General Consensus on burstbuckers?

[Redbowties88]

So I just worked up a deal for a set of burstbuckers 1&2 for $90..

I don't know a whole lot about them but figured at least worst case scenario I could sell them and get most if not all of my money back.

I'm planning on putting them in my SG, but I might give them a whirl in my Wilshire too.

What do you guys think of them?

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

Amazing things. Fantastic deal too. They aren't potted so they might feedback, but that's what Gibson they use in their top quality vintage stuff. Classic tone. I'd keep them around definitely.

 

[soulforger]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

Great deal on a set of fantastic pickups, I've had these in some Les Pauls over the years and was always impressed with the quality of tone, good enough for Gary Moore to use! The thing that surprised me was how well they handled some pretty high gain. Tons of character, enjoy!

 

[blueman335]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

I think they're the best PU's Guibson's made in decades. Although both are great, I prefer the 1 & 2 set over the 2 & 3, as the neck is clearer.

 

[Greg_L]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

I use a BB3 in the bridge of my LP, and love it. Nice and crunchy medium output. Great pickup IMO.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

I have a 1&2 set that I traded an EMG 81/85 set for (I hate EMGs). I currently have the BBs in my Explorer and they sound great. Very clean open and articulate.

 

[Redbowties88]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

I have a 1&2 set that I traded an EMG 81/85 set for (I hate EMGs). I currently have the BBs in my Explorer and they sound great. Very clean open and articulate.

Thanks everyone, glad to hear I made a good choice. These aren't exactly what I was looking for but I'm glad I pulled the trigger on them

 

[blueman335]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

I bet you like them, the unbalanced coils give a more open sound. The tone is much better than '57's.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

I like them a lot, both the Alnico 2 models and the Alnico 5 models. All A5 models are wax potted. A2 models that came in a guitar from the factory are wax potted as well. Only the A2 models that were sold aftermarket are unpotted. As with anything Gibson, it's folly to buy new, due to price. Get them used for a good deal, and they're a good buy. But don't spend any more than you would on a Seth Lover.

 

[Redbowties88]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

These I believe came off a factory guitar.

Any way to tell if their potted without removing the covers?

 

[Aceman]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

Big fan. Love the 1 -2


awesome price.

lot o win

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

These I believe came off a factory guitar.

Any way to tell if their potted without removing the covers?

You can see the wax on the baseplate and around the pole piece screws.

But if they came in a guitar from the factory, they are wax potted.

 

[blueman335]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

You can see the wax on the baseplate and around the pole piece screws.

But if they came in a guitar from the factory, they are wax potted.

Some of Gibson's aftermarket HB's have 4-leads (and most that are stock in guitars have a single lead)...do aftermarket BB's have 4 or 1?

 

[Redbowties88]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

These are 4 lead and in the detailed pic I saw I did not see any wax. I'll find out for sure when I pick them up tomorrow though.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

Some of Gibson's aftermarket HB's have 4-leads (and most that are stock in guitars have a single lead)...do aftermarket BB's have 4 or 1?

I really don't know any hard and fast "rules" about that. But as far as what I've actually seen, I always thought that the splittable versions were not sold aftermarket - only available installed from the factory. That would also mean that all splittable models are also wax potted. But, as I said, I don't know for sure.

 

[Chocklit_Thunda]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

Some of Gibson's aftermarket HB's have 4-leads (and most that are stock in guitars have a single lead)...do aftermarket BB's have 4 or 1?

I have an aftermarket BB3 and an aftermarket '57 classic and both are single braided wire. I think that you can order them 4con

Without hijacking the thread, may I ask what the consensus is of the BB3?

 

[LtKojak]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

Am I the only one that doesn't think so high of BBs?

I mean, they're not BAD, per se, mind you; I think the BB#2 in the bridge does a much better job than the BB#1 in the neck; still there are other, even cheaper p'ups that do that job better, if you ask me.

An example, just for the sake of comparing apples to apples; IME, an A2 '59 set sounds a lot better, is clearer, have more note separation and has a lot more of an authentic PAF tone... but hey! What do *I* know uh? I'm just a grumpy old man...

 

[blueman335]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

Am I the only one that doesn't think so high of BBs?

I mean, they're not BAD, per se, mind you; I think the BB#2 in the bridge does a much better job than the BB#1 in the neck; still there are other, even cheaper p'ups that do that job better, if you ask me.

An example, just for the sake of comparing apples to apples; IME, an A2 '59 set sounds a lot better, is clearer, have more note separation and has a lot more of an authentic PAF tone... but hey! What do *I* know uh? I'm just a grumpy old man...

As far as Gibson PU's, BB's lead the pack. Certainly better than '57's.

Have I ever paid full retail price for a Gibson PU, of any kind? No. For what a new one costs, there are better PU's (Fralins), and there are better PU's that cost less (Seth's). All of my Gibson PU's have been acquired used. At $50, I'm pleased with them.

I like '59's also, especially an UOA5 in a '59B. But the low end of a '59N is boomy in some guitars, particularly LP's and 335's. I've fixed that in those guitars by making hybrids ('59N/'59B hybrid). I know your favored approach is an A4.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

I know your favored approach is an A4.

Lately I've been asked a lot 'bout modding '59n with A3 and A2 mags in neck p'ups... and I simply LOVE the A3/UOA5 '59 set. Jazz, Blues and Studio players all seem to be taken by this mod in their LPs... and are no slouch in 335s and 339s as well.

Even my "boutique conversion" Epi Probuckers sound gorgeous with the A3/UOA5.

HTH,

 

[Redbowties88]

Re: General Consensus on burstbuckers?

Lately I've been asked a lot 'bout modding '59n with A3 and A2 mags in neck p'ups... and I simply LOVE the A3/UOA5 '59 set. Jazz, Blues and Studio players all seem to be taken by this mod in their LPs... and are no slouch in 335s and 339s as well.

]Even my "boutique conversion" Epi Probuckers sound gorgeous with the A3/UOA5.

HTH,

More info??

I've got some of those on my wilshire