some but, a tad mushy.
 
Re: '59 Bridge, tight or flubby?

Stick to vintage style humbuckers for AC/DC tone. As a bridge pickup the 59B is very close to the pickups in an early 60's Gibson SG and if AC/DC tone is what you're looking for we all know that's a stock 60's Gibson SG you're hearing on classic AC/DC recordings - as well as a single pickup Gretch.

Of course, a Les Paul does sound different than an SG: more solid lows and thicker mids. Less of a twangy/stringy character to the tone compared to a SG.
 
Re: '59 Bridge, tight or flubby?

I've got two guitars with 59 bridge pickups. One is like a LP, mahogany body/neck/cap, 24 3/4" scale, the other is korina, semi hollow, 24 3/4" scale. They sound different, but neither sounds flabby to me.
 
Re: '59 Bridge, tight or flubby?

Unless you are maxing out the gain it shouldn't get flubby. I actually think the 59 excels pretty good even under somewhat high gain settings.
 
Re: '59 Bridge, tight or flubby?

Yeah,
the 59 is my fav SD pickup for bridge use. I've never had issues with it being flabby or muddy. Even under higher gain settings. For that overdriven AC/DC vibe, I think it will work well.
 
Re: '59 Bridge, tight or flubby?

Now it is sounding more positive. I have to say that I have been a bit underwhelmed by some of the "double the price" PAF boutique pickups out there. If the '59 can just retain clarity in the lower strings, it may be worth a shot to match up with the 59n.
 
Re: '59 Bridge, tight or flubby?

If you are serious about nailing the AC/DC guitar tone, pay more attention to Malcolm and not so much to Angus.

Old wood, vintage output pickups, huge strings, hard playing. (Same rules apply for Rick Parfitt of Status Quo.)
 
Re: '59 Bridge, tight or flubby?

Yep, the Custom 5 is one step down from the JB, has less mid honk, bigger tighter bass, and a tiny bit less highs than a 59B. The C5/59n is nicely calibrated set for a LP, playing anything from classic rock to screaming metal.
 
Re: '59 Bridge, tight or flubby?

blueman335 said:
My '59B's are tight.
Click to expand...

+1. I've never found the '59B to be flubby, I find the bass to be nice and tight. You'll never get an exact AC/DC tone with with an LP, but the '59 is about right output-wise and has a great classic rock raunch with plenty of bite. If you put a '59B in an SG and plugged into a Marshall you could easily dial in Angus tone.
 
Re: '59 Bridge, tight or flubby?

I swapped out a JB for a 59B last week. It sounded great through my Mark IV at practice. I thought the bottom was pretty tight. This is also an EPI standard plus top Les Paul. My other guitar player thought it sounded good as well. I do 80's classic metal.

also... I've got a 59N on the neck and the way I feel about that combo (59B + 59N) right now is I don't think it gets any better..... This is highly subjective stuff..... but I would definitely go out on a limb and recommend that combo.


donbarzini said:
Recently picked up a Les Paul copy, mahogany body, maple cap. Came stock with a JB Bridge and a '59 neck. The JB is a bit too hot for me and I'm looking for more of a vintage AC/DC type tone. Does the '59 Bridge stay tight in the lower notes or does it mush out? Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Re: '59 Bridge, tight or flubby?

guitarded said:
I've got a 59N on the neck and the way I feel about that combo (59B + 59N) right now is I don't think it gets any better..... This is highly subjective stuff..... but I would definitely go out on a limb and recommend that combo.
Click to expand...

+1. A pair of good PAF's, especially '59's, are made for LP's.
 
Re: '59 Bridge, tight or flubby?

donbarzini said:
Now it is sounding more positive. I have to say that I have been a bit underwhelmed by some of the "double the price" PAF boutique pickups out there. If the '59 can just retain clarity in the lower strings, it may be worth a shot to match up with the 59n.
Click to expand...

I think the 59B is one of the best values out there. I've got them in 4 guitars right now (Orville LP, ESP EC-300, Epi Flying V, and a neck-through Explorer), and it does well in all of them. I've bought 3 used ones on ebay in the past month (two of which are the older variety with the "59B J" type label) for $50, $30, and $40. At those prices, why not? Give it a shot. After all, the only REAL way to know if something will sound good in YOUR guitar going through YOUR rig is to...well...try it in your guitar through your rig.
 
Re: '59 Bridge, tight or flubby?

Howdy,

I'm a Keith Richards disciple. Isn't Angus Young influenced by Keef's tone? Anyway, I've a set of '59s in my old ES-335 and it's great for getting my Ya-Ya's out, especially with my new Carmen Ghia. Good luck.

Eggman

PS: The '59 bridge is fantastic for cleans and raunch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top