Chris Pile
Well-known member
Why are Gibson Burstbucker Pro pickups so popular?
Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
- Thread starter Chris Pile
- Start date
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
Popular with who? I've never owned one (being a fan of the original BB's), but I've seen as many complaints about them here as I have positive things.
Popular with who? I've never owned one (being a fan of the original BB's), but I've seen as many complaints about them here as I have positive things.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
Can't say. Speaking for myself, I found even the regular A2 version of the BB2 was a little harsh at the bridge for my taste. In a Les Paul, anyway- maybe in a dark guitar it would've done better. Replaced it with a 59/09 that absolutely smokes. To be fair, I like the BB1 at the neck.
For vintage output Gibson 'buckers I prefer the 57 Classic/Classic Plus that came in my Johnny A. Not that those are near the top of my favorites list. Actually they're pretty far down, behind 57/08s, Tom Holmes, Wizz, ReWind, Zhangbuckers, Gibson Shaws, Wolfetones, Sheptones, a handful of stock Duncans and one or two DiMarzios.
I'd expect with an A5 inside the BBs would be even brighter. But maybe a bit of mid scoop and the extra low end balances them out and makes them better.
Can't say. Speaking for myself, I found even the regular A2 version of the BB2 was a little harsh at the bridge for my taste. In a Les Paul, anyway- maybe in a dark guitar it would've done better. Replaced it with a 59/09 that absolutely smokes. To be fair, I like the BB1 at the neck.
For vintage output Gibson 'buckers I prefer the 57 Classic/Classic Plus that came in my Johnny A. Not that those are near the top of my favorites list. Actually they're pretty far down, behind 57/08s, Tom Holmes, Wizz, ReWind, Zhangbuckers, Gibson Shaws, Wolfetones, Sheptones, a handful of stock Duncans and one or two DiMarzios.
I'd expect with an A5 inside the BBs would be even brighter. But maybe a bit of mid scoop and the extra low end balances them out and makes them better.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
And being one of Gibson's best selling aftermarket pickups doesn't make them popular by any objective standard. It wouldn't surprise me if numbers were to show that Duncan's 59 or the DiMarzio 36th was outselling them by more than ten to one. Of course, there's no way to check those numbers. Just sayin' I wouldn't be surprised.
And being one of Gibson's best selling aftermarket pickups doesn't make them popular by any objective standard. It wouldn't surprise me if numbers were to show that Duncan's 59 or the DiMarzio 36th was outselling them by more than ten to one. Of course, there's no way to check those numbers. Just sayin' I wouldn't be surprised.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
They are made by Gibson, they have to be the best out their, right? Right!?
I prefer the BB 2 and 3 set myself. I actually made my own set of a 1/2 hybrid for the neck and a 2/3 hybrid for the bridge. This made a more authentic mismatch in the coils. I then put double thick A2 that I degaussed and now they are pretty close to perfect PAFish pickups.
They are made by Gibson, they have to be the best out their, right? Right!?
I prefer the BB 2 and 3 set myself. I actually made my own set of a 1/2 hybrid for the neck and a 2/3 hybrid for the bridge. This made a more authentic mismatch in the coils. I then put double thick A2 that I degaussed and now they are pretty close to perfect PAFish pickups.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
You know, on a certain forum made specifically for one of Gibson's flagship models, they actually recommend Gibson pickups before Seymour Duncan. Some of them even have a dislike for SD. It's crazy, I know, but it's true.
You know, on a certain forum made specifically for one of Gibson's flagship models, they actually recommend Gibson pickups before Seymour Duncan. Some of them even have a dislike for SD. It's crazy, I know, but it's true.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
Let me try to be objective here;
Having played a number of BB Pro loaded guitars - they are pretty decent. Not a thing wrong with them.
I am not aware that they are crazy popular, though, and I think that is an overstatement. Incidentally, I think the same applies to the 57 Classics. BB Pro's and 57 Classics have their fans, certainly. And they have their haters.
My tastes just run toward the BB 1/2 area. Even the 3's. The Pro's, to me, are a too bass-y, less defined, version of the 59. The 57's, are like a meh version of an A2P to me. Almost like a 59 that someone threw an A2 magnet in to try and make an A2P. Still, depending on the guitar, I wouldn't necessarily throw them out on principle. But I'd never run out and buy them either.
I don't know that they are popular though, they just don't suck. And honestly, neither do a 490 or a 498 for all around playing. Again - as tone conneseur, just not my thing.
Let me try to be objective here;
Having played a number of BB Pro loaded guitars - they are pretty decent. Not a thing wrong with them.
I am not aware that they are crazy popular, though, and I think that is an overstatement. Incidentally, I think the same applies to the 57 Classics. BB Pro's and 57 Classics have their fans, certainly. And they have their haters.
My tastes just run toward the BB 1/2 area. Even the 3's. The Pro's, to me, are a too bass-y, less defined, version of the 59. The 57's, are like a meh version of an A2P to me. Almost like a 59 that someone threw an A2 magnet in to try and make an A2P. Still, depending on the guitar, I wouldn't necessarily throw them out on principle. But I'd never run out and buy them either.
I don't know that they are popular though, they just don't suck. And honestly, neither do a 490 or a 498 for all around playing. Again - as tone conneseur, just not my thing.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
Let's not confuse "factory installed in a lot of guitars" with "popular".
If I hadn't played Seths before, I might have left mine in. But I already knew there was something better out there as soon as I heard them, and those quick connects made removal just too easy.
Let's not confuse "factory installed in a lot of guitars" with "popular".
If I hadn't played Seths before, I might have left mine in. But I already knew there was something better out there as soon as I heard them, and those quick connects made removal just too easy.
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
This is true. But to be expected there. Hey, we tend to like Duncan pickups here...but that is just an objective fact. We know better, right?
