'59 Set VS BurstBucker 1&2 in a Les Paul?

[LesPaulRules]

First post from a long time lurker

I'm thinking about changing the pickups in one of my Les Pauls, removing the BurstBuckers for something a little different. (One of my other Lesters already has BurstBuckers, another has a JB/Jazz combo. Yeah, I'm a Les Paul guy).

I like the BB's quite a bit, but don't really want two guitars with the same electronics. How much different would a set of '59s sound when compared to the stock BurstBuckers?

Thanks

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: '59 Set VS BurstBucker 1&2 in a Les Paul?

A little less dense in the mids and sweeter. They'll feel like they've got a little bit less output and string pull, but have great sustain.

I think you'd be a good candidate for a very popular LP upgrade, the Custom 5/59, which you can order in nickelcovered for about $10 more per pickup. Another great combo, which is a bit warmer/woodier is the Custom Custom/Seth Lover neck. Those are two very popular LP choices.

 

[JeffB]

Re: '59 Set VS BurstBucker 1&2 in a Les Paul?

A little less dense in the mids and sweeter. They'll feel like they've got a little bit less output and string pull, but have great sustain.

Yup..pretty much agree here. I think the 59B will be a bit brighter though than the BB2. The 59B and the BB pro are pretty similar for brightness.

The thing to remember is the BB's (all models) are uneven winds on the coils, and the 59s are even winds. It's a different sound. The uneven winds are edgier and have more bite. Some people think THAT is the characteristic PAF sound, others feel the even wind creamier sound is. I like them both...I prefer the uneven winds for blues and classic rock (they sound better with low to medium gain). For hard rock (my main style) I prefer the even winds of the 59 or Gibsons 57 series cos they handle high gain better and the top end is a bit creamier (but by no means do they sound like a high output pup)