Burstbucker Pro (Bridge) In Les Paul

[Studioplayer]

I've read up on numerous threads on these forums and preference for Burstbuckers seems to wax and wane over time. For those who may still have these (in particular the bridge position) in your Lesters, where abouts did you settle on the height to make the bridge model really conform to your own concept of a really good Rock tone?

My Gibson Studio Deluxe came with the Stock BB Pro bridge along with the 490R in the neck position. Overall, a good pair for versatility; ranging from Jazz to Classic Rock and possibly Metal, too. I adjusted the bridge BB Pro height so that a nickel (1/16") just fits on the treble side with string is resting on the highest fret. The bass side is 1 1/2 nickels. With its volume roll'd back to, say, 8 or
so and tone roll'd back to 6 to 7, it does what I think a good Gibson bridge tone should be on a Les Paul; lots of growl, yet articulate when finger pick'd. Just between raising a combination of volume and tone on it can make it muscular without being shrill as many owners complain of. Keep in mind I'm using a single-ended Orange amp and cab.


Studioplayer

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Burstbucker Pro (Bridge) In Les Paul

There's no set position. It's all a matter of what sounds good to your ears in your particular guitar with your strings, etc.

 

[Nacho8807]

Re: Burstbucker Pro (Bridge) In Les Paul

What sounds good in my guitar may be completely different because of the rest of our rigs, and our completely subjective preferences. The only good advice I can give is, try a lot of different things and see what you like best.

 

[chadd]

Re: Burstbucker Pro (Bridge) In Les Paul

I love burstbuckers overall, but the pros only sounded good in my 335. I use 1.0mm picks and I can't quite get two of them between the strings and the pickup. Like everything else, it changes from guitar to guitar and ear to ear.

 

[Studioplayer]

Re: Burstbucker Pro (Bridge) In Les Paul

I get that pickups do sound different depending on the guitar and how they are setup in a guitar. I'm referring to the Burstbucker Pro's (bridge) tone signature. Some owners have described them as shrill, and perhaps in certain amps, they are just that. For those that that have kept there BB Pro's in their Les Pauls; I'm wondering why they decided to keep them,
and what they might have done in the way of adjustments..... to like them.

Studioplayer

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Burstbucker Pro (Bridge) In Les Paul

My approach, not only with my BB Pros but all bridge humbuckers in Gibsons, is fret the high and low E string at the 22nd fret and set the highest part of the pickup 3/32 from the underside of the string. Then dime the guitar, work with your amp input gain, amp tone controls, the guitar volume and tone controls to get as close to the tone you want, in that order, and only after all that tweak the pickup height. If you can't get there after that, then it's time to consider swapping the pickup.

 

[Studioplayer]

Re: Burstbucker Pro (Bridge) In Les Paul

Beaubrummels,

I've done just that, so I'm on the right track. I have the bridge BB Pro adjusted as your's is. I'm liking it just fine and thanking the heavens that I kept this pickup in this particular Studio Deluxe. I think Gibson designed a pretty good model Les Paul and I won't be swapping out the 490R/BB Pro anytime soon.

Studioplayer

 

[rumblebox]

Re: Burstbucker Pro (Bridge) In Les Paul

I've A/B'd BB's and BBpro's back and forth a few times in my les paul and found the unpotted A2 BB to be much more lively and less compressed(naturally) than the potted A5 BBpro.

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[DonP]

Re: Burstbucker Pro (Bridge) In Les Paul

My BB Pro has always been in my 2002 LP Standard when they were first released. Tight and articulate under high distortion is what I love about it.

If we are talking BB's, I have a pair of R's with them. They sound great too, just a little more creamy.