This is true. But to be expected there. Hey, we tend to like Duncan pickups here...but that is just an objective fact. We know better, right?
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
I really dug the Burstbucker Pro I had a while ago. It was great under tons of gain. Very articulate with lots of aggressive attack.
I know they changed the wire insulation in them from enamel to died poly somewhere down the line. I don't know if mine had enamel or poly, but I thought it sounded great.
I really dug the Burstbucker Pro I had a while ago. It was great under tons of gain. Very articulate with lots of aggressive attack.
I know they changed the wire insulation in them from enamel to died poly somewhere down the line. I don't know if mine had enamel or poly, but I thought it sounded great.
LLL
New member
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
Interesting. It would stand to reason that the owner of MLP (you) would know this.
(not that MLP carries any weight in anything considering the population of scam artists and hack jobs who frequent there)
Interesting. It would stand to reason that the owner of MLP (you) would know this.
(not that MLP carries any weight in anything considering the population of scam artists and hack jobs who frequent there)
LLL
New member
TennBlues
New member
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
I just replaced them in my 2017 Les Paul. They had good tone clean or with my amp wide open. But NOTHING smooth and bluesy in between. I think they are too clear sounding to get a good dirty blues/classic rock tone. I quickly became frustrated with them because of that. I don’t think they are PAF sounding. I thought about swapping out the A5 for A2 magnets, but I wanted uncovered zebras. So I went with a set of zebra Pearly Gates. Been two weeks now and no regrets. Sounding much better and looking better for me.
I just replaced them in my 2017 Les Paul. They had good tone clean or with my amp wide open. But NOTHING smooth and bluesy in between. I think they are too clear sounding to get a good dirty blues/classic rock tone. I quickly became frustrated with them because of that. I don’t think they are PAF sounding. I thought about swapping out the A5 for A2 magnets, but I wanted uncovered zebras. So I went with a set of zebra Pearly Gates. Been two weeks now and no regrets. Sounding much better and looking better for me.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
Gibson's a guitar company that makes their own PU's to save a few bucks. Do they have the passion for tone, for PAF's or PU's in general that an artist like Seymour does? Not even close. For Gibson, PU's are way down on the list of priorities. For Seymour, PU's are his life.
Gibson's a guitar company that makes their own PU's to save a few bucks. Do they have the passion for tone, for PAF's or PU's in general that an artist like Seymour does? Not even close. For Gibson, PU's are way down on the list of priorities. For Seymour, PU's are his life.
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
Whoa. That is sobering, and extremely well stated.
Whoa. That is sobering, and extremely well stated.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
I think the Gibson problem is not one of not caring or lower priority, but their problem is making a guitar that is versatile enough from the factory that, using 'the right amp/equipment' for that target player/market, most customers can get satisfactory sounds and not be so disappointed as to give up on the guitar and return it.
Trouble is, great tone depends on all the idiosyncrasies of the various components, so a jack of all trades pickup can only get in the ballpark but never really excel.
Despite that, there have been a fair number of hit songs and great sounding bands that's got it done with stock instruments. What I've found is everything else in the signal chain has to be the right, period correct, top notch amp, cab, speakers, etc. to get there tone wise.
I think the Gibson problem is not one of not caring or lower priority, but their problem is making a guitar that is versatile enough from the factory that, using 'the right amp/equipment' for that target player/market, most customers can get satisfactory sounds and not be so disappointed as to give up on the guitar and return it.
Trouble is, great tone depends on all the idiosyncrasies of the various components, so a jack of all trades pickup can only get in the ballpark but never really excel.
Despite that, there have been a fair number of hit songs and great sounding bands that's got it done with stock instruments. What I've found is everything else in the signal chain has to be the right, period correct, top notch amp, cab, speakers, etc. to get there tone wise.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Burstbucker Pro - What's the deal?
I'm also not a fan of the A5 BB Pro. I like the A2 BB 1&2s in my Historic LPs, and I loved them in the Warren Haynes Sig 335 I tried (and should have bought!) The BB Pros in guitars I've felt a little too etched, a little too sterile for me. The BB2s in the bridge of my Historics actually has some twang to it, almost like a really FAT vintage Tele...on steroids. But, I'm not sure I would spend the $$$ to put some in a guitar that needed pickups--I probably go with Seth or Ants (both wonderful for me!) or try a different PAF flavor in WLHs or Pearlys. I have the '59/TB-4 set in my ASAT Deluxe, and with the coil splits (250k pots), it's a beautiful sounding set in that guitar.
The one thing I've learned over the years...sometimes there are just great combinations. Certain guitars and certain pickups can get you into the Great Tone Hall Of Fame with the right amp. With a different amp...well...congrats, you just stepped in a steaming pile of doggy-doo...and you'll never get it right.
Good luck!
Bill
I'm also not a fan of the A5 BB Pro. I like the A2 BB 1&2s in my Historic LPs, and I loved them in the Warren Haynes Sig 335 I tried (and should have bought!) The BB Pros in guitars I've felt a little too etched, a little too sterile for me. The BB2s in the bridge of my Historics actually has some twang to it, almost like a really FAT vintage Tele...on steroids. But, I'm not sure I would spend the $$$ to put some in a guitar that needed pickups--I probably go with Seth or Ants (both wonderful for me!) or try a different PAF flavor in WLHs or Pearlys. I have the '59/TB-4 set in my ASAT Deluxe, and with the coil splits (250k pots), it's a beautiful sounding set in that guitar.
The one thing I've learned over the years...sometimes there are just great combinations. Certain guitars and certain pickups can get you into the Great Tone Hall Of Fame with the right amp. With a different amp...well...congrats, you just stepped in a steaming pile of doggy-doo...and you'll never get it right.
Good luck!
Bill
