A more aggressive Burstbucker?

RiffGuy

RiffGuy

New member
Hi,
I'm looking to replace the Burstbucker in the bridge of my
'05 Les Paul. I like almost everything about it (the clarity, 3D sound) but desire a little more crank/balls. Is there a pickup that sounds similar but just a little more agressive and hotter? Also, is the great clarity and 3D sound maybe from the guitar itself? I'm afraid that if I change pickups I'll lose some some of that. My other cheaper guitars have hotter pickups and sound a lot more muffled and less "alive" than the Les Paul. It doesn't have to be a Duncan pickup, either.

Thanks in advance!
 
Re: A more aggressive Burstbucker?

I have unpotted 59's in my 05 Gibson 57 LPC and they sound 3D and open like the OEM burstbuckers i had but better. I think theres a big difference in potted verses unpotted pickups that make them more alive sounding.
 
Re: A more aggressive Burstbucker?

If you like that much about it, you shouldn't have to swap it out. I know what you mean though, sometimes its like voodoo diagnosing what makes you jive with your tone and guitar!

You could try a higher value tone pot, disconnecting it from the tone pot altogether, or swap in another magnet (alnico 8 and alnico 4 come to mind for your situation). Have you tried different heights of pickup and polepieces? Raising the pickup while lowering the polepieces can increase output and "grunt," while lowering the pickup and raising the polepieces can increase breath and clarity - compensate for difference in treble response by adjusting your amp's treble control. You can also try the height tweaks with the pickup orientation swapped - that is, with the polepieces towards the neck - and get even more results.

That being said, a Virtual PAF Hot or newer 36th Anniversary Bridge (both Dimarzios) will give you a semi-hot, aggressive, clear, 3D-like bridge tone.
 
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Re: A more aggressive Burstbucker?

RiffGuy said:
Hi,
I'm looking to replace the Burstbucker in the bridge of my
'05 Les Paul. I like almost everything about it (the clarity, 3D sound) but desire a little more crank/balls. Is there a pickup that sounds similar but just a little more agressive and hotter? Also, is the great clarity and 3D sound maybe from the guitar itself? I'm afraid that if I change pickups I'll lose some some of that. My other cheaper guitars have hotter pickups and sound a lot more muffled and less "alive" than the Les Paul. It doesn't have to be a Duncan pickup, either.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

1. I laughed out loud when I saw your avatar. I don't know why, it just really struck my funny bone.

2. Are your pots 500k? If they're 300k, i'd change them for 500k before I consider a pickup swap (or even a magnet swap). 500k will allow more highs to get through, and if the burstbucker has some grit to it, you should be able to hear that grit more clearly. If you already like the pickups, it may be just what you need. But I would also trust just about anything zhang says. He's never steered me wrong in the past, and from what I hear from the other forum members, he has a phenomenal ear for tone.
 
Re: A more aggressive Burstbucker?

JB6464 said:
I have unpotted 59's in my 05 Gibson 57 LPC and they sound 3D and open like the OEM burstbuckers i had but better. I think theres a big difference in potted verses unpotted pickups that make them more alive sounding.
Click to expand...
+1 Absolutely!
 
Re: A more aggressive Burstbucker?

Just be careful when swapping mags with the burstbucker. I had to re-pot mine after putting an A-5 in my BB3. Other than that, no biggie at all.
 
Re: A more aggressive Burstbucker?

I don't know that my idea will necessarily work for what you want, every ear and every piece of wood is different. But it's worth a shot, and a lot cheaper than a new pu.
 
Re: A more aggressive Burstbucker?

JB6464 said:
I have unpotted 59's in my 05 Gibson 57 LPC and they sound 3D and open like the OEM burstbuckers i had but better. I think theres a big difference in potted verses unpotted pickups that make them more alive sounding.
Click to expand...

Very interesting. I take it you have to go through the custom shop to get an unpotted pickup though? BTW, what does OEM stand for?
 
Re: A more aggressive Burstbucker?

RiffGuy said:
Very interesting. I take it you have to go through the custom shop to get an unpotted pickup though? BTW, what does OEM stand for?
Click to expand...

actually, it would be a floorshop custom(the regular shop) and they would make the standard pickup, minus wax potting.

however, i support zhang and blueman's approach to trying an alnico8 magnet first, as it only costs about 10% of what a new pickup would cost.
 
Re: A more aggressive Burstbucker?

You dont have to go through the custom shop for the Unpotted 59's. Just go to www.specialtyguitars.com and they stock them all day long. I think their $100. each but thats with covers. My favorite pu's so far.
 
Re: A more aggressive Burstbucker?

super rad ska, it would be about $15.00 cheaper,but you would wait about 2 Weeks for them to make them and then shipping time.
 
Re: A more aggressive Burstbucker?

****, I thought BB Pros were bold enough.

1. As mentioned, a cap swap (I used 550Ks in an R0) is an east way to get more umph.

Or, if that's still not enough,

2. Get a BB3 and put an Alnico V in it.

Changing magnets really impacts the eq of a pickup. I'm not sure is you should stray away from an A5, but it's a cheap way to try.
 
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